BOROUGH OF NEW PROVIDENCE

ORDINANCE 2008-___

 

“AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING CHAPTER 310 OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF NEW PROVIDENCE ENTITLED “OUTDOOR LIGHTING”

 

BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Borough council of the Borough of New Providence, County of Union and State of New Jersey as follows:

 

SECTION I.  Section §310-___ of Article VI of the Code of the Borough of New Providence entitled “Outdoor Lighting” is adopted as follows:

 

A.  Purpose:

            Regulation of outdoor lighting and recreational/sports facility lighting is necessary to prevent the cause of unnecessary Sky Glow, to prevent Light Trespass and to reduce unnecessary Glare caused by inappropriate or misaligned light fixtures and/or the inappropriate location of light poles.  These standards are intended to save energy and reduce costs and to preserve and protect adjacent properties from negative lighting impacts.

B.  Definitions:

            1.  “Sky Glow” is light resulting from dust, water vapor, and other particles reflecting and scattering stray and reflected light that is emitted into the atmosphere (IESNA).

            2.  “Light Trespass” is any form of artificial illuminance emanating from a light fixture or illuminated sign that penetrates other property and creates a nuisance.  It may be caused by unwanted light onto adjacent properties or excessive brightness in the normal field of vision.

            3.  “Glare” is the sensation produced by luminances within the visual field that are sufficiently greater than the luminance to which the eyes are adapted, which causes annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance and visibility.

            4.  “Trespass Lighting” is any illumination exceeding 0.1 horizontal footcandle at grad or on any adjacent residential property; and any light emanating from a fixture which is so positioned or aimed as to produce objectionable glare on any adjacent property.

            5.  “Nadir” is the angle pointing directly downward from a luminaire, or 0 degrees. 

            6.  “IESNA” shall refer to The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.

C.  Standards: 

            All outdoor light fixtures installed and thereafter maintained shall comply with the following requirements:

  1. Site lighting shall not include any uplighted fixture.
    1. Exception: Light fixtures used to illuminate the State or the National flag mounted on a pole, pedestal or platform shall use a narrow column beam of light that will not extend beyond the maximum extensions of the illuminated object.
  2. Where used for commercial and industrial purposes or for sports or recreational facilities, all light fixtures shall be equipped with automatic timing devices and shall comply with the following:
    1.  Externally illuminated building identification or other signs shall only use shielded light fixtures mounted on top of the sign structure.
  3. All outdoor light fixtures, other than those serving one-and two-family dwellings,
    1. Only shield light fixtures shall be used.  Any fixture mounted above 10 feet shall have no more than 10% of its light distribution at a vertical angle of 80 above Nadir and 2.5% at an angle 90 degrees above Nadir.
    2. No direct light shall fall more than one hundred feet from the base of the lighting standard unless required for public safety or welfare.
    3. All outdoor lighting during nonoperating hour of the business on site not necessary for safety and security purposes shall be reduced, activated by motion sensor devices or turned off.
  4. Where used for sports or recreational facilities, all lighting fixtures shall comply with the following:
    1. For field sports, including but not limited to football, soccer, baseball, track and field, a minimum pole height shall be 70 feet and a maximum pole height shall be 85 feet.
    2.  The minimum distance of the pole to any property line shall be twice the height of the pole.  For example, an eighty-foot pole must be a minimum of 160 feet from any property line.
    3. Trespass lighting shall not be more than 0.1 footcandle at any adjacent residential property line at grade.
    4. A natural landscape buffer shall be required to sufficiently screen the source of light and the lit object from any adjacent residences.
    5. When not in use or under any circumstance not later than 10:00 PM, all light shall be turned off, except for that lighting which shall be necessary to ensure public safety following the conclusion of an event.
  5. Illumination Requirements:
    1. Illumination levels shall not exceed those recommended in the IESNA Lighting Handbook, 8th Edition, as amended from time to time.
    2. Street lighting: Average maintained luminance shall not exceed IESNA recommendations.  IESNA average to minimum luminance uniformity ratios are to be used for design roadway lighting.
    3. Outdoor parking facilities.  Average maintained luminance and uniformity ratios shall not exceed IESNA recommendations.
    4. Walkways:  Maximum average foot-candles shall be as follows:

                                                              i.      Sidewalks (roadside)

1.      Commercial: 1.0 ft-candles.

                                                            ii.      Walkways, stairways and bikeways (distant from roadways):

1.      Commercial: 0.2 ft.-candles

    1. Freestanding lights: 

                                                              i.      Commercial: Maximum height shall not exceed the height of the principal building, or 20 feet, which ever is less. 

 

Introduction:              

Public Hearing:         

Adopted:                   

 

BOROUGH OF NEW PROVIDENCE

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

COUNTY OF UNION

 

 

_____________________________

, Mayor

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

______________________________

Wendi B. Barry, Borough Clerk