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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – June 4, 2014 9 <br />• In order to determine compliance, a lighting plan would be required that includes the <br />specific ratings for backlighting, uplighting, and glare of each light fixture. <br />3. Limit light trespass from a property onto abutting properties <br />• This can be addressed by setting a maximum footcandle level at or near the property <br />line. Typically, specific maximum levels are set for residential properties, <br />commercial/industrial properties, and public streets. <br />• In order to determine compliance, a photometric analysis would be required that <br />includes footcandle readings for the entire property area. <br />4. Limit light pollution, such as glare or sky glow, as viewed from abutting properties and <br />public streets <br />• This is addressed with prescriptive requirements on how light fixtures are designed. <br />For example, lighting for a parking lot may be required to be “full cut-off style”, <br />which describes a fully hooded light fixture that directs light straight down, or an <br />accent light may need to be fully shielded to direct light only at the object being <br />illuminated and not beam onto adjacent properties or skyward. <br />• Cities that have adopted this type of requirement also prohibit light fixtures that <br />produce glare that is clearly visible beyond a property line or that creates a sensation <br />within the visual field that causes impairment or discomfort. <br />Associate Planner Bachler explained that o ther common regulations in municipal lighting <br />ordinances include height limit restrictions and the prohibition of certain types of lights. Height <br />restrictions apply to both parking lot light poles and exterior lighting mounted to a building wall. <br />Some cities set a lower height limit for lights within a certain number of feet of a property line to <br />help reduce light trespass. Currently, Arden Hills only has an established height limit for lighting <br />in the Neighborhood Business District. Common types of lights that are prohibited by other cities <br />include lights that blink, flicker, flash, and change in intensity or color. There are no specific <br />limits on the types of lights allowed in the Zoning Code. <br />Associate Planner Bachler stated that i n order to get a better sense on how the Planning <br />Commission would like to proceed in the review and revision of the City’s lighting regulations, <br />staff is requesting feedback on the following questions: <br />1.Of the four different approaches used by other cities to regulate the impact of exterior <br />lights on adjoining properties, which approaches would best address the City’s concerns <br />about LED lights? <br />2. How should the City balance the need to create stricter lighting regulations with the need <br />to ensure that property owners can easily interpret and implement these requirements? <br />3. Should the City consider setting a height limit for exterior lights? <br />4. Should the City consider establishing a list of prohibited types of exterior lighting? <br />Associate Planner Bachler requested the Commission p rovide further direction on how the <br />Zoning Code could be updated to improve the City’s regulations regarding exterior lighting. <br />Chair Larson opened the floor to Commissioner comments.