HomeMy WebLinkAboutNotification to Adjoining Municipalities Regarding Proposed Local Law 9.14.2006.PDF,;'ur,y'' '
TOWN OF ITHACA
215 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, N.Y. 14850
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TowNCLERK2T3-|72|HIGHWAY(Roads,Parks,Trails,Water&Sewer)2-73-|656pl,ei.nlnrc zrg-tzaz zoNING 273-1783
FAX.(607)273-1704
ENGTNEERINGIT3-II4I J ,l i
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TO:Municipal Clerks:Town of Ulysses
Town of Enfield
Town ofNewfield
Town of Danby
Town of Dryden
Town of Lansing
Village of Cayuga Heights
Village of Lansing
City of Ithaca
FI{OM:
D,ATE:
RE:
Jonathan Kanter, AICP, Director of Planning & +
September 14,2006
Notification to Adjoining Municipalities Regarding Proposed Local Law
This is to notiff you that the Town of Ithaca Town Board has scheduled a public hearing- on
grt"t"i- ro. zgoo to consider adopting a local- law -adding chapler 173, titled "Lighting,
Outdoor,, to the Town of Ithaca Code, aid amending Chaper 221 of the Town of Ithaca Code,
titled..Signs,,, and Chapter 270 of theTown of Ithaca Code, titled "Zoning", to add references to
ttre outdJor Lighting raw. rnis serves as formal notification of these pending Code changes as
required by Section 264 of Town Law.
Description: The proposed action is the enactment by the Town of Ithaca Town Board of a local
krw that would add requirements and restrictions regarding outdoor lighting to reducg Jhe
problems created by impioperny designed and installed outdoor lighting. The propg-sed local law
i'cludes the following: new aennitions, shielding requirements for most outdoor lights (Tt"pl
ftrr typicat residentii lighting), regulations t g*ai"g lighting o! outdogr signs, recreational
facilities and roof overhings ioa "*opies, and spotlights/floodlights, and other miscellaneous
provisions.
Location: The proposed local law would apply town-wide in all zoning distriets
Irlease let us know if you have any comments or questions regarding the proposed local law' The
clraft Local Law regarding Outdoor Lighting is attached'
If you nced further information, please call me a1273'1747 '
Att.
oc: JoAnn Comish, city of Ithaca Dept. of Planning & Development
DRAFT
TOWN OF'ITIIACA
LOCAL LAW NO.
-
oF TrrE YEAR 2006
A LOCAL LAW ADDING CHAPTER 173, TITLED "LIGIITING, OUTDOOR" TO
TIIE TowI\ oF ITHACA CODE, .lNo .q,MENDING CIIAPTER 221OF TIm TOWN
oF ITHACA CODE, TITLED "SIGNS"',AND CIIAPTER 270 OI'TIm TowI{ oF
TTHACA CODE' TTTLED "ZONrNci'ro ADD REFERENCES TO TIIE OUTDOOR
LIGIITING LAW
Be it enacted by the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca as follows:
section 1. The Town of Ithaca code is hereby amended by adding chapter 173' entitled
"L,ighting, Outdoor", reading as follows:
ChaPter 173
LIGHTING, OUTDOOR
S 173'1. Title.
$ 173-2. Findings.
$ 173-3. PurPose.
S 173-4. Definitions.
$ 173-5. Applicability of requirements'
S 173-6. Control of glare-shielding requirements'
$ 173-7. Exemptions to control of glare'
$ 173-3. Outdoor signs'
$ 173-9. Recreational facilities'
$ 173-10. Lighting under roof overhangs and canopies'
$ 1?3-11. SPotlighUfloodlight'
$ 173-12. Prohibitions'
$ 173-13. Temporary outdoor lighting'
S 1,73-14 Existing nonconforming luminaires'
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$ 173-15. New construction.
$ 173-16. Notification requirements.
S 173-17. Enforcement of violations.
S 173-18. Appeals and variances.
S 173-19. Law governing conflicts.
$ 173-1. Title.
This chapter shall be known as the Outdoor Lighting Law.
S 173-2. Findings.
