HomeMy WebLinkAbout85-22RESOLUTION 85-22
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
TO AMEND THE OUTDOOR LIGHTING POLICY TO INCLUDE TEMPORARY
CONSTRUCTION LIGHTING AND REVISIONS TO TREE LIGHTING
WHEREAS, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills ("Town") approved an Outdoor
Lighting Policy at its regular meeting on September 30, 1997 and subsequently amended it on May
17, 2012 and March 17, 2022; and
WHEREAS, at the May 25, 20222 regular meeting of the City Council, under City Council
initiated items, the City Council discussed recent burglaries in the town and directed staff to
investigate adding temporary construction lighting to Outdoor Lighting Policy; and
WHEREAS, staff presented a draft recommendation to the Planning Commission in a Study
Session on June 15, 2022, and directed staff to include revisions to Tree Lighting and add a section
on Temporary Construction Lighting; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public meeting on July 7, 2022 to consider the
revised Outdoor Lighting Policy and voted 5-0 to recommend that the City Council approve the
proposed revisions to the Outdoor Lighting Policy; and
WHEREAS, the Town, as Lead Agency for environmental review for, has determined that the
revised Outdoor Lighting Policy is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental
Quality Act per CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 because it is not a project which could have
significant impacts on the environment; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Government Code Section 56153, 56156 and Section 56157, the
City Cleric of the Town has provided published notices of the public hearing on the revisions to
the Outdoor Lighting Policy; and
WHEREAS, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on September 15, 2022, to
consider the proposed revisions to the Town's Outdoor Lighting Policy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
That the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills hereby AMENDS the Town's Outdoor
Lighting Policy contained in Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference.
The above and foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the Town
of Los Altos Hills at a regular meeting held on the 15th day of September, 2022, by the following
vote:
AYES: Tyson, Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha
NOES: None
Resolution 85-22 Page 1
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
ATTEST:
Deborah Padovan, City Clerk
By:
eorge Tyson, Ma r
Resolution 85-22 Page 2
Exhibit A
Outdoor Lighting Policy
Outdoor Lighting Policy
Approved by City Council — 9/30/97
Amended by City Council — 5/17/12
Amended by City Council — 3/17/22
Amended by City Council —
Code Sections and Fast Track Guide for New Residences:
Article 10 of Title 10 Chapter 2 of the Site Development Ordinance outlines criteria for outdoor
lighting. In particular, Section 10-2.1005 indicates that outdoor lighting should use "the minimum
wattage lights which will safely illuminate the area" and that outdoor light sources "shall be
shielded so as not to be directly visible from off-site." Goal IV (0) of the Fast -Track Guide for
New Residences suggests that exterior lights be carefully placed to prevent light shining onto
neighboring houses. The Zoning and Site Development Ordinances limit lighting within the
property line setbacks to "driveway light fixtures, limited to one fixture on each side of a driveway,
for a maximum of two (2) fixtures per lot," but additional fixtures may be approved if necessary
for safety.
Intent:
The purpose of Zoning and Site Development Ordinances and the Fast -Track Guide regarding
outdoor lighting is to assure that the open and peaceful character of the Town is maintained, that
adequate lighting is provided for the enjoyment of outdoor use areas, lighting does not intrude on
the privacy of neighbors, light pollution is reduced, blue light emissions are minimized, and that
glare is minimized onto adjacent properties. The intent of this policy is to clarify: (1) the types and
numbers of lighting fixtures; and (2) the light emission and color temperatures of bulbs that are
generally consistent with the ordinances and the Fast -Track Guide yet allow flexibility for
additional lighting when it is necessary for safety purposes or where it is not visible from off the
site.
Policy:
Definitions
Fully Shielded Fixture — No portion of the light bulb or light emanating diode is visible when
viewed directly.
Glare - Lighting entering the eye directly from luminaries or indirectly from reflective surfaces
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that causes visual discomfort or reduced visibility.
Light Pollution - Any adverse effect of artificial light including, but not limited to, glare, light
trespass, sky glow, energy waste, compromised safety and security, and impacts on the nocturnal
environment.
Blue Light — Higher temperature light spectrum that is prevalent in lighting with color temperature
higher than 3000 Kelvins. Lighting with lower color temperatures has less blue in its spectrum and
is referred to as being "warm"
Transparent — The physical property of allowing light to pass through the material without
appreciable scattering of light. When light passes through a transparent material, almost all of its
light emission will pass through to the other side.
Translucent — A translucent material allows some but not all light to pass through. This partial
transmittance of light makes translucent materials distinct from transparent materials. Examples
of translucent materials include tinted glass, frosted glass, "half transparent" glass office walls,
and several forms of painted glass.
Opaque — An opaque material transmits no light. All light is reflected, scattered, or absorbed by
the material. No light passes through to the other side.
Opacity — The degree to which something blocks light. 100% Opacity material is opaque. 0%
Opacity material is transparent. Partial opacity material is translucent.
