§ 220-77. Lighting standards and regulations.

A. 

Purpose and intent. It is the purpose and intent of this section to:

(1) 

Control outdoor lighting for the safety of motorists and pedestrians as well as aiding in law enforcement functions and reducing crime through the proper design and use of outdoor lighting to insure nighttime appearance consistent with overall community goals or enhancing the attractiveness of businesses, streets and other portions of the environment;

(2) 

Provide the regulatory framework to insure the installation of safe and attractive outdoor lighting needed to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents and visitors to the community;

(3) 

Provide more specific guidelines for site plan applications and standards in regard to lighting, in order to maximize the effectiveness of site lighting, to avoid unnecessary upward illumination and illumination of adjacent properties and to reduce glare. This section will control unwanted glare and light trespass onto neighboring properties, roadways and night sky; and

(4) 

Have all exterior lights and illuminated signs designed, located, installed and directed in such a manner as to prevent objectionable light at (and glare across) the property lines and glare at any location on or off the property. The maintained horizontal illuminance recommendations, as established by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), shall be observed.

B. 

Applicability. All outdoor lighting shall be in conformance with the requirements of this section.

C. 

General requirements for all commercial and industrial zoning districts.

(1) 

All outdoor lighting fixtures, including display lighting, shall be shielded, and turned off after close-of-business, unless needed for safety or security, in which case the lighting shall be reduced to the minimum level necessary and may operate on motion detectors/sensors.

(2) 

Petroleum stations. Island canopy fixtures shall be completely recessed, including the globe portion of the fixture.

(3) 

Recreational facilities, public or private. Lighting for outdoor recreational facilities shall be shielded according to the requirements set forth in Subsection D below.

(4) 

All light fixtures that are required to be fully shielded shall be installed and maintained so that the shielding is effective.

D. 

General requirements for all residential zoning districts.

(1) 

All outdoor lighting fixtures shall be shielded from trespass onto adjacent residential properties or public right-of-way.

(2) 

The maximum footcandle reading at the property line shall be 0.5 footcandle.

E. 

Shielding requirements.

	Fixture/Lamp Type	Shielding Required
	Low-/high-pressure sodium, metal halide and fluorescent mercury vapor over 70 watts	Fully
	Incandescent over 75 watts	Fully
	Incandescent 75 watts or less	None
	Fossil fuel	None
	Any light source of 70 watts or less	None

F. 

Exceptions to all zoning districts.

(1) 

Any spot or flood luminaire having initial source lumens of 900 or less, provided that no direct light is focused so as to cause avoidance glare on adjoining property or roadways. Such luminaire may be redirected or its light output controlled so as to eliminate this glare and be eligible for exemption under this section.

(2) 

Temporary lighting for events such as circus, fair, carnival or other civic uses.

(3) 

Construction or emergency lighting, provided such lighting is temporary and is discontinued immediately upon completion of the construction work or abatement of the emergency necessitating said lighting.

(4) 

Temporary lighting for holiday events.

(5) 

Lighting associated with agricultural pursuits within an established State Agricultural District.

G. 

Prohibited lighting; prevention of objectionable light.

(1) 

Prohibited lighting for all nonresidential uses.

(a) 

All moving, revolving and flashing lights for promotional purposes.

(b) 

Laser source lighting or any similar high intensity light for outdoor advertising or entertainment, when projected above the horizon, is prohibited.

(2) 

All exterior lights and illuminated signs shall be designed, located, installed and directed in such a manner as to prevent objectionable light at (and glare across) the property lines and glare at any location on or off the property. The maintained horizontal illuminance recommendations, as established by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), shall be observed.

H. 

Submittal requirements. All applications for site plan approval, or for a special use permit, shall require a lighting plan showing conformity with standards contained in this section. Such lighting plan shall indicate the location, type of lamp, luminaire, mounting height, source of lumens, illuminance and glare control options, if any, for each light source and area. Illuminance may be plotted using manufacturer photometric charts, or the Planning Board may require isofootcandle drawings to examine the interaction of all lighting on the site. Any additional documentation necessary to show conformance to the standards set forth in this section shall also be provided. Additions or changes to an approved lighting plan shall be considered under the site plan review provisions of this chapter.

I. 

Illuminance and uniformity.

(1) 

Lighting in conformance with this section is required for all parking lots having five or more cars. Light levels shall be designed to meet but not to exceed the latest recommended levels from IESNA for the type of activity/area being lighted except light levels for ATMs, which shall be in accordance with the New York State ATM Safety Act. Where no standard is available from IESNA, the applicable standard shall be determined by the Planning Board, taking into account the levels for the closest IESNA activity.

Editor's Note: See Banking Law § 75-a et seq.

(2) 

Uniform light levels shall be achieved on the site. The uniformity ratio (average to minimum) shall not exceed 3:1 for parking and traffic areas, nor 4:1 for pedestrian areas.

(3) 

Design should establish a hierarchy of lighting to insure a smooth transition from bright areas to those with subdued lighting.

(4) 

Maximum to average light levels should be kept within a six to one ratio. Light levels shall be maintained at design levels with lamp or luminaire replacement as needed.

J. 

Light source visibility. The visibility of the light source inside a luminaire is restricted; the direct light shall not be visible above six feet at the adjoining public roadway pavement edge or 25 feet beyond the property line.

K. 

Luminaries. All luminaries whose initial source lumens are greater than 1,800 must meet the following requirements:

(1) 

Have a cutoff angle of 90° or less.

(2) 

Wall-pack units are required to be opaque shielded or have optics that provide a cutoff angle of 70° or less.

(3) 

Canopy lights must be recessed or have side shields.

L. 

Mounting heights.

(1) 

Roof-mounted area lighting is prohibited.

(2) 

Mounting heights shall be no higher than 30 feet.

M. 

Light trespass. Light trespass shall be limited to the following:

(1) 

In all zoning districts, at the pavement edge of adjoining public roads, a maximum of 0.5 footcandle, except for site access points, where a maximum of one footcandle at the pavement edge is permitted.

(2) 

Residential districts and where an adjacent property is in a residential district, a maximum of 0.2 footcandle 25 feet beyond the property line or at the dwelling unit, whichever is less.

N. 

Nonconforming lighting. All outdoor lighting lawfully existing prior to the effective date of this chapter shall be deemed conforming to this section, except that:

(1) 

No installation of new luminaries (e.g., fixtures and bulbs) shall be permitted unless in conformance to this section.

(2) 

All outdoor lighting that, in the opinion of the Zoning Officer (ZO), is causing a glare on adjoining roadways or properties shall be required to submit lighting details to the ZO showing that the existing lighting meets the requirements of this section or how such lighting will be brought into conformance. No light causing glare on adjoining roadways or properties shall be allowed to continue.

(3) 

Any application for renewal of a special use permit, site plan approval, or an amendment to a site plan, or sign site plan shall require that any aspect of the subject property be subject to compliance with these regulations, regardless of whether or not the application involves new site lighting.