HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-24-2003-c1a~~~
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
and
PLANNING BOARD
PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 24, 2003
Action Agenda
Item No. C.1.a
SUBJECT: Outdoor Lighting Standards Zoning Ordinance Amendment
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) Yes
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Ordinance
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Craig Benedict, Director, ext. 2592
Robert P Davis, Planner III, ext. 2580
Carla Thames, Planner I, ext. 2603
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To receive public comment on the proposed Outdoor Lighting Standards in the
Zoning Ordinance
BACKGROUND:
Presently, the Orange County Zoning Ordinance does not have any outdoor lighting standards
for new or existing development. Generally, the lighting information that the County reviews has
been submitted as part of the site plan approval, limiting oversight to those projects requesting
a construction authorization. As development and population numbers increase in the County
an effective lighting standards ordinance that reflects community values can be an important
component in helping to maintain a high quality of life.
On occasion, the Planning Department receives complaints that specific lights exceed the
brightness necessary to accomplish a particular task. Without clear standards, enforcement
action is limited. In these cases, persuasion is the chief enforcement tool and generally has a
low rate of success.
More recently, there have been concerns about the general loss of darkness during the
nighttime hours. `Light Pollution', the common term for sky glow, adversely affects astronomical
observations of stars and also reduces nocturnal activities of various nighttime species.
Without effective regulations, the detrimental aspect of wasteful, intrusive lights will continue to
reduce darkness at night.
G:currentplanning/carla/outdoorlightingstandards/abstract
VV~
Another often-overlooked economic benefit of having outdoor lighting standards is the energy
efficiency savings realized. Many of the most commonly used lights are expensive to install
initially, plus have higher operating costs ongoing. Outdoor lighting standards that promote the
use of efficient, yet adequate lighting can result in substantial cost savings for the private sector,
while simultaneously promoting energy conservation.
Finally, properly installed and maintained lighting acts as a deterrent to crime and will result in
increased security for residents, businesses and visitors in Orange County.
Develoament Process, Schedule and Action
• Public Hearing on February 24, 2003.
RECOMMENDATION(S): Planning Staff recommends APPROVAL of the proposed
Amendment.
Administration recommends referring the proposed amendment
to the Planning Board for a recommendation to be returned to the
Board of County Commissioners no sooner May 20, 2003.
G:currentplanning/carla/outdoorlightingstandards/abstract
oo~
An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Ordinance
Of Orange County
Be it ordained by the Board of Commissioners of Orange County that the Orange
County Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended as follows:
Section 1. ZONING ORDINANCE. Amend Table of Contents, Article VI to add
new provisions entitled "Outdoor Lighting Standards" and to identify it as
Section 6.31 with corresponding subheadings and nomenclature as
specified in this Ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance of Orange
County.
Section 2. ZONING ORDINANCE. Amend Article 6 by adding a new requirement
to read as follows:
6.31 Outdoor Lighting Standards
6.31.1 Purpose and Intent
A. Outdoor lighting is provided for a variety of purposes to
the benefit of modern society. For work or recreation, it
enables people to see essential detail in order that they
may undertake their activities at night. It facilitates the
safety or security of persons or property, for example
through lighting on roads and pathways. It may be used
to emphasize features of architectural or historical
significance, and to light parks and gardens. It is used
for advertising or display to promote products or
services, or to call attention to commercial premises by
means of area lighting or signs.
B. It is the intent of this ordinance to preserve, protect, and
enhance the lawful nighttime use and enjoyment of any
and all property through the use of appropriate lighting
practices and systems. Such individual fixtures and
lighting systems are designed, constructed, and
installed to maintain safety, security and productivity,
and curtail the degradation of the nighttime visual
environment.
6.31.2 Definitions
Cutoff Fixture: An outdoor lighting fixture shielded or
constructed in such a manner that no more than two and
one half (2 'h) percent of the total light emitted by the
fixture is projected above the horizontal plane of the
fixture.
o ~ ~ 4
Direct Light: Light emitted directly from the lamp, off of the
reflector diffuser, or through the refractor or diffuser
lens, of a luminaire.
Fixture: The assembly that houses the lamp or lamps and
can include all or some of the following parts: a housing,
a mounting bracket or pole socket, a lamp holder, a
ballast, a reflector or mirror, and/or a refractor or lens.
Flood Lamp: A form of lighting designed to direct its output
in a specific direction with a reflector formed from the
glass envelope of the lamp itself. Such lamps are so
designated by the manufacturers and are typically used
in residential outdoor area lighting.
Floodlight: A form of lighting designated to direct its output
in a diffuse, more or less specific direction, with
reflecting or refracting elements located external to the
lamp.
Footcandle: (fc) The illuminance measured one (1) foot from
a one (1) candela source.
Full Cutoff Fixture: An outdoor lighting fixture shielded or
constructed in such a manner that it emits no light above
the horizontal plane of the fixture.
