HomeMy WebLinkAbout1856 ORDINANCE NO. 1856
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING IN ITS ENTIRETY SECTION
93.21.00 OF THE PALM SPRINGS ZONING CODE,
RELATING TO THE OUTDOOR LIGHTING STANDARDS.
(CASE 5.1344 ZTA).
City Attorney Summary
This Ordinance amends the City's current outdoor lighting
standards to conform to current technological standards and
best practices available through more efficient lighting
fixtures and industry advancements.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, FINDS:
A. The proposed amendment is considered a "project' pursuant to the terms of the
California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), and the proposed amendment be
determined to be Categorically Exempt from the provisions of CEQA under Section
15305 (Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations) of the Guidelines for the California
Environmental Quality Act, because the proposed zone text amendment proposes
minor changes and further restrictions on additional types of lighting throughout the
City; and
B. On July 9, 2014, a public hearing of the Planning Commission was held in
accordance with applicable law for Case 5.1344 ZTA, and at said hearing the Planning
Commission recommended approval of an amendment to Section 93.21.00 in its
entirety; and
C. A notice of public hearing of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs,
California for Case 5.1344 ZTA (Zone Text Amendment) was given in accordance with
applicable law; and
D. On September 3, 2014, a public hearing of the City Council was held to review said
case, and at said hearing the City Council reviewed and considered all of the evidence
presented in connection with the hearing on the project, including, but not limited to, the
staff report, and all written and oral testimony presented.
E. Pursuant to PSZC Section 94.07.01 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment), the
City Council finds as follows:
A. The proposed zoning code amendment is consistent with the intent of the zoning
code, because, according to Section 91.00.00, the Zoning Code is adopted "For
the purpose of promoting and protecting the public health, safety and welfare of
the people of the City of Palm Springs and to provide for the social, physical and
economic advantages resulting from comprehensive and orderly planned use of
land resources ..."; and
B. The proposed zoning code amendment is consistent with the intent of the
Ordinance No. 1856
Page 2
general plan, because, the General Plan goals include:
Goals
CD 11 Utilize low lighting levels to emphasize the "village"character of the
community and to minimize light pollution in the Coachella Valley.
Policies
CD 11.1 Use illumination levels that are appropriate to the activity level or
the size of the area.
CD 11.4 Require that outdoor light fixtures used for flood lighting, general
illumination, or advertisement be fully shielded and property
focused to minimize glare and spill light into the night sky and onto
adjacent properties.
Action
CD 11.1 Review City lighting standards and change as necessary to reflect
updates to Title 24 requirements.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ORDAINS:
Section 1. The Palm Springs Zoning Code, Section 93.21.00, is hereby amended in
entirety as set forth in the attached Exhibit "A."
Section 2. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and
adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same, or the summary thereof, to be
published and posted pursuant to the provisions of law and this Ordinance shall take
effect (30) days after passage.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 17th day of September 2014.
46-ltz f
ATTEST: STEP EN P. POUGN T, MAYOR
;�M`ESTHOMPSON, CITY CLERK
Ordinance No. 1856
Page 3
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, California, do hereby
certify that Ordinance No. 1856 is a full, true, and correct copy, and was introduced at a
regular meeting of the Palm Springs City Council on September 3, 2014 and adopted at
a regular meeting of the City Council held on September 17, 2014 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember Lewin, Councilmember Mills, Mayor
Pro Tern Hutcheson and Mayor Pougnet.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ames Thompson, City Clerk
City of Palm Springs, California
Ordinance No. 1856
Page 4
EXHIBIT A
93.21.00 Outdoor lighting standards.
A. Intent, Purpose and Luminaire Requirements
These regulations are intended to maintain ambient lighting levels as low as
possible in order to enhance the city's community character and charm and
maintain dark skies. Area lighting should provide good visibility, minimum glare
and minimum spillage onto other properties or into the sky. It is the intent of this
section to encourage, through the YP
regulation of the types, kinds construction g
installation and uses of outdoor electrically powered illuminating devices, lighting
practices and systems to conserve energy without decreasing safety, utility,
security and productivity while enhancing nighttime enjoyment of property and
night skies. These regulations are intended to be consistent with the
requirements of the electrical code, as adopted by the city under Palm Springs
Municipal Code Section 8.04.055, except where a different standard is provided
based on the local climactic, geological or topographical conditions of the city of
Palm Springs.
1. Exterior lighting fixtures shall be architecturally integrated with the character
of the associated structures, site design and landscape.
