Roseville updates streetlight policy to set illumination target; council OKs design criteria

The Roseville City Council on Oct. 13 approved an update to the city’s streetlight policy that adds a measurable illumination target for residential areas and directs staff to install lights at three study locations where measured light levels were below the target.

Public Works staff said they conducted nighttime measurements and compared residential illumination to the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) standard. Assistant City Engineer Eric Hendrickson and Public Works Director Jesse Fryhammer reported two measured study locations with 0.04 and 0.05 foot-candles — well under the recommended 0.3–0.6 foot-candle target. Staff recommended adopting the 0.3–0.6 foot-candle target used in other cities, such as Minneapolis, and installing lights at the three previously deferred locations on that basis. The council also agreed to place the illumination target into the policy criteria section rather than only in design guidance.

Council members discussed safety and the balance between preserving dark skies and pedestrian security; several members noted that downward-directed LEDs and careful fixture choice can improve safety while reducing light scatter. Council member Bauer suggested moving the numeric illumination target to the policy’s conditions; the motion approved staff’s recommendation incorporating that change. The update passed unanimously.

Staff said they will request installation of the identified lights with the electric utility (Xcel) as capacity and scheduling allow.