Agenda - 08-24-2009 - C1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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location of the proposed development within an urbanizing area (i.e. Transition Area) versus a rural area of the County, 2. Staff is proposing several amendments providing greater explanation on the level of detail required as part of the submittal and review of an outdoor lighting plan. Current regulations only make reference to the production of a lighting plan, which has lead to multiple interpretations as to what is exactly required for submittal. Staff is proposing to formalize the submittal requirements to ensure that we obtain all necessary information to review and take action on a submitted lighting plan. 3. Staff is proposing to modify existing regulations governing the use of outdoor sports field /performance area lighting. Several residents have suggested that such lighting fixtures be banned within the rural areas of the County. This suggestion is not practical given the possible need to allow for such lighting at park and recreation facilities throughout the rural areas of the County and due to the presence of existing recreational facilities with such lighting already installed. Instead, staff is proposing to modify existing operational standards (i.e. hours of operation) as well as establish height limits in an effort to better regulate the potential impacts of such fixtures. Further work will be necessary to address the ancillary impacts of outdoor sports field lighting. This work will become a component of the proposed UDO revision. What staff has provided you is as follows: a. Attachment One (1) contains the proposed amendments with embedded staff comments detailing our rationale for various changes as well as discussion points seeking additional guidance on several key issues. It should be noted that we have also included a link to the International Dark Sky Association so that you can review background information on the development and enforcement of outdoor lighting standards. b. Attachment Two (2) is the formal ordinance amendment package with no embedded staff comments or discussion. Notification Procedural Requirements: As detailed within Article Twenty (20) Amendments Section 20.6 of the Ordinance staff is required to cause a: Notice of the public hearing shall be given by publishing said notice at least twice in a newspaper of general circulation in the County, stating the time and place of such hearing and the substance of the proposed amendment. This notice shall appear in said newspaper for two successive weeks within the first notice appearing not less than ten (10) days nor more than twenty -rive (25) days before the date set for the public hearing. Staff has caused an advertisement to appear within the News of Orange and Chapel Hill Herald on August 12, 2009 and August 19, 2009 in accordance with this requirement. Staff believes that this amendment is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan in that we are attempting to identify and formalize a lighting standard designed to establish a link between the sustainability of outdoor lighting on a given parcel of property while working to eliminate ancillary impacts on neighboring properties.