Copyright © 2008 Colorado Lighting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

client login

|

site map

DIVISION 3.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS

3.1.1 Applicability

All development applications and building permit applications shall comply with the applicable standards contained in Divisions 3.1 through 3.9, except that single-family dwellings and extra occupancy rental houses that are subject only to basic development review under Article 4, as well as any accessory buildings, structures and accessory uses associated with such single-family dwellings and extra occupancy rental houses, need to comply only with: (A) the standards contained in Article 4 for the zone district in which such uses are located; (B) the standards contained in Division 3.8; and (C) with respect to extra occupancy rental houses, the standards contained in Section 3.2.2(K)(1)(j). In addition to the foregoing, this Land Use Code shall also apply to the use of land following development to the extent that the provisions of this Land Use Code can be reasonably and logically interpreted as having such ongoing application.

(Ord. No. 59, 2000 §11, 6/6/00; Ord. No. 204, 2001 §§1, 11, 12/18/01; Ord. No. 120, 2003 §1, 9/2/03; Ord. No. 198, 2004 §3, 12/21/04; Ord. 123, 2005 §3, 11/15/05)

3.1.2 Relation to Zone District Standards (Article 4)Go to the top

In the event of a conflict between a standard or requirement contained in Article 3 and Article 4, the standard in Article 4 shall prevail.

DIVISION 3.2 SITE PLANNING AND DESIGN STANDARDS

3.2.4 Site Lighting

(A) Purpose. The intent of this Section is to focus on the actual physical effects of lighting, as well as the effect that lighting may have on the surrounding neighborhood. Exterior lighting shall be evaluated in the development review process to ensure that the functional and security needs of the project are met in a way that does not adversely affect the adjacent properties or neighborhood. The degree to which exterior night lighting affects a property owner or neighborhood will be examined considering the light source, level of illumination, hours of illumination and need for illumination in relation to the effects of the lighting on adjacent property owners and the neighborhood.

(B) General Standard. All development, except developments that contain only single-family residential uses, shall submit for approval a proposed lighting plan that meets the functional security needs of the proposed land use without adversely affecting adjacent properties or the community.

(C) Lighting Levels. With the exception of lighting for public streets and private streets, all other project lighting used to illuminate buildings, parking lots, walkways, plazas or the landscape shall be evaluated during the development review process. The following chart gives minimum and, for under-canopy fueling areas, maximum lighting levels for outdoor facilities used at night.

Area/Activity*	Foot-candle
Building and Surrounds	1.0
Bikeways along roadside
Commercial Areas	0.9
Intermediate Areas	0.6
Residential Areas	0.2
Walkways along roadside
Commercial Areas	0.9
Intermediate Areas	0.6
Residential Areas	0.5
Park Walkways	0.5
Pedestrian Stairways	0.3
Loading and Unloading Platforms	5.0
Under-canopy area (average maintained maximum)	20.0
Under-canopy area (initial installation maximum)	26.0

* Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Lighting Handbook

(D) Design Standards. The lighting plan shall meet the following design standards:

(1) Site lighting that may be confused with warning, emergency or traffic signals is prohibited.

(2) Background spaces like parking lots shall be illuminated as unobtrusively as possible to meet the functional needs of safe circulation and of protecting people and property. Foreground spaces, such as building entrances and plaza seating areas, shall utilize local lighting that defines the space without glare.

(3) Light sources shall be concealed and fully shielded and shall feature sharp cut-off capability so as to minimize up-light, spill-light, glare and unnecessary diffusion on adjacent property. Light fixtures shall be attached to poles and buildings by use of nonadjustable angle brackets or other mounting hardware. Under-canopy fueling areas shall feature flush-mount, flat lens light fixtures as part of any newly constructed canopy or remodeled canopy.

(4) The style of light standards and fixtures shall be consistent with the style and character of architecture proposed on the site. Poles shall be anodized (or otherwise coated) to minimize glare from the light source.

(5) Light sources must minimize contrast with the light produced by surrounding uses, and must produce an unobtrusive degree of brightness in both illumination levels and color rendition. Incandescent and high-pressure sodium light sources all can provide adequate illumination with low contrast and brightness and are permitted light sources.

(6) Unique areas or neighborhoods within the city may have additional design guidelines for lighting as part of a neighborhood or area plan. The Community Planning and Environmental Services Department can provide information regarding neighborhood or area plans. Natural areas and natural features shall be protected from light spillage from off-site sources.

(7) Maximum on-site lighting levels shall not exceed ten (10) foot-candles, except for loading and unloading platforms where the maximum lighting level shall be twenty (20) foot-candles.

(8) Light levels measured twenty (20) feet beyond the property line of the development site (adjacent to residential uses or public rights-of-way) shall not exceed one-tenth (0.1) foot-candle as a direct result of the on-site lighting.

(9) Outdoor display lots for vehicles sales and leasing (as those terms are defined in Article 5) shall comply with the requirements of this section. In addition, display fixture illumination shall be reduced within thirty (30) minutes after closing so that the remaining illumination levels are sufficient for security purposes only; provided, however, that any illumination used after 11:00 p.m. shall be reduced to levels sufficient for security purposes only.

(10) Exposed L.E.D. (light emitting diode) lighting shall be limited to a maximum of one thousand (1,000) candela per square meter (nits).

(E) Alternative Compliance. Upon request by an applicant, the decision maker may approve an alternative lighting plan that may be substituted in whole or in part for a plan meeting the standards of this Section.

(1) Procedure. Alternative compliance lighting plans shall be prepared and submitted in accordance with submittal requirements for lighting plans as set forth in this Section. The plan shall clearly identify and discuss the modifications and alternatives proposed and the ways in which the plan will better accomplish the purpose of this Section than would a plan which complies with the standards of this Section.

(2) Review Criteria. To approve an alternative plan, the decision maker must first find that the proposed alternative plan accomplishes the purposes of this Section equally well or better than would a lighting plan which complies with the standards of this Section.

In reviewing the proposed alternative plan, the decision maker shall consider the extent to which the proposed design protects natural areas from light intrusion, enhances neighborhood continuity and connectivity, fosters nonvehicular access, and demonstrates innovative design and use of fixtures or other elements.

(Ord. No. 90, 1998, 5/19/98; Ord. No. 165, 1999 §17, 11/16/99; Ord. No. 204, 2001 §§12, 13, 12/18/01; Ord. No. 173, 2003 §9, 12/16/03; Ord. No. 198, 2004 §5, 12/21/04; Ord. No. 015, 2005 §1, 2/15/05; Ord. No. 161, 2005 §6, 12/20/05); Ord. No. 192, 2006 §5, 12/19/06