The Town Board of the Town of Ithaca finds the following:
A. Good outdoor lighting at night benefits everyone. It increases safety, enhances the
Town's nighuime character, and helps provide security.
B. New lighting technologies have produced lights that are extremely powerful, anLd
these types of lights may be improperly installed so that they create problems of
excessive glare, light trespass, higher energy use, and can negatively impact animals.
Excessive glare can be annoying and can cause safety problems. Light trespass
reduces everyone's privacy, and sky glow can interfere with observatories. If therie
problems are addressed, the resulting reduced energy use can benefit everyone
through reduced pollution and lower energy costs.
C. There is a need for a lighting law that recognizes the benefits of outdoor lighting and
provides clear guidelines for its installation and operation so as to help maintain amd
complement the Town's character.
D. Appropriately regulated, and properly installed, outdoor lighting will contribute tto
the safety and welfare of the residenJs and visitors of the Town.
$ 173-3. Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public safety and welfare by regulating
outdoor lighting to reduce the problems created by improperly designed and installed
outdoor lighting. This chapter is intended to eliminate problems of glare and minimize light
trespass to keep unnecessary direct light from shining onto abutting properties or streets, to
help reduce the energy costs of outdoor lighting, and to reduce sky glow.
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$ 1734. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall be defined as follows:
DIRECT LIGHT: Light emitted directly from the lamp, off the reflector or reflcctor
diffuser, or through the refractor or diffuser lens, of a luminaire.
DISABILITY GLARE: Glare resulting in reduced visual performance and visibility. It is
often accompanied bY discomfort
ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL: The official charged with the duty to enforce the zoning and
other laws, ordinances, codes, and regUlations relating to buildings and properlry'
EXISTING NONCONFORMING LUMINAIRES: Luminaires not conforming to the
provisions of this chaper that were in place on the effective date of this chapter
FIXTURE: The assembly that houses the lamp or lamps and can include all or some of the
following parts: u ho.rrirrg, a mounting bracket or pole socket, a lamp holder, a ballast' a
reflector or mirror, and/or a refractor or lens'
FLOOD OR SPOTLIGHT: Any light fixture or lamp that incorpo'.?t"'.a.reflector' a
refractor, or a prismatic lens to concentrate the light outp-ut into a directed beam in a
particular direction.
FULLY-SHIELDED LUMINAIRE: A luminaire constructed ?4'Ttull:d in such a manner
that all light emitted by it, either directly from the lamn-91a diffirsing element, is projected
below a horizontal plane through the luminaire's lowest light emitting part'
GLARE: Light emitted from a luminaire with an intensity great enough to reduce a viewer's
ability to seeland in extreme cases causing momentary blindness.
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DRAFT'
INDIRECT LIGHT: Direct light that has been reflected or has scattered off other surfaces.
LAMP: The component of a luminaire that produces the actual light (commonly called a
bulb).
LIGHT TRESPASS: The shining of light produced by a luminaire beyond the boundaries of
the property on which it is located.
LUMEN: The unit used to measure the actual amount of light which is produced by a laq2.
One footcandle is one lumen per square foot. For the purposes of this chapter, the lumen-
output values shall be the INITIAL lumen output ratings of a lamp. Lumen output of most
lamps is listed on the packaging.
LUMINAIRE: A complete lighting system, including a lamp or lamps and a fixture.
OUTDOOR LIGHTING: The night-time illumination of an outside area or object by any
man-made device located outdoors that produces light by any means.
SKY GLOW: The overhead glow from light emitted sideways and upwards, including liglrt
reflected upward from the ground or other surfaces. Sky glow is caused by the reflection
and scattering of various forms of light by dust, water, and other particles suspended in the
afrnosphere.
TEMPORARY OUTDOOR LIGHTING: The specific illumination of an outside area or
object by any man-made device located outdoors that produces light by any means for a
period of less than seven (7) days, with at least 180 days passing before being used again.
$ 173-5. Applicability of requirements.
All new and replacement public and private outdoor lighting installed in the Town of Ithac;a
after the effective date of this chapter shall be in conformance with the requirements of this
chapter. Certain lighting in place on the effective date of this chapter shall also be subject 1;o
the requirements of this chapter, as specified in $ 173-14. Any inconsistent language in thre
Town of Ithaca Code is superceded by the requirements of this chapter.
