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Council grants lighting variances for Pioneer Village apartments and a Yellowstone Avenue sign
Summary
Council approved an exemption for Pioneer Village 3 LLC to install parking and building lights with shielding and motion sensors, and approved a variance allowing a single higher-lumen fixture for an existing sign on Yellowstone Avenue, with staff and public discussing night-sky and safety trade-offs.
Two lighting-variance requests were considered after being pulled from the consent calendar.
Pioneer Village 3 LLC requested authorization to install six parking-lot lights and four exterior entrance lights at 2421 Pioneer Avenue. Staff described redesign work, shielding to reduce side spill and motion-sensing fixtures that dim and brighten as needed. An electrical consultant and the developer urged the council to consider surface illumination rather than strict lumen caps, and said modern fixtures can minimize sky-glow while preserving safety. Council members acknowledged both the night-sky objectives of the city’s ordinance and practical difficulties meeting lumen-based thresholds for parking lots; the council authorized the requested exemption by voice vote.
Separately, Cody Electric Contractor requested a variance to add lighting to an existing sign at 214 Yellowstone Avenue. Staff explained the applicant preferred a single fixture per side that would produce higher lumens but keep light confined to the sign face rather than two spot fixtures that could spill light beyond the sign area. Council approved the variance by voice vote.
In both items staff said they are continuing broader research on parking-lot and signage standards to inform possible ordinance adjustments that balance safety and dark-sky objectives.
The council’s actions allow the applicants to proceed under the conditions presented.
