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Home My WebLink About29-22RESOLUTION 29-22 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS TO AMEND THE OUTDOOR LIGHTING POLICY TO INCLUDE NEW DEFINITIONS AND GUIDELINES 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 WHEREAS, at the March 9, 2021 regular meeting of the Town's Environmental Design and Protection Committee (EDPC), the Committee voted to send a draft revision to the Outdoor Lighting Policy to the Town's Planning Department for review and introduction to the Planning Commission; and WHEREAS, at the July 1, 2021 regular meeting of the Planning Commission, the Planning Department introduced the revised Outdoor Lighting Policy for consideration and was directed to conduct additional research and return with slight modifications to the revised Outdoor Lighting Policy; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public meeting on October 7, 2021 to consider the revised Outdoor Lighting Policy with the previously requested modifications and directed staff to prepare a final draft with additional modifications based on the collected research; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public meeting on February 3, 2022 to consider the revised Outdoor Lighting Policy with additional comments provided by the EDPC and voted 5-0 to recommend that the City Council approve the proposed revisions to the Outdoor Lighting Policy with modifications base on EDPC's comments; 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 March 17, 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. Resolution 29-22 Page 1 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 17th day of March, 2022, by the following vote: AYES: Tyson, Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None ATTEST: Deborah Padovan, City Clerk By: eorge Tyson, Wyor Resolution 29 -22 Page 2 Exhibit A Outdoor Lighting Policy Approved by City Council — 9/30/97 Amended by City Council — 5/17/12 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 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 Resolution 29 -22 Page 3 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 The light emission and color temperatures of light bulbs shall be limited as follows: 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. Resolution 29 -22 Page 4 200 2700 Path Lights Step Lights 110 2700 Exterior Wall Sconces 600 3000 Recessed Ceiling Lights 600 3000 Pendant Lights 600 3000 Gate Lights 600 3000 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. Resolution 29 -22 Page 4 3. Light fixtures shall be fully shielded and directed downward, so that the light source is not visible from off site. 4. Pathway and driveway lighting fixtures shall be fully shielded and directed downward. Fixtures should be 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. 5. Accumulation of multiple light sources in 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 second 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 peals 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. 13. Visible LED lighting strips, tape lights, and bistro lights are prohibited. Tree Lights Downlighting from trees is allowed under the following conditions: Resolution 29 -22 Page 5 • Lights are provided for safety or for outdoor use areas • Lights must be minimal in number, with a maximum of two per tree s 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: o 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 • 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 1. 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 Resolution 29 -22 Page 6 1. Lighting is not permitted within Open Space Easements 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. Resolution 29 -22 Page 7