HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 1/12/2021 - Memorandum From Kelly Smith Re: Update - Outdoor Lighting Code Changes
Administration
281 North College Avenue
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580
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970.416.2081 - fax
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Planning, Development & Transportation
MEMORANDUM
DATE: December 29, 2020
TO: Mayor and City Councilmembers
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Kelly DiMartino, Deputy City Manager
Caryn Champine, Planning Development and Transportation Director
Paul Sizemore, Community Development and Neighborhood Services
Interim Director
Cameron Gloss, Long Range Planning Manager
FROM: Kelly Smith, Senior City Planner
RE: Update – Outdoor Lighting Code Changes
The purpose of this memo is to provide a summary of proposed code updates related to
outdoor lighting.
Bottom Line
The Outdoor Lighting Code Update is nearing completion. The project is planned to go
before Council for adoption in early 2021. The purpose of the code is to better control
the various aspects of light pollution (overlighting, glare, light trespass), and create
contextually appropriate lighting plans by requiring lower lighting in areas with lower
nighttime activity (Natural Areas and Residential), and higher lighting levels in areas
with higher nighttime activity (Downtown and Commercial Corridors). If Council adopts
the code updates, staff proposes monitoring and evaluating implementation of the new
code for approximately one year for the purpose of a future Council discussion of
potential amortization approaches for existing development.
Background
In 2016, City Council adopted a resolution expressing support for the following
objectives:
Protect and preserve the night sky through implementation of best lighting
practices at City-owned facilities and within City-owned lighting;
Incorporate dark sky policies and standards into Building Codes, Land Use
Codes and Streetscape Standards when applicable and appropriate;
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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.
Code Changes
In support of Council’s stated objectives, City staff have been evaluating current codes
for building and development projects and proposing updates to better align with
Council’s intent. In 2017, new building code amendments were adopted that require
night sky friendly lighting on all residential and commercial buildings.
The proposed changes to the Land Use Code align with Council’s stated objectives as
requirements address all aspects of light pollution. The current lighting requirements
identify a maximum light level at or near a property line. However, this method does not
address glare or light intensity. The new lighting provisions will help limit trespass, glare
and light intensity, and provide increased protections for sensitive areas, such as
Natural Areas and residential neighborhoods, while allowing greater lighting levels in
commercial areas. In essence, the code will no longer uniformly apply standards across
the city and instead promote more thoughtful and tailored lighting plans that respond to
the context and land use of development sites.
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 to site lighting that responds to the specific
context of the site and 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.
Community Engagement
In 2018, the City contracted with Clanton & Associates, a lighting design and
engineering firm, to assist in developing new Land Use Code requirements on
commercial projects. To better understand the implications of proposed code changes,
Clanton & Associates prepared a Case Studies and Cost Comparison Analysis of
existing and proposed lighting requirements on five recently completed development
projects. In general, the report concluded existing requirements fall short in controlling
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over-lighting and glare, and that new requirements would not result in more expensive
lighting installations.
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. Attendees were asked to fill out surveys and
evaluated the qualitative aspects of the code. Staff used the Case Studies Report and
input received during tours to further advance the code.
On November 1st, 2020, a draft of proposed standards was released to the public for
review and comment. Throughout the months of November and December, staff
engaged the broader community through a variety of virtual activities that include public
open houses, presentations to a variety of groups (Chamber of Commerce, Downtown
Development Authority, Police Services, Boards, Building Services Team, Light and
Power Team, Capital Projects Team, Engineering), and facilitated two Technical
Advisory Committee workshops. Staff also facilitated a virtual training session for City
Planners responsible for reviewing new lighting plans and applying standards.
Revisions will be made to the initial draft code to address key considerations brought up
during public engagement. Revisions will center on addressing built-to lot line
development and the 20-hour commercial activity unique to downtown; provisions for
athletic fields; circumstances that would trigger compliance for existing development;
and clearer intent statements for specific lighting installations such as stringed-lighting.
Timeline
Staff will revise the draft code based on community input and release an updated draft
in January 2021 for further review and comment. Staff will request a recommendation
from the Planning & Zoning Board in February, 2021, with code adoption by Council
thereafter. This item has not yet been scheduled for Council consideration.
Next Steps
If Council adopts code updates, staff will work with the Building Services Department to
align Building Code and Energy Code with the Land Use Code. Staff will also monitor
the Land Use Code for a year and evaluate amortization approaches that would require
existing development to adhere to new standards within a certain time frame.
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