2. Pole mounted and wall mounted lighting fixture used for parking lot, area
lighting and security lighting shall be full cutoff luminaires shielded or
constructed so that all of the light rays emitted by the fixture are projected
below a horizontal plane passing through the lowest point on the 'fixture from
which light is emitted. Drop or sag lensed type fixtures are not be allowed.
IESNA classification that describes a luminaire having a light distribution in
which zero candela intensity (visible light) occurs at or above an angle of 900
above nadir. Additionally, the candela per 1000 lamp lumens does not
numerically exceed 100 (10%) at or above a vertical angle of 80' above
nadir. This applies to all lateral angles around the luminaire. Figure 1.
Ordinance No. 1856
Page 5
0%light above 90 degrees 2.5%light above 90 degrees
Icktgree
,..--...._y90degrec � . `. . ---.�-=.. 90degree
degree degree
1 %%fightabove 10%light above g0degree
Full cutoff lights Cutoff lights
Light pollution causes sky glo."
5%light a Bove 90 degree Considerable amount of light
above90 degree
_. -.�...•.,:...,... 90 degree —•, 90 degree
degree 80 degree
20%light above 80 degree
Semi cutoff lights Non cutoff lights
Figure 1
3. Lighting sources (lamps) approved in the City of Palm Springs for commercial
and residential zones; High Pressure Sodium (HPS), Light Emitting Diodes
(LED), Light Emitting Plasma (LEP), Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) and
Multifaceted Reflector halogen lamps (MR)
4. Lighting sources approved for public or municipal outdoor recreation facilities;
High Pressure Sodium (HPS), Light Emitting Diodes (LED), Light Emitting
Plasma (LEP) and Metal Halide (MH).
5. Low Pressure Sodium lighting is not approved in the City of Palm Springs.
6. All luminaries with total lamp Mean lumens above 4800 shall be full-cutoff
type except for the following uses:
a. Outdoor advertising displays or signage; Lamp lumens for shielded
signs shall no exceed 100 lumens per square foot.
b. Public or Municipal Outdoor Recreational Facilities. Lighting fixtures for
sports facilities shall be provided with glare control devices to provide
for more light on-field as noted in Figure 2.
Ordinance No. 1856
Page 6
Old Generation New Technology
E
off-field less spill
spill light a �� off field
on-field light g � � � more light on-field
i
Standard Symmetrical Reflector Redirects Off-Field Spill Light
Figure 2
7. Lighting fixtures shall not produce sufficiently greater luminance (light) in an
area resulting in reduced visual performance and visibility. This is known as
Disability Glare.
8. Lighting fixtures shall not produce sufficiently greater luminance (light) in an
area which causes discomfort but does not necessarily diminish visual
performance. This is known as Discomfort Glare.
9. Lighting fixtures that produce illumination off the subject project site is
considered an undesirable condition in which exterior lights produce
illumination in an area where it is not wanted. This is known as Light
Trespass.
10.Lighting fixtures that produce an unwanted effect of manmade outdoor
lighting that contributes to the effect of sky glow, light trespass and/or glare.
This is known as Light Pollution.
11.Lighting used to highlight architectural features, landscape, building facades,
fountains etc. is acceptable and shall be adjusted and aimed during the night
to insure light is focused on the designated object.
a. Lighting luminaries intended to be directional as described in
paragraph 6 above shall be furnished with total lamp lumens of less
than 4000 and must be furnished with shields, louvers and/or lenses to
insure that the direct view of the lamp source is reduced. An internal
fixture reflector system with a clear lens that distributes in a specific
Ordinance No. 1856
Page 7
direction is designed to promote glare control. Refractors are not
recommended to shield the lamp source.
b. Landscape lighting fixtures intended to be directional onto landscape
features with a total lamp lumens of less than 1,000 must be furnished
with shields, louvers and/or Lenses to insure that the direct view of the
lamp source is reduced.
12.Pedestrian scale post top luminaries with total lamp lumens of less than 6000
may be non-cutoff if the fixture meets the requirements to prevent direct view
of the lamp source by shieldiW the source with louvers and/or opaque. lens.
Internal fixture reflector with a clear lens that distributes the light out of the
fixture in a manner that promotes glare control may also be allowed.
Refractors are not recommended to shield the lamp source.
13.Low level lighting (bollards, :step lights etc.) with total lamp lumens of less
than 3500 may be non-cutoff if the fixture meets the requirements to prevent
direct view of the lamp source by shielding the source with louvers and/or
opaque lens. Internal fixture reflector with a clear lens that distributes the light
out of the fixture in a manner that promotes glare control may also be
allowed.
