Question about lighting...

[Adrian]

Good evening,
When I moved here, I was told that there was a light ordinance controlling the output of signage and overhead lighting.... this was obvious then (you couldn't see anthing) but I've noticed over the last 12 months, businesses turning up the watts around town. Most notably around the Chili's and Longhorns, compared to accross the street at Westpark. Also the liquer store (hartigans I think), the Avenue, Kedron and Mcintosh Village have been taking away the tranquility that I've grown to love....

just wanted to know...

Sincerely

Adrian

[Don Haddix]

I will ask for the appropriate response for all you concerns and get back since this is a Code Enforcement issue. Probably will be Monday.

[Adrian]

THANKS!

[Don Haddix]

Here is the answer I got on the issue.

Sorry, the table frame didn't show for some reason on the table insert.




We adopted lighting standards in 2006 as a part of the Design Guidelines Ordinance. I have noticed the new lights at Market Place (Staples, Chili's etc.) and have asked Tony to take a look at these with our light meter to see if they comply. One thing with these lights is they are going to be more visible because the site is elevated above the highway. In any event , we will take a look and let you know what we find out.

DIVISION 5. STANDARDS FOR LIGHTING DESIGN

Sec. 731. Building and site lighting.
All exterior lighting should be architecturally compatible with the building style, material, and color selections. Architectural and shoebox style cutoff fixtures shall be used in all parking areas as opposed to cobra type light fixtures and directional floodlights. Exterior lighting of the building and site should be designed so that light is not directed off the site, and the light source is shielded from direct offsite viewing. All outdoor light fixtures should be fully shielded or be designed or provided with light angle cut-offs, so as to eliminate uplighting, spill light, and glare.
Exterior architectural, display and decorative lighting visible from the designated corridors shall be generated from a concealed light source with low-level fixtures. Any lighting fixture used to illuminate parking areas, access drives or loading areas shall be of such design, so as to minimize the amount of ambient lighting perceptible from adjacent properties. In no case shall any lighting impair the vision of motorists on the corridor.
Entrances into developments from the designated corridors may be lighted for traffic safety reasons, provided such lighting does not exceed the applicable footcandle requirements specified below. Excessive illumination of signage, buildings, or site features should be avoided. Roof lighting and down-lighting washing the building walls are strongly discouraged.
731.1. Mounting height.
Fixture mounting height should be appropriate for the project and the setting. The overall height of all lighting within parking lots should not exceed 30 feet in height from finish grade to the top of the light fixture. Lower mounting heights are encouraged where sites are located adjacent to residential areas or other sensitive land uses. Use of low, bollard-type fixtures that are three to four feet in height, are encouraged as pedestrian area lighting.
731.2. Light fixtures.
All light fixtures should be a cutoff luminaire whose source is completely concealed with opaque housing and should not be visible from any street. This provision includes lights on mounted poles, as well as architectural display and decorative lighting visible from the corridor. Fixtures should be mounted in such a manner that the cone of light is not directed at any property line of the site. Only incandescent, fluorescent, metal halide, mercury vapor or color corrected high-pressure sodium light may be used. The same type of lighting must be utilized for all fixtures and light sources on the site.
731.3. Illumination levels.
All site lighting should be designed so that the level of illumination measured in footcandles (fc) at any one point meets the standards below. The planning commission shall have the discretion to allow limited flexibility as to variations in the minimum and average levels, if the proposed levels are below the following standards. The planning commission shall not allow flexibility for proposed levels which exceed the maximum levels, unless such levels strictly conform to the recommended levels within the IESNA Lighting Handbook.
TABLE INSET:

At property lines including right-of-way
Minimum level
Average level
Maximum level
At property line abutting a residential use
None
-
0.5 fc
At property line abutting a retail use
None
-
1.0 fc
At property line abutting an office use
None
-
1.5 fc
Off-street parking lots
Minimum level
Average level
Maximum level
Parking lots
0.5 fc
3.0 fc
6.0 fc
Walkways and streets
0.2 fc
1.0 fc
2.0 fc
Landscape and decorative
0.2 fc
.50 fc
3.0 fc
Pedestrian
0.2 fc
2.0 fc
5.0 fc

