HomeMy WebLinkAbout040 - 03/16/2021 - AMENDING THE LAND USE CODE REGARDING EXTERIOR LIGHTING 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WHEREAS,the outdated metrics do not address glare,a component of light pollution that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 Iight;
protect the local natural ecosystem from damaging effects of artificial lighting; and
encourage quality lighting design and fixtures.
(B) Genera! 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 Ordinancel, 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(l),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 2.2.1 O(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 Iighting retrofit for the entire development
site.
(E) Conformance wills 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 ConlextAreas. The applicable Lighting Context Area shall determine the
limitations for exterior artificial lighting.The Lighting Context Areas are described
as follows:
(1) LCO — 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) LC 1 — 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.
Table 3.2.4-1 Lighting Context Area
Lighting Land Use
Context Area Corresponding Zone Districts
LCO Natural Area/Conservation Easement P-O-L (City Natural Areas)
Single Family/Multi-Family/Light P-O-L (City Parks); R-U-L; U-E, R-F; N-C-
LC1 Industrial/Employment) Portions of L; R-C; L-M-N; M-M-N; i; E; T
Harmony District
LC2 Commercial/Industrial/ Portions of C-N; C-C; C-C-N; C-C-R; C-G; C-L; H-C; I
Harmony District/High Density Residential , R-D-R, D, H-M-N
LC3 Portions of Downtown,24-Hour Emergency D M-M-N
Medical Sites '
(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
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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
<0.5MH 0.5TO<IMH 1T042MH ;-2MH
FROM PROP LINE FROM PROP LINE FROM PROP LINE FROM PROP LINE
W W iN
i
�PROPERTYLI}E� € L - -
r -0-IMI-
r 0-2M{ -
Figure B. Backlight, Uplight and Glare
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UPLIGHT
Sky Glov.,(Light POULA10TI)
BACKLIGHT
Front Spill[-�qht
Table 3.2.4-2 Maximum Allowable Backlight Ratings.
Mounting Condition LCO LC1 LC2 LC3
Greater than 2 mounting heights from the 131 B3 B4 B5
property line or not ideally oriented
1 to less than 2 mounting heights from the 131 B2 B3 B4
property line and ideally oriented
0.5 to less than 1 mounting heights from BO 131 B2 B3
the property line and ideally oriented
Less than 0.5 mounting heights from the BO BO BO 61
property line and ideally oriented
Table 3.2.4-3 Maximum Allowable Uplight Ratings.
LCO LC1 LC2 LC3
Allowed Uplight Rating UO UO U1 U2
Allowed light emission above 90 degrees 0%
for street or area lighting
Table 3.2.4-4 Maximum Allowable Glare Ratings.
Mounting Condition LCO LC1 LC2 LC3
Greater than 2 mounting heights from the GO G1 G1 G2
property line
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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 GO GO G1 G1
property line and not ideally oriented
0.5 to less than 1 mounting heights from GO GO GO G1
the property line and not ideally oriented
Less than 0.5 mounting heights from the GO GO GO GO
property line and not ideally oriented
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 Maximum Horizontal Illuminance
Context Area
Natural Habitat
Buffer Zones i
and River 0.0
District
Landscape
Buffers
LCO 0.0
LC1 O.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).
LCO LC1 LC2 LC3
350 lumens per 490 lumens per 630 lumens per 840 lumens per
space space space 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.
LCO LC1 LC2 LC3
Base Allowance 0.5 1.25 2.5 5 lumens
lumens lumens lumens
per per per per
square square square square
foot of foot of foot of foot of
hardscap hardscap hardscap hardscap
e e e
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 Fa;ades. This allowance is lumen 8 lumens 16
per unit area of building fagade that are per lumens illuminated. To use this allowance, 0 square per
luminaires must be aimed at the fagade. foot square
foot
Outdoor Sales Lots. This allowance is
lumens per square foot of uncovered sales 16
lots used exclusively for the display of 4lumens 8lumens lumens
vehicles or other merchandise for sale, and 0 per per per
may not include driveways, parking or other square square square
non-sales areas. To use this allowance, foot foot foot
luminaires must be within 0.5 mounting
heights of the sales lot area.
Outdoor Dining. This allowance is lumen 10
per unit area for the total illuminated 0 1lumen 5lumens lumens
hardscape of outdoor dining. In order to use per per
this allowance, luminaires must be within 0.5 per
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mounting heights of the hardscape area of square square square
outdoor dining. This allowance includes foot foot foot
rooftop dining.
Gasoline Station. This allowance is lumens 4,000 8,000 8,000
per installed fuel pump. Both sides of a two- 0 lumens lumens lumens
sided pump qualify as one allowance. per pump per pump 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
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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.
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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 candcla(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, cdIM2 or ails) 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, Im) 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.
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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"Candelaper 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: of °RT CO
"= SEAL
City C oto�A
Passed and adopted on final reading on this 16th day of March A.D. 2021.
ayor
ATTEST:
FoRrooJ,
C7 •Z
SEAL
City Cle
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