$ 173-6. Control of glar*-shielding requirements.
A. All nonexempt outdoor lighting fixtures shall be fully shielded, except glass tubes
filled with neon, argon, or krypton do not require any shielding.
B. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any lamp of 1,000 lumens or less does not require
any shielding.
S 173-7 Exemptions to control of glare.
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A. All temporary emergency lighting needed.by-police or fire departments or other
emergency ,J*i*r,lr well is all-automobili luminaires, shall be exempt from the
requirements of this chaPter.
B. All hazard-warning luminaires required by federal regulatory agencies Te exempt
from the requiremJnts of this articfe, except that a-ll luminaires used must be as close
as possible to the federally-required minimum lumen output requirement for the
specific task.
C. Fossil fuel light. All outdoor light fixtures producing light directly by combustion of
fossil fuels (-such as kerosene lanterns, and gas lamps) or equivalent, are exempt
from the requirements of this chapter'
D. Holiday decorations. Lights used for holiday decorations are exempt from the
requirements of this chaPter.
E. Fountain lights. All lights located
requirements from this chaPter.
S 173-8 Outdoor signs.
within a fountain are exempt from the
A. Top mounted fixtures required. Lighting fixtures used to illuminate an outdoor sign
shall be mounted on the top of the Jign Jtto.tot". All such fixtures shall comply with
the shielding requirements of $ n3:6. Bottom-mounted outdoor sign lighting shall
not be used.
outdoor signs of the tlpe constructed of translucent materials and wholly
illuminated from within Oo ttot require shielding. Dark -backgrounds
with light
lettering or sy-mbols are preferred, to minimize dehimental effects.
Existing nonconforming outdoor signs shall be brought into conformance with the
pro"isiS"r of this chapter within one year from its effective date.
In addition to the foregoing requirements, all outdoor signs must conform to $ 221-8
of the Town of lthaca Code regarding sign illumination'
C.
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D.
*RAFT
$ 173-9 Recreational facilities
Any light source permitted by this chapter may be used for lighting of outdoor recreationerl
facilities (public or private), such as, but not limited to, football fields, soccer fields,
baseball fields, softball fields, tennis courts, or show areas, provided all of the following
conditions are met:
A. All fixtures used for event lighting shall be fully shielded as defined in $ 1734 of
this chapter
B. All events shall be scheduled so as to complete all activity before or as near to 10:30
p.m. as practical, but under no circumstances shall any illumination of the playing
field, court, or track be permitted after 11:00 p.m. except to conclude a scheduled
event that was in progress before 11:00 p.m.
S 173-10 Lighting under roofoverhangs and canopies.
A. Light fixtures mounted under roof overhangs and canopies shall be reeessed so that
the lens cover is recessed or flush with the bottom surface (soffrt) of the canopy
and/or shielded by the fixture or the edge of the canopy so that light is restrained to
no more than 85 degtees from vertical.
Source: International Dark-Sky Association
Lights shall not be mounted on the top or sides (fascias) of the canopy, and the sides
of the canopy shall not be illuminated.
Existing nonconforming lighting under or on roof overhangs and canopies shall be
brought into conformance with the provisions of this chapter within one year from its
effective date.
$ 173-11 SpotlighUfloodlight.
Spotlights and floodlights shall be aimed 45 degrees or more below the horizontal.
B.
C.
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Light aimcd abow
horizontal planc
$ 173-12 Prohibitions.
A. Laser source light. The use of laser source light or any similar hiqh ltensity light
for outdoor advertising or entertainment, when projected above the horizontal, is
prohibited. The temporary use of laser source lights that projec't light into the sky
may be allowed subjict to the restrictions of temporary outdoor lighting contained in
B. Searchlights and strobe lights. The operation of searchlights or sffobe lights is
prohibited.
ACCEPTABLE
UNACCEPTABLE
UNACCEPTABLE
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C. Mercury vapor fixtures and lamps. The installation of any mercury vapor fixture or
lamp for use as outdoor lighting is prohibited.
$173-13 Temporary outdoor lighting.
