HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 09/20/2016 - RESOLUTION 2016-074 EXPRESSING COUNCIL'S INTENT ANAgenda Item 9
Item # 9 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY September 20, 2016
City Council
STAFF
Ginny Sawyer, Policy and Project Manager
SUBJECT
Resolution 2016-074 Expressing Council's Intent and General Policy Considerations Regarding Night Sky
Objectives.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to request City Council's support, by Resolution, for efforts related to protecting the
night sky through best practices in outdoor lighting. The Night Sky Initiative was a City Council work session
item on July 26, 2016.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
City staff have identified multiple efforts, including energy conservation, Nature in the City policies, building
code updates, and quality of life values that support protecting the night sky. With so many efforts underway a
Citywide night sky team was created to enhance and better coordinate these activities.
The City of Fort Collins is a growing community and with that growth comes additional outdoor lighting. By
promoting best practices, both internally and externally, the City can work proactively to enhance the night sky
by reducing glare and light trespass while conserving energy and resources.
The science of lighting continues to evolve with new and innovative technologies and research into the impacts
of lighting on human and wildlife health. The night sky team will continue to track current research and best
practices and will implement strategies as appropriate.
The night sky initiative and team is focused on the following objectives and focus areas:
Objectives:
1. Reduce light trespass (light being cast where it is not intended or needed)
2. Reduce glare (excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort)
3. Optimize light color, balancing night vision and health needs (e.g., reduce blue-rich white light)
4. Reduce sky glow (brightening of the night sky caused by outdoor lighting)
Focus Areas:
1. Technology and Research
2. Policy and Codes
3. Education and Awareness
Agenda Item 9
Item # 9 Page 2
Based on feedback from the July 26, 2016 work session the night sky team is working to better define
benchmarks, goals, and time lines for action items and implementation and will update Council as needed.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Staff presented the Night Sky Initiative at the June Board and Commission Super Meeting, to the Energy
Board, the Land Conservation and Stewardship Board, and the Natural Resources Advisory Board. All boards
have been supportive and interested. Staff presented general concepts and goals and did not ask for any
action from the boards.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Work Session Summary, July 26, 2016 (PDF)
ATTACHMENT 1
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RESOLUTION 2016-074
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
EXPRESSING COUNCIL’S INTENT AND GENERAL POLICY
CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING NIGHT SKY OBJECTIVES
WHEREAS, the City is committed to improving and maintaining its unique sense of
place, neighborhood livability, safety, and quality of life; and
WHEREAS, the City is growing and population density is increasing which can bring an
increased amount of both residential and commercial exterior lighting; and
WHEREAS, the City and its residents support conservation efforts and the natural
environment through programs such as the Road to 2020 and Nature in the City; and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to promote a culture, both internally and externally, of
innovation, best practice, and socially and environmentally friendly planning and actions; and
WHEREAS, dark sky compliant lighting practices can preserve, protect, and enhance the
night sky and can mitigate adverse impacts to human health and wildlife habitat; and
WHEREAS, the City supports eliminating glare, reducing light trespass, and minimizing
light pollution while conserving energy and resources; and
WHEREAS, the City will lead by example by improving, retrofitting, and pursuing
standards where necessary to support night sky protection efforts.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED 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 the City Council hereby expresses the intent to consider and
encourage the following objectives:
a. that the City will endorse and incorporate the principles and pursuit of
protecting and preserving the night sky through implementation of best lighting
practices at City-owned facilities and within City-owned lighting.
b. that the City will incorporate dark sky policies and standards into Building
Codes, Land Use Codes, and Streetscape standards when applicable and
appropriate.
c. that the City will educate and raise awareness publically to encourage best
lighting practices throughout the community.
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d. that the City will 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; and that the City will continue to partner and monitor regional night
sky measures annually.
e. that the City will pursue night sky protection without compromising
health, safety or security.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this
20th day of September, A.D. 2016.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk