Guidelines for lighting of outdoor areas under site plan review provides for levels of illuminance, which are consistent with the proposed use of the properties under consideration, safety requirements and neighborhood appearances. These guidelines will further assure that installations with similar levels of activity will be designed to the same illuminance levels.

The guidelines are based on standards and practices recommended in the Illuminating Engineering Society Lighting Handbook.

Light distribution. Illuminance is affected by interrelated factors such as the characteristics of the specified light sources, mounting heights and spacing. These and other factors must be chosen so that illuminance meets the guidelines specified herein without causing glare or light trespass.

Minimum illuminances for general parking and pedestrian areas. Minimum footcandles have been specified for the general parking and pedestrian areas because an absolute minimum of lighting is necessary for the identification of features for pedestrian safety. Levels should not be lower than the recommended minimum at any point.

Minimum levels for driveway access. Minimum footcandles have been specified based on the assumption that separate walkways are provided for pedestrian activity. Where mixed pedestrian and vehicular traffic is anticipated, higher levels of illuminance should be provided.

Illuminance at entrances. Illuminance at entrances from public roads to private parking areas and private access driveways must be adequate for vehicle operators to recognize entrance details, to decelerate and to safely leave the traffic stream.

Maximum illuminance at property lines. At the property line of the subject property, illumination from luminaires shall not exceed 0.1 footcandles on residential property or 0.5 footcandles on nonresidential property, as measured on a vertical plan.

Energy management. Under certain circumstances it may be desirable to reduce the lighting levels during periods of reduced activity. For example, during peak use, the "high" activity lighting level may be required. During inactive periods, where level of activity is in the "low" classification, only security lighting might be required.

Neighborhood consideration. Within the requirements of public safety, new lighting shall avoid nuisance to neighborhood properties and shall not have adverse effect on the character of the area as defined by zoning regulations.

The Planning Board will assign a level of activity based upon submitted information. Submission to the Board shall include sufficient information about vehicular and pedestrian traffic, neighborhood and other background to allow the Board to assign a level of activity to the project. Table 1 is a list of typical installations that the Board may use for its determinations.

The applicant shall develop a lighting plan based on the assigned level of activity. In Table 2, the levels of activity are associated with minimum and average illuminances, which serve as limits for design and evaluation of design. Table 2 applies only to parking facilities and driveway accesses. If the Planning Board must consider other outdoor uses, it shall consult the Illuminating Engineering Society Lighting Handbook or equivalent sources to assist in defining appropriate illuminance levels.

Detailed lighting plans which conform to the assigned level of activity and the associated minimum and average illuminances shall be submitted to the Planning Board for approval. Plans shall include the manufacturer's specifications for the luminaires the candle-power distribution curve of the luminaire and a map of the illuminance on the ground. Sufficient data on the placement and type of lighting fixtures shall accompany the submission for the Board to reach a conclusion on the adequacy of the plan.