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ATTACHMENT # 2 <br /> � r <br /> . 1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> and <br /> PLANNING BOARD <br /> PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date : February 24 , 2003 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> item No . C . 1 . a <br /> SUBJECT : Outdoor Lighting Standards Zoning Ordinance Amendment <br /> DEPARTMENT : Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING : (Y/ N ) FYes <br /> ATTACHMENT ( S ) : INFORMATION CONTACT : <br /> Proposed Ordinance Craig Benedict, Director , ext . 2592 <br /> Robert P Davis , Planner III , ext . 2580 <br /> Carla Thames , Planner I , ext . 2603 <br /> TELEPHONE NUMBERS : <br /> Hillsborough 732 -8181 <br /> Chapel Hill 9680 4501 <br /> Durham 688 =7331 <br /> Mebane 336 =227 -2031 <br /> PURPOSE : To receive public comment on the proposed Outdoor Lighting Standards in the <br /> Zoning Ordinance <br /> BACKGROUND : <br /> Presently , the Orange County Zoning Ordinance does not have any outdoor lighting standards <br /> for new or existing development . Generally , the lighting information that the County reviews has <br /> been submitted as part of the site plan approval , limiting oversight to those projects requesting <br /> a construction authorization . As development and population numbers increase in the County <br /> an effective lighting standards ordinance that reflects community values can be an important <br /> component in helping to maintain a high quality of life . <br /> On occasion , the Planning Department receives complaints that specific lights exceed the <br /> brightness necessary to accomplish a particular task . Without clear standards , enforcement <br /> action is limited . In these cases , persuasion is the chief enforcement tool and generally has a <br /> low rate of success . <br /> More recently , there have been concerns about the general loss of darkness during the <br /> nighttime hours . ` Light Pollution ' , the common term for sky glow , adversely affects astronomical <br /> observations of stars and also reduces nocturnal activities of various nighttime species . <br /> Without effective regulations , the detrimental aspect of wasteful , intrusive lights will continue to <br /> reduce darkness at night . <br /> G : currentplanning/caria /outdoodightingstandards/abstract <br />