It is the intention of the Huntington Town Board
to protect the environment, preserve the ability to view the celestial
features of the night sky for present and future generations, conserve
valuable energy resources and improve the aesthetic quality of life
in Huntington. By this legislation the Town Board wishes to establish
a mechanism by which exterior lighting which is protective of the
environment is installed on new construction and used to replace current
exterior lighting fixtures which are not in compliance with this Chapter.
For the purpose of this Chapter, the following
words shall have the meanings indicated:
AREA LIGHT
A lighting fixture designed for the illumination of a broad
area, including but not limited to streetlights, lights in parking
fields, and yard lights over one thousand eight hundred (1,800) lumens.
AVERAGE HORIZONTAL FOOTCANDLES
The average level of illuminance for a given area measured
at ground level with the light meter placed parallel to the ground.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (OUTDOOR LIGHTING)
Temporary or permanent lighting equipment that is installed,
located, placed or used in such manner so as to illuminate the outdoors,
in whole or in part.
ESSENTIAL LIGHTING
Lights which are used to identify a location or place, to
illuminate an area for public circulation, and for public safety or
security purposes, such as entrances to buildings, parking areas and
access ways.
EXCESSIVE LIGHTING
Illuminance levels which exceed the minimum illuminance levels
contained in the IESNA Recommended Practices Handbook, Publications
RP-33, RP-20 and RP-8.
FIXTURE (also LUMINAIRE)
The bulb and the assembly that holds the bulb (or lamp) in
a lighting system, including reflecting elements, shielding elements,
cover glass or lenses, the ballast and the housing.
FLOODLIGHT
A lamp or luminaire commonly used to illuminate a large area,
and which can produce light above the luminaire.
FOOTCANDLE ("FC")
The basic unit of illuminance (the amount of light falling
on a surface). One footcandle is equal to the illuminance produced
by a light source of approximately one candle in intensity as measured
on a surface at a distance of one (1) foot from the source. Horizontal
footcandles is the measure of illumination striking a horizontal plane.
FULL CUT-OFF LUMINAIRE
A luminaire where no light is emitted above the horizontal
plane of the lowest light emitting point of the luminaire, and the
total lamp lumens at 10 degrees below the horizontal is limited to
ten (10) percent of the total output.
FULLY SHIELDED
A luminaire constructed and installed in such a manner that
all light emitted by it, either directly from the lamp or a diffusing
element, or indirectly by reflection or refraction from any part of
the luminaire, is projected below the horizontal plane. It is the
same as a full-cutoff luminaire but without any restrictions on light
distribution below the horizontal plane.
GLARE
The sensation produced by a light source within the visual
field that is sufficiently brighter than the level to which the eyes
are adapted and may cause annoyance, discomfort, loss or impairment
of visual performance and visibility.
HOLIDAY LIGHTING
Temporary lighting customarily placed or installed to celebrate
a holiday.
ILLUMINANCE
The density of light falling on any point of a surface, usually
measured in footcandles. See also, "Footcandles."
IESNA
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA),
an organization which promulgates illumination standards, guidelines
and publishes recommended practices for the lighting industry.
LAMP
The generic term for an artificial light source to be distinguished
from the whole assembly or "Fixture." Commonly referred to as a "light
bulb."
LIGHT POLLUTION
Any adverse effect of manmade light that unnecessarily diminishes
the ability to view the night sky or is disruptive to flora and fauna.
LIGHT TRESPASS
Light projected onto the property of another, into the public
right-of-ways or waterways when it is not required or permitted to
do so.
LIGHT ASSEMBLAGE
Any or all parts of a luminaire that function to produce
light, including the bulb, assembly, ballast, mounting features and/or
pole.
LUMEN
A unit used to measure the actual amount of light that is
produced by a bulb. The lumen quantifies the amount of light energy
produced by a lamp at the lamp, not solely by the "wattage". For example,
a 75-watt incandescent lamp can produce 1,000 lumens while a 70-watt
high-pressure sodium lamp produces 6,000 lumens.
LUMINAIRE
The complete light assembly (including the lamp, housing,
ballasts, photocells, reflectors, lenses and shields), less the support
assembly (pole or mounting bracket). For purposes of determining total
light output from a luminaire or light fixture, lighting assemblies
which include multiple unshielded or partially shielded lamps on a
single pole shall be considered as a single unit.
LUMINANCE
The "brightness" of a source of light.
MAINTAINED ILLUMINANCE
The light levels that are produced by a lamp and luminaire
after a period of time, taking into consideration normal losses due
to lamp aging and the accumulation of dirt on the fixture.
MOUNTED HEIGHT
The distance from grade to the lowest light emitting part
of the luminaire.
PARTIALLY SHIELDED
A luminaire, which incorporates a partial shield around the
lamp concealing the lamp from view only in certain directions.
PHOTOMETRICS
Technical test reports that indicate light distribution and
performance from a luminaire.
REPAIR
Substantial repairs to the luminaire or light assembly which
change the type, design, material or outward appearance of the luminaire.
This Chapter is not intended to prohibit the performance of minor
repairs and normal maintenance, including but not limited to, painting
the light assemblage, or replacement with the same type and same output
lamp, photoelectric control, or fuse.
SKYGLOW
The overhead glow from light emitted sideways and upwards,
including light reflected upward from the ground or other surfaces,
which reduces a person's ability to view the night sky.
UNIFORMITY RATIO ("U. RATIO")
A ratio that describes uniformity of illuminance across an
area. The uniformity ratio may be a ratio of the maximum-to-minimum
illuminance, or the average-to-minimum illuminance. For example, if
the average-to-minimum ratio of 4:1 for a parking lot is recommended,
the minimum illuminance should be no less than 1/4 of the average
illuminance across the parking lot.
[Amended 11-6-2019 by L.L. No. 56-2019]
(A) Any person or business entity who commits or permits any acts in
violation of any provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to have
committed an offense against this Chapter, and shall upon conviction
thereof, be subject to a fine of not less than Five Hundred ($500)
Dollars and not more than One Thousand Five Hundred ($1,500) Dollars.
Each day, or part thereof, such violation continues or is permitted
to exist following notification by the Town, or service of a notice
of violation, summons or appearance ticket, shall constitute a separate
offense, punishable in like manner.
(B) Any person or entity found by the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication
to have violated any provision of this Chapter shall likewise be subject
to a monetary penalty in an amount within the range of fines authorized
in subdivision A for any offense or continuing offense.
(C) In addition to the criminal and civil penalties set forth herein
or in other applicable law, rule or regulation, the Town Attorney
is authorized to pursue civil and equitable relief in the name of
the Town in a court of competent jurisdiction, including but not limited
to compensatory actions; civil penalties in the amount of up to two
hundred and fifty ($250) dollars per day, or any part thereof; an
action to compel compliance with or to restrain by injunction the
violation of this chapter; and other remedies which in the opinion
of the Town Attorney may seem necessary and proper.