Board reviews outdoor‑lighting ordinance draft; flags flaglighting, landscape lumens and grandfathering for follow‑up

The Planning Board reviewed proposed edits to the town’s outdoor‑lighting ordinance (zoning section 5.12) on May 14 and asked staff to circulate a clean version and to re‑examine several technical provisions before the next meeting.

Scope of the draft: Town staff and counsel translated a previously prepared lighting draft into tracked changes within section 5.12 to align the town’s existing ordinance with best practices. The draft covers lumen caps, shielding requirements, permitted exceptions, landscape and pathway lighting heights, and appendix references.

Board concerns and specifics: Several members and at least one property owner raised questions about: - Lumen thresholds: Whether the proposed maximum lumens per fixture are appropriately set (members suggested comparing 1,500 vs. 1,800 lumen caps used in other towns). The board asked staff to review and recommend a clear lumen limit. - Flaglighting: The board discussed whether the existing exception that allowed minimized lighting for national and state flags should remain; members argued flags are typically illuminated after dark and that a strict off‑time or motion‑activation requirement would conflict with the longstanding practice of lighting flags at night. The board asked staff to propose language limiting glare and neighbor impact while preserving ability to light flags overnight. - Landscaping and footpath lighting: A commenter noted recent investment in low‑impact landscape lighting at a local property and asked whether the proposal’s height limits (three feet for footpath luminaires) and the ban on upward light would force retrofits. Staff noted preexisting conforming installations would be grandfathered and recommended clarifying the appendix and compliance timing.

Board direction: Staff was asked to circulate a clean version of the ordinance with suggested lumen caps and clearer exemptions for flags and existing landscaping/footpath lighting; board members requested specific numeric guidance and cross‑references to the appendices.

Why it matters: Lighting controls seek to reduce glare, protect dark skies, and limit spill to neighbors while allowing necessary safety and commemorative lighting. The technical thresholds and grandfathering language will determine which existing fixtures remain and which require modification.

Next steps: Staff and counsel will return with a clean draft that addresses lumen caps, flaglighting exceptions, path/landscape height limits and appendix naming conventions for further board deliberation in June.