HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 03/16/2021 - SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 040, 2021, AMENDIN Agenda Item 7
Item # 7 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY March 16, 2021
City Council
STAFF
Kelly Smith, Senior City Planner
Brad Yatabe, Legal
Cameron Gloss, Planning Manager
SUBJECT
Second Reading of Ordinance No. 040, 2021, Amending the Land Use Code Regarding Exterior Lighting.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Ordinance, unanimously adopted on First Reading on March 2, 2021, approves changes to the exterior
lighting standards in the City Land Use Code for new commercial and multi-family development projects. The
goals of the update are to ensure adequate light levels for safety and commerce; update technical criteria to
align with current industry metrics; better control the various aspects of light pollution (overlighting, glare, light
trespass); and require contextually appropriate lighting plans that result in lower lighting in areas with lower
nighttime activity (Natural Areas and residential areas), and higher lighting levels in areas with higher nighttime
activity (Downtown and commercial corridors).
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on Second Reading.
ATTACHMENTS
1. First Reading Agenda Item Summary, March 2, 2021 (w/o attachments) (PDF)
2. Ordinance No. 040, 2021 (PDF)
Agenda Item 16
Item # 16 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY March 2, 2021
City Council
STAFF
Kelly Smith, Senior City Planner
Cameron Gloss, Planning Manager
Brad Yatabe, Legal
SUBJECT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 040, 2021, Amending the Land Use Code Regarding Exterior Lighting.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to approve changes to the exterior lighting standards in the City Land Use Code for
new commercial and multi-family development projects. The goals of the update are to ensure adequate light
levels for safety and commerce; update technical criteria to align with current industry metrics; better control the
various aspects of light pollution (overlighting, glare, light trespass); and require contextually appropriate lighting
plans that result in lower lighting in areas with lower nighttime activity (Natural Areas and residential areas), and
higher lighting levels in areas with higher nighttime activity (Downtown and commercial corridors).
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Over the past two decades, a growing body of research has confirmed the impacts of light pollution on public
health, the environment and wildlife. The 2015 Nature in the City Strategic Plan acknowledges these findings
and calls for the City to comprehensively address the protection of the night sky through cross-departmental
collaboration and external partnerships. In 2016, a group of staff formed the Night Sky Team to spearhead
initiatives that encourage best lighting practices, reduce light pollution, raise awareness, and maintain public
safety and security. The team meets regularly, and consists of several City departments and service areas,
including Light and Power, Utilities’ Integrated Design Assistance Program, Facilities, Planning and
Development, Environmental Sustainability, Natural Areas, and Police Services.
Furthering the Night Sky Team’s objectives, Council adopted a Resolution 2016-074 in September 2016
expressing support for the following:
Protect and preserve the night sky through implementation of best lighting practices at City-owned facilities
and with City-owned lighting;
Incorporate dark sky policies and standards into Building Codes, Land Use Codes and Streetscape
Standards when applicable and appropriate;
Educate and raise awareness publicly to encourage best lighting practices throughout the community;
Seek to obtain dark sky certification by an independent body for Natural Areas and other locations in the
region that have high quality night skies;
Continue to partner and monitor regional night sky measures annually; and
Pursue night sky protection without compromising health, safety, or security.
ATTACHMENT 1
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Agenda Item 16
Item # 16 Page 2
In support of the Nature in the City Strategic Plan and Council’s stated goals, staff have been evaluating and
updating codes for building and development projects. In 2017, amendments were adopted to the Residential
Code and Energy Code that require night-sky-friendly lighting on all residential and commercial buildings.
In 2018, staff began evaluating the Land Use Code standards for exterior lighting on commercial and multi-family
development projects. The City contracted Clanton and Associates, a lighting design and engineering firm, to
assist with an audit of the existing Land Use Code (LUC) requirements and propose Code changes.
Existing City Regulations
To help ground the discussion and provide clarity, the table below illustrates how exterior lighting is regulated in
the City, and the department responsible for overseeing the regulation. (Note: The area in gray highlights the
LUC update and corresponding development projects up for Council discussion).
