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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: June 17, 2003 <br />Action Agen a <br />Item No. - G. <br />SUBJECT• Outdoor Lighting Standards Zoning Ordinance Amendment <br />DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />1. Proposed Ordinance <br />2. Draft Public Hearing Minutes - <br />2/24/2003 <br />3. Comments from Commission for the <br />Environment <br />4. Comments from Duke Power <br />5. Comments from NCDOT <br />6. Minutes from 4/22/03 Ordinance <br />Review <br />PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />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 <br />Chapel Hill <br />Durham <br />Mebane <br />732-8181 <br />968-4501 <br />688-7331 <br />336-227-2031 <br />PURPOSE: To close the Public Hearing and make a decision regarding the adoption of the <br />Outdoor Lighting Standards amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. <br />BACKGROUND: This proposed amendment was heard at the February 24, 2003 Public <br />Hearing and referred to the Planning Board for a recommendation. The BOCC requested that <br />the Commission for the Environment (CFE) be included in the review process of the proposed <br />ordinance and that the CFE submit their comments and recommendations to the Planning <br />Board prior to returning a recommendation to the BOCC for consideration. The Ordinance <br />Review Committee (ORC) and the Planning Board discussed the amendments at their April 2, <br />2003 meeting and continued until May 7, 2003. After receiving comments from the CFE <br />(attached), the Planning Board, at its May 7, 2003 meeting, recommended approval of the <br />amendments. <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 />