Nonconforming temporary outdoor lighting may be permitted by the Enforcement Official
after considering: (1) the public and/or private benefits that will result from the temporary
lighting; (2) any annoyance or safety problems that may resunt from the use of the temporary
lighting; and (3) the duration of the temporary nonconforming lighting. The applicant shall
submit a detailed description of the proposed temporary nonconforming lighting to the
Enforcement Official, who shall consider the request. The Enforcement Official shall render
the decision on the temporary lighting request within two weeks.
$ 173-14 Existing nonconforming luminaires.
All luminaires lawfully in place on the effective date of this chapter that do not meet the
requirements of this chapter are exempt from this chapter, except that:
A. Any luminaire that replaces an existing nonconforming luminaiie, or any existing
nonconforming luminaire that is movedo must meet the requirements of this chapter;
B. Any existing nonconforming luminaire that creates glare or light trespass shall h,e
either shielded or re-directed within thirty (30) days of notification to the owner or
occupant by the Town, so that the direct light is contained on the property;
C. Existing nonconforming luminaires that direct light toward streets or parking lots
and cause disability glare to motorists, pedestrians, or cyclists shall be either
shielded or re-directed within thirly (30) days of notification to the owner or
occupant by the Town, so that the luminaires do not cause a potential hazard l:a
motorists, pedesfians, or cyclists ;
D. Existing nonconforming signs are exempt only for a period of one year, as specifie,d
in $ 173-8C;
E. Existing nonconforming lighting under or on roof overhangs and canopies is exempt
only for a period of one yeax, as specified in $ 173-10C; and
F. Section 173-98 regarding hours of operation shall apply.
S U3-15 New construction.
A. Submission contents. The applicant for any permit or approval required by anLy
provision of the Town of Ithaca Code in connection with proposed work involvinrg
outdoor lighting fixtures shall submit (as part of the application for permit or
approval) evidence that the proposed work will comply with the requirements of this
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chapter. The submission shall contain but shall not necessarily be limited to the
following:
(1) plans indicating the location on the premises, and the type of illuminating
devices, fixtures,lamps, supports, reflectors, and other devices;
(Z) Description of the illuminating devices, ftxtures, lamps, supports, reflectors
and. otirer devices, and their lumen output. The description may include, but
is not limited to, catalog cuts by manufacturers and drawings (including
ections where required);
(3) photometric data, such.as that furnished by manufacturers, or similar data
showing the angle of cut off or light emissions, and the lumen output.
B. Additional submission. The above-required plans, descriptions and data shall be
suffrciently complete to enable the plans examiner or board to readily determine
whether compliance with the requirements of this chapter will be secured. If such
plans, descriptions and data cannot enable.this deterrnination, by reason of the nature
-or
configuration of the devices, fixtures, or lamps proposed, the. applicant shall
submit additional evidence of compliance to enable such determination, such as
certified test reports by a recognized testing laboratory'
C. Subdivision plat certification. If any subdivision proposes to- have installed street or
other common or publi c areaoutdoor lighting, the final plat shall contain a statement
certifying that the applicable provisions of this chapter will be adhered to.
D. Lamp or fixture substitution or addition. Should any outdoor light fixture, or the
type of light source therein, be changed or added after the permit or approval has
bein issued, a change request must be submitted to the Enforcement official for
approval, together *I*t uOiqrrate information to assure compliance with this chapter'
Approval must be received prior to substitution or addition.
$ 1?3-16 Notilication requirements.
A. The Town of Ithaca application forms for site plan approval, subdivision approval,
special approval, ana fuitOitrg permits shall include a statement asking whetlrer the
planned project will include any outdoor lighting'
B. Within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this chapter, the Town clerk shall
send u."opy'oittri outdoor Lighting Law with a cover letter to all local electricians,
local electric utility, local arch-itectural firms, and local engineering firms (including
at least those in th, To*nr of Ithaca, Danby, Dryden, Enfield, Lansing, Newfield,
and Ulysses, and the city of Ithaca as listed in the Yellow Pages).
S 173-17 Enforcement of violations.
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A.
B.
*RAF?
