This Lighting Code is adopted for the purposes
of preserving, protecting and enhancing the lawful nighttime use and
enjoyment of nonresidential property in the Town of DeWitt through
the designation of reasonable standards regarding appropriate lighting
systems and equipment, their installation, and regular maintenance
practices applied thereto. It is intended to eliminate problems of
glare and light trespass and help reduce energy use of inappropriate
outdoor lighting while increasing the attractiveness of DeWitt at
night. Quality design and systems when combined with regular maintenance
of lighting equipment help to beautify property and neighborhoods;
make intended outdoor nighttime activity possible; aid public safety
and individual security; and control unnecessary glare and light trespass.
To minimize the cumulative effect of multiple properties casting artificial
outdoor light detrimental to the desirable nighttime environment of
neighboring properties, outdoor lighting shall serve to provide the
minimum illumination over the smallest areas of a site or object necessary
for the average-sighted person to accomplish the activity(s) or task(s)
for the property's intended legal use.
If a person, firm or corporation illuminates
or intends to illuminate the exterior of a property or a part thereof
or a structure located in the Town of DeWitt outside the Village of
East Syracuse for nonresidential use or for a multiple-family dwelling,
then this outdoor lighting code shall guide the selection, installation,
use, repair, alteration and maintenance of such lighting equipment
and systems.
The Planning Board shall prepare and, following
a public hearing, adopt such rules and regulations thereto in order
to carry out the spirit and intent of this code, provided the Town
Board approves the same by simple resolution. The Planning Board may
make recommendations to the Town Board regarding amendments to this
code.
[Amended 1-21-2015 by L.L. No. 1-2015]
Proposals for outdoor lighting exceeding the limits established herein shall first be submitted in abbreviated form to the Department for review and determination of a need for permit pursuant to the rules established by this code and Chapters
15 and
94 of the Town Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an applicant with nonconforming outdoor lighting who makes an application before the Planning Board on an unrelated issue shall not be required to submit an outdoor lighting plan or address the issue of outdoor lighting in any manner, and controlled site approval shall not be conditioned, when lighting is not being added, changed, altered, reduced or affected by the application, unless the Department has commenced or commences an action pursuant to §
117-7B of this code, regarding glare or light trespass.
The following applications of outdoor lighting
are hereby exempt from the provisions of this code:
A. Hazard warning and emergency lighting by a governmental
entity;
B. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lighting requirements
applicable to Syracuse Hancock International Airport;
C. Lighting required by the Town of DeWitt, Onondaga
County, state or federal office;
D. Temporary holiday lighting subject to the requirements of §§
117-8 and
117-9 of this code;
E. All outdoor single- and two-family residential lighting.
Other lighting applications and uses not explicitly
addressed herein shall be controlled by this code, including but not
limited to such applications as sign, architectural, landscaping,
and sports facility lighting.
Flashing or moving lights whether associated
with a sign are prohibited along with general area lighting, floodlighting
or spotlights which produce excess glare or trespass. All lights and
associated equipment not specifically permitted in this code are prohibited
unless appropriate level of approval is first obtained.
The Zoning Board of Appeals shall hear appeals
for exceptions and interpretations to this chapter as may be necessary.
[Amended 1-21-2015 by L.L. No. 1-2015]
This code shall be enforced by the Department.
In the event of glare or light trespass and upon the filing of a formal
complaint, written notice shall be given to the owner or person-in-charge
relative to the infraction and the recourse available.
A violation of this chapter shall be an offense
punishable by a fine not to exceed $200 or by imprisonment for a period
not to exceed 10 days, or both. Failure to comply may result in prosecution
and freezing of a subsequent permit(s) for the subject property until
conformance with this code is achieved.
This code shall supersede all other codes. In
cases of conflict, the more restrictive code shall govern.
[Added 7-12-2004]
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
COLOR RENDITION INDEX (CRI)
A measure of the degree of color shift objects undergo when
illuminated by the light source as compared with those same objects
when illuminated by a reference source of comparable color temperature.
Generally, a higher CRI value indicates greater color clarity.
DEPARTMENT
The word “Department” means the Town of DeWitt
Department of Planning and Zoning.
[Added 1-21-2015 by L.L.
No. 1-2015]
FIXTURE HEIGHT
The mounting height of a fixture shall be measured from the
paved grade adjacent to the pole to the top of the light fixture including
any base height.
FIXTURES, FULL CUTOFF
Full cutoff fixtures shall have zero light intensity at an
angle of 90° above vertical and at all angles greater than 90°
above vertical. Additionally, the lumens per 1,000 lamp lumens shall
not exceed 100 (10%) at an angle of 80°.
FLOODLIGHTS
An exposed lamp fixture designed to light a scene or object
to a luminance greater than its surroundings.
FOOTCANDLE (FC)
A measure of light falling on a given surface. One footcandle
(one FC) is equal to the amount of light generated by one candle shining
on a square foot surface one foot away. Unless otherwise noted, footcandle
readings are taken at ground level. (In this code, all uses of the
term footcandles are calculated using the maintenance factor noted
below).
FOOTCANDLE, AVERAGE
The average density of light on an area to be illuminated
in footcandles calculated using a set of grid points, 75% maintenance
factor and their corresponding luminance values.
FOOTCANDLE, MAXIMUM
The maximum lighting level in footcandles allowed on an area
to be illuminated. The maximum footcandle value is determined using
a 75% maintenance factor.
FOOTCANDLE, MINIMUM
The lowest recommended light level consistent with the seeing
task desired for the area to be illuminated. The minimum footcandle
value is determined using a 75% maintenance factor.
GLARE
The sensation produced by luminance within the visual field
that is sufficiently greater than the luminance to which the eye is
adapted so as to cause annoyance, discomfort or loss in visual performance
or visibility.
LUMEN
A measure of light energy generated by a light source.
LUMINANCE
Composed of the intensity of light striking an object or
surface and the amount of light reflected back toward the eye. All
surfaces have some reflecting qualities and therefore have luminance;
light surfaces being more reflective than dark surfaces.
MAINTENANCE FACTOR
A measurement of the decrease in lumen output of a light
fixture that occurs with the passage of time due to several factors,
including lamp depreciation and lens cleanliness. The maintenance
factor used in this code is 75%.
MINIMUM RECOMMENDED LIGHTING VALUE
The lowest acceptable lighting level, in footcandles, consistent with the seeing of a task for which lighting is necessary. Such minimum levels are specified in §
117-15, Lighting Guidelines Chart.
NADIR
The lowest point of a sphere.
UNIFORMITY RATIO
A constant used to determine the maximum average luminance
value allowed for lighting an area. The maximum average luminance
value is equal to the product of the minimum recommended lighting
value and the uniformity ratio. It is intended to minimize the differences
in overly light or dark areas to produce more uniform lighting on
a site.