Markleyville committee directs staff to draft outdoor-lighting language for historic district

The Markleyville Design Review Committee voted unanimously to direct county staff to prepare proposed changes to the Markleyville historic design guidelines to incorporate outdoor-lighting requirements, including temperature and quantity controls, warm-color recommendations and limits on lights being left on overnight.

Marie, a committee participant who circulated Dark Sky guidance prior to the meeting, urged applying the five principles of responsible outdoor lighting to the historic district. Sam Booth, county staff, summarized how the design guidelines and county code already govern aspects of lighting and noted enforcement mechanisms in county code, including a reference to chapter 18.56.012 and penalty provisions in chapter 18.92 that could include fines for noncompliance.

Sam Booth read the lighting principles during the discussion: "Use light only if it's needed; direct light so it only falls where it is needed; lighting should be no brighter than necessary; use light only when it's needed; and use warmer color lights where possible," and said staff could draft language that fits into the design guidelines and identify whether any changes belong in the zoning code instead. Committee members asked staff to consider applying temperature/wattage limits, restricting lights left on after business hours and extending standards to the commercial core within the historic district.

The motion directed staff to prepare proposed guideline language and return it to the committee for review; the committee voted in favor and staff indicated they would proceed with drafting the recommended changes.