TABLE 1: CITY REGULATIONS FOR EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Residential
Code (Building
Services)
Energy Code
(Building
Services)
Land Use Code
(Planning
Services)
LCUASS
(Utilities)
Single-Family/ Duplex X
Multi-Family X X
Commercial X X
Signs X
Street Rights of Way X
Project Need
The City’s existing LUC standards for exterior lighting (the “Code”) were adopted in 1997, which predates LED
technology. Aside from periodic minor updates over the years, the Code has remained unchanged. The Code’s
intent is to “focus on the actual physical effects of lighting, as well as the effect that lighting may have on the
surrounding neighborhood.” To achieve the intent, the Code is structured around three regulatory controls that
are applied uniformly throughout the City:
1. Light Trespass Limits: controls the amount of light entering outside the property boundary;
2. Footcandle Maximums: the maximum allowable light intensity hitting the ground surface; and
3. Full-Cutoff Light Fixtures: the percentage of light emitted above the fixture that directly contributes to
skyglow.
While the Code helps mitigate impacts to surrounding neighborhoods, such as light trespass and skyglow, the
regulatory controls and terminology are outdated and less effective. The term “full cutoff” is no longer used by
the industry and has been replaced with the BUG rating, a luminaire classification system that addresses light
pollution more comprehensively from all angles. ‘BUG’ stands for Backlight, Uplight and Glare. Backlight is the
light directed behind the fixture; Uplight is light directed above the fixture; and Glare is the light perceived by the
bulb. Each fixture has a BUG rating and metrics are used to better determine how fixtures will perform in the
field.
Because the Code only addresses uplight through full-cutoff fixture requirements, and backlight through trespass
limitations, glare remains unaddressed. Glare is difficult to measure in the field, and therefore hard to enforce.
The BUG rating provides a pre-emptive and measurable mitigation tool to addressing glare. The Code also
regulates lighting around maximum illuminance levels that are uniformly applied to every development
throughout the City. Therefore, a small business surrounded by a residential neighborhood would have the same
lighting requirements as a large commercial center on a major arterial road. Regulating lighting uniformly through
maximum allowable levels has led to projects being over-lit, especially in relation to their context.
ATTACHMENT 1
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Agenda Item 16
Item # 16 Page 3
Proposed Exterior Lighting Code
The proposed Code is based on an ordinance template known as the Model Lighting Ordinance (MLO) that was
jointly developed by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the International Dark Sky Association (IDA).
Over the past century, the IES has been the lighting authority that sets national standards for interior and exterior
lighting designs. The IES focuses on the human experience of lighting, such as safety, mood and atmosphere,
visual comfort, human health, aesthetics, architectural form, and energy conservation. Conversely, IDA’s focus
is to protect the night sky through encouraging best practices such as lighting when needed, lighting where
needed, directing lighting downward, and using enough lighting as needed.
The MLO serves as a flexible framework that can be adapted to meet the needs of individual communities. It is
structured around BUG and lumen limits, and thus aligns with current technical metrics that more
comprehensively address over-lighting and all lighting angles. BUG and lumen limits are defined by a site’s
Lighting Context Area, a zone district overlay comprised of four “brightness” categories, with LC0 being the
lowest and LC3 the highest. The purpose is to better protect sensitive areas from the impacts of artificial light,
such as Natural Areas and residential neighborhoods, while allowing greater lighting levels in commercial areas
with higher nighttime activity.
The goals of the proposed Code updates are to:
Promote nighttime safety, security, productivity, enjoyment, and commerce on new development sites;
Create a “lighting budget” approach that responds to the specific context of the site and lighting needs of the
development;
Minimize glare, obtrusive light, artificial sky glow, excessive energy use, and impacts to adjacent properties
and neighborhoods;
Protect Natural Areas and the local natural ecosystem from the damaging effects of electric night lighting;
and
Address recent technological advances in outdoor lighting, particularly the advent of energy efficient LED
lighting.
Other Project Studies
In November 2019, Clanton & Associates prepared a Case Studies Report (Report) that evaluated the current
Code against the proposed Code on five recently completed development projects in different areas throughout
the City. The purpose of the Report was to understand the implications of the new Code and its effects on the
ground. The report confirmed existing requirements fall short in controlling over-lighting and glare.
These findings were further reinforced after staff facilitated four nighttime tours of the development sites featured
in the Report. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about the qualitative aspects of lighting
installations. Questionnaire results and verbal comments mirrored findings in the Report.
Clanton & Associates also performed a cost analysis of development sites featured in the Report to determine if
the new Code would result in more expensive lighting installations. The Report concluded the proposed Code
would not result in more expensive lighting installations.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously to recommend Council adopt the proposed LUC lighting
requirements at the February 18, 2021 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing. Minutes will be provided when
available, but likely with Second Reading.
The Land Conservation and Stewardship Board wrote a letter in support of the proposed LUC lighting
requirements. (Attachment 1)
The Natural Resources Advisory Board wrote a letter in support of the proposed LUC lighting requirements.