Lighting underneath canopies for service stations or similar uses shall be restricted to no more than two 320-watt recessed lighting fixtures (including lenses) mounted flush with the bottom of the canopy on each side of a gasoline pump or other design that meets the standards of this chapter. Lighting for canopies for service stations and other similar uses shall not exceed an average of 12 fc as measured at the ground level at the inside of the outside edge of the canopy. Lighting for ATM machines shall be recessed and mounted flush with the actual canopy above the ATM machine and shall comply with the latest requirements identified within the IESNA Lighting Handbook or established by federal regulations.
Decorative wall packs may be used only at service entrances to buildings and shall not be used to draw attention to the building or provide general building or site lighting. Wall packs on the exterior of a building shall be shielded (full cut-off type bulb or light source not visible from off-site) to direct light downward and be of low wattage (100 watts or lower).
Illumination of all monument signage shall be by an externally located steady light source, which is shielded and directed solely at the sign. The intensity of the light shall not exceed 20 fc at any one point on the sign face. Colored lamps are not permitted.
(Ord. No. 884, 5-18-2006)

[Don Haddix]

Add: They are going to run light meter checks to make sure they are legal. I am suppose to get a findings report.

[Adrian]

any word yet?

Add: They are going to run light meter checks to make sure they are legal. I am suppose to get a findings report.

[Don Haddix]

any word yet?

Add: They are going to run light meter checks to make sure they are legal. I am suppose to get a findings report.
No. I will follow up. Been very hectic of late with several issues in work.

[Don Haddix]

Hopefully a response today. Sorry for the delay.

[Don Haddix]

Three departments were involved in this issue and each thought the other had notified me. But none had.

Testing was completed and 12 businesses were sent letters, on February 28, giving 60 days to bring their lighting into compliance. The ranged from one lighting sector to all but one lighting sector being brighter than code allows.

Sorry for the delay. My apologies.

[Adrian]

how's the lighting issue coming along?

[Don Haddix]

how's the lighting issue coming along?
Eight have corrected their lighting.
Two will have it completed by the end of May.
Two others are still in process.

None are forgotten.

[Don Haddix]

Here is more information on the issue Staff:

We had set a time limit of May 5 for the following commercial properties to comply with the city's illumination level ordinance. I went around Friday night and remeasured the lighting levels. Here are the results:

Biggest Change:
Longhorn's = 45fc to 6fc - Corrected!

Uncorrected:
Staples = 18fc (no change) - We received a letter from their lawyer telling us that they will not change their lighting.
Suntrust Bank = No change
Ruby Tuesday = replacing lights, work will be done by the end of the month.
Pizza Hut = replacing lights, work will be done by the end of the month.

Corrected:
Smokey Bones
Taco Mac
Rite Aid (Avenues)
Chevron Gas
Kedron Shopping Center
Taco Bell
Braelinn Shopping Center

This is in the proper hands for follow up.

[Adrian]

great job

[Adrian]

My neighbor and I were discussing city issues and I told him about the fine job you did last year on the lighting issue . His response was... "what are you talking about" I hadn't noticed, but the same places have reverted to "mega" lighting again. Look left a West Park... look right at Staples and the difference is huge. Kedron is getting bright too. Just an FYI



Here is more information on the issue Staff:


We had set a time limit of May 5 for the following commercial properties to comply with the city's illumination level ordinance. I went around Friday night and remeasured the lighting levels. Here are the results:



Biggest Change:


Longhorn's = 45fc to 6fc - Corrected!



Uncorrected:


Staples = 18fc (no change) - We received a letter from their lawyer telling us that they will not change their lighting.


Suntrust Bank = No change


Ruby Tuesday = replacing lights, work will be done by the end of the month.


Pizza Hut = replacing lights, work will be done by the end of the month.



Corrected:


Smokey Bones


Taco Mac


Rite Aid (Avenues)


Chevron Gas


Kedron Shopping Center


Taco Bell


Braelinn Shopping Center


This is in the proper hands for follow up.

[Don Haddix]

I will pass it along. Thanks for letting me know.

[CJF18]

Don,

I went thru City Staff about the lighting at Whilshire glaring in my window. I was told that since it was built prior to 06 there's nothing that could be done since it was there before the law was enacted. I noticed some of the businesses on the attached list and know they have been here prior to 06 what gives? Also do you know what they are clearing the land across from the BSC for? Didn't see anything on the Planning web site and didn't see any sign to indiciate.

