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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Approved: July 9, 2014 <br /> <br />CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA <br />PLANNING COMMISSION <br />WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014 <br />6:30 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL <br /> <br /> <br />PLANNING CASES <br /> <br />B. Planning Case 14-019; Zoning Code Amendment – Lighting Regulations – Not a Public <br />Hearing <br /> <br />Associate Planner Bachler stated that the 2014 Planning Commission Work Plan was discussed <br />and adopted at the March 17, 2014, City Council Work Session. One of the items on the plan <br />concerns light -emitting diode (LED) lighting. Compared to incandescent lighting, LED lights <br />produce a greater amount of luminosity, or brightness. The City Council asked staff to review the <br />City’s existing regulations on lighting and to update relevant ordinances if necessary to address <br />the potential impacts associated with brighter LED lights. This memo provides an overview of the <br />sections in the Zoning Code that regulate lighting and also discusses ideas for additional <br />regulations that could be considered. Based on the direction provided by the Planning <br />Commission, staff will draft an ordinance that would amend the Zoning Code to update the City’s <br />lighting regulations. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Bachler indicated that provisions on lighting are generally confined to Section <br />1325.05 Design Standards in the Zoning Code. Lighting is required to be directed away from <br />adjacent lots and streets and the source of illumination must be controlled in such a way that light <br />is only directed onto the site. The Zoning Code restricts light trespass by stipulating that light cast <br />onto adjacent travel lanes or roadways cannot exceed 1.0 foot candle and 0.4 foot candles on <br />adjoining residential properties. No more than 25 percent of non-residential façades that are <br />visible from residential properties can be illuminated by direct light from a source such as a flood <br />light. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Bachler indicated that Section 1320 District Regulations includes special <br />requirements for specific districts in the City. The Neighborhood Business, B-4 Retail Center, <br />Gateway Business, and Civic Center Districts all have special requirements regarding lighting that <br />go beyond the provisions in Section 1325.05: <br /> <br />• In the Neighborhood Business District, accent lighting is only permitted when used <br />to delineate the main entrance into a building. Parking lot lighting is restricted to a <br />maximum of 14 feet in height. <br /> <br />• In the B-4 Retail Center District, the source of illumination must be concealed so <br />as not to be visible from adjoining lots and streets. Accent lighting of buildings and