(Attachment 2)
ATTACHMENT 1
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Agenda Item 16
Item # 16 Page 4
PUBLIC OUTREACH
Throughout the project, staff performed a range of engagement activities to educate and solicit input from
community members around perceptions of safety, under or over-lighting, and lighting best practices. In February
2020, staff facilitated four separate evening tours of development projects featured in the Case Studies Report
to help ground the technical aspects of the Code. Staff used the Report and input received during tours to further
refine the Code.
On November 1, 2020, a draft of proposed standards was released to the public for review and comment. A
webpage dedicated to the Code update was created, and hyperlinks to the webpage were provided on the City’s
Night Sky Team webpage and the Land Use Code Updates webpage. The project was advertised in the Climate
Action Plan newsletter and the Coloradoan.
Throughout the months of November, December and January 2021, staff engaged the broader community
through a variety of virtual activities, including public open houses, presentations/discussions to a variety of
groups (Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Development Authority, Police Services, Boards, Building Services
Team, Light and Power Team, Capital Projects Team), two Technical Advisory Committee workshops, and one-
on-one discussions. Staff also facilitated a virtual training session for City Planners responsible for reviewing
new lighting plans and applying standards.
Comments received varied between stakeholder groups and highlighted different concerns and priorities.
Business owners and organizations expressed concern over the Code being a Dark Sky Ordinance that is too
restrictive to adequately address our rich and diverse community identity, support a vibrant Downtown, provide
safe multi-transit corridors, and address the complexities of our built environment.
Similarly, Police Services expressed concern that a Dark Sky Ordinance would result in underlit developments,
particularly in Lighting Context Area 1, and that the review process for adding lights for safety was too
cumbersome. Police Services also expressed concern over light restrictions within Natural Areas and natural
resource buffers because they would result in dark, unsafe places that attract unwanted behavior.
Conversely, residents and Boards expressed a desire for stronger regulations that would restrict light trespass,
apply enforceable restrictions to single-family residential properties, require existing developments to comply
through an amortization process, and create a clear mechanism to address obtrusive lighting (“glare bombs”)
immediately. Natural resource protection and low light levels in residential areas were priorities.
Below is a table highlighting key comments/concerns expressed by different stakeholders and how the
comments/concerns have been addressed.
TABLE 2. SUMMARY OF PUBLIC INPUT
STAKEHOLDER COMMENT/CONCERN ADDRESSED
Public Concern over light pollution
Would like residential light fixtures to be
enforceable
Addressed through BUG and lumen
budget
Coordinated with Building Services
to address complaints on non-
compliant light fixtures on
residential properties
Police Services More light needed in Neighborhood Commercial
Centers
Better understand philosophy for Context Area
Boundaries
Easy process for Police to add light for safety
reasons
Concern current light levels are too low and
proposed code could have a negative impacts on
Changed Neighborhood Center
Zone District from LC1 to LC2
Provided a table in the code of
Context Areas and correlating zone
districts Provide an administrative
approval process for adding lighting
should police request lighting
Pending: developed an
ATTACHMENT 1
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Agenda Item 16
Item # 16 Page 5
STAKEHOLDER COMMENT/CONCERN ADDRESSED
crime prevention.
