(a)

Purpose. The purpose of this article is to regulate exterior lighting in order to promote transportation safety and to prevent the creation of nuisances that will balance the safety and security needs for lighting with the village's desire to preserve dark skies and to ensure that light trespass and glare have negligible impact on surrounding property and roadways.

(b)

Title. This article XIV is entitled the Village of Waunakee exterior lighting standards.

(Ord. of 4-17-2023, § 5)

Applicability. The requirements of this subsection apply to all private exterior lighting, including exterior lighting of governmental bodies other than the Village of Waunakee, within the jurisdiction of the village.

(Ord. of 4-17-2023, § 5)

(a)

Requirements.

(1)

Fixtures. Light sources shall be full cutoff fixtures with the light source fully shielded and directed downwards.

(2)

Intensity of illumination. In no instance shall the amount of illumination attributable to exterior lighting, as measured at the property line, exceed 0.40 footcandles above ambient lighting conditions on a cloudless night.

(3)

Location. Light fixtures may be located within required landscape areas. Light fixtures shall not be permitted closer than three feet to an abutting property line.

(4)

Flashing, flickering and other distracting lighting. Flashing, flickering, and/or lighting which may distract motorists are prohibited. No operation or activity shall produce any intense glare or lighting with the source directly visible beyond the boundary of the subject property.

(5)

Minimum and maximum lighting standards. All areas designated on required site plans for pedestrian circulation, vehicular or bicycle parking, loading, or circulation and used for any such purpose after sunset shall provide artificial illumination in such areas at a minimum intensity of 0.4 footcandles and at a maximum intensity of 3.0 footcandles during hours of operation.

(6)

Wall mounted accent lighting. Wall mounted accent lighting shall be integrated with the architectural character of the building and shall use low-luminosity lamps, with 2,000 source lumens or less. The illumination on any vertical surface shall not exceed one-half(0.5) maintained footcandle and shall not spill over roof lines or building edges.

(7)

Off-street parking areas. Any lighting used to illuminate off-street parking areas shall be directed away from residential properties and public streets in such a way as not to create a nuisance. However, in no case shall such lighting exceed 0.4 footcandles measured at the lot line.

(8)

Shielding. Except as otherwise exempt, all outdoor lighting shall be recessed and/or constructed with full downward shielding in order to reduce light and glare impacts on trespass to adjoining properties and public rights-of-way. Each fixture shall be directed downward and away from adjoining properties and public rights-of-way, so that no light fixture directly illuminates an area outside of the project site intended to be illuminated.

(9)

Maximum height. The maximum height of parking lot light fixtures abutting residential development shall be 18 feet. Otherwise, the maximum height for parking lot light structures shall be 20 feet. Height limit for parking lot light fixtures in industrial areas is 25 feet. The maximum height for light fixtures that are themselves, or related to, accessory uses or structures shall be 15 feet. Height shall be measured from the finish grade, inclusive of the pedestal, to the top of the fixture.

(Ord. of 4-17-2023, § 5)

All illuminated signs shall be subject to the following requirements:

(1)

Electrical permit. All signs in which electrical wiring and connections are to be used shall comply with all applicable provisions of the state electrical code. No permit for the erection of a sign shall be granted prior to approval and issuance of a valid electrical permit for that sign.

(2)

Voltage displayed. The voltage of any electrical apparatus used in conjunction with a sign shall be conspicuously noted on that apparatus.

(3)

External illumination. A building or structure, along with signs, awnings and canopies attached to the building or structure, may be illuminated externally, provided that the light source is designed, located, shielded, and maintained in such a manner that it is fixed and not directly visible from any adjacent public rights-of-way or surrounding premises.

(4)

Internal illumination. Internally illuminated signs shall permit light to shine fully through the lettering and graphic element of the sign. The background for such lettering and graphics shall be opaque or translucent and shall transmit light at a level substantially less than that transmitted through the lettering and graphics. If the contrast between the lettering or graphic elements and background does not permit adequate legibility, a translucent white border of up to one inch in width may be placed around said lettering or graphic elements.