Thanks

[Don Haddix]

Don,

I went thru City Staff about the lighting at Whilshire glaring in my window. I was told that since it was built prior to 06 there's nothing that could be done since it was there before the law was enacted. I noticed some of the businesses on the attached list and know they have been here prior to 06 what gives? Also do you know what they are clearing the land across from the BSC for? Didn't see anything on the Planning web site and didn't see any sign to indiciate.

Thanks
I will have to ask.

Might be wrong, but I believe a sports training facility is going there.

Correct me if wrong, Doug

[Doug Sturbaum]

Joe,

Unless we are wrong, I believe that the property is going to be a sports training complex (baseball mostly) and the design was approved many years ago. I will check and clarify.

Thanks, Doug

[Don Haddix]

Don,

I went thru City Staff about the lighting at Whilshire glaring in my window. I was told that since it was built prior to 06 there's nothing that could be done since it was there before the law was enacted. I noticed some of the businesses on the attached list and know they have been here prior to 06 what gives?
Thanks
They are working on it, Joe.

[RDM]

Clearing on 74S? Will the city planner ensure the entrances and exits are across from each other so at some point a light can be added? Planning for the future. I think this is good use of land considering location but wonder about cost. Not sure folks have a lot of disposable income but heck Velocity seems to be doing ok.

[Don Haddix]

Hard to predict the future, but if smart and doable, he will.

[Adrian]

any news?

[Don Haddix]

any news?
I thought everyone had been answered. Guess not.

They ran new checks. Some lenses have been cleaned and replaced, but the lights are legal. Maxed out, cannot go higher.

More regular checks are supposed to occur as well.

[Adrian]

I hope so. If you look at West Park and then staples... the lighting difference is huge. Only Pike's lighting looks correct. Same with the Kedron shopping center in contrast with business on georgian parkway... let me know




any news?
I thought everyone had been answered. Guess not.

They ran new checks. Some lenses have been cleaned and replaced, but the lights are legal. Maxed out, cannot go higher.

More regular checks are supposed to occur as well.

[Don Haddix]

Will do.

Tony did the readings. Very dependable and efficient.

[Adrian]

Just pestering... the lights at walmart look like an airport compared to the same lights in other parts of their (CCD) develpoment. The lights around staples have increased, especially compared to Pikes or westpark accross the street. And Kedron has lit up too. All these places wouldn't be so obvious if they weren't right up against a compliant business. Let's keep the village concept ordinances going to keep PTC Special...

[Don Haddix]

Just pestering... the lights at walmart look like an airport compared to the same lights in other parts of their (CCD) develpoment. The lights around staples have increased, especially compared to Pikes or westpark accross the street. And Kedron has lit up too. All these places wouldn't be so obvious if they weren't right up against a compliant business. Let's keep the village concept ordinances going to keep PTC Special...
I have asked Staff to advise on this.

[Adrian]

Just pestering... the lights at walmart look like an airport compared to the same lights in other parts of their (CCD) develpoment. The lights around staples have increased, especially compared to Pikes or westpark accross the street. And Kedron has lit up too. All these places wouldn't be so obvious if they weren't right up against a compliant business. Let's keep the village concept ordinances going to keep PTC Special...
I have asked Staff to advise on this.

keep me posted

[Adrian]

year gone by... airport lights again... Publix on the south, Kedron and half the restaurants by Staples. Notice Pikes vs the others. Even the Avenue has got brighter. It wouldn't be noticeable except for the the "dim" competing businesses across the street


Just pestering... the lights at walmart look like an airport compared to the same lights in other parts of their (CCD) develpoment. The lights around staples have increased, especially compared to Pikes or westpark accross the street. And Kedron has lit up too. All these places wouldn't be so obvious if they weren't right up against a compliant business. Let's keep the village concept ordinances going to keep PTC Special...
I have asked Staff to advise on this.

keep me posted

[Don Haddix]

Late but will pass on. I missed the post before.

[Don Haddix]

What is being run into in some areas is the light predate the ordinance requiring lower lighting. Those areas cannot be forced to go lower.

Areas that are under the lower lighting requirement are being looked at.