Energy code is not consistent with crime prevention
approach to draw eyes from people passing by into
developments
administrative approval process for
PD to add lights
Provided an evaluation of sites in
LC1 to visit and evaluate
Downtown
Development
Authority
Concern over trespass limitations, particularly for
zero-lot-line developments in downtown
LC3 boundary should match Storefront Street Type
Wanted clarity for how illuminated art pieces would
be regulated
No low-light hours in Downtown to reflect the 20-
hour commercial activity
Allowed greater trespass levels and
flexibility for property boundaries
abutting public rights of way
Extended LC3 boundary to closely
match Storefront Street Type
Staff recommends a content-neutral
approach toward art as defining art
would be challenging in the code
and to administer
This will be addressed during the
Energy Code Update
Chamber of
Commerce
Cost analysis of new lighting plans
Include standards for recreation fields
Include thresholds for Minor Amendments for
retrofit requirements
Provided cost analysis
Included standards for recreation
fields
Provided thresholds for Minor
Amendments and retrofits
LCSB Concern over how Poudre River is being protected,
especially Downtown
Support amortization approach to bring existing
development into compliance
Supportive of the code and protection of Natural
Areas
Included no light spill onto
landscape buffer in Downtown River
subdistrict
Researching best practices for
amortization for future council
consideration
NRAB Supportive of the code, particularly for protection of
Natural Areas and energy conservation
Ensure natural resources are adequately protected
Included no light spill onto
landscape buffer in Downtown River
subdistrict
P&Z Support amortization approach to bring existing
development into compliance
Include thresholds for Minor Amendments for
retrofit requirements
Include standards for recreation fields
Researching best practices for
amortization for future council
consideration
Provided thresholds for Minor
Amendments and retrofits
Included standards for recreation
fields
ATTACHMENTS
1. Land Conservation and Stewardship Board Letter of Support (PDF)
2. Natural Resources Advisory Board Letter of Support (PDF)
3. Public Comments (PDF)
4. Powerpoint Presentation (PDF)
ATTACHMENT 1
COPY
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ORDINANCE NO. 040, 2021
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING THE LAND USE CODE REGARDING EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEREAS, on December 2, 1997, by its adoption of Ordinance No. 190, 1997, the City
Council enacted the Fort Collins Land Use Code (the "Land Use Code"); and
WHEREAS, at the time of the adoption of the Land Use Code, it was the understanding of
staff and the City Council that the Land Use Code would most likely be subject to future
amendments, not only for the purpose of clarification and correction of errors, but also for the
purpose of ensuring that the Land Use Code remains a dynamic document capable of responding
to issues identified by staff, other land use professionals and citizens of the City; and
WHEREAS, on September 20, 2016 City Council adopted Resolution 2016-074 that
identifies, among other things, the goal of incorporating dark sky policies and standards into
Building Codes, Land Use Codes and Streetscape Standards when applicable and appropriate; and
WHEREAS, the existing exterior lighting standards in the Land Use Code were adopted in
1997, which predate LED technology and current industry metrics; and
WHEREAS, the current exterior lighting standards are applied uniformly throughout the
City with broad ranges of minimum and maximum illuminance levels; and
WHEREAS, the outdated metrics do not address glare, a component of light pollution that
causes visual discomfort from excessive brightness and is difficult to control and measure in the
field; and
WHEREAS, the broad illuminance ranges applied across the City do not prevent over-
lighting of development sites in sensitive areas, such as Natural Areas and residential
neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the standards applied uniformly across the City do not acknowledge the
unique lighting needs of Downtown, high density and commercial areas; and
WHEREAS, the existing lighting requirements do not reflect current research and best
practices in exterior lighting to support public safety and security, energy conservation, natural
resource protection, and public health; and
WHEREAS, to address the aforementioned issues and achieve equitable night sky
protection and energy conservation without compromising health, safety or security, staff, after
extensive public outreach and input, has proposed amended Land Use Code lighting standards;
and
WHEREAS, at its February 18, 2021, regular meeting, the Planning and Zoning Board
unanimously recommended that Council adopt the amended lighting standards; and
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WHEREAS, after extensive public input has been received, the City Council has
determined that it is in the best interest of the City and its citizens and necessary for the public’s
health, safety and welfare that these proposed amendments be adopted.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That Section 3.2.4 of the Land Use Code is hereby repealed and replaced in
its entirety to read as follows:
3.2.4 Exterior Site Lighting
(A) Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to ensure adequate exterior lighting for the
safety, security, enjoyment and function of the proposed land use; conserve energy
and resources; reduce light trespass, glare, artificial night glow, and obtrusive light;
protect the local natural ecosystem from damaging effects of artificial lighting; and
encourage quality lighting design and fixtures.
(B) General Standard. All development that includes proposed artificial outdoor
lighting, except for development on single-family detached residential lots, single-
family attached residential lots, and two-family dwelling residential lots for which
an application is submitted after [Insert Effective Date of Ordinance], subject to
below Subsection 3.2.4(D), shall submit for review and approval a proposed
lighting plan that complies with the standards in this Section 3.2.4 and meets the
functional needs of the proposed land use without adversely affecting adjacent
properties or the community.
(C) Design Standards. The lighting plan shall meet the following requirements and all
other applicable requirements set forth in this Section 3.2.4:
(1) Provide a comprehensive plan that clearly calculates the lumens of all
exterior lighting being proposed and demonstrates compliance with impacts
to adjacent properties, as outlined in subsections (I) and (J) below.
(2) Design different use areas considering nighttime safety, utility, security,
enjoyment, and commerce.
(3) Reinforce and extend the style and character of the architecture and land use
proposed within the site.
