Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Site Lighting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DRB defers Charter Oak Apartments lighting application, asks for pole cut sheets and photometrics
Summary
The board deferred review of a lighting-standard request from Charter Oak Apartments (about 63 lamp posts) and asked the applicant to supply defined pole heights, pole and fixture cut sheets, Kelvin color temperatures, photometric coverage and a phased replacement schedule; deferral passed 7‑0.
The Reston Design Review Board on Sept. 16 deferred consideration of a lighting standard submitted by Charter Oak Apartments, asking the property manager to provide technical specifications and a phased replacement plan before the DRB takes final action.
Jessica Brunga, a manager for the apartment complex, said the property has roughly 63 lamp‑post fixtures of several vintages and asked the DRB to approve a standard fixture for future repairs and replacements. The board and Reston Association staff said the submittal lacked several items the DRB needs to perform post‑design review: a definitive final pole height (board asked the applicant to choose 10 feet over the 8–10 foot range listed), a manufacturer cut sheet for the pole and fixture, the lamp color temperature in Kelvin, and more precise site mapping and photometric coverage calculations.
Board members also requested a phased replacement schedule to ensure visual consistency across the property rather than piecemeal changes as fixtures fail. Staff noted the absence of an original site plan and asked the applicant to include photos keyed to a spreadsheet that identifies which poles were replaced and which remain original so future inspections can distinguish new and existing fixtures.
The DRB’s motion to defer—moved and seconded at the meeting—carried unanimously, 7‑0. The board suggested a 60‑day window for resubmittal but left timing flexible, asking the applicant to return with the requested pole cut sheet, final pole height (board recommended 10 feet as likely appropriate for existing conditions), fixture specifications including Kelvin color temperature, and an estimated coverage per fixture tied to the selected pole height.
The applicant said she would provide a numbered spreadsheet linking photos to fixture IDs and obtain detailed cut sheets and photometric data. Reston Association staff recommended the applicant also provide a key showing which fixtures have been replaced to simplify post‑design review inspections.
With those items returned to staff, the DRB can complete a technical post‑design review and vote on a final standard for the complex. The board noted that, given the density of fixtures and close spacing at this property, a phased plan for replacement will be important to preserve consistent site lighting and reduce public complaints.
