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Ferndale planners favor warmer exterior lighting; staff to confirm Kelvin guidance with attorney
Summary
Commissioners encouraged using warmer exterior light tones and asked staff to confirm a specific Kelvin threshold with the city attorney and lighting standards bodies; dark‑sky guidance around 2,700–3,000 K was cited during discussion.
The planning commission discussed exterior lighting standards May 14 and signaled a preference for warmer color temperatures while asking staff to verify recommended numeric limits and safety implications.
Chair Foster told the commission she wanted to "encourage the warmer tones" for outdoor lighting and members repeatedly discussed the tradeoff between warmth and safety. Commissioners noted new LED fixtures often use high color temperatures that can be visually harsh. An IEC contact cited during the meeting suggested dark‑sky guidance in the 2,700–3,000 Kelvin range; Foster asked staff to confirm a final recommendation and to check whether police/security camera requirements impose a lower limit on allowable lighting.
Commissioners also discussed intensity, shielding and context (e.g., alleyways vs. open parking lots). One commissioner observed brighter, unshielded fixtures at some businesses can create visual glare that reduces rather than improves pedestrian safety. The staff agreed to research authoritative lighting guidance, check the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) recommendation, and consult the city attorney about any regulatory implications before bringing a specific numeric standard back to the commission.
No numeric standard was adopted tonight; the commission's discussion will inform the staff's revised text to be included in the packet for City Council review.
