TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Eva Cutro, Community Development Director
DATE: November 17, 2016
CONTACT:
Staff Contact Eva Cutro, 480-348-3522
End
AGENDA TITLE:
Title
Consideration of Ordinance Number 2016-04; Amending the Zoning Code Regarding Lighting
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Town Council adopt Ordinance Number 2016-04 version A or B as described in the Action Report.
Background
A. Revisions to Article 10 Height and Area Regulations, Section 1023 Outdoor Lighting and Illumination: Article 22 Hillside Development Regulations, Section 2208 Outdoor Lighting; Article 25 Signs, Section 2506 Lighting; and Special Use Permit Guidelines, Section 2 Lighting as contained in Ordinance # 2016-04.
Or
B. Revisions to Article 10 Height and Area Regulations, Section 1023 Outdoor Lighting and Illumination: Article 22 Hillside Development Regulations, Section 2208 Outdoor Lighting; Article 25 Signs, Section 2506 Lighting; and Special Use Permit Guidelines, Section 2 Lighting as contained in Ordinance # 2016-04 and with the additional staff recommendations contained in the Action Report.
BACKGROUND:
Revisions to the lighting code were discussed in detail at seven Planning Commission work sessions and a public hearing in September. Certain portions of the lighting code were outdated and did not reflect current standards. Attached please find Ordinance 2016-04 with a redlined version of the Code sections with proposed revisions.
Major Revisions to Section 1023 (non-hillside lighting) include:
• Addition of a Definition Section. Most of the definitions are not new, but were previously only in the Hillside Lighting Section. The definitions are now in both sections. The definitions of Lumens and Beam Angle are new and the definitions of Footcandle and Visual Enjoyment Lighting were revised.
• All references to wattage were removed and replaced with Lumens where appropriate.
• A diagram of an up light with 45 degree beam angle was added.
• Language was added to security lighting requiring that the luminaire be motion activated and on a timer not to exceed five minutes.
• Language regarding required lighting at doors and garages was added. Height of luminaires is not to exceed 8.5 feet.
• An allowance for pole lighting has been added. Pole lights must be in an outdoor living area, fully shielded, and no taller than 8.5 feet.
• An allowance for Tree Lighting has been added. Tree lights are limited to 8.5 feet above grade, 150 lumens, must be fully shielded, and no more than three luminaires per tree.
• Timeframe for Temporary Holiday Lighting has been expanded from November 15th to October 15th through January 15th to allow for Halloween lights.
Major Revisions to Section 2208 (hillside lighting) include:
• The definitions of Lumens and Beam Angle are new and the definitions of Footcandle and Visual Enjoyment Lighting were revised.
• Figure 9 - Light Source Beam Angle was redrawn.
• All references to wattage were removed and replaced with Lumens where appropriate.
• Entry Marker section was revised for clarification.
• Language was added to security lighting requiring that the luminaire be motion activated and on a timer not to exceed five minutes (previously 10 minutes was allowable).
• A diagram of an up light with 45 degree beam angle was added.
• Timeframe for Temporary Holiday Lighting has been expanded from November 15th to October 15th through January 15th to allow for Halloween lights.
Major Revisions to Section 2506 (sign lighting) include the following additions:
• On externally lit signs, the color temperature of lighting shall be no more than 3000 Kelvins
• Signs may be illuminated only during the hours that the associated establishment is open for business.
• Backlit non-Opaque panels are not permitted.
Minor Revision to Special Use Permit Guidelines includes a change from wattage to lumens.
TOWN COUNCIL DISCUSSION:
Town Council discussed lighting at the November 3rd Work Session. There were several items that needed further research.
String and Bulb lights
There was concern that String and Bulb lights are currently prohibited. Staff researched other lighting codes (Durango, Boulder, and Arapoe) that permitted string and bulb lights with restrictions. If Town Council would like to allow the use of String and Bulb lights on residential properties, staff recommends the following language be added to the Town Code:
String and Bulb lights - A series of small lights along a coated wire.
String and Bulb lights are only permitted when associated with an outdoor living area adjacent to the main residence. String and Bulb lights shall not exceed fifty (50) lumens per bulb and shall meet all setbacks for the main house. String and Bulb lights shall not be in plain view from any Rights of Way.
Lux
Staff recommended adding LUX as an alternate measurement to Footcandles. The measurement for LUX is ten times the measurement for Footcandles. If Town Council would like to allow Lux measurement, staff recommends the following definition be added to the Town Code:
Lux- unit of illuminance, equal to one lumen per square meter.
The Lux measurement will also be added to the Code after all Footcandle measurements, for example:
The maximum lighting intensity shall not exceed 0.25 Footcandle or 2.5 Lux when measured at the property line.
Height of Entry Lighting
There was discussion on the height of required lighting at doors to a residence. A maximum height of 8.5 feet was originally proposed in the Ordinance. After additional study and conversation with lighting experts, staff recommends that the height limitation be removed so that lights may be mounted in accordance with the size of the entryway:
Wall mounted entry Luminaires not to exceed 8.5 feet above finished grade and shall be shielded in such a manner as to avoid creating concentrated light (hot spots) on the structures to which they are mounted.
Tree Lighting
Lastly, Town Council discussed Tree Lighting. An allowance for tree lighting was added to the Code; however, the lights were limited to 8.5 feet above ground. In discussions with lighting experts it was noted that the bottom of the tree canopy may be higher than 8.5 feet above ground and that the tree lights may be hanging under the canopy. In addition, when fixtures are placed higher and deeper inside a tree they increase shadows and decrease light levels, a more desired effect. Staff recommends the following language be revised in the proposed Ordinance:
Tree-Lighting - Exterior Luminaires affixed to trees shall not exceed 8.5 feet above the finished grade be located two branches above the lowest branch and deep into the tree canopy to limit light trespass outside the tree canopy. Luminaires shall not exceed 150 Lumens, shall be Fully Shielded down lights, and shall not exceed three (3) Luminaires per tree.
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Attachment:
Ordinance 2016 - 04