In the event of a breach of any of the provisions of this chapter, the Enforcemernt
Official shall notiff the owner of the premises, in writing, to remove, repair, or brirrg
the luminaire into conformance within 30 days of the date of such notice.
Upon failure to comply with any notice within the prescribed time, the Enforceme:nt
Official may remove or cause removal, repair, or conformance of the luminaire, and
shall assess all costs and expenses incurred against the owner of the premises on
which the luminaire is located.
All costs and expenses incurred by the Town of Ithaca in causing the removal, repair
or conformance of any luminaire, as specified in this section, shall be collected frsm
the owner of the premises on which such luminaire is located. Payment shall trc
made in not more than five days after the receipt of a written demand, or in not more
than 30 days after the final decision on any judicial contest the owner may pursue. If
the owner fails to make a timely payment, then such unpaid costs, expenses and
interest at the per annum rate of 9olo incurred from the date of removal, repair or
Town action to bring the luminaire into conformance shall constitute a lien upon the
premises on which the luminaire is located. A legal action or proceeding may be
brought to collect such costs, expenses, interest, and recoverable attorneyos fees, or
to foreclose such lien. As an alternative to the maintenance of any such action, the
Town may file a certificate with the Tompkins County Department of Assessment
stating the costs and expenses incurred and interest accruing as aforesaid, together
with a statement identiffing the property and owner. The Tompkins County
Department of Assessment shall in the preparation of the next assessment roll asse$s
such unpaid costs, expenses and interest upon such property. Such amount shall be
included as a special ad valorem levy (administered as a move tax) against suc;h
property, shall constitute a lien, and shall be eollected and enforced in the same
manner, by the same proceedings, at the same time, and under the same penalties as
are provided by law for collection and enforcement of real property taxes in the
Town of Ithaca. The assessment of such costs, expenses and interest shall be
effective even if the property would otherwise be exempt frorn real estate taxation.
Any person, firm, corporation, or entity, whether as owner, lessee, agent, or
employee, who violates any of the provisions of this chapter, or who fails to comply
with any order or regulation made thereunder, or who installs, moves, or alters any
light in violation of any detailed statement or plans submitted by him and approved
under the provisions of this chapter or other Town of Ithaca Code provisions, shall
be guilty of a violation as the same is defined in the Penal Law and shall be fined not
more than $100 for each violation. Each day that such violation is permitted to exist
shall constitute a separate violation. Any police officer or peace officer or any
person who may be lawfully designated by the Town Board shall have the authority
to issue appearance tickets in connection with such'violations.
In addition, any person, firm, corporation, or entity, whether as owner, lessee, agent,
or employee, who violates any of the provisions of this chapter, or who fails lio
comply with any order or regulation made thereunder, or who installs, moves, or
C.
D.
E.
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alters any light in violation of any detailed statement or plans submitted by him and
upprouri under the provisions of this chapter or other Town of Ithaca Code
piovisions, shall be tiaUte for a civil penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for a
-first
violation and two hundred dollars ($200.00) for a second or subsequent
ri"i"ai"; rftr, was committed within a period of five years from the commission of
the prior violation. Each day that such violation is permitted to exist shall constitute
a separarc violation. The Attorney for lhe Toqp or his or her designee may
commence an action or special pioceeding against the violator in a court of
competent jurisdiction to collect these penalties, together with costs, disbursements
and recoverable attorneys' fees, and/or to compel compliance or restrain by
injunction anY such violation.
$ 173-18 Appeals and variances.
A. The Zoning Board of Appeals, established pursuant to Chapter 270,Zontng, of the
Town of Ithaca Code, shall hear and decide the following matters:
(1) euestions of alleged error in any order or determination of the Enforcement
Official involvin! the interpretation of the provisions of this chapter; and
(2) Requests for variances from the prwisions of this chapter.
B. The Zoning Board of Appeals may grant variances from the application of this
chapter upon the following conditions:
(1) Any variance shall be prospective in its application and shall not relieve any
pr.ror, from the penaliies
-*d fttt"t for violating this chapter by conditions
ihat existed prior to the granting of the variance'
(2) An application for a variance shall be submitted to the Town in a form
substantially indicating the name and owner of the real property, the nature of
the condition for wtriitr a variance is sought, and the reasons for which a
variance is sought.
