[Ord. No. 2006-1497 §1, 4-18-2006]
A.
The purpose
of this Chapter is to provide minimum standards for effective, economical
and attractive outdoor lighting in the City. The standards are intended
to encourage well-designed, harmonious, appropriate and necessary
exterior lighting, through the regulation of the types, kinds, construction,
installation and uses of outdoor lighting, which will:
1.
Provide
good, cost efficient, energy efficient lighting in outdoor public
places at night and promote safety and security within the City;
2.
Minimize
adverse effects of glare and light trespass, thus protecting neighbors
from the consequences of stray light caused by nuisance glare from
poorly aimed, misdirected or inadequately shielded light sources;
3.
Protect
drivers and pedestrians from disabling glare caused by non-vehicular
light sources that shine directly into their eyes, thereby impairing
safe traverse;
4.
Minimize
nighttime light pollution while enhancing nighttime enjoyment of the
sky; and
5.
Enable
fair and consistent enforcement of lighting standards and restrictions.
B.
In adopting
these regulations, the Board of Aldermen recognizes and seeks to preserve
and enhance the City's distinctive character found in its mature residential
neighborhoods and diverse, upscale commercial areas. Furthermore,
the Board of Aldermen wishes and endeavors to protect and promote
the City's charm and aesthetic qualities and assure Frontenac will
be an attractive place in which to live, work and visit.
[Ord. No. 2006-1497 §1, 4-18-2006]
Exterior or outdoor lighting may be illuminated, installed,
placed, created or maintained in the City of Frontenac only in conformance
with the standards, procedures, exemptions and other requirements
of this Chapter.
[Ord. No. 2006-1497 §1, 4-18-2006]
Words and phrases used in this Chapter shall have the meanings
hereinafter set forth:
Light emitted directly from the lamp, off the reflector or
reflector diffuser or through the refractor or diffuser lens of a
luminaire that is emitted in the general direction of the surface
to be illuminated.
Any of several different types of lamps which use an integral
reflector and usually a glass cover which together provides optical
control.
Any light fixture which has a glass, acrylic, polycarbonate
or screen enclosure of the light source (quartz glass does not meet
this requirement) which provides protection from lamp shattering.
The assembly that houses the lamp or lamps and that includes
all or some of the following parts: a housing, a mounting bracket
or pole assembly, a lamp holder, a ballast, a reflector or mirror
and/or a refractor or lens.
For any light source installed above the ground, the path
of direct light emitted from the lamp when the lamp is aimed directly
downward (e.g., ninety degrees (90°) perpendicular) to the ground.
Any of several different types of lamps with relatively wide
beam angles (greater than thirty degrees (30°)).
A unit of illumination of a surface that is equal to one
(1) lumen per square foot. For the purposes of these regulations,
foot-candles shall be measured at a height of three (3) feet above
finished grade.
Light emitting from a luminaire with such intensity that
it is great enough to reduce the viewer's ability to see and, in extreme
cases, cause aversion of vision or momentary blindness.
The height as measured by the vertical distance from the
ground directly below the center of the luminaire to the lowest direct
light emitting part of the luminaire.
Light sources characterized by an arc tube or discharge capsule
that produce light. Typical sources include metal halide, high pressure
sodium, mercury vapor and other similar types which emit high lumens
per fixture.
Direct light that has been reflected or has scattered off
other surfaces, such that the viewer perceives light from a source
other than the original lamp source.
The component of a luminaire that produces the actual light,
commonly known as the "bulb" or "light bulb".
The shining of light produced by a luminaire beyond the boundaries
of the property for which it is intended to be directed.
A complete lighting system which includes a lamp or lamps
and a fixture.
Control of a light fixture's output in such a manner as to
minimize or prevent the direct view of the light-emitting surface
from an adjacent property. Shielding may either be full or partial.
Any shining of light produced by a luminaire beyond the boundaries
of the area which it is intended to illuminate.