(4) Demonstrate no light trespass onto Natural Areas, Natural Habitat Buffer
Zones or River Landscape Buffers as defined in Section 4.16(E)(5)(b)(1)(a).
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(5) All lighting shall have a nominal correlated color temperature (CCT) of no
greater than 3000 Kelvin. Consider high color fidelity lamps relative to the
lighting application.
(6) Light poles shall be anodized (or otherwise coated) to minimize glare from
the light source.
(D) Existing Lighting. Existing lighting shall mean lighting installed or approved prior
to [Insert Effective Date of Ordinance].
(1) The addition of three (3) or more new fixtures in excess of the existing
number of fixtures, updating or replacement of three (3) or more existing
fixtures, or the updating or replacement of between ten (10) and fifty (50)
percent of the existing fixtures requires an approved minor amendment
pursuant to Section 2.2.10. Such minor amendment review is limited to
meeting Section 3.2.4(A), Purpose, Section 3.2.4(C), Design Standards,
and Section 3.2.4(I), Limits to Offsite Impacts.
(2) The addition of less than three (3) new fixtures in excess of the existing
number of fixtures, updating or replacement of less than three (3) existing
fixtures, or the update or the replacement of less than ten (10) percent of the
existing fixtures requires Director review and approval. The review shall be
limited to meeting Section 3.2.4(A), Purpose, Section 3.2.4(C), Design
Standards, and Section 3.2.4(I), Limits to Offsite Impacts. The Director may
impose conditions of approval to ensure lighting meets the purpose and
intent of code requirements. The applicant may appeal the Director’s
decision in the same manner as a basic development review or minor
subdivision decision as set forth in Land Use Code Section 2.18.3(L).
(3) Should the addition of fixtures in excess of the existing number of fixtures
or update or replacement of existing fixtures occur incrementally, and the
cumulative changes exceed three (3) new fixtures or replacement of
between ten (10) and fifty (50) percent of the existing fixtures, whichever
is greater, within a ten (10) year period, the addition or update that exceeds
such threshold must be approved through a minor amendment pursuant to
Section 2.2.10. Such minor amendment will review the cumulative changes
or updates and be limited to meeting Section 3.2.4(A), Purpose, Section
3.2.4(C), Design Standards, and Section 3.2.4(I), Limits to Offsite Impacts.
(4) Applicants for minor amendments and changes of use pursuant to Land Use
Code Section 2.2.10(A) that result in the replacement or upgrade of fifty
(50) percent or more of the existing outdoor lighting fixtures at one time or
incrementally within a ten (10) year period shall submit a lighting plan for
the entire development site that meets the requirements of this Section 3.2.4
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and, if necessary to meet such requirements, complete a site lighting retrofit
of the entire development site.
(5) Applicants for major amendments and changes of use pursuant to 2.2.10(B)
shall submit a lighting plan for the entire development site that meets the
requirements of this Section 3.2.4 and, if necessary to meet such
requirements, complete a site lighting retrofit for the entire development
site.
(E) Conformance with All Applicable Codes. All outdoor lighting shall be installed in
conformance with this Section 3.2.4 and applicable sections of Chapter 5 of the
Code of the City of Fort Collins.
(F) Exceptions. The following are not subject to the requirements set forth in this
Section 3.2.4:
(1) Temporary lighting for construction sites, special events, holidays, and
other events requiring lighting.
(2) Festoon lights installed for less than thirty (30) consecutive days.
(3) Lighting within the public right-of-way. Such lighting is regulated under the
Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards.
(4) Lighting for single family residential housing and duplexes. Such lighting
is regulated by the adopted building codes and amendments.
(G) Prohibited Lighting. The following lighting is prohibited:
(1) Site lighting that may be confused with warning, emergency or traffic
signals.
(2) Mercury vapor lamps.
(H) Lighting Context Areas. The applicable Lighting Context Area shall determine the
limitations for exterior artificial lighting. The Lighting Context Areas are described
as follows:
(1) LC0 – No ambient lighting. Areas where the natural environment will be
seriously and adversely affected by lighting. Impacts include disturbing the
biological cycles of flora and fauna and/or detracting from human
enjoyment and appreciation of the natural nighttime environment. The
vision of human residents and users is adapted to the darkness, and they
expect to see little or no lighting.
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(2) LC1 – Low ambient lighting. The vision of human residents and users is
adapted to low light levels. Lighting may be used for safety and
convenience, but it is not necessarily uniform or continuous. Typical
locations include low and medium density residential areas, commercial or
industrial areas with limited nighttime activity, and the developed areas in
parks and other natural settings.
