Planning commission approves outdoor-lighting code update, asks staff to add agricultural exemption language

The Timnath Planning Commission voted to approve a land use code amendment on outdoor lighting with a condition that staff return with a clarified provision addressing agricultural lighting.

The amendment, presented by planning staff, would modernize the town’s outdoor lighting standards to reduce glare and sky glow, promote warmer color temperatures and require fully shielded fixtures in most cases. The update also seeks to require motion sensors for security lights, automatic dimming for parking lights after hours, and defined limits on holiday and decorative lighting. At the meeting, the commission attached a condition directing staff to draft specific agricultural-lighting language and return with that recommendation (target: April 15).

Why it matters: commissioners and members of the public said the changes aim to cut energy waste, protect wildlife and preserve night-sky visibility while maintaining public safety. Staff and public commenters said the revision is intended to align Timnath with regional examples and the model language used by Dark Sky Colorado.

Staff presentation and proposal Planning staff described the town’s existing lighting rules as fragmented and not comprehensive enough to minimize light pollution, energy waste and glare. "The goal of this code update is to modernize the town's outdoor…