Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plan Commission approves tighter outdoor‑lighting rules, expands dark‑sky standards
Summary
The commission approved updates to outdoor lighting regulations to limit lumen output, cap color temperature at 3,000K, tighten uplighting and sign illumination rules, and add flexibilities for seasonal and emergency lighting; staff said the changes reduce overlighting and lower long‑term costs for developers.
The Plan Commission voted May 21 to recommend updates to the village outdoor lighting ordinance that measure lighting by illuminance and lumens, cap correlated color temperature at 3,000 Kelvin, set fixture lumen limits tied to dark‑sky models and tighten rules on uplighting and sign illumination.
Staff said the 2021 ordinance moved regulation from wattage to illuminance (foot‑candles) to better capture actual on‑site light levels, and the new update responds to continued complaints about intensely blue LED lighting and widespread overlighting made possible by inexpensive fixtures. "These updates ensure that development increasingly respects surrounding neighbors from light pollution, both in terms of light trespass and atmospheric sky glow," staff said. The draft also adds clear standards for sports lighting and sign illumination and updates definitions and measurement units to SI metrics (lumens, lux, candelas).
A notable operational change would require most illuminated business signs to be turned off after 10 p.m. if the business is closed; staff said this responds to resident complaints about late‑night sign brightness. The ordinance also allows flexibilities for seasonal holiday lighting, emergency lighting and government‑approved events. Existing fixtures are grandfathered, but staff said larger fixture replacements, pole changes or new site developments will be measured against the new standards.
Commissioners asked about residential holiday lighting controlled by smartphone apps; staff said most homeowner seasonal displays will be tolerated unless fixtures are exceptionally bright or persistent complaints arise. Several commissioners said the ordinance gives staff clearer enforcement tools for commercial sites that currently create significant off‑site glare. The commission voted to forward the ordinance to the Village Board for adoption.
Staff emphasized the intended outcomes: limit light trespass, reduce late‑night glare from commercial signs, and promote dark‑sky friendly installation practices while enabling necessary security lighting and context‑sensitive illumination for safety.