(3) The applicant shall pay the same fee as that set forth in Chapter 153, Fees, of
the Town of Ithaca iode for appeals to the Zontng Board of Appeals for
variances.
(4) Where the applicant is also seeking site plan review, the variance application
shall be refcrred to the Planning Board, established pursuant to chapter 270'
zontng, of the Town of lthaca-code, for its review and recommendation to
the Zornng Board of APPeals.
(5) The Zoning Board of Appeals shall hold a public hearing on,the application
and shall publish notice of said public hearing at least five days prio-r to its
date. At the option of the Zoning Board of Appeals, notice of said application
tl
MRAFS'
(6)
shall also be given to all landowners owning property adjoining the properQy
for which a variance is sought. At the option of the ZonrngBoard of Appealsi,
a notice that a variance is sought shall also be posted on the property irn
accordance with the posting provisions of Chapter 270, Zonrng, of the Town
,of Ithaca Code.
The Zoning Board of Appeals may grant a variance if it determines that ths
purposes of this chapter will be met if the variance is granted, and that the
benefit to the applicant if the variance is granted outweighs the detriment tro
the health, safety and welfare of the neighborhood or community by suclh
grant. In making such determination the Board shall consider, among other
matters:
(a) Whether an undesirable change will be produced in the character of
the neighborhood or a detriment to nearby properties will be created
by the granting of the variance;
O) Whether the benefit sought by the applicant can be achieved by some
method, feasible for the applicant to pursue, other than a variance;
(c) Whether the requested variance is substantial;
(d) Whether the proposed variance will have an adverse effect or impac;t
on the physical or environtnental conditions in the neighborhood o,r
district; and
(e) Whether the alleged difficulty was self-created, which consideratio:n
shall be relevant to the decision of the Board of Appeals but shall not
necessarily preclude the granting of the variance.
(7) The Zoning Board of Appeals, if it chooses to grant the variance, shall grarrt
the minimum variance that it shall deem necessary and adequate and at the
same time preserve and protect the character of the neighborhood and the
health, safety, and welfare of the community
(8) The Zoning Board of Appeals shall, in the granting of such variance, have th,e
authority to impose such reasonable conditions and restrictions as are directl'y
related to and incidental to the proposed use of the property and/or the periorrl
of time such variance shall be in effect. Such conditions shall be consisterrt
with the spirit and intent of this chapter, and shall be imposed for the purpose
of minimizing any adverse impact such variance may have on the
neighborhood or community
The variances and the procedure for obtaining same shall, except where explicitl.y
otherwise required by this chapter, be in accordance with the provisions of the Town
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C.
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Law, particularly s 267 et seq., and the-provisions of the.Town of Ithaca code'
chapter 2l},Zontng, relating to the consideration of area variances'
D. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Zoning BoardoJ Ap-peals may have the
decision revifred by the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the manner
provided bY law.
$ 173-19 Law governing conflicts'
Where any provision of federal, state, county, or lowq statutes, codes, Or laws conflicts with
any provision of this chapter, the most restrictive provision shall govern except where
preempted bY state or federal law.
section 2. chapter 221, Signs, Section 221-8 of theTowq of Ithaca code, entitled "Sign
illrrmiraation," is amended as follows:
1. $ 221-8.A is amended by adding a new subsection (6) reading as follows:
.,Illuminations that do not meet the requirements of the Outdoor Lighting Law,
ChapterlT3oftheTownoflthacaCode,areprohibited.''
2.gzz!-SisfurtheramendedbyaddinganewsubparagraphE.asfollows:
..In addition to the foregoing requirements, all illuminations shall meet the
requirements of the Ouiaooi fighting Law, Chapter 173 of the Town of Ithaca
Code."
section 3. Chapter 270, Zoning, section 270'22.Jof the Town of Ithaca code regarding
Conservation Zones, entitled "Additional requirements and restrictions," is amended by adding a
new subsection (3) as follows:
,.All approved street lighting must comply w-it!.the requirements of the Outdoor Lightiqg
Law, Chapter L73 of the Town of Ithaca Code"'
section 4. Chapter 270,Zomng, Section 270-18.8.M of the Town of Ithaca code regarding
Site plan Review, titled "Considerations for approval,'l is amended by adding the following
urnderlined language to this subparagraph:
"Compliance with the Town's Comprehensive Plan, ZonrngOrdinalc-e'.Subdivision
Regulation;;w;;;R.rorrr.", ordinances, if applicable, outdoorLiehting Law' and any
o-tii", uppri.ubl" lu*r, rules, require{nents or policies.'? .
