Whenever a building, site and operation plan or building, site
and operation plan amendment is required by this code, such plans
shall include an exterior lighting plan to determine whether the requirements
of this article have been met (subject to Plan Commission discretion
for unique situations; City General Design Guide also applies).
Exterior lighting serves multiple functions, including illumination
of obstructions, orientation of site users, and security. To assure
that exterior lighting serves these functions without hindrance or
nuisance, all exterior lighting plans submitted pursuant to this code
shall comply with the following standards: (Note: Standards below
are subject to Plan Commission discretion when extenuating circumstances
apply.)
A.
Fixture height. Fixtures shall not exceed the greater of 15 feet
or the eave line of the building.
B.
Fixture location. All fixtures intended to illuminate parking and
drive areas shall generally be mounted on poles located within protected
landscaped areas, on concrete pedestals not exceeding six inches above
grade. Where the Plan Commission deems that such locations are not
practical, and that a location within the parking field is appropriate,
said poles may be mounted on concrete pedestals at a height to be
determined by the Plan Commission, but generally not exceeding 36
inches above grade.
C.
Luminaires. All exterior lighting fixtures shall be of a wattage
approved by the Plan Commission. The types of luminaires shall be
subject to the application proposed and Plan Commission approval.
[Amended 2-4-2010 by Ord. No. 1311]
D.
Cutoff required. All luminaires regardless of mounting location shall
be housed within downcast full-cutoff fixtures, with zero-degree tilt.
E.
Intensity. Exterior lighting shall generally not exceed nine footcandles
in intensity. The Plan Commission may permit a greater intensity of
illumination where necessary to meet the purpose of this code.
F.
Light trespass prohibited. In no case shall exterior lighting result
in illumination greater than 0.5 footcandle at any property boundary
unless the light trespass is on a property with a consistent land
use or is along a right-of-way.
[Amended 2-4-2010 by Ord. No. 1311]
G.
No lighting, whether located on the interior or exterior of a window,
can be attached to the window or window frame on a commercial or industrial
property where the light source can be directly seen from the outside.
Also, these window lights cannot be flashing or moving.
[Added 3-18-2020 by Ord.
No. 1442]
An exterior lighting plan submitted pursuant to this code shall
have, at a minimum, the following elements:
A.
A catalog page, cut sheet, or photograph of the luminaire and its
mounting method.
B.
A photometric data test report of the proposed luminaire graphically
showing the lighting distribution at all angles vertically and horizontally
around the luminaire.
C.
A site plan, drawn to the same engineering scale as the building,
site and operation plan submittal, indicating the location of the
luminaires proposed, mounting and/or installation height in feet,
and the overall illumination levels (in footcandles) at the property
lines. This may be accomplished either by means of an isolux curve
or computer printout projecting the illumination levels. In addition
to the site plan drawn to the same engineering scale as the building,
site and operation plan submittal, one copy of said plan shall be
provided in a black and white reduction, 11 inches by 17 inches.
D.
A graphic depiction of the luminaire lamp (or bulb) concealment and
light cutoff angles.
Ball diamonds, playing fields, driving ranges, tennis courts,
and similar outdoor recreation facilities have unique requirements
for nighttime visibility and generally have limited hours of operation.
Such facilities may be exempt from the performance standards established
in this code if the applicant can satisfy the Plan Commission that
the following requirements are met:
A.
Building, site and operation plan. The building, site and operation plan meets all other requirements of Article IV of this chapter.
B.
Exterior lighting plan required. A plan meeting the standards of § 400-194 of this code has been submitted.
C.
Exterior light sources. Any exterior light source shall not exceed
a maximum pole height of 50 feet, unless the Plan Commission determines
a taller pole height would not have a negative impact on the surrounding
area.
[Amended 11-17-2021 by Ord. No. 1466]
D.
Shielded luminaires. If the luminaire is shielded in either orientation
or by landscaped buffer areas to prevent light and glare spillover
to residential property or residential zoning districts, the luminaire
may be positioned to exceed a total cutoff angle of 90°.
A.
Metering equipment. Lighting levels shall be measured in footcandles
with a direct reading portable light meter. The meter shall be read
with an accuracy of plus or minus 5%. It shall have been tested, calibrated,
and certified by an independent commercial photometric laboratory
or the manufacturer within 30 days of its use.
B.
Method of measurement. The meter sensor shall be mounted not more
than six inches above ground level in a horizontal position, commencing
at the property line. Readings shall be taken only after the cell
has been exposed long enough to provide a constant reading. To eliminate
the effects of moonlight and other ambient light, measurements shall
be made after dark with the light source in question on, then with
the same source off. The average of the two readings shall be compared
with the maximum permitted illumination permitted by this article.
Streetlighting shall conform to standards promulgated and approved
by the Public Works and Safety Committee, as may be amended from time
to time.
Commercial searchlights as defined by this code shall be prohibited
for all uses except as may be directed by authorized emergency management
personnel for use related thereto or if approved for special events
subject to Plan Commission approval.
The provisions of this article are intended to supplement other
applicable laws and ordinances and are not a substitute. All exterior
lighting shall be installed in conformance with the provisions of
this code, applicable building codes and ordinances, electrical codes
and ordinances, and all other codes and ordinances as applicable and
under appropriate permit and inspection.