14.All full-cutoff type luminaries shall be mounted horizontal. Cut-off lighting
fixtures with tilting capabilities are not approved.
15.Multi-family residential and nonresidential developments shall provide glare-
free light fixtures at project site entrances, building entrances and exits.
16.Non-residential developments shall provide for lighting at all vehicle and
pedestrian entrances into the project site from public roadways. Entrance
lighting may not exceed a height of ten (10) feet and may be high pressure
sodium (HPS) or light emitting diodes (LED). The footcandle levels are to be
approximately twice the average illumination of the adjacent parking area or
the adjoining street In order to promote entrance visibility and safety.
17.Lighting fixture maximum pole heights shall be as follows:
a. Residential Zones: maximum of eighteen feet high (18'0") in residential
zones. The lamp lumens shall be 15,000 or less and provide for full-cutoff
features.
b. Commercial Zones: maximum of twenty five feet high (25'0") in
commercial zones. The lamp lumens shall be 50,000 or less and be
provided with full-cutoff features.
c. Pedestrian pole lighting fixtures shall have a maximum height of 10'0"
Ordinance No. 1856
Page 8
above finished grade in residential and commercial zones. The lamp
lumens shall be 6,000 or less and be provided with lamp shielding as
described in paragraph 9 above.
18.All site lighting plans for residential, nonresidential and multifamily
developments are subject to approval of architectural review and Planning
Commission as follows:
a. Submit a photometric lighting plan prepared by the project engineer
showing point-by-point lighting levels for the entire lot and ten feet (10'0")
beyond the project property lines.
b. The point by point photometric plan shall provide lighting levels at a
maximum of ten foot (10'0") intervals.
c. The photometric schedule shall represent the lighting and calculations in
an area equal to eighty percent (80%) of the useable parking area. Figure
4
d. The photometric calculations shall be scheduled on the plan to illustrate
the following; Figure 3
1. Average to Minimum
2. Maximum to Minimum
3. Average Foot-candles
4. Minimum Foot-candles
Statistics
Description Symbol Avg Max Min Max/Min Avg/Min Avg/Max
80% Zone Photometrics + 2.0 fc 1 6.3 fc 0.4 fc 15.8:1 1 5.0:1 0.3:1
Figure 3
i
Ordinance No. 1856
Page 9
i
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I , I
3
t ! i
111{ i
f I PROJECT ENTRY ZONE ri7 - -- - — —— — — — — — -- —— - /
SECTION A.16 I \ 80% ZONE PLAN /
_ I \ SECTION AA8o /
/ I
I 11 e
l
wnwsY 'wnr PROJECT ENTRY ZONE
SECTION A.16
PHOTOMETRIC SCHEOULE 80% ZONE PLAN
Figure 4
19.Commercial architectural decorative wall mounted lighting luminaries with
total LED lamp lumens of less than 14 lumens per inch (total size of the wall
light fixture face in inches) but exceed 4000 lumens total may be non-cutoff if
the fixture meets the requirements to prevent direct view of the lamp source
by shielding the source with louvers and/or opaque lens. Internal fixture
reflector with a clear lens that distributes the light out of the fixture in a
manner that promotes glare control may also be allowed. Refractors are not a
recommended to shield the lamp source.
20.Residential architectural decorative wall mounted lighting luminaries with total
Ordinance No. 1856
Page 10
lamp lumens of less than 1,800 may be non-cutoff if the fixture meets the
requirements to prevent direct view of the lamp source by shielding the
source with louvers and/or opaque lens. Internal fixture reflector with a clear
lens that distributes the light out of the fixture in a manner that promotes glare
control may also be allowed. Refractors are not recommended to shield the
lamp source.