General Outdoor Lighting
1. The light emission and color temperatures of light bulbs shall be limited as follows:
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Path Lights
200
2700
Step Lights
110
2700
Exterior Wall Sconces
600
3000
Recessed Ceiling Lights
600
3000
Pendant Lights
600
3000
Gate Lights
600
3000
Tree Lights
300 (600 for two fixtures)
2700
Temporary
Construction Lighting
500
3000
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2. The number of lights on the exterior of a structure should be limited to providing for one
light per doorway, with the exception of two lights at the main entrance, at double doors, at
multi -door systems (e.g. bifold doors and stacking glass doors), a set of garage doors, etc.
Additional lights should only be placed in locations where the Planning Director or Planning
Commission determines that they are necessary for safety.
3. Light fixtures should be fully shielded and directed downward, so that the light source is not
visible from off site.
4. Pathway and driveway lighting should be fully shielded fixtures, directed downward and no
taller than 18 inches. They should be spaced at the maximum distance that still provides for
safe use. In order to avoid a "runway" appearance, it is recommended that lighting be placed
on only one side of the driveway or walkway, or alternate from one side to the other.
Recessed louvered lights are suggested for walkways and steps.
Accumulation of many light sources in a small, concentrated areas (ex: BBQ pavilions,
exterior dining areas, entry porches or rear patios) shall be avoided.
6. Recessed lights and downlights in second floor roof eaves are prohibited, except where
located over a garage floor balcony or deck. Such lights in first floor eaves shall be located
over entryways, garage doors, and patio doorways only. Recessed lights and downlights in
first or second floor roof eaves shall be positioned so that the light cone does not shine down
into a neighboring property. No lighting shall be placed at or near the peak of the roof line
of a one- or two-story gabled roof.
7. Garage doors may emit light from a maximum of 30% of their surface area. The light
transmitting windows, panels, or other material shall be translucent, allowing no more than
30% of the interior light emission to pass through to the outside.
8. Spotlights and floodlights should be installed only for security and safety purposes. They
shall be limited in number, installed with a timer or motion sensor, and directed away from
clear view of neighbors. Shielding with shrouds or louvers is recommended.
9. High intensity discharge lighting, such as mercury vapor, high and low pressure sodium, and
metal halide lighting, is prohibited. The maximum color temperature of all lights must be
3000 Kelvins or below.
10. Any light beams shall not exit the property.
11. Up -lighting of any kind is prohibited.
12. Wall wash lighting of exterior walls is prohibited.
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13. Visible LED lighting strips, tape lights, and bistro lights are prohibited.
Tree Lights
1. Downlighting from trees is allowed under the following conditions:
• Lights are provided for safety.
• Lights must be minimal in number, with a maximum of two per tree and two (2) trees
per lot.
• The light fixtures shall not be installed at height more than 15 feet.
• The light emission and color temperatures of the light fixtures shall be maximum 300
Lumens (600 Lumens for two fixtures) and 2700 Kelvins.
• Tree lights shall not be provided in close proximity to path lights.
• The light sources must not be visible from off site
• The light fixtures are shielded and directed downward
• The tree must be evergreen
2. Bistro lights, pendant lights, and any similar lighting fixtures hung down from or hung
amongst trees are prohibited.
Lighting within Setbacks
1. Lighting within the property line setbacks is limited to two fixtures only, except where the
Planning Director or Planning Commission determines that they are necessary for safety.
2. - All lights within property line setbacks shall be fully shielded. This includes gate lights
within the setbacks.
Lighting for Recreation Areas
1. Lighting is not permitted for tennis courts, basketball courts, bocce ball, or other
recreation/sports courts.
2. Pool lighting is allowed under the following conditions:
• Lights are placed beneath the surface of the water in the pool or spa to illuminate the
water
• Underwater lights are placed such that the light shines away from neighboring properties
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• A maximum of four lights are allowed for pools and spas combined
• Other exterior lights used to illuminate the surrounding area use the minimum number
and wattage of lighting which will safely illuminate the area
• No direct light is cast beyond the immediate area of the pool
Special Event Lighting
Special event lighting, seasonal or otherwise (ex: Christmas lights), shall be limited to 60
days.
2. Light fixtures for single night parties and events shall adhere to all the conditions listed in
this document. Search lights, Up -lights, LED Dance lights, and other lights that exceed light
emission and color temperature limits or have light beams exiting the property are not
permitted.
Lighting within Open Space Easements
Lighting is not permitted within Open Space Easements
Temporary Construction Lighting
1. Install one (1) light at the main entrance or access points to the site from the public right of
way.
2. Installed lighting shall be fully shielded and directed away from the clear view of neighbors.
3. Lighting shall be motion -activated and with a timer.
4. The light emission of light bulbs shall not exceed 500 lumens.
5. Lighting fixtures shall be installed once the construction fence is up and discontinued
immediately upon completion of construction work or if the construction activity has ceased
for more than 180 days.
Exceptions
The Planning Director and/or Planning Commission may grant exceptions to allow lighting
different from that outlined above when the proposed outdoor lighting is determined to be
necessary to safely illuminate the area, or where the size of the property and/or extensive screening
will assure that the light source is not visible from off site.
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