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Planning Commission recommends 30-foot downcast lights at Winchester Medical Center parking lot
Summary
Commission forwarded a recommendation to allow 30-foot, non-ornamental downcast light poles at Winchester Medical Center's new parking area, finding the taller poles would reduce pole count and limit campus light fixtures; administrative review required for future changes.
The Winchester Planning Commission on June 17 recommended that City Council grant a conditional use permit allowing 30-foot, non-ornamental downcast light poles at Winchester Medical Center's site within the Amherst Street Corridor Enhancement District.
A representative for Valley Engineering, speaking for Winchester Medical Center, said a portion of the hospital campus lies inside the Amherst Street Corridor Enhancement overlay, which typically requires ornamental fixtures not taller than 20 feet. The site plan approved earlier this year included a 20-foot ornamental pole for a new parking lot and 12 fixtures; the applicant proposed switching to 30-foot, downcast poles so the lot would require fewer poles overall.
The engineering representative said much of the hospital campus is not within the corridor overlay and already uses similar 30-foot poles. City planning staff noted the proposed poles would have minimal visibility from Amherst Street because trees and adjacent buildings screen the lot and said changes to pole design would require staff review if replacement is proposed in the future.
The commission's recommended approval included two specific conditions: a cap that poles not exceed 30 feet and fixtures be the downcast design described to staff, and an administrative-review requirement for replacement or changes to poles or fixtures within the overlay district; staff may defer review to City Council if a replacement is inconsistent with the CUP.
No members of the public spoke on the item. With the commission's recommendation, City Council will consider the CUP and the two staff-proposed conditions.
