All private outdoor lighting shall be in conformance
with the requirements of this article.
The following terms shall have the indicated
meanings:
CANDLEPOWER DISTRIBUTION CURVE
A curve representing the variation of luminous intensity
of the luminaire, measured in candelas in a plane through a light
center.
CUTOFF LIGHT DISTRIBUTION
Light distribution for a luminaire such that candlepower
per 1,000 lumens does not exceed 25 (2.5%) at 90º above nadir
or 100 (10%) at 80º above nadir at any location around the luminaire.
The cutoff classification is usually specified on the manufacturer's
published data.
DRIVEWAY ACCESS
A usable roadway suitable for vehicular traffic connecting
private buildings, parking areas, and other facilities to public streets
and roads.
FULLY SHIELDED LIGHT FIXTURE
A light fixture constructed in such a manner that all light
emitted by the fixture, either directly from the lamp or diffusing
element, or indirectly by reflection or refraction from any part of
the luminaire, is projected below the horizontal as determined by
photometric test or certified by the manufacturer. Any structural
part of the light fixture providing this shielding must be permanently
affixed.
GLARE
The sensation produced by luminance sufficiently greater
than the luminance to which the eye is adapted so as to cause annoyance,
discomfort, or loss in visual performance and visibility.
ILLUMINANCE
The density of light on a surface quantified in footcandles,
measured by an illuminance meter, or calculated by accepted engineering
techniques.
LEVEL OF ACTIVITY
Classification by the number of vehicles and level of pedestrian
activity in the area.
LIGHT DISTRIBUTION
The illuminance at all points on the illuminated surface
from specified light sources at specified mounting heights and spacing.
LIGHT TRESPASS
The unwanted lighting of neighboring properties from light
sources intended for the proposed sites.
LUMINAIRE
A complete lighting unit consisting of a light source and
all necessary mechanical, electrical, and decorative parts.
MOUNTING HEIGHT
The vertical distance of the light source from the illuminated
plane.
PRIVATE
Belonging exclusively to a person or concern.
PUBLIC
Pertaining or affecting a population or community as a whole.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
Structure designed or built to accommodate pastimes, exercise,
or other resources offering relaxation and enjoyment.
SPACING
The horizontal distance between adjacent light sources.
The following shielding requirements shall be
implemented as necessary.
Fixture/Lamp Type
|
Shielding Required
|
---|
Low- or high-pressure sodium, metal halide and
fluorescent over 50 watts
|
Fully
|
Incandescent over 160 watts
|
Fully
|
Incandescent 160 watts or less
|
None
|
Fossil fuel
|
None
|
Any light source of 50 watts or less
|
None
|
The following uses of light shall be exempt
from the requirements of this article.
A. Holiday lights for a maximum of 60 days per calendar
year.
B. Any spot or flood luminaire having initial source
lumens of 900 or less provided that no direct light is focused so
as to cause annoyance glare on adjoining property or roadways. Such
luminaire may be redirected or its light output controlled so as to
eliminate this glare and be eligible for exemption under this section.
C. Temporary circus, fair, carnival, or civic uses.
D. Construction or emergency lighting, providing such
lighting is temporary and discontinued immediately upon completion
of the construction work or abatement of the emergency necessitating
said lighting.
E. Temporary lighting as determined on a case-by-case
basis by the Code Enforcement Officer, but such temporary use is not
to exceed 60 consecutive days.
F. Lighting associated with agricultural operations.
The following lighting uses shall be prohibited
in all zoning districts of the Town of Rush:
A. All moving, revolving, and flashing lights.
C. Laser source lighting or any similar high-intensity
light for outdoor advertising or entertainment projected above the
horizon is prohibited.
Lighting requirements for an outdoor area depend on the level of usage the facility is anticipated to receive. Table 1 in §
120-47 establishes four levels of activity which correspond to the level of traffic and pedestrian activity. Each includes a broad range of activities. Lighting levels for automatic teller machines (ATMs) shall be in accordance with the New York State ATM Safety Act. For activities not included in Table 1, the Planning Board
in consultation with the applicant will assign a level consistent
with the expected activity on the site.
Table 2 in §
120-49 includes illuminance recommendations for open parking facilities and driveways. These recommendations provide for the safe movement of traffic, satisfactory vision for pedestrians, and guidance of both vehicle operators and pedestrians. The illuminance levels are the lowest acceptable, consistent with the action involved and the need to deter vandalism while meeting energy conservation constraints.
