The purpose of this Chapter is to establish a process by which the Board of Supervisors may adopt design guidelines for site design, exterior lighting, and other potential design-related topics for new development. The intent of these guidelines is to provide guiding principles and criteria for siting and design of development projects without dictating a particular design feature or architectural style. Utilization of these design guidelines is intended to enhance the preservation of Monterey County's environmental and visual resources such as views of the night sky, sensitive public viewsheds, and natural landscapes.

(Ord. No. 5262, § 2, 1-26-2016)

A.

The Board of Supervisors shall by resolution adopt, and may from time to time amend, design guidelines for exterior lighting, which shall be known as the Design Guidelines for Exterior Lighting. The purpose of these guidelines is to implement Policy LU-1.13 of the 2010 General Plan that requires exterior lighting to be unobtrusive, reduce off-site glare, and light only an intended area.

B.

The Design Guidelines for Exterior Lighting shall establish criteria for the location and direction of fixtures, number of fixtures, and design of fixtures so as to make exterior lighting unobtrusive, reduce off-site glare, and light only the intended area. These guidelines shall be enforceable by the Director of Planning.

C.

For any new development that includes exterior lighting, all exterior lighting shall be consistent with the Design Guidelines for Exterior Lighting.

D.

The following types of lighting are exempt from Subsection C above:

1.

Navigational lighting (airports, heliports, communication towers);

2.

Seasonal lighting;

3.

Solar path lighting;

4.

Temporary lighting for activities of a limited duration such as emergency activities, construction, and agricultural harvesting;

5.

Lighting for national monuments and national parks; and

6.

Lighting for national, state or locally registered historic buildings or structures to the extent that the lighting contributes to the historic attributes of the building or structure.

E.

Additionally, the Design Guidelines for Exterior Lighting shall include information on energy efficiency and best management practices for exterior lighting.

(Ord. No. 5262, § 2, 1-26-2016)