Section 5. Chapter 270,Zontng, Section 270-122.8 of the Town of Ithaca Code regarding
commercial zones,entitled..Additionaispecial requirements. Access and sidewalls,!'is amended
5y deleting the second sentence and replacing it wiih "All outdoor lighting must comply with the
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requirements of the Outdoor Lighting Law, Chapter 173 of the Town of Ithaca Code" so that
Section 270-122.8 reads as follows:
"Access and sidewalks. Access drives shall be paved with blacklop, concrete, or othei solid.
material, and, if business is to be carried on in the ev. ening, shall be adequately lighted. All
outdoor lighting must comply with the requirements of the Outdoor Lighting Law, Chapter
173 of the Town of Ithaca Code. Driveways and walkways shall provide safe access, egress
and traffic circulation within the site. The placement, size and arrangement of access to
public streets shall be subject to the approval of the appropriate highway authority. Unless
waived by the Town Board or Planning Bqard for good cause shown, sidewalks shall be
installed by the developer of any commercial zone (except Lakefront Commercial Zones)
simultaneously with construction of any commercial buildings on any site."
Section 6. If any provision of this local law is found invalid by any court of competent
jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect any other provisions of this local law, which shall
remain in full force and effect. i
Section 7.This local law shall take effect upon publication of the local law or an abstract of
same in the official newspaper of the Town, or upon its filing with the New York Secretary of State,
whichever is the last to occur.
t4
rowN oF ITHACA noPY
215 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, N'Y' 14850 \'
TOWNCLERK2TS-lT2lHIGHWAYEoads,P-arks,Trails'water&scrver)273'1655'---- itAi.Inntozts'ttst zoNING273'1783
ENGINEERING 273.1747
FA)( (607) 273-1704
TO:
FRICM:
DA,TE:
RE:
Edward c. Manc, AICP, Commissioner of Planning and Public works
Tompkins County Planning Deparhnent
Jonathan Kanter, AICP, Director of Planning W,
September 14,2006
zonins/Local Law proposal s-ubmjttgd for review Dursuant to General
M-nic--l Law Segtions 239-l and 239-m'
This is to notiff you that the Town of Ithaca rgy Board has scheduled a public hearing on
october 16, 2006 to conside, uaoptiog a tocat. law.adding chapter 173, titled "Lighting,
Otfidoor" to the Town of Ithaca Coa",
-uia
u*t"ai"g Chapter 221 gi tllt Town of Ithaca Code'
titl.ed..Signs,,, and Chapter 270 of the Town of Ithaca Codi, titled "Z'oning',to add references to
the outdoor Lighting Law. rnir rr*"r * rot*ut notification of these pending code cbanges as
;;dr"dby seJtions-239-l and 239-mof General Municipal Law.
Description: The proposed action is the enactnent by the Town of Ithaca T9* Board of a local
law that would add requirements and restictions regarding ggtqoot ll.ehtinS to reduce the
problems created by improperlyjgsi*rea and installed outdooi liehting. The proposed local law
includes the fo[o#ngirrriu ain"iuoir, rrtiJai"g rgquuements for most outdoor lights (except
for typical residential lighting), -rrg,lo:ti'o* t"g;di"g -lighting of outdoor signs' recreational
facilities and roof overhangs *a "*pio, *a-rpoui-grrtsnooatights, and other miscellaneous
provisions
Location: The proposed local law would apply town-wide in all zoning disnicts
please let us know if you have any comments or questions regarding the proposed local law' The
d:raftLocalLawregardingoutdoorLightingisattached.
Illyouneedfurtherinformation,pleasecallmeat2T3-|747.
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