[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees
of the Village of Pittsford 10-14-2008 by L.L. No. 9-2008.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law superseded former
Ch. 117, Lighting, Exterior, adopted 5-1-1999 by L.L. No. 6-1999,
as amended.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the
public safety and welfare, to protect the historic character and scenic
beauty of the Village, to increase property values and improve the
quality of life within the Village, and to reduce the problems created
by improperly designed and installed exterior lighting. This chapter
is intended to eliminate problems of glare and minimize unnecessary
light trespass onto abutting properties or streets, to protect residences
from the negative impacts of neighboring commercial uses, to help
reduce the energy costs of exterior lighting, and to reduce sky glow.
This chapter shall hereafter be known and cited
as the "Exterior Lighting Law."
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall be defined as follows:
The exterior lighting installed by a banking institution
complying with the minimum requirements of Article II-AA of the New
York State Banking Law, commonly referred to as the "ATM Safety Act."
The official charged with the duty to enforce the zoning
and other laws, ordinances, codes and regulations relating to buildings
and property.
Light emitted directly from the lamp, off the reflector or
reflector diffuser, or through the refractor or diffuser lens of a
luminaire.
Luminaires not conforming to the provisions of this chapter.
The nighttime illumination of an outside area or object by
any man-made device that produces light by any means.
The assembly that houses the lamp or lamps, including 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.
Any fixture or lamp that incorporates a reflector, a refractor,
or a prismatic lens to concentrate the light output into a directed
beam in a particular direction.
The amount of light produced by one candle at one foot from
the source of the light.
A luminaire designed and installed in such a manner that
all light emitted by it, either directly from the lamp or a diffusing
element, is projected below a horizontal plane through the luminaire's
lowest light-emitting part.
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Light emitting from a luminaire with intensity great enough
to reduce a viewer's ability to see, or to reduce visibility for pedestrians
or motorists, or which produces a strong, steady or dazzling light.
Parking lot for major cultural or civic events, regional
shopping centers and fast-food facilities.
Direct light that has been reflected off or has scattered
off an illuminated surface.
The component of a luminaire that produces the actual light
(commonly called a "bulb").
Light produced by a luminaire that shines upon or is visible
from property beyond the boundary of the property where the luminaire
is located.
The unit used to measure the actual amount of light which
is produced by a lamp or luminaire. Lumen output of a lamp shall be
considered to be the initial output rating according to the manufacturer.
A complete lighting system, including a lamp or lamps and
a fixture.
The Illumination Engineering Society of North America defines
the light distribution and optical control of roadway and area lighting
luminaires by the number of zonal lumens expressed as a percentage
of the total lamp lumens. LCS replaces the older IESNA cutoff classification
system. LCS includes the following classifications:
FORWARD LOW (FL)This zone ranges from 0 to 60 degrees vertical and counter-clockwise from 270 to 90 degrees horizontal (in front of the luminaire).
FORWARD MEDIUM (FM)This zone ranges from 30 to 60 degrees vertical and counter-clockwise from 270 to 90 degrees horizontal (in front of the luminaire).
FORWARD HIGH (FH)This zone ranges from 60 to 80 degrees vertical and counter-clockwise from 270 to 90 degrees horizontal (in front of the luminaire).
FORWARD VERY HIGH (FVH)This zone ranges from 80 to 90 degrees vertical and counter-clockwise from 270 to 90 degrees horizontal (in front of the luminaire).
BACK LOW (BL)This zone ranges from 0 to 60 degrees vertical and counter-clockwise from 90 to 270 degrees horizontal (behind the luminaire).
BACK MEDIUM (BM)This zone ranges from 30 to 60 degrees vertical and counter-clockwise from 90 to 270 degrees horizontal (behind the luminaire).
BACK HIGH (BH)This zone ranges from 60 to 80 degrees vertical and counter-clockwise from 90 to 270 degrees horizontal (behind the luminaire).
BACK VERY HIGH (BVH)This zone ranges from 80 to 90 degrees and counter-clockwise from 90 to 270 degrees horizontal (behind the luminaire).
UP LOW (UL)This zone ranges from 90 to 100 degrees vertical and 360 degrees around the luminaire.
UP HIGH (UH)This zone ranges from 100 to 180 degrees vertical and 360 degrees around the luminaire.
Parking lot for office parks, cultural or civic events, community
shopping centers, residential complex parking and transportation parking.
Any temporary decorative exterior lighting erected for the
purpose of holiday, festival or other special event celebrations.
The overhead skyward glow of a luminaire from light directly
emitted from or reflected above the horizontal plane of the luminaire.
The illumination of an outside area or object by any man-made
device that produces light by any means, for a period not exceeding
seven days, and occurring no more than once within 180 days. Temporary
exterior lighting includes, but is not limited to, laser source light,
searchlights and strobe lights.
All new and replacement, permanently installed
exterior lighting in the Village of Pittsford, other than lighting
erected and maintained by the Village to light public streets, sidewalks,
walkways or other public areas, shall be in conformance with the requirements
of this chapter, unless otherwise exempted by this chapter.
A.
All exterior lighting fixtures not otherwise addressed
by this chapter shall be LCS type FL, FM, FH, BL, BM or BH. Fixture
types FVH, BVH, UL and UH are prohibited.
