09-3-14-PC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – July 9, 2014 11 new development, redevelopment, or addition is proposed for a commercial, industrial, or multi- family property. For these types of projects, a Site Plan Review is typically required to be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council, and the lighting plan could be evaluated concurrently. A lighting plan would need to show the location of each light fixture, provide details on the type of light, and include a grid of photometric readings for the entire site. Luminaire Design Associate Planner Bachler commented that the Ordinance would prescribe specific design requirements for lighting based on whether a horizontal surface (parking lots and sidewalks) or a vertical surface (building walls and landscaping) is being illuminated. All downward cast lighting would be required to meet full cut-off design criteria, which means the luminaire must be fully shielded with no light being cast above a horizontal plane extending out from the light source. Staff is recommending that an exception be included allowing for non-shielded ornamental light fixtures when it can be shown that through design or arrangement such lights will not create undesirable impacts off-site. Many developments, in particular retail and multi-family, use ornamental lights to provide lighting for storefronts and pedestrian areas. These features can contribute to the overall quality of a site design and should be permitted when appropriate. Associate Planner Bachler indicated that for upward cast lighting, fixtures are required to be fully shielded. Light fixtures must be arranged so that light is cast only on the area intended to be illuminated and does not shine past a building, onto an adjoining property, or skyward. A final provision in this section would prohibit any light fixture that produces glare. The Model Lighting Ordinance developed by the Illuminating Engineering Society and the International Dark-Sky Associate defines glare as, “lighting entering the eye directly from luminaires or indirectly from reflective surfaces that causes visual discomfort or reduced visibility.” Light Trespass Associate Planner Bachler explained that the existing lighting regulations address light trespass onto residential properties and public roadways. These requirements would be maintained in Ordinance 2014-006 and light trespass limits would be added for commercial and industrial properties. To evaluate whether light trespass will occur, a photometric analysis showing footcandle readings across a site is needed. A “footcandle” is a unit of measure that quantifies the amount of light received on a surface. The maximum footcandle reading at the property line would be 0.4 footcandles if the abutting property is residential, and 1.0 footcandle if the property is commercial or industrial. When a property abuts a public street, the maximum measurement would also be 1.0 footcandle, but the reading would be taken at the street centerline. Illumination Associate Planner Bachler noted that the Ordinance would set a maximum lumen level for individual light fixtures. The purpose of this would be to restrict high-luminosity lights, which are more likely to create a public nuisance. A lumen is a unit measurement for the amount of light produced by a lamp. It contrasts with a watt, which is a measure of energy consumption. The limit would be set at 50,000 lumens for commercial and industrial properties and 30,000 lumens for residential properties. The standards included in the draft were taken from the exterior lighting ordinance adopted by the City of Bloomington, which went into effect in 2008. Before finalizing Ordinance 2014-006, staff would like to complete additional research on appropriate