(3) LC2 – Moderate ambient lighting. Areas of human activity where the vision
of human residents and users is adapted to moderate light levels. Lighting
may typically be used for safety and convenience, but it is not necessarily
uniform or continuous. Typical locations include high density residential
areas, shopping and commercial districts, industrial parks and districts, City
playfields and major institutional uses, and mixed-use districts.
(4) LC3 – Moderately high ambient lighting. Lighting is generally desired for
safety, security, convenience, and unique site conditions. Lighting is often
uniform and/or continuous. Typical locations include select areas in the
Downtown Zone District and 24-hour emergency medical sites.
Lighting Context Areas generally correspond to zone districts as provided in Table 3.2.4-
1, Lighting Context Areas, although the assigned Lighting Context Area may vary from
Table 3.2.4-1 if necessary to accomplish the purposes and intent of this Section 3.2.4. The
location of the Lighting Context Areas are shown on the “Lighting Context Area Map” on
file at the City Clerk’s office.
(I) Limits to Off-Site Impacts. All luminaires shall be rated and installed according to
Table 3.2.4-2, Table 3.2.4-3, and Table 3.2.4-4, which outline maximum BUG
(Backlight-Uplight-Glare) ratings (see Figure B below) for all individual
luminaires installed in a given Lighting Context Area. Luminaires equipped with
Table 3.2.4-1 Lighting Context Area
Lighting
Context Area
Land Use Corresponding Zone Districts
LC0 Natural Area/Conservation Easement P-O-L (City Natural Areas)
LC1
Single Family/Multi-Family/Light
Industrial/Employment/ Portions of
Harmony District
P-O-L (City Parks); R-U-L; U-E, R-F; N-C-
L; R-C; L-M-N; M-M-N; I; E; T
LC2 Commercial/Industrial/ Portions of
Harmony District/High Density Residential
C-N; C-C; C-C-N; C-C-R; C-G; C-L; H-C; I
, R-D-R, D, H-M-N
LC3 Portions of Downtown,24-Hour Emergency
Medical Sites D, M-M-N
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adjustable mounting devices shall not be permitted unless the total lumen output is
one hundred fifty (150) lumens or less.
For property boundaries that abut public rights-of-way, private streets, private
drives, public alleys, and public and private parking lots, the backlight rating, glare
rating and illuminance values provided in Tables 3.2.4-2, 3.2.4-4 and 3.2.4-5
respectively, shall be measured ten (10) feet from the property boundary. For all
other property boundaries, values shall be measured at the property boundary.
For tables 3.2.4-2 and 3.2.4-4 below, to be considered ideally oriented, the
luminaire must be mounted with the backlight portion of the light output oriented
perpendicular to and towards the property line of concern (see Figure A below).
Figure A. Ideally Oriented Luminaire and Mounting Conditions
Figure B. Backlight, Uplight and Glare
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Table 3.2.4-2 Maximum Allowable Backlight Ratings.
Mounting Condition LC0 LC1 LC2 LC3
Greater than 2 mounting heights from the
property line or not ideally oriented B1 B3 B4 B5
1 to less than 2 mounting heights from the
property line and ideally oriented B1 B2 B3 B4
0.5 to less than 1 mounting heights from
the property line and ideally oriented B0 B1 B2 B3
Less than 0.5 mounting heights from the
property line and ideally oriented B0 B0 B0 B1
Table 3.2.4-3 Maximum Allowable Uplight Ratings.
LC0 LC1 LC2 LC3
Allowed Uplight Rating U0 U0 U1 U2
Allowed light emission above 90 degrees
for street or area lighting 0%
Table 3.2.4-4 Maximum Allowable Glare Ratings.
Mounting Condition LC0 LC1 LC2 LC3
Greater than 2 mounting heights from the
property line G0 G1 G1 G2
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2 or less mounting heights from the
property line and ideally oriented
1 to less than 2 mounting heights from the
property line and not ideally oriented G0 G0 G1 G1
0.5 to less than 1 mounting heights from
the property line and not ideally oriented G0 G0 G0 G1
Less than 0.5 mounting heights from the
property line and not ideally oriented G0 G0 G0 G0
Light Trespass Limitations. The illuminance levels provided in Table 3.2.4-4 shall be used for
enforcement, should concerns of obtrusive lighting or question of compliance arise. Lighting plans
shall show horizontal illuminance along all lot lines with calculation points spaced no further than
ten (10) feet apart. This provision shall apply to all exterior lighting.
