The general purpose of this article is to protect and promote
the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of Riverhead,
as well as preserve the quality of life, retain the rural character
of Riverhead and afford the public the ability to view the night sky,
by establishing regulations and a process for review of exterior lighting.
This article establishes standards for exterior lighting in order
to accomplish the following:
A. To provide safe roadways for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians;
B. To protect against direct glare and excessive lighting;
C. To ensure that sufficient lighting can be provided where needed to
promote safety and security;
D. To prevent light trespass in all areas of the Town;
E. To protect and reclaim the ability to view the night sky;
F. To allow for flexibility in the service of lighting fixtures;
G. To provide lighting guidelines;
H. To provide assistance to property owners and occupants in bringing
nonconforming lighting into conformance with this article;
I. To promote the conservation of energy for exterior lighting;
J. To reduce the impact of artificial lighting on human health, flora,
fauna, and the environment.
The attached figures and tables shall be incorporated into Article
XLIX as guidelines for the public and the Town of Riverhead for use in enforcing this article. The Town does not endorse or discriminate against any manufacturer or company that may be shown, portrayed or mentioned by the examples. Additional information is provided at the Town of Riverhead Planning Department.
A. Figure 1: illustrations of full cutoff and full shielded
fixtures.
B. Figure 2: diagrams of generally acceptable and generally
unacceptable light fixtures.
C. Figure 3: diagrams of recommended fixture placement
in relation to the property line to control light trespass.
D. Table 1: limits of illumination target areas for parking
lots.
E. Table 2: limits of illumination for target areas for
car dealerships, sidewalks, walkways, and gas stations.
F. Table 3: limits of illumination for roadways.
If the Code Enforcement Division finds that
any provision of this article is being violated, the Code Enforcement
Division shall give notice by hand delivery or by certified mail,
return receipt requested, of such violation to the owner and/or the
occupant of such premises, demanding that the violation be abated
within 30 days of the date of hand delivery or of the date of mailing
of the notice. The Planning Department staff shall be available to
assist in working with the violator to correct said violation. If
the violation is not abated within the thirty-day period, the Town
Attorney may institute actions and proceedings, either legal or equitable,
to enjoin, restrain or abate any violations of this article.