21.Security pole and wall pack lighting fixtures in commercial and residential
zones shall only be allowed if the fixture lumens and shielding meet the
requirements outlined. The following types of fixtures are examples of
acceptable and unacceptable lighting fixtures. Figure 5
Examples of Acceptable 1 Una cce table Lighting Fixtures
P 9 9
Unacceptable Acceptable
Fixtures that produce glare and light trespass ,Fixtures[het shield the light source to minimize glare and IgM haspass
and to facilitate better vision at night
% 07 q;�:Q t
Full Cutoff Fixtures
L
Unshielded Floodlights ERR
Shielded
Full
Il '., u-v✓ Wellpe &Wall
Mount Fixtures
Unshielded W
&Unshielded Wahl Wall
Mount Fixtures ��
Drop-Lens&Sag-Lens Fixtures 1� ,
w/exposed bulb/refractor lens —/ \ -"�/ Fully Shielded Fixtures
Unshielded Streetght
Full Cutoff Streetlight
Unshelded VF
ty Shielded
Penrxd'Slyle --' nod Styleixtures
Unshielded \ >' `M 1 �
Security Light / y- - Folly Shielded
Security Light
Unshielded PAR Drop-Lena Canopy (((���� SlxeMetl/Properly-aimed Flush Mounted Canopy
Itghts FI:dunes
�(� MFloodlights ��Fix[ures
Figure 5
22.Lighting fixtures and advertising signs, boards and/or banners shall not blink,
flash or be of unusually high intensity or brightness.
23.Lighting Hours of Operation: All exterior lighting fixtures shall comply with the
adopted State of California Title 24 requirements for controls and switching,
Ordinance No. 1856
Page 11
the adopted building and electrical codes. Final certificate of occupancy are
subject to permit requirements and site inspection.
24.Tennis court lighting provisions can be found in Section 93.01.01, Tennis
Courts.
25.The following is not subject to the provisions of article 93.21.00 Outdoor
lighting standards:
a. All outdoor light fixtures existing and legally installed prior to the effective
date of this section.
b. Decorative holiday lighting fixtures and related decorations using light
emitting diodes (LED) sources during the designated holiday season.
c. Portable temporary lighting used by law enforcement or emergency
services personnel to protect life or property.
d. Lighting associated with a special event as described in Palm Springs
Municipal Code Chapter 6.12.
26.Street lights erected on public or private right-of-way. Street light design is to
be in compliance with city standards. The following criteria shall be used to
evaluate requests for street lighting.
a. Intersections in residential districts;
b. Mid-block on residential street greater than eight hundred feet (800'0") in
length;
c. At the ends of cul-de-sacs greater than three hundred feet in length;
d. All intersections in commercial and industrial districts;
e. Bus stops;
f. Other locations and/or spacing of lighting as determined by the city
engineer.
B. Illumination Levels and Requirements
1. Light Emitting Diode (LED) and Light Emitting Plasma (LEP) lighting for
parking lots and area lighting shall be designed to the following standards:
a. Minimum footcandles shall be 1.0 foot-candle.
Ordinance No. 1856
Page 12
b. Average maintained light level of 1 .0 footcandles to 3.0 foot-candles.
c. Average-to-minimum uniformity ratio shall not exceed four to one (4:1).
d. Maximum to Minimum uniformity ration shall not exceed sixteen to one
(16:1).
2. Lighting systems using High Pressure Sodium (HPS) shall be designed to the
following standards:
a. Minimum footcandles shall be 2.0 foot-candle-
b. Average maintained light level of 2.0 footcandles to 3.0 foot-candles.
c. Average-to-minimum uniformity ratio shall not exceed four to one (4:1).
d. Maximum to Minimum uniformity ratio shall not exceed sixteen to one
(16:1).
3. Only high pressure sodium (HPS), light emitting diode (LED) or light emitting
plasma (LEP) sources shall be used for parking lot and area lighting.
a. Exception: Metal Halide (MH) or other high color rendering sources may
be allowed for outdoor retail establishments such as a car dealership.
C. Definitions
Ambient light - General lighting levels not subject to this ordinance.
Brightness - Strength of the sensation that results from viewing surfaces
from which the light comes to the eye.
Contrast - Is the difference between the luminaire luminous brightness
and the brightness of the surrounding area.
Decorative lighting - means lighting products used for decorative effects
versus lighting performance. Examples of decorative lighting include, but are not
limited to, fountain lighting, lighting fixtures (pole, post or bollard style) creating
a visual effect with low lumen output, LED commercial outdoor string lighting,
building wall sconce and chandelier lighting with low lumen lamp sources.
Disability Glare - Glare resulting in reduced visual performance and
visibility. It is often accompanied by discomfort.
Discomfort Glare - Glare that produces discomfort, but does not
necessarily diminish visual performance.
Footcandle - One foot-candle is one lumen per square foot. This simply
means the amount of light which hits one square foot.
