Orange County NC Website
relating to the regulation of outdoor lighting fixtures within the county <br />M <br />Revisions to outdoor lighting regulations had been authorized for inclusion into the <br />initial UDO development. However, due to time constraints, staff was unable to <br />incorporate some of the recommended revisions into the adopted UDO. Staff has <br />now been able to complete these revisions. <br />While several modifications to existing lighting standards were made as part of the <br />initial UDO, several key areas of concern were slated for additional study and future <br />consideration. <br />These areas of concern, as detailed within the UDO Implementation Bridge, were <br />intended to be addressed during a future UDO amendment process. At this time, <br />staff believes there is an opportunity to address the majority of these comments and <br />make recommended revisions. <br />The purpose of this amendment is to incorporate previously identified amendments <br />to outdoor lighting standards, as detailed within the Implementation Bridge, into the <br />UDO. <br />2. Analysis <br />As required under Section 2.8.5 of the UDO, the Planning Director is required to: <br />`cause an analysis to be made of the application and, based upon that analysis, <br />prepare a recommendation for consideration by the Planning Board and the Board of <br />County Commissioners'. <br />The proposed text amendments are designed to complete modifications to existing <br />outdoor lighting regulations to address long- standing concerns expressed by both <br />BOCC and Planning Board members. This includes eliminating previously identified <br />inconsistences, and to incorporate several revisions, identified during Phase 1 of the <br />UDO development process. <br />Staff is proposing to modify the UDO to: <br />1. Clarify existing regulations to address inconsistencies identified by the <br />Planning Board at its October 7, 2009 regular meeting and as contained <br />within the UDO Implementation Bridge. Examples of the changes are- <br />a. Modify Section 6.11.1 Purpose and Intent to include language referencing <br />the County's interest is promoting nighttime visibility and curtailing light <br />pollution. <br />b. Modify Section 6.11.1 (E) to include language identifying the County's <br />intent to regulate outdoor lighting in an effort to `restore natural light cycles' <br />and reduce unnecessary illumination of the night sky by requiring shielded <br />fixtures. <br />c. Incorporate new formatting changes to ensure the regulations are <br />consistent with the organizational rules of the UDO. <br />d. Eliminate references to `watts' of a light fixture and ensure proper use of <br />2 <br />