Fully Shielded: Outdoor light fixtures shielded or
constructed so that no light rays are emitted by the
installed fixture at angles above the horizontal plane as
certified by a photometric test report.
Glare: Light emitting from a luminaire with an intensity great
enough to reduce a viewer's ability to see, and, in
extreme cases, causing momentary blindness.
IESNA: The Illuminating Engineering Society of North
America, a non-profit professional organization of
lighting specialists that has established recommended
design standards for various lighting applications.
Light Trespass: The shining of light produced by a
luminaire beyond the boundaries of the property on
which it is located.
Lumen: A unit of luminous flux. One footcandle is one
lumen per square foot. For the purposes of this
5 ~~
Ordinance, the lumen-output values shall be the INITIAL
lumen output ratings of a lamp.
Luminaires A complete lighting system that includes a lamp
or lamps and a fixture.
Semi-Cutoff Fixture: An outdoor fixture shielded or
constructed in such a manner that it emits no more than
five (5) percent of its light above the horizontal plane of
the fixture, and no more than twenty (20) percent of its
light ten (10) degrees below the horizontal plane of the
fixture.
6.31.3 Applicability
A. All nonresidential outdoor lighting fixtures installed on
private or public property shall apply except as stated in
Section 6.31.4.
B. Ail outdoor lighting fixtures existing and legally installed
and operative before the effective date of this ordinance
are exempt from these requirements. When existing
lighting fixtures become inoperable, their replacements
are subject to all the provisions of the Outdoor Lighting
Standards.
C. Compliance with this Section shall be administered by
the Orange County Planning Department.
D. In the event of a conflict with any other section of this
article, the more stringent requirement shall apply.
6.31.4 Exemptions
The following are exempt from the provisions of the
Outdoor Lighting Standards:
A. Any lighting used for single family residential or bona
fide agricultural purposes.
B. Traffic control signals and devices.
C. Streetlights installed prior to the effective date of the
adoption of this provision.
D. Temporary emergency lighting (i.e. fire, police, repair
workers, etc.).
E. Moving vehicle lights.
(-QU 6
F. Navigation lights (i.e. airports, heliports, radio/television
towers, etc.).
G. Seasonal decorations with individual lights in place no
longer than 60 days.
H. Security lights of any wattage that are controlled by a
motion-sensor switch, do not remain on longer than 12
minutes after activation, and do not exceed 150 watts
(2200 lumens).
6.31.5 Submittal Requirements
A lighting plan shall be submitted with site plan or
preliminary plan approval documents. The plan shall
contain the following information:
A. Plans showing the location, type, and height of
luminaries including both building and ground fixtures;
6. A description of the luminaries, including lamps, poles
or other supports and shielding devices, which may be
provided as catalogue illustrations and product
specifications from the manufacturer;
C. Photometric data, such as that furnished by the
manufacturer, showing the angle of light emission; and
D. Additional information as may be required by the
Planning Department in order to determine compliance
with this Section.
6.31.6 General Standards For All Areas:
A. Unless otherwise specified, the maximum light level
shall be 0.5 footcandle at any residential property line
and 1.0 footcandle at any non-residential property line.
B. Ali flood lights shall be installed such that the fixture
shall be aimed down at least forty-five (45) degrees
from vertical, or the front of the fixture is shielded such
that no portion of the light bulb extends below the
bottom edge of an external shield.
C. Any facilities that require floodlighting may not arrange
the light in such a way that it will shine towards
~~0
roadways, onto adjacent residential property or into
the night sky.
D. All flood lamps emitting 1,000 or more lumens shall be
aimed at least sixty (60) degrees down from the
horizontal, or shielded such that the main beam from
the light source is not visible from adjacent properties
or the public street right-of-way.
E. All wall pack fixtures shall be cutoff fixtures.
F. All lights shall be shielded in such a way as to direct
light towards the Earth's surface and away from
reflective surfaces, except as expressly exempted from
the provisions of these regulations.
G. Any luminaire with a lamp or lamps rated at a total of
more than 1,800 lumens, and all flood or spot
luminaires with a lamp or lamps rated at a total of more
than 900 lumens, shall not emit any direct light above
the horizontal plane through the lowest direct-light-
emitting part of the luminaire.
H. Any temporary outdoor lighting that conforms to the
requirements of this Section shall be allowed.
Nonconforming temporary outdoor lighting may be
permitted by the Planning Director after considering: 1)
the public and/or private benefits that will result from the
temporary lighting, 2) any annoyance or safety problems
that may result from the use of the temporary lighting,
and 3) the duration of the temporary nonconforming
lighting.
I. If any subdivision proposes to have installed street or
other common or public area outdoor lighting, the final
plat shall contain a statement certifying that the
applicable provisions of the Orange County Outdoor
Lighting Standards will be adhered to. The required
Lighting Plan and associated documents shall be
submitted and approved by the Planning Department
prior to installation of any regulated lighting.