Lighting
Context Area Maximum Horizontal Illuminance
Natural Habitat
Buffer Zones
and River
District
Landscape
Buffers
0.0
LC0 0.0
LC1 0.1
LC2 0.3
LC3 0.8
(J) Site lumen limit. The total installed initial luminaire lumens of all outdoor lighting
shall not exceed the total site lumen limit. The total site lumen shall be determined
using either the Parking Space Method (Table 3.2.4-5) or the Hardscape Area
Method (Table 3.2.4-6). Only one method shall be used per permit application and
the applicable method shall be determined by the applicant. For sites with existing
lighting, existing lighting shall be included in the calculation of total installed
lumens. The total installed initial luminaire lumens are calculated as the sum of the
initial luminaire lumens for all luminaires. Sign lighting shall be exempt from the
calculation of total installed lumens.
Table 3.2.4-6 Allowed Total Initial Luminaire Lumens per Site for Non-Residential
Outdoor Lighting, per Parking Space Method.
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May only be applied to properties up to ten parking spaces (including handicapped accessible
spaces).
LC0 LC1 LC2 LC3
350 lumens per
space
490 lumens per
space
630 lumens per
space
840 lumens per
space
Table 3.2.4-7 Allowed Total Initial Lumens per Site for Non-Residential Outdoor Lighting,
Hardscape Area Method.
May be used for any project. When lighting intersections of site drives and public streets or
roads, a total of 600 square feet for each intersection may be added to the actual site
hardscape area to provide for intersection lighting. Top level, exterior parking garage decks
are included as Hardscape Areas.
LC0 LC1 LC2 LC3
Base Allowance 0.5
lumens
per
square
foot of
hardscap
e
1.25
lumens
per
square
foot of
hardscap
e
2.5
lumens
per
square
foot of
hardscap
e
5 lumens
per
square
foot of
hardscap
e
Additional allowances for sales and service facilities. No more than two additional allowances
per site. Allowance may only be used to light the specific sales or service area selected and
may not be used to light other areas of the site.
Building Façades. This allowance is lumen
per unit area of building façade that are
illuminated. To use this allowance,
luminaires must be aimed at the façade.
0
8 lumens
per
square
foot
16
lumens
per
square
foot
Outdoor Sales Lots. This allowance is
lumens per square foot of uncovered sales
lots used exclusively for the display of
vehicles or other merchandise for sale, and
may not include driveways, parking or other
non-sales areas. To use this allowance,
luminaires must be within 0.5 mounting
heights of the sales lot area.
0
4 lumens
per
square
foot
8 lumens
per
square
foot
16
lumens
per
square
foot
Outdoor Dining. This allowance is lumen
per unit area for the total illuminated
hardscape of outdoor dining. In order to use
this allowance, luminaires must be within 0.5
0 1 lumen
per
5 lumens
per
10
lumens
per
-10-
mounting heights of the hardscape area of
outdoor dining. This allowance includes
rooftop dining.
square
foot
square
foot
square
foot
Gasoline Station. This allowance is lumens
per installed fuel pump. Both sides of a two-
sided pump qualify as one allowance.
0
4,000
lumens
per pump
8,000
lumens
per pump
8,000
lumens
per pump
(K) Athletic and Recreational Fields. The lighting for athletic and recreational fields
are exempted from the lumen, BUG and color temperature requirements in this
section and shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Lighting shall have a nominal correlated color temperature (CCT) of no
greater than 5700 Kelvin.
(2) Off-site impacts shall be limited to the maximum extent practical.
(3) Lighting controls shall provide the following functions:
(a) Lighting shall be dimmable to ten (10) percent to adjust illuminance
levels for relative activity (maintenance vs active play).
(b) Local or remote manual control with at least two (2) preset
illuminance levels.
(c) Lights shall be automatically extinguished by one (1) hour after the
end of play.
(d) Field lighting aimed upward shall be controlled separately from
downward-directed field lighting.
(L) Alternative Compliance. Upon request by an applicant, the decision maker may
approve an alternative lighting plan that may be substituted in whole or in part for
a plan meeting the standards of this Section.
(1) Procedure. Alternative compliance lighting plans shall be prepared and
submitted in accordance with submittal requirements for lighting plans as
set forth in this Section. The plan shall clearly identify and discuss the
modifications and alternatives proposed and the ways in which the plan will
better accomplish the purpose of this Section than would a plan which
complies with the standards of this Section.