Any of several different types of lamps with relatively narrow
beam angles (less than thirty degrees (30°)) designed to illuminate
a specifically defined area.
[Ord. No. 2006-1497 §1, 4-18-2006]
A.
The following
lighting standards shall be applicable to all residential properties
within the City:
1.
All
lighting shall be aimed, located, designed, fitted and maintained
so as not to create glare that presents a hazard or nuisance to drivers
and/or pedestrians, generates nuisance glare or produces prohibited
light trespass on neighboring properties.
2.
Lights
must be fully shielded, down directed and screened from adjacent properties
in a manner that limits light trespass to one-tenth (0.1) of a foot-candle
as measured at the property line.
3.
Lighting
with HID light sources shall be prohibited.
4.
Up-lighting
shall only be permitted if the light distribution from the fixture
is effectively contained by an overhanging architectural or landscaping
element. Such elements may include awnings, dense shrubs or year-round
tree canopies which can functionally contain or limit illumination
of the sky. Fixture spacing shall be limited to one (1) fixture per
one hundred fifty (150) square feet of horizontal area with total
lamp wattage not to exceed thirty-five (35) watts.
5.
Fixture
height shall be twelve (12) feet or less unless fully shielded and
downward directed with a non-adjustable mounting.
6.
Landscape
lighting is limited to thirty-five (35) watts per fixture per one
hundred fifty (150) square feet of landscaped area (as measured in
a horizontal plane).
7.
Motion
sensor lights may be permitted but only where the sensor is triggered
by motion within the owner's property lines.
[Ord. No. 2006-1497 §1, 4-18-2006]
A.
The following
lighting standards shall be applicable to all non-residential properties
within the City:
1.
All
lighting shall be aimed, located, designed, fitted and maintained
so as not to create glare that presents a hazard or nuisance to drivers
and/or pedestrians, generates nuisance glare or produces prohibited
light trespass on neighboring properties. Illumination from light
trespass shall not exceed one-tenth (0.1) foot-candles as measured
at the property line for adjacent residential property or one-half
(0.5) foot-candles as measured at the property line for adjacent non-residential
property.
2.
Directional
luminaires (such as floodlights, spotlights, directional distribution
lamps, sign lights, etc.) shall be installed and aimed such that they
illuminate only the task and do not shine directly onto neighboring
properties, roadways or distribute light skyward.
3.
Lighting
used to illuminate parking spaces, driveways or maneuvering areas
shall be fully shielded and shall be designed, arranged and screened
as follows:
a.
The
point light source shall not be visible from adjoining lots or streets.
b.
No
portion of the bulb or direct lamp image may be visible beyond a distance
equal to or greater than twice the mounting height of the fixture.
For example, for a fixture with a mounting height of twelve (12) feet,
no portion of the bulb or direct lamp image may be visible from twenty-four
(24) feet away in any direction.
c.
The
light level shall not exceed three (3) foot-candles as measured three
(3) feet above finished grade.
d.
Spacing
for pole-mounted parking lot light fixtures and decorative fixtures
and shall be no greater than seventy-five (75) feet apart.
4.
Fixtures
shall be twelve (12) feet or less in height with the exception of
lighting for parking and vehicle circulation areas, in which case,
heights up to a maximum of twenty (20) feet may be allowed, provided
that such lighting complies with all applicable shielding requirements.
5.
Wall-mounted
fixture spacing for security lighting shall be no less than fifty
(50) feet measured horizontally. Decorative fixtures directed back
toward a building face shall be exempt from this spacing requirement
when such fixtures are shielded. Decorative fixtures bulbs shall not
exceed fifty (50) watts.
6.
Up-lighting
shall only be permitted if the light distribution from the fixture
is effectively contained by an overhanging architectural or landscaping
element. Such elements may include awnings, dense shrubs or year-round
tree canopies which can functionally contain or limit illumination
of the sky. Fixture spacing shall be limited to one (1) fixture per
one hundred fifty (150) square feet of horizontal area with total
lamp wattage not to exceed thirty-five (35) watts.