J. Upward flagpole lighting is permitted for. governmental
flags only, and provided that the maximum lumen output
is 1300 lumens. Flags are encouraged to be taken down
at sunset to avoid the need for lighting.
~~
K. Any interior lighted signs may not be lit at night when
the face of the sign is removed or damaged in such a
way that the light may distract drivers or adjacent
property owners.
L. Any light fixture must be placed in such a manner that
no light emitting surface is visible from any residential
area or public/private roadway, walkway, trail or other
public way when viewed at ground level.
6.31.7 Lighting in Parking Lots and Outdoor Areas
A. Other than flood lights and flood lamps, all outdoor
area and parking lot lighting fixtures shall be cutoff
fixtures.
B. The mounting height of all outdoor lighting, except
outdoor sports field lighting and outdoor performance
area lighting, shall not exceed thirty-six (36) feet above
finished grade.
C. Any light fixture must be placed in such a manner that
no light emitting source surface is visible from any
residential area or public/private roadway.
6.31.8 Lighting for Vehicular Canopies
Areas under a vehicular canopy shall have a maximum
point of horizontal illuminance of twenty-four (24)
maintained footcandles (fc). Areas outside the vehicular
canopy shall be regulated by Section 6.31.5. acceptable
methods include one or more of the following:
A. Recessed fixture incorporating a lens cover that is
either recessed or flush with the bottom surface
(ceiling) of the vehicular canopy.
6. Light fixture incorporating shields, or shielded by the
edge of the vehicular canopy itself so that light is
restrained to five degrees or more below the horizontal
plane.
C. Surface mounted fixture incorporating a flat glass that
provides a cutoff fixture or shielded light distribution.
D. Indirect lighting where light is beamed upward and
then reflected down from the underside of the
vehicular canopy. Such fixtures shall be shielded such
9
that direct illumination is focused exclusively on the
underside of the vehicular canopy.
E. Other method approved by the Planning Director.
6.31.9 Outdoor Sports Field/ Outdoor Performance Area
A. The mounting height of outdoor sports field and
outdoor performance area lighting fixtures shall not
exceed sixty (60) feet from finished grade unless
approved by the Planning Director after receipt of
sufficient evidence indicating the need for additional
height.
B. All outdoor sports field and outdoor performance area
lighting fixtures shall be equipped with a glare control
package (louvers, shields, or similar devices). The
fixtures must be aimed so that heir beams are directed
and fall within the primary playing or performance area.
C. The hours of operation for the lighting system for any
game or event shall not exceed on hour after the end of
the event.
6.31.10 Lighting of Outdoor Display Areas
A. Top mounted fixtures required for legally existing
lighted signs. Lighting fixtures used to externally
illuminate an outdoor advertising sign shall be
mounted on the top of the sign structure. All such
fixtures shall comply with the shielding requirements
of this Section. Bottom mounted outdoor advertising
shall not be used.
B. Outdoor advertising signs of the type constructed of
translucent materials and wholly illuminated from
within do not require shielding. Dark backgrounds
with light lettering or symbols are preferred, to
minimize detrimental effects. Unless conforming to the
above dark background preference, total lamp wattage.
per property shall be less than 41 watts.
C. Compliance Limit. Existing outdoor advertising
structures shall be brought into compliance within
three (3) years from the date of adoption of this
provision.
~~~
10
~~~
D. Prohibitions. Electrical illumination of outdoor
advertising off-site signs between the hours of 11:00
p.m. and sunrise is prohibited.
6.31.11 Lighting of Buildings and Landscaping.
Lighting fixtures shall be selected, located, aimed, and
shielded so that direct illumination is focused exclusively
on the building fagade, plantings, and away from adjoining
properties, public or private rights-of-way, and the night
sky.
6.31.12 Prohibitions
A. The use of laser source light or any similar high intensity
light for outdoor advertising or entertainment, when
projected above the horizon, is prohibited.
B. The operation of searchlights for advertising purposes is
prohibited.
C. Electrical illumination of outdoor advertising off-site
signs is prohibited.
D. Use of mercury vapor luminaires is prohibited.
6.31.13 Severability
Should any section, clause or paragraph of this Section be
declared by court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
the same will not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a
whole or part hereof other than the part declared to be
invalid.
11
X11
Section 3. This ordinance is effective upon its adoption.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Orange County
Commissioners that this ordinance entitled "An Ordinance Amending the Zoning
Ordinance of Orange County" be adopted.
Upon motion of Commissioner
Commissioner
seconded by
the foregoing ordinance was adopted
this day of , 2003.
I, Donna S. Baker, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for Orange County, DO
HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of so much of the proceedings of
said Board at a meeting held on , 2003 as relates in any
way to the adoption of the foregoing and that said proceedings are recorded in the
minutes of the said Board.
WITNESS my hand and the seal of said County, this day of
2003.
SEAL
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
~) ~