(2) Review Criteria. To approve an alternative plan, the decision maker must
first find that the proposed alternative plan accomplishes the purposes of
-11-
this Section equally well or better than would a lighting plan which
complies with the standards of this Section.
In reviewing the proposed alternative plan, the decision maker shall consider the
extent to which the proposed design meets the functional safety and security needs,
protects natural areas from light intrusion, enhances neighborhood continuity and
connectivity, fosters nonvehicular access, and demonstrates innovative design and
use of fixtures or other elements.
Section 3. That Section 5.1.2 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended by the addition
of the following new definitions to read in their entirety as follows:
5.1.2 Definitions.
. . .
BUG (Backlight, Uplight, Glare) Rating shall mean the quantity of light within various
beam angles, consisting of:
(1) Backlight – the percent lamp lumens (non-LED luminaires) or the luminaire
initial lumens (LED luminaires) distributed behind a luminaire between
zero (0) degrees vertical (nadir) and ninety (90) degrees vertical.
(2) Uplight – the percent lamp lumens (non-LED luminaires) or the luminaire
initial lumens (LED luminaires) distributed above a luminaire between
ninety (90) and one hundred eighty (180) degrees vertical.
(3) Glare – the percent lamp lumens (non-LED luminaires) or the luminaire
initial lumens distributed sixty (60) and ninety (90) degrees vertical.
. . .
Correlated color temperature (CCT) shall mean the absolute temperature of a blackbody
whose chromaticity most nearly resembles that of the light source.
. . .
Festoon lighting shall mean electric lighting with individual bulbs suspended along a string
that incorporates power wiring and is suspended between two (2) or more points.
Glare shall mean the sensation produced by luminances within the visual field that are
sufficiently greater than the luminance to which the eyes are adapted that causes
annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance or visibility.
-12-
Hardscape shall mean any non-living horizontal site element, including but not limited to
patios, decks, walkways, sidewalks, driveways, and steps.
Ideally oriented luminaire shall mean a luminaire mounted with the backlight portion of
the light output oriented perpendicular to and towards the property line of concern.
Illuminance shall mean the incidental light falling on a surface as measured in footcandles
(fc). Total illuminance at a point is a combination of all light sources that contribute.
. . .
Light loss factor (LLF) shall mean a depreciation factor that describes the drop in light
output over the life of the system. The total LLF is determined by a combination of factors,
such as lumen depreciation and luminaire dirt depreciation. Light Loss Factors = 1.0 for
evaluating compliance with Section 3.2.4.
. . .
Lumen (lm) shall mean the luminous flux emitted within a unit solid angle by a point source
(one steradian) having a uniform luminous intensity of one candela (cd). See luminous flux.
Luminaire shall mean a complete lighting device consisting of the light source, lens,
reflector, refractor, driver, housing and such support as is integral with the housing. If the
driver is located within the housing, it is considered integral and therefore part of the
luminaire. The pole, posts, and bracket or mast arm are not considered to be part of the
luminaire.
Luminance (candelas per square meter, cd/mP
2
P or nits) shall mean the luminous intensity
of any surface in a given direction per unit of projected area of the surface as viewed from
that direction; i.e., the apparent brightness of a surface.
Luminous flux (lumen, lm) shall mean a unit of measure of the quantity of light. One lumen
is the amount of light that falls on an area of one square meter, every point of which is one
meter from a source of one candela. A light source of one candela emits a total of 12.57
lumens. Light sources are rated in terms of luminous flux. Lumens are used for evaluating
compliance with Section 3.2.4.
Luminous intensity (candela, cd) shall mean the basic unit of light quantity as measured in
candelas. The candela can be thought of as the number of photons per second emitted by
the light source.
. . .
Mounting height (MH) shall mean the vertical distance between the finish grade and the
center of the apparent light source of the luminaire.
-13-
. . .
Visibility shall mean the quality or state of being perceivable by the eye. Visibility may be
defined in terms of the distance at which an object can be just perceived by the eye or it
may be defined in terms of the contrast or size of a standard test object, observed under
standardized view-conditions, having the same threshold as the given object.
Section 4. That Section 5.1.2 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended by the deletion
of the existing definition of “Candela per square meter (nits)” and is replaced with a new definition
to read as follows:
Candela (see luminous intensity), (cd) shall mean the unit of luminous intensity.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 2nd day of
March, A.D. 2021, and to be presented for final passage on the 16th day of March, A.D. 2021.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on this 16th day of March, A.D. 2021.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
City Clerk