1.

Street Lighting Service Levels.

It is the Town's objective to provide street lighting in accordance with the Illumination Engineering Society (IES) standards for various classes of streets. These nationally recognized standards acknowledge such key variables as use of streets, prevalence of entering and exiting right-of-way, parking and existing physical conditions on or near the streets. Standards relate to amount of light, noted in terms of footcandles, and uniformity of light, stated as a ratio of average to minimum footcandles along a given distance. These standards result in service levels that increase according to use. Higher levels of lighting correspond to higher usage by motorists and/or pedestrians.

Allowances are made for differences in the intensity of use and safety needs. Selective reduction of service levels for certain classes of streets, primarily those classed as residential, is necessary because of high costs involved with conversion to full IES standards.

2.

Street Classifications.

IES's "Illumination Guide" groups streets into different classes — expressway, commercial, intermediate and residential. These area classes are further subdivided into major, collector and local categories with standards established for each. These categories correspond to Selma street classifications with the IES "major" category corresponding to our "arterial" classification.

3.

Street Lighting Guidelines.

Provision of lighting along Town streets enhances the safe movement of motorists, pedestrians and other users of public right-of-way. The Town's street light system is designed to support the following guidelines:

IES standards should be used town wide as the basis for establishment of lighting levels for new lighting installation along non-residential streets. These streets should be lighted to 100% of IES standards. Residential streets should be lighted at 220-foot intervals, with amendments as needed to consider local conditions such as topography, traffic volumes, number of intersections, crime rates and other factors. Town streets are being classified based on operational definitions of lighting by IES and consistent with street classifications within this Design Manual. Conversion to IES standards for existing non-residential streets and to spacing at 220-foot intervals for residential streets town wide will be phased over several years. Priority for implementation will be based on use, with commercial, intermediate and residential area classes being converted in that order.

High-pressure sodium luminaries should be installed on all streets, with lamps suggested by IES according to classification. The Town standard for residential street lighting is a typical 9,500 lumen economical traditional luminaries, mounted on a 12-foot fiberglass pole or a 9,500-lumen cut-off cobra luminary, mounted on a 25-foot wood pole. Exceptions to this standard may be approved by the Town Manager when a duly authorized officer of a neighborhood group requests another configuration of hardware, provided any additional hardware costs are paid by the developer or representative prior to installation of the lights; and provided the alternative configuration results in the same operational costs to the Town as the Town standard fixtures. Underground wiring should be provided for all new fixture installations.

The Town Manager will determine those circumstances in which implementation guidelines will be waived. Examples include, but are not limited to, adjustments for areas with particularly high incidence of crime; significant public demand for additional services; and physical conditions associated with conversion of existing lighting. If there are permanent overhead utility lines, the Town Manager may waive the requirement for underground lines for new lights.

4.

Street Lighting Standards.

The following standards and specifications are to assist developers in the placement and selection of street lights for use on streets classified as residential only. For information on lighting for streets with higher classifications, contact the Public Works Department. Where appropriate, a street lighting plan should be prepared as a part of a development application for approval by the Town Manager.

a)

Placement.

1)

Street lights should be located an average of 220' apart. A minimum of one street light should be located at every intersection and at the end of every cul-de-sac.

2)

Where possible any street light not located at an intersection should be located on a property line.

3)

On streets with a width of 44' or greater (back of curb to back of curb), street lights should be staggered on either side of the street.

4)

On streets with a lesser width, street lights should be located on the side with a sidewalk if only one sidewalk exists. They should be staggered if sidewalks do not exist or if there are sidewalks on both sides of the street.

5)

Street lights should be located within the road right-of-way a minimum of 3 feet from the back of curb or edge of road pavement.

6)

Street lights should be located a minimum of 3' from the edge of any paved sidewalk.

b)

Fixture selection.

1)

The Town's standard residential lighting fixture is the 9,500 lumen "economical traditional" luminaire provided by Duke Power Company. The luminaire should be mounted on a 12' black fiberglass pole.

2)

A 9,500-lumen cut-off lens cobra fixture can also be used when mounted on a 25' wooden pole.

3)

Other ornamental fixtures may be selected if they provide a comparable lighting level and are approved by the Town. If there are any additional costs for installation and maintenance, the developer will pay "up front" such costs.

5.

Outdoor Lighting. All multi-family buildings and projects, including outparcels, shall be designed to provide safe, convenient, and efficient lighting for pedestrians and vehicles. Lighting shall be designed in a consistent and coordinated manner for the entire site. The lighting and lighting fixtures shall be integrated and designed to enhance the visual impact of the project on the community and, where practicable, should be designed to blend into the surrounding landscape. Lighting design and installation shall ensure that lighting accomplishes onsite lighting needs without intrusion on adjoining properties.

a)

Lighting Plan. A site lighting plan shall be required as part of the application and site plan review for all multi-family developments exceeding four (4) dwelling units per multifamily development.

b)

Site Lighting Design Requirements. Lighting shall be used to provide safety while accenting key architectural elements and to emphasize landscape features. Light fixtures shall be designed as an integral design element that complements the design of the project. This can be accomplished through style, material, or color. All lighting fixtures designed or placed to illuminate any portion of a site shall meet the following requirements:

1)

Fixture (Luminaire). The light source shall be completely concealed behind an opaque surface and recessed within an opaque housing and shall not be visible from any street right-of-way or adjoining properties. Overhead lighting fixtures shall be designed to prevent light from emitting upwards toward the sky. Under-canopy lighting fixtures should be completely recessed within the canopy.

