AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE 12 "APPENDIX "A" (ZONING
ORDINANCE) OF THE BASTROP CITY CODE PERTAINING TO RULES FOR LIGHTING
AND GLARE STANDARDS; REPEALING CONFLICTING PROVISIONS, PROVIDING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City's current Zoning Ordinance does
not currently address lighting standards for driveways, pedestrian
areas, drive through facilities, and wall mounted lights; and
WHEREAS, the City's current Zoning Ordinance also
does not include provisions relating to the shielding of lighting
or for canopy lighting; and
WHEREAS, the Planning & Zoning Commission, after
notice and hearing, recommended that Section 45.2 of the Zoning Ordinance
be amended as provided herein.
NOW THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of the City
of Bastrop, Texas, that:
Part 1: That Section 45.2 of the Zoning Ordinance
(Article 12, "Appendix A") of the Bastrop City Code of Ordinances
be amended to read as follows:
45.2 NONRESIDENTIAL
SITE LIGHTING AND GLARE STANDARDS:
A. Any use shall be operated
so as not to produce obnoxious and intense glare or direct illumination
across the bounding property line from a visible source of illumination
of such intensity as to create a nuisance or detract from the use
or enjoyment of adjacent property.
B. The exterior areas for
non-residential uses in non-residential districts which are used after
dark shall be illuminated beginning one-half ('/z) hour after sunset
and continuing throughout the hours of business operation. If only
a portion of a parking area is offered for use after dark, only that
part is required to be illuminated in accordance with these standards.
However, the portion offered for use shall be clearly designated.
Lighting within these areas shall meet the following minimum requirements:
1. Intensity:
a. Minimum at any point
on the parking area surface to be at least 0.6 foot candles initial.
and at least 0.3 foot candles maintained or one-third (1/3) of the
average, whichever is greater.
b. Illumination shall not
exceed an average of one (1) foot candle at ground. The
following shall be excluded from the calculation of area intensity:
i. Semi-enclosed areas, such as drive throughs;
ii. Wall-mounted lights whose beam "washes the wall" (i.e.
casts a light no
more than five feet from the wall: and
iii. Light cast by or onto an illuminated sign.
2. Distribution
A. All outside lights shall
be made up of a light source and reflector so that, acting together,
the light beam is controlled and not directed across any other property
line above a height of three (3) feet.
B. The allowable maximum intensity measured at the property line of
a residential use
in a residential district shall be 0.25 foot candles.
C. Semi-enclosed areas, wall mounted lights, and lights illuminating
signs are not
exempt from the distributions provisions of this section.
D. Variations of less that 5% in intensity or distribution may be
allowed if necessary to
be consistent with an historic replica theme or other themed lighting
scheme that
has been approved by the City.
3. Light Poles
a. any light pole shall be placed on the site at a setback equal to
its height from all adjacent residentially used property, except as
may be required if traffic and pedestrian safety are potentially compromised.
b. On tracts or lots over
three (3) acres in size, the maximum height for poles with lights
is thirty feet (30').
c. On tracts or lots less
than three (3) acres, the maximum height of poles with lights is twenty
feet (20').
d Special lighting or lighting
higher than thirty feet (30') may be approved as specifically noted
on a site plan if compliant with other standards and if unique, site
or operational circumstances exist.
Part 2: That Section 45.4 of the Zoning Ordinance
(Article 12, "Appendix A") of the 1 astrop City Code of
Ordinances be amended to read as follows:
45.4 LUMINAIRES:
A. Pole and wall-mounted
light sources shall be of a down-light type. indirect, diffused, or
shielded type luminaires installed and maintained so as to reduce
glare effect and consequent interference with use of adjacent properties
and boundary streets.
B. Bare bulbs above seventy-five
(75) watts and strings of lamps are prohibited, except for temporary
lighting as provided in 45.5 below.
C. Luminaries used in semi-enclosed
areas, such as canopies and drive throughs, shall be recessed or shielded
so that light is not distributed more than five (5) feet outside the
edge or the canopy, drive through, or other semi-enclosed area.
Part 3: That Section 45.5 of the Zoning Ordinance
(Article 12, "Appendix A") of the Bastrop City Code of Ordinances
be amended to read as follows:
45.5 SPECIAL OR TEMPORARY LIGHTING - LOW WATTAGE:
A. Bare bulbs or strings
of lamps are prohibited, except during holidays.
B. Special lighting shall be permitted for a maximum time period of
forty-five (45) days for each holiday use and must be removed between
holiday periods.
Part 4: All ordinances and resolutions, or
parts of ordinances and resolutions, in conflict with this Ordinance
are hereby repealed, and are no longer of any force and effect. If
any provision of this ordinance or application thereof to any person
or circumstance shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect
the other provisions, or application thereof, of this ordinance which
can be given effect without the invalid provision or application,
and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared
to be severable.
Part 5:
This Ordinance shall become effective in accordance with the City
Charter and the laws of the State of Texas.
READ and APPROVED on First Reading on the 13th day of May 2003.
READ and ADOPTED on Second Reading on the 27th day of May 2003.
