The purpose of this article is to regulate the placement, orientation
distribution patterns, and fixture types of exterior lighting. Furthermore,
it is the intent of this article to:
A. Provide lighting in outdoor public spaces where public health, safety,
and welfare are potential concerns.
B. Protect drivers and pedestrians from the glare of nonvehicular light
sources that shine into their eyes and thereby impair safe traverse.
C. Protect neighbors and the night sky from nuisance glare and stray
light from poorly aimed, placed, applied, maintained or shielded light
sources.
D. Protect and retain the character of Schwenksville Borough.
The following terms, when used in this article, shall be defined
as follows:
DIRECT LIGHT
Light emitted directly from the lamp, off of the reflector
or reflector diffuser, or through the reflector or diffuser lens,
of a luminaire.
FIXTURE
The assembly that houses the lamp or lamps and can include
all or some of the following parts: a housing, a mounting bracket
or pole socket, a lamp holder, a ballast, a reflector or mirror, and/or
a refractor or lens.
FLOOD OR SPOT LIGHT
Any light fixture or lamp that incorporates a reflector or
a refractor to concentrate the light output into a directed beam in
a particular direction.
FOOTCANDLE
A unit of light intensity stated in lumens per square foot
and measurable with an illuminance meter, a.k.a. footcandle or light
meter.
FULLY-SHIELDED LIGHTS
Outdoor light fixture shielded or constructed so that no
light rays are emitted by the installed fixture at angles above the
horizontal plane as certified by a photometric test report.
GLARE
The sensation produced by lighting that causes an annoyance,
discomfort, or loss in visual performance and visibility to the eye.
HEIGHT OF LUMINAIRE
The height of a luminaire shall be the vertical distance
from the ground directly below the center line of the luminaire to
the lowest direct-light-emitting part of the luminaire.
INDIRECT LIGHT
Direct light that has been reflected or has scattered off
of other surfaces.
LIGHT TRESPASS
The shining of light produced by a luminaire beyond the boundaries
of the property on which it is located.
LUMEN
A unit of luminous flux. One footcandle is one lumen per
square foot. For the purposes of this chapter, the lumen-output values
shall be the initial lumen output ratings of a lamp.
LUMINAIRE
This a complete lighting system, and includes a lamp or lamps
and a fixture.
OUTDOOR LIGHTING
The nighttime illumination of an outside area or object by
any man-made device located outdoors that produces light by any means.
TEMPORARY OUTDOOR LIGHTING
The specific illumination of an outside area of object by
any man-made device located outdoors that produces light by any means
for a period of less than seven days, with at least 180 days passing
before being used again.
Streetlighting fixtures in residential developments shall be
placed at the following locations:
A. At the intersection of public roads with entrance roads to the proposed
development.
B. Intersections involving proposed public or nonpublic primary distributor
streets within the proposed development.
C. At the apex of the curve of any primary distributor street, public
or nonpublic, within the proposed development, having less than three-hundred-foot
minimum center-line radius.
E. Terminal ends of center median islands having concrete-structure
curbing, trees and/or other fixed objects not having breakaway design
for speeds of 25 m.p.h. or greater.
The Borough reserves the right to conduct a post-installation
nighttime inspection to verify compliance with the requirements of
this chapter, and if appropriate, to require remedial action at no
expense to the Borough.
When streetlighting is to be dedicated to the Borough, the applicant
shall be responsible for all costs involved in the lighting of streets
and street intersections from the date of the first dwelling is occupied
until the street is accepted for dedication.
A. Upon dedication of public roads, the Borough shall assess the homeowners'
association, individual property owners, or corporation, as may be
necessary, to collect all revenues required which are directly or
indirectly associated with all costs of each specific streetlighting
fixture. These costs shall include:
3. Proration of nonpayables.
4. Actual utility electrical charges.
5. Maintenance and maintenance contracts for maintenance of fixtures
and associated equipment.
B. Prior to dedication, and in the event of the formation of a homeowners'
association and/or a property management declaration, the Borough
shall require said agency to enter into an agreement guaranteeing
the Borough payment of all costs associated with streetlighting.