Sec. 2.19. Lighting.
1. Intent. It is the intent of this Section to:
a. Create an attractive lighting system to enhance visibility and safety, while minimizing glare and contrast.
b. Encourage exterior lighting that is functional, aesthetically pleasing and complementary to the architectural style of buildings.
2. General provisions.
a. Evaluation of exterior lighting. Exterior lighting shall be evaluated in the development review process to ensure that the functional and security needs of the project are met in a way that does not adversely affect the adjacent properties or neighborhood. The degree to which exterior night lighting affects a property owner or neighborhood will be examined considering the light source, level of illumination, hours of illumination, and need for illumination in relation to the effects of the lighting on the adjacent property owners and the neighborhood.
b. Light style. The style of lights shall be consistent with the style and character of architecture proposed on the site. Light fixtures that illuminate signage shall be compatible with the architecture of the building on which they are placed.
c. Concealed light source. Light sources shall be concealed or shielded to the maximum extent feasible to minimize the potential for glare and unnecessary diffusion on adjacent property and away from the vision of passing motorists. All lights shall be directed downward and the light source shall be equipped with "cut-off" devices so that it will not be visible from any adjacent property and to ensure that ambient skyward light is eliminated. Accent and flagpole lighting shall be permitted to be directed upward as long as the light source is shielded and not visible from any adjacent property. Light fixtures installed under canopies, awnings, overhangs and the like shall be fully recessed.
d. Hours of lighting operation.
(1) All parking lot lighting fixtures and exterior building lights, except those required for security purposes, shall be extinguished within one (1) hour after the end of business hours and remain extinguished until one (1) hour prior to the beginning of business hours. If a portion of a parking lot is used after dark, only that portion shall be lighted.
(2) Exterior lighting for ball diamonds, playing fields, tennis courts, and other similar outdoor recreational uses shall be extinguished no later than 11:00 p.m.
e. Height standards for lighting.
(1) Street lighting.
(a) All street lights adjacent to Town of Frederick local and collector rights-of-way shall be mounted such that the top of the fixture is no higher than twenty-five (25) feet.
(b) All street lights adjacent to Town of Frederick arterial rights-of-way shall meet the height requirements of the Engineering and Public Works Departments.
(2) Outdoor light fixtures.
(a) Parking lot fixtures. Parking lot pole mounted fixtures shall be mounted such that the top of the fixture is no higher than twenty-five (25) feet.
(b) Fixtures mounted on the exterior of buildings shall be mounted such that the top of the fixture is no higher than twenty (20) feet.
(3) Because of their limited hours of operation and their unique requirements for nighttime visibility, ball diamonds, playing fields, tennis courts, and other similar public and private outdoor recreational uses shall be exempt from the general provisions of this Section.
f. Lighting levels. With the exception of lighting for public streets, all other project lighting used to illuminate buildings, parking lots, pedestrian walkways, bikeways, or landscaping, shall be evaluated during the site plan review process. Table 2-10 gives maximum lighting levels for outdoor facilities used at night averaged over the entire activity area.
|
Table 2-10 |
|
|---|---|
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Maximum Lighting Levels |
|
|
Area/Activity |
Footcandles (Maximum Unless Otherwise Noted) |
|
Bikeways along roadside: |
3.5 |
|
Canopies |
25.0 |
|
Loading and unloading platforms |
10.0 |
|
3.5 |
|
|
Pedestrian stairways |
3.0 |
|
Parking areas |
|
|
Commercial zones |
10.0 |
|
Residential zones |
5.0 |
|
Playgrounds |
5.0 |
|
Outdoor sales and display |
25.0 |
|
Secured areas and service yards |
10.0 |
(1) All lighting levels will comply with the following requirements:
(a) All lighting fixtures will be full cut off fixtures.
(b) The point by point illuminance plan uses a Light Loss Factor (LLF) of one (1).
(c) Prior to a Certificate of Occupancy, a lighting inspection and measurement must be completed to ensure compliance with the illuminance plan.
(d) The photometric grid used is no greater than ten (10) feet by ten (10) feet and provides lighting levels directly under the fixtures.
(e) All lighting for this site is included in, and shown on this plan. No other lighting will be added to the site without written approval of the Town of Frederick after a review of a new Point by Point Illuminance Plan. (Ord. 1145 § 16 (Exh. A), 2013)