City Council Minutes 2021 07 20 SP

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City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2021 Page 4 of 9 General topics that need discussion include: the quantity, spacing and location/placement of lighting and the design of lights themselves (light/color type, even light spread, direction/shielding of light, dimmers/timers, etc). The Comprehensive Plan currently recommends the examination of policies and procedures to lessen light pollution impacts but the current design guidelines do not require dark sky lighting in residential development or public infrastructure. Common dark sky codes require some level of the following: full cut-off so that light does not extend horizontally or upward from the light source; limits on the lumen output (brightness); limits on color temperature (require a more yellow -spectrum light rather than white light); requirements for even light spread; limits on the overall height of certain types of light; and possible exemptions for holiday lighting, athletic fields, uplighting for flags or architectural elements, or landscape lighting. Ritchie stated staff would like direction on if Council wants to consider Dark Sky regulations in residential zones, should it be for new construction or have an amortization period to bring all properties in compliance; if there should be incentives rather than requirements; if Downtown should or should not be included, and if and how commercial properties should be regulated. Public Comments Josh Cooperman, 216 Griffith Street, stated his support for moving forward with these regulations and to apply them to all types of buildings to keep light from escaping and benefiting everyone. Sherry Sommer, 910 South Palisade Court, stated she supports a shorter amortization timeline to get lights changed out more quickly and she would like the ordinance to also address lighting on buildings themselves. Cindy Bedell, stated her support for dark sky lighting for better star gazing and to help wildlife. She would like requirements that parking lot lights be dimmed at night. She would like the City to have incentives to help residents pay for changing out lights. General consensus of the Council was to direct staff to move forward with a draft ordinance supporting dark skies. Councilmember Dickinson stated he is more supportive of regulations for commercial districts than for residential. Councilmember Lipton stated he supports reasonable regulations for residential districts, but the details in the ordinance will matter.