2)

Fixture Height. Lighting fixtures shall be a maximum of thirty (30) feet in height within the parking lot and shall be a maximum of fifteen (15) feet in height within non-vehicular pedestrian areas. Pedestrian scale lighting at a height not exceeding twelve (12) feet is encouraged. All light fixtures located within fifty (50) feet of any adjacent residential use or residentially zoned property boundary shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height.

3)

Light Source (Lamp). Incandescent, florescent, metal halide, or color corrected high-pressure sodium are preferred. The Administrator shall have the authority to approve other lamp types (including light emitting diodes [LEDS] and fiber optics) provided the color emitted is similar to the preferred types. Non-color corrected high pressure sodium lamps are prohibited. The same light source type must be used for the same or similar types of lighting on any one site throughout any development.

4)

Mounting. Fixtures shall be mounted in such a manner that the cone of light is contained onsite and does not cross any property line of the site.

5)

Limit Lighting to Periods of Activity. Where practicable, the use of sensor technologies, timers or other means to activate lighting during times when it will be needed may be required by the Administrator to conserve energy, provide safety, and promote compatibility between different land uses.

c)

Illumination Levels. All site lighting shall be designed so that the level of illumination as measured in footcandles (fc) at any one point meets the standards in the table below, with minimum and maximum levels measured on the pavement within the lighted area and average level (the overall generalized ambient light level) measured as a not-to-exceed value calculated using only the area of the site intended to receive illumination.

^* The maximum level of illumination at the outer perimeter of the site or project shall be 0.5 foot-candles when abutting a residential zoning district and 5.0 foot-candles when abutting all other districts and/or streets.

d)

Excessive Illumination. Lighting within any lot that unnecessarily illuminates and substantially interferes with the use or enjoyment of any other property is prohibited. Lighting unnecessarily illuminates another lot if it exceeds the requirements of this subsection.

1)

All outdoor lighting shall be designed and located such that the maximum illumination measured in footcandles at the property line does not exceed 0.2 on neighboring residential uses, and 0.5 on neighboring commercial sites and public rights-of-way.

2)

Lighting shall not be oriented to direct glare or excessive illumination onto streets in a manner that may distract or interfere with the vision of drivers on such streets.

3)

Fixtures used to accent landscaping or art shall be located, aimed, or shielded to minimize light spill into the night sky.

4)

Blinking or flashing lights shall be prohibited unless the lights are required as a safety feature.

6.

Nonconforming Lighting. Lighting fixtures existing as of the date of adoption of this ordinance, may remain, and shall be considered lawful nonconforming structures. Modifications, replacement or expansions shall conform to the standards of this ordinance.

E.

SIGNS AND MARKINGS STANDARDS

The following standards and specifications are to assist developers in the placement and selection of signs, traffic signs and markings on all public streets. Where appropriate, a sign and marking plan should be prepared as part of a development application for approval by the Town Manager. This plan should include a note indicating that prior to the installation of any street or traffic sign, the developer will contact the Traffic Program Supervisor in the Department of Public Works for approval of final sign design and placement.

Placement

Where warranted by the need to ensure motorist or pedestrian safety and/or to control vehicular, and pedestrian traffic, traffic signals, signs, and markings shall be provided in accord with the standards set forth in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways. Installation of all traffic devices shall be approved by the Town Manager, and NCDOT where applicable.

The developer of any new street is required to install all necessary signs prior to Town acceptance of the street. If the required sign(s) are deemed necessary prior to the acceptance of the street for Town maintenance and damage occurs to them in the interim, the developer will be responsible for repairs and/or replacement.

Standards

The Town standard for a traffic sign (stop sign, speed limit, etc.) pole is a twelve foot 3 lb./ft. U-channel post. Town standard street name sign posts are ten and half foot round aluminum. If other styles of poles and sign hardware are desired, they must be approved by the Town Manager prior to installation.

For information about the specific design and size of required signs, contact the Public Works Department. Signs that do not meet Town design and size requirements will need to be replaced with approved signs prior to acceptance of any new street for Town Maintenance.

All pavement markings shall be of a thermoplastic material with a minimum thickness of 0.125 mils and should be installed by the developer. Placement for such markings should be approved by the Town. If the Town elects to install the markings, costs will be assessed to the developer. If markings are necessary prior to the acceptance of the street for Town maintenance and damage occurs to them in the interim, the developer will be responsible for repairs and/or replacement.