Full-cutoff - means outdoor light fixtures shielded or constructed so that
all of the light rays emitted by the fixture are projected below a horizontal plane
passing through the lowest point on the fixture from which light is emitted. Drop
I
Ordinance No. 1856
Page 13
or sag lensed type fixtures are not allowed. IESNA classification that describes a
luminaire having a light distribution in which zero candela intensity (visible light)
occurs at or above an angle of 900 above nadir. Additionally, the candela per
1000 lamp lumens does not numerically exceed 100 (10%) at or above a vertical
angle of 800 above nadir. This applies to all lateral angles around the luminaire.
HID lamp - In a discharge lamp, the emitted energy (light) is produced by
h the passage of an electric current through a gas. High-intensity discharge (HID)
includes mercury, metal halide, and high pressure sodium lamps. Other
discharge lamps are LPS and fluorescent. Some such lamps have internal
coatings to convert some of the ultraviolet energy emitted by the gas discharge
into visual output.
High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) lamp - is a gas-discharge lamp that uses
sodium in an excited state to produce light. There are two varieties of such
lamps: low pressure and high pressure. Low-pressure sodium lamps are the
most efficient electrical light sources, but their yellow light restricts applications to
outdoor lighting such as street lamps. High-pressure sodium lamps have a
broader spectrum of light than the low pressure, but still poorer color rendering
than other types of lamps. Low pressure sodium lamps only give monochromatic
yellow light and so inhibit color vision at night.
IESNA - means Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
Induction Lighting - The internal electrodeless lamp or induction light is a
gas discharge lamp in which the power required to generate light is transferred
from outside the lamp envelope to the gas inside via an electric or magnetic field,
in contrast with a typical gas discharge lamp that uses internal electrodes
connected to the power supply by conductors that pass through the lamp
envelope.
Incandescent lamp - Light is produced by a filament heated to a high
temperature by electric current. These lamps include MR Lamps, Tungsten
Halogen Lamps, Par and R lamps.
Light-emitting diode (LED) — Is an electronic semi-conductor that emits
light. They are considerably more efficient than traditional light bulbs and provide
for long lamp life. LEDs are used in many applications such as flat-screen video
displays, indoor and exterior lighting fixtures.
Light-emitting plasma (LEP) - Plasma lamps are a type of gas discharge
lamp energized by radio frequency (RF) power which produces high illuminance
for exterior applications such as streets, large big box parking lots and sports
lighting applications. The LEP lamps have a life ranging from 30,000 to 50,000
hours, a CRI of 95. The LEP lamp is able to operate up to 50% more efficiently
than conventional HID (High-intensity discharge lamp) lamps while generating
the same maintained lumens as a conventional 400 watt system at about half the
energy. The technology also allows the lamp to be dimmed to 50% of the rated
lamp lumen output.
Light pollution - An unwanted effect of manmade outdoor lighting that
contributes to the effects of sky glow, light trespass, and/or glare.
Light trespass - An undesirable condition in which exterior light is cast
where it is not wanted
i
Ordinance No. 1856
Page 14
Lumen - A unit measurement of a light bulb, arc tube or light emitting
diodes (LED) light output expressed as initial Lumens or lumen output.
Luminaire - A complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps and the
parts designed to distribute the light, to position and protect the lamp(s), and to
connect the lamp(s) to the power supply. (Also referred to as fixture)
Mercury lamp - The mercury vapor lamp is a high intensity discharge
lamp. It uses an arc through vaporized mercury in a high pressure tube to create
very bright light directly from its own arc. Mercury lamps are not approved in the
City of Palm Springs.
Metal-halide lamp - This type of lamp is also known as an 'MH' lamp. It is
a HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamp, which means it provides most of its light
from the electric arc within a small discharge tube. It is becoming increasingly
popular due to its good quality white light and good efficiency. The most
prominent use of the MH lamp is in stadiums and sports fields. It is also used
widely for parking lots and street lighting in urban areas.
Mounting Height - means the distance from the finished grade to the top
of the lighting fixtures including any lighting fixture foundation.
Pedestrian scale - means a Iuminaire mounted at no more than ten feet
above finished grade and intended to illuminate a walking path or small
pedestrian area.
Recreational facilities - means public, municipal or private facilities
designed and equipped for the conduct of sports, leisure time activities, and
other customary and usual recreational activities. Outdoor recreational facilities
include, but are not limited to, fields or stadiums for softball, baseball, football,
soccer; golf courses, driving ranges and other "field sports'; and courts for
tennis, basketball, volleyball, handball and other "court sports".
Sky Glow or Urban Sky Glow - Any adverse effect of manmade light that
produces direct lighting into the sky from a lamp compartment that is not
shielded.
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