Title
An Ordinance to Amend Sections 5.25, 5.33, 5.37.2.B, 5.37.2.C, 5.37.2.F, 5.37.2.G, 5.37.2.I, 5.37.2.L, 5.37.2.P, and 5.37.2.S Of Chapter 55 (Unified Development Code) Of Title V of The Code of The City of Ann Arbor (Outdoor Lighting) (ORD-21-23)
Memorandum
Beginning in 2019, a working group formed with members of the Energy, Environmental, and Planning Commissions performed research, and presented a proposed ordinance amendment to add more robust outdoor lighting regulations to the Code. This resulted in a series of engagement with staff, then the Planning Commission toward refinement and recommended adoption of the ordinance presented here.
After the Planning Commission recommend adoption in August of 2020, additional research was conducted to determine if alternative approaches could be considered that included some of the proposed regulations outside of the Unified Development Code (UDC). This was investigated to consider whether an alternative police powers ordinance might result in a more rapid realization of the ordinance goals than zoning regulations would typically achieve. After determination that such alternative approaches would likely not achieve that result, the Ordinance, is now presented for Council consideration in the form adopted by the Planning Commission.
Section 5.25 of the Unified Development Code (UDC) currently regulates outdoor lighting. The standards are basic and apply mainly to parking lots in site plan projects, where minimum light levels are required throughout the night while allowing only a few site-planned exceptions in residential neighborhoods. Non-parking lot lighting has general requirements for shielding and screening.
The proposed amendments would expand the regulation of outdoor lighting in the following ways:
* The regulations apply to any outdoor lighting in the City.
* Temporary light installations on private property are allowed for 90 days in the exemptions. This could include holiday lights, art ins...
Click here for full text