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6) R Z - ?40,3 - 0©,4/ 1 001 <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: (YIN) Yes <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Proposed Ordinance <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 />732 -8181 <br />Chapel Hill <br />968 -4501 <br />Durham <br />688 -7331 <br />Mebane <br />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 /calla /outdoorlighbngstandards /abstract <br />