B.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a luminaire containing
a single incandescent lamp of 75 watts or less, or the compact fluorescent
lamp equivalent, does not require shielding or Planning Board approval
when installed in a residential district. The fixture must be approved
by the Architectural Preservation and Review Board.
A.
Exterior lighting installed for the purpose of illuminating
outdoor recreational facilities (public or private), including, but
not limited to, athletic fields, tennis courts or show areas, shall
be in conformance with the requirements of this chapter.
B.
The Zoning Board of Appeals, pursuant to § 210-113B(2)
of the Code of the Village of Pittsford, may grant a special exception
use for recreational facilities that cannot be adequately illuminated
by fully shielded luminaires.
Light fixtures mounted under roof overhangs,
soffits and canopies shall be recessed so that the lamp and/or lens
cover does not protrude from the bottom surface, or is shielded by
the fixture or the edge of the structure, so that light is restrained
to no more than 85 degrees from vertical.
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Floodlights and spotlights, except for approved
sign lighting, shall be aimed 45 degrees or more below the horizontal.
A.
The installation of any mercury vapor fixture or lamp
for use as outdoor lighting is prohibited in all districts.
B.
The installation of high-intensity illumination, including
but not limited to high-pressure sodium, metal halide or fluorescent
linear fixtures or lamps is prohibited in all residential (R) districts.
C.
Exterior lighting shall be designed and arranged to
reflect light away from and not impinge upon adjoining properties
or streets. Luminaires located near property lines shall have a back
lighting zone classification of BL. Luminaires with an upper lighting
zone classification are not acceptable. Where the use of fully shielded
luminaires is not sufficient to prevent light trespass onto adjacent
properties, additional shields or reflectors may be required.
D.
Average illumination levels generated by exterior
lighting shall not exceed one footcandle for medium activity areas
and two footcandles for high activity areas. The maximum illumination
level at the property line from which the light originates shall not
exceed .2 footcandle.
E.
The height of a luminaire shall not exceed 20 feet,
as measured from grade to the underside of the luminaire. Light poles
shall not exceed 23 feet.
F.
The total power of a lamp in a luminaire shall not
exceed 250 watts.
Exterior lighting installed to illuminate an
automatic teller machine may exceed the maximum lighting levels of
this chapter, provided that the excess levels are the absolute minimum
required in order to comply with Article II-AA of the New York State
Banking Law, commonly referred to as the "ATM Safety Act."
A.
Unless otherwise exempted by this chapter, no person
shall erect any exterior lighting without obtaining approval from
the Village of Pittsford Planning Board. In addition, approval of
the luminaires shall be obtained from the Architectural Preservation
and Review Board.
B.
A building permit shall be required for the installation
of approved exterior lighting.
C.
Requests for variances from the provisions of this
chapter may be granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals, pursuant to
the provisions of Village Law.
A.
These requirements may be modified as deemed necessary
by the Planning Board.
B.
Applications for lighting approval shall include the
following information:
(1)
A site plan showing the location of all buildings
and building heights, parking, and pedestrian areas on the lot or
parcel.
(2)
The location and description, including mature height,
of existing and proposed trees.
(3)
The location and height above grade of all light fixtures,
including building-mounted fixtures.
(4)
The type and lumen rating and wattage of each lamp
source.
(5)
The general style of light fixture and a copy of the
manufacturer's catalog information sheet and IESNA cutoff classification
system, photometric distribution type, including any shielding information
such as house side, internal or exterior shields.
(6)
A description of the type of controls for the on/off
function of the fixtures.
(7)
A photometric plan showing the initial horizontal
luminance on a five-feet-by-five-feet grid across the entire site
and a minimum of ten feet beyond the lot or parcel property line.
(8)
A plan showing the iso-footcandle curve of the combined
contribution of all the light fixtures; the footcandles at each five-foot
grid crossing; the maximum and minimum footcandle level; and the average
to minimum footcandle uniformity ratio for the site.
A.
Any luminaire that replaces an existing nonconforming
luminaire, or any existing nonconforming luminaire that is relocated,
shall comply with the requirements of this chapter.
B.
Any existing nonconforming luminaire that creates
glare or light trespass shall be either shielded or redirected, upon
notification of the owner or occupant, so that the direct light is
contained on the property.
A.
Any person, firm, corporation or entity, whether as
owner, lessee, agent or employee, who violates any of the provisions
of this chapter or who fails to comply with any order made hereunder
or who installs, moves or alters any light in violation of an approval
shall be guilty of a violation and, upon conviction, shall be fined
not more than $100 for each violation. Each day that such violation
is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate violation.
B.
In the event of a violation of any of the provisions
of this chapter, and after notification of the owner of the premises,
in writing, and upon failure of the owner of the premises to correct
the violation, the Code Enforcement Officer may remove or cause removal,
repair or conformance of the luminaire. All costs and expenses incurred
shall be assessed against the owner of the property on which the luminaire
is located. Unpaid costs and expenses shall be included as a special
ad valorem levy against said property, shall constitute a lien and
shall be collected and enforced in the same manner as provided by
law for the collection and enforcement of real property taxes.
