Commission splits lighting chapter from sign code; considers lumen threshold, string‑light rules and seasonal colored lighting

The Pilot Client Commission separated lighting rules from the sign code and debated objective standards and seasonal allowances to reduce glare while preserving downtown character.

A commissioner who contributed to the draft praised diagrams in the lighting chapter as helpful for public understanding, and another commissioner said he "personally love[s] the string lights around town." The group discussed whether to require shielding for fixtures above a lumen threshold rather than regulate all fixtures. One commissioner proposed requiring shields or diffusers for fixtures with a light output of 1,000 lumens or more to reduce glare.

Why it matters: The lighting chapter affects building facades, pedestrian comfort, and night‑time character downtown. Commissioners aimed to balance safety and aesthetic uniformity with merchants’ needs for signage and seasonal displays.

Key points agreed or proposed: - Diagrams: Commissioners said illustrations on page 21 help explain cutoff and shielding concepts for the public. - String lights: The draft lists exposed‑bulb string lights as allowed; commissioners discussed keeping them but encouraging warm‑white color and nonflashing operation. "String lights and exposed bulb string lights are allowed," staff noted, while others asked that the code make expectations about color and steady (nonflashing) operation clear. - Lumen threshold and shielding: A commissioner proposed making shielding or diffusion required for fixtures that produce 1,000 lumens or more rather than mandating shielding for all fixtures; staff agreed to research lumen guidance and Kelvin ranges to support specific thresholds. - Seasonal colored lighting: Commissioners discussed allowing colored, nonflashing lighting around storefront windows only during a defined holiday window (for example, from the last Friday in November through Jan. 30) while keeping warm‑white facade lighting year‑round for visual uniformity.

What was not decided: The commission did not finalize numeric lumen cutoffs, enforcement procedures for lighting violations, or the exact seasonal dates for colored lights; staff was asked to refine wording and research technical thresholds.

Next steps: Staff will research lumen and Kelvin guidance, clarify language about stream lights and exposed‑bulb fixtures, and propose clear placement, color and nonflashing criteria for colored holiday lighting for the commission’s next review.

Sources: Discussion and direct quotes from the Pilot Client Commission meeting transcript.