7.
Up-lighting
of flags is permitted with a limit of two (2) light fixtures per flagpole
with a maximum of one hundred fifty (150) watts each. The fixtures
must be shielded such that the point source is not visible outside
of a fifteen (15) foot radius.
8.
Area
and building lighting shall be turned off within one (1) hour after
business closing. Only security lighting may be used after such time
and shall not exceed one-tenth (0.1) foot-candles as measured at the
property line for adjacent residential property or one-half (0.5)
foot-candles as measured at the property line for adjacent non-residential
property.
9.
All
lighting installations must be regularly maintained, cleaned, repaired,
etc., and all lamps replaced, such that they always provide acceptable
luminance levels and glare control.
[Ord. No. 2006-1497 §1, 4-18-2006]
In addition to compliance with the terms of this Chapter, construction,
installation or placement of any lighting fixture shall comply with
the Code of Ordinances of the City of Frontenac, including all applicable
building codes. The Planning and Zoning Commission or the Building
Commissioner and/or Zoning Administrator, as the case may be, shall
deny approval of the construction, installation or placement of any
lighting fixture which does not meet all minimum standards as set
forth in the Code of Ordinances of the City of Frontenac. In the event
of any conflict between the provisions of this Chapter and other requirements
of the City of Frontenac with respect to lighting, the most restrictive
requirement shall govern.
[Ord. No. 2006-1497 §1, 4-18-2006]
A.
In connection
with an application for any residential or non-residential preliminary
or final development plan or plat, site plan or plat or subdivision
plan or plat or any building permit or in connection with the alteration,
relocation or replacement of any lighting fixture on any property,
the applicant or property owner, as the case may be, shall, in addition
to complying with other requirements of the Code of Ordinances of
the City of Frontenac, submit a lighting plan that shall comply with
this Chapter and shall include:
1.
A diagram
indicating the location and height above grade of all light fixtures;
2.
Description(s)
of the proposed type of illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports,
reflectors and other devices. The description(s) may include, but
is not limited to, catalog cuts by manufacturers and shop drawings
(including sections where required);
3.
A description
of the hours of lighting operation, including any security lighting,
maintenance methods proposed, location and use of adjacent properties;
4.
If requested
by the Building Commissioner and/or Zoning Administrator, a plot of
the photometric test report showing the estimated site illumination
resulting from the lighting as measured in foot-candles, including
minimum, maximum and average illumination. The illumination grid scale
must be maximized to a scale no less than one (1) inch equals fifteen
(15) feet; and
5.
Any
other information deemed necessary by the Building Commissioner and/or
Zoning Administrator to document compliance with the provisions of
the Code of Ordinances of the City of Frontenac.
[Ord. No. 2006-1497 §1, 4-18-2006]
A.
Lighting
and lighting fixtures existing on the effective date of this Chapter
(April 18, 2006), which are not conforming to the regulations of this
Chapter but which complied with the previous City regulations applicable
to lighting, shall be regarded as non-conforming.
B.
Non-conforming
lighting fixtures must be maximally adjusted within their present
limits and abilities in an effort to prevent unlawful light trespass
and so as to minimize glare from that light source.
C.
Non-conforming
lighting, whether luminaires, fixtures, lamps, etc., shall not be
altered, replaced or relocated, except in conformity with the provisions
of this Chapter. Non-conforming lamps, replaced as part of routine
maintenance, shall conform to the provisions of this Chapter.
[Ord. No. 2006-1497 §1, 4-18-2006]
A.
The provisions
of this Chapter, except as to safety and the manner of constructing,
installation and affixing light fixture(s) to premises, shall not
apply to the following types of lighting installations:
1.
Holiday lighting. Winter holiday lighting which is temporary
in nature and which is illuminated only between and including November
first (1st) and January fifteenth (15th) shall be exempt from the
provisions of this Chapter, provided that such lighting does not create
dangerous glare on adjacent streets or properties, is maintained in
an attractive condition and does not constitute a fire hazard.