(5)

Brightness limitation. In no instance shall lighting intensity of any illuminated sign exceed:

a.

One footcandle along street frontage lot lines and 0.5 footcandles at all other lot lines, measured three feet above the surface of the ground;

b.

Seventy-five footcandles measured perpendicular to the face of the sign from a distance equal to the narrowest dimension of the sign. When the sign is located on a lot adjoining a property used exclusively for residential purposes, this limit is reduced to 50 footcandles.

(6)

Glare. All artificial illumination shall be designed, located, shielded, and directed so as to prevent the casting of glare or direct light upon adjacent public rights-of-way or surrounding property.

(7)

Reflectors and lights. Gooseneck and similar reflectors and lights shall be permitted on freestanding and wall signs provided; however, the reflectors and lights shall concentrate the illumination upon the area of the sign so as to prevent glare upon the street or surrounding property. It shall be unlawful to maintain any sign which is wholly or partially illuminated by floodlights or spotlights unless such lights are completely concealed from view from the public rights-of-way.

(Ord. of 4-17-2023, § 5)

(a)

Applicability. All exterior lighting located on lands used for athletic fields or other open space uses, regardless of ownership, shall be subject to the rules and regulations as enumerated herein.

(b)

Lighting of athletic field areas by permanent and/or portable light structures shall be subject to the following requirements:

(1)

The minimum distance from any light structure to any front, side or rear property line adjacent to residential uses shall be 45 feet, excluding surface or subsurface electrical conduit. Light structures are accessory structures, not accessory buildings.

(2)

The height of any light structure shall not exceed 90 feet, as measured from grade at the base of said light structure to its highest point.

(3)

The hours of operation for use of any light structure shall be limited as follows:

a.

Sunday through Saturday, noon (12:00 p.m.) until 10:30 p.m. Exceptions may be granted by the village board.

b.

In the event of unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to overtime, inclement weather or injury, the use of the light structures may be extended for an additional 30 minutes.

(4)

Light structures shall use cutoff or directional shielding and all lamps shall be aimed toward the athletic field area so as to minimize glare and light trespass onto adjacent properties.

(5)

Light trespass created by the light structure, shall not exceed 0.25 vertical footcandles at any adjacent residential property line calculated vertically at five feet above grade. Calculated light levels shall reflect buffering associated with existing or proposed vegetation, structures and fences. All buffering, vegetation, light structures and fences shall be maintained by the owner.

(6)

To the extent required to comply with this section, the owner shall provide a buffering plan to be utilized to meet the performance requirements set forth herein.

(7)

Opaque fencing to a height of not more than eight feet shall be permitted up to an exterior lot line to meet the light trespass requirements of this section.

(8)

In the event that the owner relocates a portable light structure from the location specified in-its approved site plan, it shall be required to submit an amended lighting plan certifying that the relocated light structure complies with all requirements of this section.

(c)

Review process.

(1)

A site plan shall be required pursuant to the procedures set forth in section 133-47 of this chapter. Application materials shall include the following, in addition to those listed in section 133-47:

a.

A lighting design and custom lighting aiming plan prepared by a certified lighting expert specific to the athletic field area where the light structures are to be used. All proposed light levels shall properly incorporate impacts associated with existing and proposed buffering.

b.

A certification from a licensed structural engineer or a qualified engineer certifying as to the safety of the light structures.

c.

A description of outdoor light fixtures including component specifications such as lamp type and wattage, reflector, optics, angle of cutoff, supports, poles and including manufacturer's catalog information.

d.

A plan at a defined scale of the fields to be illuminated showing the boundary limits of where the light structures will be utilized.

e.

Ongoing compliance. Usage of light structures is contingent upon ongoing compliance with all provisions of this section.

(Ord. of 4-17-2023, § 5)

Nonconforming lighting. Light fixtures that were legal at the time of the adoption of this article XIV but that do not conform to the provisions of this article XIV shall be considered nonconforming uses or structures and shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 133 article VI - nonconforming uses, structures and lots.

(Ord. of 4-17-2023, § 5)