Outdoor Lighting Standards
Imagine Lexington 2045 stresses the need for our community to take a deeper dive into the impacts that we have on our environment. Theme B, Protection policy #10 emphasizes the importance of reducing light pollution to safeguard our natural dark skies. To accomplish this goal, active participation from the Lexington community is important in tackling light pollution. Central to this is the implementation of outdoor lighting standards. These standards are designed to promote outdoor lighting that enriches our urban landscape and ensures public safety, all while discouraging practices that contribute to light pollution, glare, light trespass, sky glow, and minimizing disturbances to nocturnal wildlife.
Our goal for this project is to create clear regulations for outdoor lighting to better protect public health, safety, and welfare. The new regulations promote quality lighting that enhances public safety and the built environment while preventing light pollution, glare, light trespass, sky glow, and minimizing nighttime impact on wildlife.
Planning Commission Status: APPROVED
Council Status: ADOPTED (7.9.24)
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In Summary,
Why Change it?
The Outdoor Lighting ZOTA builds on the Parking ZOTA, which was unanimously adopted by the Urban County Council on October 27, 2022. The current regulations set minimum design and maintenance standards for parking areas, requiring lighting to avoid reflecting into adjacent residential zones or rights-of-way, and limiting free-standing lighting to twelve feet. While it addressed vehicle use area lighting, it did not cover all outdoor lighting issues. The Outdoor Lighting ZOTA expands on this by establishing comprehensive regulations for all outdoor lighting.
Why is this important?
The Outdoor Lighting ZOTA creates safer, more sustainable, and livable communities by addressing comprehensive outdoor lighting concerns. The new regulations promote energy efficiency, cutting unnecessary consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The changes also enhance community aesthetics and quality of life. Clear regulations ensure consistent implementation, fostering better urban planning.
FULLY SHIELDED LIGHTING FIXTURES: All outdoor lights shall be fully shielded to direct light downward, preventing light pollution and glare.
Not Recommended
Substandard
Typical
Recommended
COLOR TEMPERATURE: Lights shall be 3000 Kelvin or below for a natural appearance and to minimize disruption to nocturnal wildlife.
HEIGHT LIMIT: Maximum height for lighting fixtures shall be twenty-five (25) feet to control glare and light trespass.
LUMEN OUTPUT: Lighting shall adhere to specified lumens to balance visibility and energy efficiency.
MITIGATING LIGHT TRESPASS: Measures shall be required to minimize light spillover onto neighboring properties. Outdoor recreation and entertainment lighting requirements.
Outdoor lighting is more than just illumination; it embodies a city's character, culture, and spirit. From Lyon's Fête des Lumières to Amsterdam's Light Festival, cities worldwide showcase distinctive lighting arrangements that captivate tourists. In Cincinnati, the biennial "BLINK" festival reigns supreme, transforming the urban landscape into a mesmerizing canvas of vibrant displays and interactive art. Drawing visitors from across the nation, BLINK not only enriches the city's cultural reputation but also fosters innovation in outdoor lighting design. This initiative underscores the city's commitment to embracing creativity and enhancing its cultural allure.
FAQs
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This section applies to all zones, excluding the following agricultural zones: Agricultural Rural (A-R), Agricultural Buffer (A-B), and Agricultural Natural (A-N) zones.
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Property owners and developers should get to know the guidelines in this Ordinance.
Homeowners can contribute by investing and installing compliant light fixtures and adhering to the recommended kelvin ratings, thereby enhancing the nocturnal ambiance in Lexington. Larger developments may need collaboration with the division of planning, engaging lighting professionals to design compliant installations, and securing requisite permits before implementation.
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You can reach out to your local government officials, planning department, or code enforcement. They can provide information about existing ordinances and address specific concerns.
Key Dates and Presentations
April 18, 2024 - Planning Commission Work Session (presentation)
April 25, 2024 - Initiated by Council
Week of May 13 - Notice to Neighborhood Associations
June 6, 2024 - Ordinance Approved by Planning Commission (presentation)
July 9, 2024 - Ordinance Approved by Council
Additional Questions?
Project Lead
Boyd O. Sewe