A. Light distribution. Illuminance is affected by interrelated
factors such as the characteristics of the specified light sources,
mounting heights, and spacing. These and other factors must be chosen
so that illuminance meets the guidelines specified herein without
causing glare or light trespass.
(1) General lighting. Luminaires for general area lighting,
whether pole or wall mounted, shall have cutoff light distribution.
Spotlights and floodlights shall not be used for general lighting.
Where supplementary lighting is desired (for example, for building
or sign illumination) the luminaires should be properly shielded to
avoid light trespass and glare.
(2) External sign lighting. Where illumination of freestanding
signs is desired, the illuminator shall be chosen to avoid glare in
the area below and around the sign. If necessary, the sign shall be
constructed of opaque panels or surrounded by dense shrubbery from
the lower edge of the sign to the ground.
(3) Mounting height of luminaires. Mounting heights of
luminaires, whether pole- or wall-mounted, shall be limited as follows:
(a)
For development projects subject to site plan
review in the R-20, R-30, and RR-5 Zoning Districts, maximum mounting
heights shall not exceed 12 feet.
(b)
For development projects subject to site plan
review in the C Zoning District, maximum mounting height shall not
exceed 25 feet.
(c)
For development projects in the I and LI Zoning
Districts, maximum mounting height shall not exceed 30 feet or the
roofline of the building, whichever is less, except that mounting
height for lighting located within 50 feet of a residential property
line shall not exceed 20 feet.
B. Minimum illuminances for general parking and pedestrian
areas. Minimum footcandles have been specified for the general parking
and pedestrian areas because an absolute minimum of lighting is necessary
for the identification of features for pedestrian safety. Levels should
not be lower than the recommended minimum at any point.
C. Minimum levels for driveway access. Minimum footcandles
have been specified based on the assumption that separate walkways
are provided for pedestrian activity. Where mixed pedestrian and vehicular
traffic is anticipated, higher levels of illuminance should be provided.
D. Illuminance at entrances. Illuminance at entrances
from public roads to private parking areas and private access driveways
must be adequate for vehicle operators to recognize entrance details,
decelerate, and safely leave the traffic stream.
(1) Glare and excessive contrast between public road and
private areas should be avoided.
(2) Typical entrance illuminance levels are 0.5 to 2.0
footcandles.
E. Maximum illuminance at property lines. At the property
line of the subject property, illumination from luminaires shall not
exceed 0.1 footcandles on residential property or 0.5 footcandles
on nonresidential property, as measured on a vertical plane.
F. Energy management. Under certain circumstances it
may be desirable to reduce the lighting levels during periods of reduced
activity. For example, during peak use, the "high" activity lighting
level may be required. During inactive periods, where level of activity
is in the "low" classification, only security lighting might be required.
G. Neighborhood consideration. Within the requirements
of public safety, new lighting shall avoid annoyance glare to neighboring
properties and shall not have adverse impact on the aesthetic character
of the area(s) as defined by zoning regulations.
If strict adherence to this chapter results
in conflict, the Planning Board may, at its discretion, modify specific
requirements to achieve balance among competing requirements.
All outdoor lighting lawfully existing prior
to the effective date of this article shall be deemed conforming to
this article except that:
A. No replacement or installation of new luminaires shall
be permitted unless in conformance to this article.
B. All outdoor lighting that, in the opinion of the Code
Enforcement Officer, is causing annoyance glare on adjoining roadways
or properties shall be required to submit lighting details to the
Code Enforcement Officer showing that the existing lighting meets
the requirements of this article or how such lighting will be brought
into conformance.
C. Notwithstanding any other requirement in this article, all nonconforming uses as defined by or resulting from the enactment of this article shall be required to come into compliance with the applicable provisions by January 1, 2003. Any person unduly aggrieved by this requirement may make an application for a variance to the Board of Appeals as provided in §
120-51 of this article.
This article is not intended to interfere with,
abrogate, or annul any other rules, regulations, or ordinances. Whenever
the requirements of this article are at variance with the requirements
of any other lawful regulations, rules or ordinances, the most restrictive,
or those which impose the highest standards, shall govern.
This article shall be interpreted in such a
way, whenever possible, that the meaning of the words and phrases
in the sections herein shall make them valid and legal in their effect.