Timnath planning commission approves outdoor lighting code update, asks staff to add agricultural exemption language

The Timnath Planning Commission on a 4-0 vote approved an amendment to the town's land use code that tightens outdoor lighting rules to reduce light pollution, require shielding, limit blue‑rich “cool” lighting and encourage motion sensors and automatic dimming for nonessential fixtures, with a condition that staff return with a clear provision addressing agricultural lighting.

Staff presented the code changes as a modernization intended to “comply with dark‑sky standards while ensuring public safety, functionality of commercial and residential outdoor lighting systems, and improving visual comfort,” saying the update would require fully shielded outdoor fixtures in most cases, encourage warmer color temperatures (about 2,700–3,000 Kelvin) and add motion sensors and automatic dimming for parking and business lights after hours.

The commission heard public comment in favor of the draft from John Garvey, chair of Dark Sky Colorado, who praised staff work and said the proposal is “an economic win, a public health win, a quality of life win, an ecological win, and even a public safety win.” Garvey also…