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Commission recommends citywide lighting limits: 3,000K cap, 10 p.m. sign curfew and 5-year amortization
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend City Council adopt code changes limiting exterior light color temperature to 3,000 Kelvin, requiring illuminated signs to turn off by 10 p.m. (or 1 hour after close) citywide, and lowering gas-station canopy brightness; commissioners amended a proposed 15-year phase-in to a 5‑year runway and asked for an education campaign.
Amory Ellingson, community development staff, presented Planning File CDA-000027-2026, a package of code amendments to the City of Glenwood Springs’ exterior lighting (section 7040.100) and signs (section 7040.110).
Ellingson said the proposal would add a correlated color temperature limit so that exterior fixtures may not exceed 3,000 Kelvin, a standard commonly used by dark-sky communities. He told the commission the change aims to reduce sky glow and align the city with best practices used in Breckenridge, Flagstaff, Moab and Nucla.
The staff recommendation also would make the city’s existing signage curfew — currently required only for illuminated signs within 300 feet of residential zoning — apply citywide. The draft language presented to the commission reads: “Illuminated signs shall be turned off no later than 10:00 p.m. or 1 hour after the close of business, whichever is later.” Ellingson noted staff could add language requiring signs to remain off until the business next opens, as seen in Moab’s code.
On gas-station canopy lighting, staff proposed lowering the maximum allowable illumination from 25 foot-candles to 20 foot-candles (the minimum safety standard stays at 5 foot-candles). Ellingson said the change is modest and intended to reduce light pollution without compromising safety.
Commissioners questioned potential public‑safety tradeoffs, enforcement limits and costs to businesses. Staff answered that canopy limits are the only amendment likely to affect safety and that most day‑to‑day electrical permitting is handled at the state level; enforcement and greater compliance will rely in part on business outreach and turnover of nonconforming signs.
A commissioner moved to recommend approval to City Council incorporating staff findings, adding a citywide curfew (10 p.m. or 1 hour after close), a phase‑in period, and a public education campaign. Commissioners debated a proposed 15‑year amortization period and agreed on an amended 5‑year runway for businesses to comply. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
The commission’s recommendation means existing legally permitted signs will remain grandfathered as nonconforming uses until replacement or change; new or replacement signs after adoption would be subject to the updated standards. The commission also asked staff to refine curfew wording (add explicit “remain off until business opens” language) and to propose outreach materials to support affected businesses.
Next step: City Council will consider the Planning & Zoning Commission’s recommendation and may adopt, amend, or reject the proposed code changes.
