HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/24/2003 P&Z minutes 13-03MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
CASE NO. PZ-13-03
Hearing Date: April 24, 2003
PETITIONER:
Village of Mount Prospect
100 S. Emerson St.
PUBLICATION DATE:
April 9, 2003
REQUEST:
Text Amendment (Lighting Regulations) Section 14.314
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Arlene Juracek, Chairperson
Merrill Cotten
Joseph Donnelly
Leo Floros
Richard Rogers
Keith Youngquist
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Matthew Sledz
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Judy Connolly, AICP, Senior Planner
Michael Jacobs, AICP, Deputy Director of Community Development
INTERESTED PARTIES:
Dave Toeppen
Chairperson Arlene Juracek called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. Richard Rogers made a motion to approve the
minutes of the March 24 meeting, seconded by Merrill Cotten. The March meeting minutes were approved 5-0, with
one abstention by Keith Youngquist. At 8:37, Ms. Juracek introduced Case No. PZ-13-03, a request for a Text
Amendment.for Lighting Regulations. She said that the request would be Village Board final.
MiChael Jacobs, Deputy Director of Community Development, presented the case. He noted that in 2000 the Village
Code was amended to include specific regulations that helped to control parking lot lighting, but did not address other
elements of outdoor lighting. He listed effective design techniques for outdoor lighting, which include: defining
lighting criteria based on the demographics and characteristics of the area (rural vs. urban); confining projections of
light and glare to within the property lines; using pole heights appropriate to the area; utilizing shields that minimize
glare and the projection of light into the Sky; utilizing Control systems to reduce light levels during inactive periOds,
while also maintaining sufficient lighting for safety and security; designing the spacing of the lighting fixtures/poles so
that the resulting illumination is uniform, thereby increasing safety and security while also minimizing the amount of
light reflected into the sky; and, defining illumination levels based on recommended guidelines.
Mr. Jacobs said that the Village's existing regulations help to address a number of lighting concerns, but they apply
only to parking lot lighting and do not regulate general outdoor lighting. He said that Staff is suggesting that the
Village Code be amended to include a general lighting regulation section as well as amending the existing parking lot
lighting section. The proposed amendments include: fixtures used on residential properties shall be positioned and
shielded in such a manner so as not to create light trespass or direct glare onto adjacent properties or rights-of-way and
light intensity levels measured at a property line abutting a residential property shall not exceed 0.I foot-candle.; the
illuminated face of all fixtures used On non-residential properties shall be mounted parallel to the ground and light
intensity levels measured at a property line abutting a non-residential property or right-of-way shall not exceed 0.5
foot-candle.
Mr. Jacobs reviewed a table of maximum illumination levels based on the illumination levels recommended by the
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
Planning & Zoning Commission PZ-13-03
Arlene Juracek, Chairperson Page 2
Maximum Average I.E.S.
Type of Use Illumination Level (Foot-Candles)
Canopy Lighting 30
Auto Dealerships (display areas only) 50
Residential Use - Pedestrian Entrance Area 5
Residential Use - Other lighting 1
Business Districts 5
Park, School, Institutional, and Industrial Uses 5
Loading/Unloading Platform (Dock) 20
Outdoor Sports Lighting 40
Mr. Jacobs said that lighting for uses other than those listed in the table could be reviewed by the Community
Development Director to ensure the proposed illumination levels are appropriate for the property and surrounding area.
Also, a lighting plan will be required. The proposed changes to the code would require a building permit submission
for any non-residential development or multi-family residential development and shall include a lighting plan and the
proposed hours of operation. During non-hours of operation the use of all lighting shall be reduced to security levels
as recommended in the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America's Lighting Handbook.
Mr. Jacobs said the proposed lighting amendments would apply to all parcels in the Village. He said the changes are
consistent with the objectives of the Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan because the changes protect and
promote the health, safety, comfort, convenience, and general welfare of residents of the Village, while still preserving
the character of the community. In addition, the text amendments do not make the Zoning Ordinance more permissive.
The lighting regulations will maintain the existing limits with regards to light levels at property lines, but will help to
address all outdoor lighting issues. Therefore, the proposed amendments meet the Zoning Code Standards for Text
Amendments. The proposed text amendments are a result of in-depth research of several sources of information to
accurately reflect Village policy and goals, research of neighboring communities' regulations and what is consistent
with community expectations. Based on the above analysis, the P&Z can make positive findings with respect to the
standards for a Text Amendments in Section 14.203.D.8.b. Therefore, Staff recommends that the P&Z recommend
approval to the Village Board of the proposed Text Amendments as outlined within this report.
Ms. Juracek said she appreciated staff's efforts to streamline the Code and had a question regarding Section 4.314(a)
with the stipulation that "tilted fixtures shall not be permitted"; that restriction is reasonable for pole mounted lighting,
but ground mounted lights are tilted and provide security when aimed at outside facades.
Mr. Jacobs noted that tilted fixtures could be reviewed by the Community Development Director and approved
provided the light would not impact neighboring properties.
Richard Rodgers noted some concerns with regards to the suggested illumination level limitations. Mr. Jacobs
provided some examples of existing uses in town that would comply with the suggested limitations.
Merrill Cotten stated that it would appear that most of the existing light fixtures within Mount Prospect's residential
areas would not comply with the suggested regulations. He added that residents often use their fixtures to help
illuminate areas where public streetlights provide poor lighting or do not exist. Mr. Jacobs stated that staff tried to
prepare regulations that would help address specific lighting issues while not being too restrictive.
Keith Youngquist noted his concern with how the new regulations would be imposed and whether existing lighting
conditions would be grandfathered. Mr. Jacobs noted that the Commission may wish to recommend a grace period for
compliance with the new regulations, in a similar manner as with parking lot lighting, or that the regulations could
only apply to new lighting.
Following additional discussion of the proposed residential lighting regulations, foot-candle levels and enforcement
lanning & Zoning Commission
Arlene Juracek, Chairperson
PZ- 13 - 03
Page 3
issues, Ms. Juracek suggested that the hearing be considered a draft session and that Staff should take the comments
under consideration and incorporate them into the final dratt of the proposed text amendment.
Dave Toeppen, a resident of Mount Prospect, addressed the group. He said he wanted to congratulate Staff and the
Commission for the work done on the proposed text amendments. He said a Model Lighting Ordinance is forthcoming
this year from the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, the International Commission on Illumination,
NEMA, and the International Dark Sky Association. A draft of the ordinance may be viewed at www.darksky.org
under Model Lighting Code. He said that this ordinance will be written in layman's terms and divided into
environmental zones with lighting appropriate to each zone. The values will be configured in lumens per acre. Light
pollution ordinances are being adopted worldwide. Mr. Toeppen passed out copies of his ideas for lighting the area of
the new Village Hall, Parking Deck and Library. He also gave out copies of a program, "Lost Light".
Ms. Juracek asked that Staff go back to the drawing board and consider some of the areas of concern regarding the text
amendment.
At 9:12 p.m, Leo Floros made motion to adjourn, seconded by Joe Donnelly. The motion was approved by a voice
vote and the meeting was adjourned.
Barbara Swiatek, Planning Secretary
Michael W. Jacobs, De~2/Director
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