2.
Municipal lighting. Municipal lighting installed for the
benefit of public health, safety and welfare including, but not limited
to, traffic control devices, existing street lights and emergency
construction lighting.
3.
Fossil fuel lighting. All outdoor light fixtures producing
light directly by the combustion of natural gas or other fossil fuels.
[Ord. No. 2006-1497 §1, 4-18-2006]
A.
Necessary
lighting required on a temporary basis for an otherwise lawful use,
where compliance with the provisions of this Chapter and the time
required for an appeal to the Board of Adjustment in accordance with
Section 527.090(4) would be practicably unfeasible, may be considered
appropriate for a temporary exemption. Any person may submit a written
request to the Building Commissioner and/or Zoning Administrator for
a temporary exemption, which shall contain the following information:
1.
Specific
exemption(s) requested;
2.
Type,
size and use of the light fixture(s) including type of shielding;
3.
Duration
of time for the requested exemption(s) including daily hours of operation;
4.
Type
of lamp(s) and calculated lumens;
5.
Total
wattage of lamp(s);
6.
Proposed
location of the light fixture(s);
7.
Previous
temporary exemption(s), if any; and
8.
Such
other data and information as may be required by the Building Commissioner
and/or Zoning Administrator.
B.
A fee
of one hundred dollars ($100.00) shall be submitted for any request
for temporary exemption to cover administrative review costs and inspections.
C.
The Building Commissioner and/or Zoning Administrator may approve a temporary exemption request upon determination that such temporary lighting is necessary under the standards set forth in this Section, is consistent with the character and aesthetics of the neighborhood and otherwise conforms with the provisions set forth in Section 527.010 and does not impair public health, safety or welfare; and such approval may be subject to any conditions deemed appropriate by the Building Commissioner and/or Zoning Administrator. If approved, the temporary exemption shall not be valid for more than fifteen (15) days from the date of approval.
[Ord. No. 2006-1497 §1, 4-18-2006]
A.
The following
types of lighting and lighting fixtures shall be prohibited in the
City of Frontenac:
1.
Light
sources affixed to the top of a roof.
2.
Lighting
for the purpose of illuminating a building facade when such lighting
is mounted to poles or to adjoining/adjacent structures.
3.
Blinking,
flashing, moving, revolving, scintillating, flickering, changing intensity
and changing color lights, except for temporary holiday displays between
November first (1st) and January fifteenth (15th) and lighting for
public safety or traffic control.
4.
Mercury
vapor and low-pressure sodium lighting.
5.
Linear
lighting including, but not limited to, neon and fluorescent lighting.
6.
Any
lighting that could interfere with the safe movement of motor vehicles
on public thoroughfares including:
7.
Beacon,
search, laser or any similar high intensity lights.
[Ord. No. 2006-1497 §1, 4-18-2006]
A.
Lighting plans submitted in conjunction with Section 527.070 shall be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission, subject to the standards set forth in the Chapter and with respect to lighting design, placement, materials and other aesthetic and architectural features to ensure the lighting and lighting fixtures are harmonious with their surroundings, appropriate and necessary.
B.
Electrical
plans submitted in conjunction with any residential building permit
shall be reviewed administratively by the Building Commissioner, subject
to the standards set forth in the Chapter and with respect to lighting
design, placement, materials and other aesthetic and architectural
features to ensure the lighting and lighting fixtures are harmonious
with their surroundings, appropriate and necessary.
[Ord. No. 2006-1497 §1, 4-18-2006]
A.
The City
of Frontenac shall have the right to inspect completed lighting installations
to assure compliance with the requirements of this Chapter.
B.
Any lighting
or light fixture which is not erected, installed or maintained in
accordance with the provisions of this Chapter shall be removed by
the property owner of the land on which the lighting or light fixture
is situated within fifteen (15) days of notice by the City. If the
owner fails to act after fifteen (15) days' notice, such fixture may
be removed by the City and the cost thereof charged to such owner.
