Planning & Transportation Commission - August 28, 2024

Commission sends lighting and bird-safety rules back for revisions

The Planning & Transportation Commission unanimously declined to advance proposed lighting and bird-friendly design ordinances to the City Council, instead continuing both to dates uncertain for revisions. The two continuance motions passed 6-0, departing from staff’s initial recommendation to endorse the draft regulations.

The proposed lighting ordinance would regulate private-property lighting through the zoning code, not public streetlights. Commissioners generally supported its environmental goals but asked staff to focus its core requirements on new construction and substantial remodels and to reconsider whether a proposed 10 p.m. lighting curfew should apply to existing buildings. They also sought more analysis of exceptions for entrances and low-voltage pathway lights, controls available to homeowners, rooftop and outdoor dining areas, commercial safety lighting, service stations and electric-vehicle charging stations.

Lighting color temperature also remained unresolved. Commissioners discussed standards ranging from 2,700 Kelvin to 4,000 Kelvin and asked staff to return with public-safety personnel to explain whether higher color temperatures are needed for safety. Staff was directed to seek a balance between safety and effects on wildlife.

The bird-friendly design proposal would apply glazing-treatment standards to qualifying new construction and substantial remodels in designated bird-sensitive areas. Commissioners requested further work on the proposed map, a 24-square-foot glazing threshold, a 40-foot facade-treatment threshold and the methodology used to measure threats to birds. They also raised questions about effects on housing feasibility and whether removable films or decals should be permitted for housing and residential portions of mixed-use projects. Staff cited earlier research estimating cost increases of 2% to 10%, while a local expert said recent costs may be about 1.5% to 2%.

Staff will conduct more outreach with builders, contractors, bird advocates and other stakeholders before returning both proposals to the commission. Public comments supported environmental protections overall while calling for additional refinement of the bird-friendly design rules. No return date was set.

Primary sources

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