Orange County NC Website
19 <br />ATTACHMENT TWO (2) <br />AN ORDINANCE AMENDING <br />THE ORANGE COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE <br />WHEREAS, there has been heightened scrutiny over existing regulations relating <br />to the review, processing, and approval of outdoor lighting plans within the County, and <br />WHEREAS, current regulations do not explicitly establish a cap on the total <br />amount of light that can be generated on a given parcel of property, and <br />WHEREAS, the current regulations do not take into account the differences <br />between projects requiring outdoor lighting within urbanizing or rural areas of the <br />County, and <br />WHEREAS, the submittal requirements for lighting plans are ambiguous and has <br />lead to confusion, and <br />WHEREAS, the proposed amendment establishes an overall cap on the total <br />amount of outdoor lighting on a given parcel of property, provides for a differentiation <br />between projects within the urbanizing and rural areas of the County, and provides <br />additional detail on the submittal requirements for outdoor lighting plans. <br />BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF ORANGE <br />COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, hereby amends the Orange County Zoning Ordinance <br />by adding (indicated by double underlined language) and deleting (indicated by stricken <br />through language) as follows: <br />6.31 <br />Outdoor Lighting Standards <br />6.31.1 <br />Purpose and Intent: <br />A. Outdoor lighting is provided for a variety of purposes to the benefit <br />of modern society. For work or recreation, it enables people to see <br />essential detail in order that they may undertake their activities at <br />night. It facilitates the safety or security of persons or property, for <br />example through lighting on roads and pathways. It may be used <br />to emphasize features of architectural or historical significance, <br />and to light parks and gardens. It is used for advertising or display <br />to promote products or services, or to call attention to commercial <br />premises by means of area lighting or signs. <br />B. It is the intent of this ordinance to preserve, protect, and enhance <br />the lawful nighttime use and enjoyment of any and all property <br />through the use of appropriate li htin ractices ands stems. <br />