Planning commission forwards exterior lighting rules to city council after public hearing

The Yamhill Planning Commission held a public hearing and voted to forward proposed exterior lighting standards (DCA 203-03 / proposed Chapter 10.66) to the City Council for consideration.

Planning staff presented the final iteration of the ordinance, saying it would create a new Chapter 10.66 with definitions moved into the main definitions chapter and a proposed adoption date of Jan. 1, 2025. Staff described the rules as focused on nonresidential uses: fully shielded fixtures, a maximum brightness cap of 1,500 lumens for regulated fixtures, parking-lot and canopy lighting limits, and a lighting curfew tied to business hours with a one-hour grace period before and after opening and closing. Security lighting provisions were added so businesses could maintain needed overnight lighting if shielded. Exemptions include existing fixtures (subject to a 2‑year phase-in), flags, emergency lighting and temporary/special-event lighting; state- or federally-controlled lights (for example, ODOT) are also exempt.

Planning staff Walt summarized the package as "the final material" and described the additions and removals in the exhibit. Planner Shelley said security concerns had been addressed: "Safety is security can be all night, but it's gonna have to be shielded and it isn't now." Public comment included concerns about streetlights shining into homes and whether the city or other agencies (ODOT, PGE) own the affected fixtures.

After closing public testimony, the commission moved and voted to refer DCA 203-03 to the City Council. During roll call several commissioners registered affirmative votes. The commission chair clarified the next step: the City Council will hold a subsequent hearing on the measure.

What the ordinance would do: it would apply to commercial and public facilities (not residential), require full shielding to prevent light migration to adjacent properties, limit fixture output to 1,500 lumens where stated in the draft, allow limited security lighting with shielding, and phase nonconforming fixtures to compliance over a two‑year period to accommodate municipal and private budgeting cycles.

Next steps: the commission transmitted its recommendation; City Council will receive the ordinance for a second hearing and final action. Staff said the council had not yet seen this revised text and that the commission should be confident it had addressed council questions before transmittal.

Votes and formal action: The commission voted to recommend DCA 203-03 to the City Council; the motion passed on a roll call recorded in the meeting.