Midlothian planners open review of lighting rules after Tom Thumb sign dispute

The Midlothian Planning and Zoning Commission discussed whether to pursue a text amendment to the city27s lighting standards after council asked staff to review illuminated-sign rules following a Tom Thumb development debate.

Planning staff told commissioners the current code requires commercial lighting to be "fully shielded and downcast" so it does not "shine onto adjacent properties or be a hazard to passing motorists or constitute a nuisance of any kind," but said that language is general and sometimes ambiguous. Staff recommended adding diagrams to show acceptable light spillage and possibly introducing numeric standards such as a residential light-spillage ceiling; staff cited other Texas cities that define glare and measure residential light spillage at 0.25 foot-candles.

"It would be a good idea if we did try to quantify at least the commercial standards so that if there are complaints, we can address them," planning staff said during the discussion.

Commissioners asked whether the review would focus on signage and digital/intermittent displays. Staff clarified that the intermittent language primarily addresses digital signs (time/temperature/gas displays) and that digital signage adjacent to neighborhoods is already restricted in some sections of the code.

The discussion also covered whether lumen or foot-candle ceilings should be adopted. Staff said Midlothian currently does not have lumen standards and instead references a site-level measurement (nits) that is not source-directed; several commissioners suggested staff return with examples and graphics, while staff warned that strict "dark-sky" ordinances used elsewhere are typically far more restrictive than Midlothian would pursue.

Staff concluded it would bring sample language, diagrams and numeric benchmarks back to the commission for further direction.