Orange County NC Website
Article 6: Development Standards 23 <br />Section 6.11: Outdoor Lighting <br />(ii) In rural areas of the County as defined herein, there shall be a <br />limit on the allowable height of such fixtures of 690 feet. 13 <br />(c) All outdoor sports field and outdoor performance area lighting fixtures <br />shall be full cutoff fixtures and shall be equipped with a glare control <br />package (louvers, shields, or similar devices). If the manufacturer does <br />not have a glare control package, the fixture specification must be <br />changed to a manufacturer that offers one. <br />(d) All fixtures must be aimed so that their beams are directed and fall within <br />the primary playing or performance area. <br />(e) Hours of Operation <br />Within urbanizing areas of the County, the hours of operation for <br />the lighting system for any game or event shall be no later than <br />11:00 p.m., except to conclude a scheduled event that was in <br />progress before 11:00 p.m. and circumstances prevented <br />concluding before 11:00 p.m. <br />(ii) Within rural areas of the County, all outdoor sports field /outdoor <br />performance area lighting shall be extinguished by 10:00 p.m. <br />except to conclude a scheduled event that was in progress <br />before 10:00 p.m. and circumstances prevented concluding <br />before 10:00 p.m. Under no circumstances may lighting for an <br />event extend beyond 11:00 p.m. within the rural areas of the <br />County. <br />(f) The maximum light level permitted along common property lines shall be <br />consistent with the standard(s) contained within Section 6.11.6 of this <br />Ordinance. <br />(D) Lighting of Outdoor Display Areas: <br />13 Modification of height limits for athletic field lights in both the rural and urban areas of the County is requested <br />by Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) staff. The BOCC established the <br />current limits to address issues of excessive light generated by tall light poles. <br />DEAPR staff would like the BOCC to consider increasing height limits as smaller poles will not yield sufficient <br />illumination of a playing field thereby potentially creating safety issues. Taller poles will result in a better `spread' <br />of light thereby ensuring appropriate levels of visibility. Requiring smaller poles will also require `more poles' to be <br />installed to ensure proper illumination creating additional light trespass concerns as well as budgetary problems. <br />As an aside athletic field lights at the Eurosport soccer complex at 90 feet in height and lights at Fairview park are <br />70 feet. All were installed prior to the development of a existing height limits for athletic field lights. <br />Another concern expressed by DEAPR staff is there is a noticeable lack of vendors who can provide fixtures <br />adhering to all established development requirements and abide by established height limits. <br />It should be noted the imposition of existing height limits was extensively discussed back in 2009 when the original <br />ordinance amendment was proposed. ORC members acknowledged the concern of DEAPR staff but expressed <br />reservation on modifying height limits. Staff believes there is merit in reviewing these limits in the context of <br />ensuring proper illumination of an athletic field while protecting adjacent property owners from glare and light <br />trespass. <br />The Planning Board voted 7 to 2 to recommend the modificaition as detailed herein. The 2 dissenting Board <br />members indicated their preference for the entire section to be deleted and eliminate the height restriction outright. <br />Orange County, North Carolina — Unified Development Ordinance Page 6 -74 <br />