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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – June 4, 2014 7 City Planner Streff requested the Commission provide staff comment on what setbacks would be acceptable. Chair Larson believed that eight inches was not a desirable setback. He stated he could entertain a lesser setback than 30 feet; however, the size of the structure should not be overly expanded. He recommended a reasonable setback from Fairview be created. Commissioner Bartel agreed stating the size of the garage was more of a concern than the setbacks. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). B.Planning Case 14- 0 1 9 ; Zoning Code Amendment – Lighting Regulations – Not a Public Hearing Associate Planner Bachler stated that the 2014 Planning Commission Work Plan was discussed and adopted at the March 17, 2014, City Council Work Session. One of the items on the plan concerns light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. Compared to incandescent lighting, LED lights produce a greater amount of luminosity, or brightness. The City Council asked staff to review the City’s existing regulations on lighting and to update relevant ordinances if necessary to address the potential impacts associated with brighter LED lights. This memo provides an overview of the sections in the Zoning Code that regulate lighting and also discusses ideas for additional regulations that could be considered. Based on the direction provided by the Planning Commission, staff will draft an ordinance that would amend the Zoning Code to update the City’s lighting regulations. Associate Planner Bachler indicated that p rovisions on lighting are generally confined to Section 1325.05 Design Standards in the Zoning Code. Lighting is required to be directed away from adjacent lots and streets and the source of illumination must be controlled in such a way that light is only directed onto the site. The Zoning Code restricts light trespass by stipulating that light cast onto adjacent travel lanes or roadways cannot exceed 1.0 foot candle and 0.4 foot candles on adjoining residential properties. No more than 25 percent of non-residential façades that are visible from residential properties can be illuminated by direct light from a source such as a flood light. Associate Planner Bachler indicated that Section 1320 District Regulations includes special requirements for specific districts in the City. The Neighborhood Business, B-4 Retail Center, Gateway Business, and Civic Center Districts all have special requirements regarding lighting that go beyond the provisions in Section 1325.05: • In the Neighborhood Business District, accent lighting is only permitted when used to delineate the main entrance into a building. Parking lot lighting is restricted to a maximum of 14 feet in height. • In the B-4 Retail Center District, the source of illumination must be concealed so as not to be visible from adjoining lots and streets. Accent lighting of buildings and sites may be permitted by the City. A lighting plan including the location, type, and design of light fixtures is required when development that involves new construction, redevelopment, or significant modification to an existing building is proposed.