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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/26/2006 P&Z minutes 01-06 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION CASE NO. PZ-OI-06 Hearing Date: January 26, 2006 PETITIONER: Village of Mount Prospect PUBLICATION DATE: January 11,2006 REQUEST: Text Amendment to the Outdoor Lighting Code MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Arlene Juracek Joseph Donnelly Leo Floros Marlys Haaland Richard Rogers Keith Youngquist MEMBERS ABSENT: Ronald Roberts STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Judith Connolly, AICP, Senior Planner Ellen Divita, Deputy Director, Community Development Jason Zawila, Long Range Planner INTERESTED PARTIES: Chairperson Arlene Juracek called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Joseph Donnelly moved to approve the minutes of the December 22, 2005 meeting and Keith Youngquist seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5-0; Leo Floros abstained from the vote. After hearing one previous case, Chairperson Juracek introduced Case No. PZ-OI-06, text amendments to the Village's Outdoor Lighting Code at 8:23 p.m. She said that the Village Board's decision was final for the request. Judith Connolly, Senior Planner, summarized the case. She said that the Village Board discussed modifications to the Village's outdoor lighting regulations at the September 27,2005 Committee of the Whole meeting. At that time, Staff recommended modifying the Zoning Ordinance to require only flat lens fixtures be used. In addition, she stated the Zoning Ordinance could further be modified to specifically state that wall pack lights must be fully shielded. She said the purpose of these changes is to minimize glare as much as possible. Ms. Connolly stated that Staff also suggested allowing 'task focused lights' when requested for gas stations, banks, or similar uses. She said the fixture will extend past the plane of the canopy; however it will be directed in a manner that would not create light spillage or glare. She stated this allows for providing additional lighting without creating adverse impacts on the environment, such as light pollution, or to adjacent properties such as glare. Ms. Connolly provided exhibits including a draft of the ordinance Staff presented to the Village Board. She stated that review and recommendation by the Planning & Zoning Commission is required before the Village Board may approve the text amendment. Ms. Connolly said the proposal to amend the Village's existing outdoor lighting regulations would be applicable on a community-wide basis. As property owners update their outdoor lights, they would be required to use a flat lens, or install a fully shielded wall pack fixture, or use task lighting as the regulations apply to their project. She further stated the proposed changes are consistent with the Village's current outdoor lighting regulations, but reflect changes in technology that improve overall site lighting. Arlene Juracek, Acting Chair Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting January 26, 2006 PZ-O 1-06 Page 2 Ms. Connolly summarized by stating the proposed text amendment meets the standards contained in Section l4.203.D.8.b of the Zoning Ordinance. Based on these findings, Staff recommends that the Planning & Zoning Commission make a recommendation to the Village Board to approve the following motion: "To approve Case No. PZ-Ol-06, a Text Amendment to modify Sec. l4.3l4.B to read: B. Fixture Design: Outdoor lighting fixtures in nonresidential locations must comply with the following limitations: 1. Full Cutoff Luminaries: Full cutoff luminaries with a total cutoff angle of not more than ninety degrees (900) shall be used. The Director of Community Development may approve cutoff angles greater than ninety degrees (900) or the use of fixtures without full cutoff luminaries upon submission of information conclusively demonstrating that the proposed lighting will not cause glare on adjacent properties. 2. Canopy Lighting: All lighting mounted under a canopy, including, but not limited to, luminaries mounted on or recessed into the lower surface of a canopy, shall be full cutoff. 3. Flat lens are required for alllie:htine: fixtures. 4. Wall pack lie:hts. where used. shall be full cut-off and fullv shielded. 5. Task focused lie:htine: is permitted at e:as stations. ATM drive-thrus. and similar uses as approved bv the Director of Community Development. and must include an internal louver so the lie:ht focuses directly on the task area and does not spill onto the pavement." Chairperson Juracek thanked Staff for their report and stated that the proposed changes seem to be in line with the other changes to lighting regulations. Leo Floros asked Staff how this would affect shopping centers such as Randhurst by darkening parking lots. Ms. Connolly stated that uniformly lighting areas actually eliminates any dark spots. Mr. Floros asked about the reduced amount of light in parking areas. Ms. Connolly replied that the proposal does not reduce the lighting levels, but the type of fixture required. The proposed lighting fixtures direct the light in a more useful way, eliminating glare. She also stated that the Police Department reviewed and supports the proposed changes. Richard Rogers asked how the changes would affect existing lighting fixtures for places like Randhurst Shopping Center. Ms. Connolly stated that the changes Staff is proposing would be as existing fixtures are changed out. Another section of the code takes effect January 1, 2006 and the Village Attorney is reviewing the code to determine whether situations that would be addressed on a nuisance/complaint basis. Chairperson Juracek asked if the fully shielded wall pack lighting offers sufficient lighting for a task area or path. Ms. Connolly stated that the wall pack lighting does provide adequate lighting for task/path areas. She stated that the proposed changes fall in line with the lighting requirements of surrounding communities, and is up-to-date with current technology. Chairperson Juracek asked if there were any further questions or if anyone wished to address the Commission. Hearing none, the Public Hearing was closed at 8:30 p.m. Keith Youngquist made a motion to approve the proposed text amendments as presented, Case No. PZ-Ol-06; Richard Rogers seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: AYES: Donnelly, Floros, Haaland, Rogers, Youngquist, and Juracek NAYS: None Arlene Juracek, Acting Chair Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting January 26, 2006 PZ-OI-06 Page 3 Motion was approved 6-0. The case will go to Village Board for their consideration After hearing one additional case, Richard Rogers made a motion to adjourn at 9:04 p.m., seconded by Joseph Donnelly. The motion was approved by a voice vote and th meeting was adjourned. s lit H:\PLAN\Planning & Zoning COMM\P&z 2006'J1,{inutes\PZ-OI..Q6 Outdoor Lighting Text Amendment.doc.