Weedsport Village City Zoning Code
ARTICLE X
Lighting and Landscaping Requirements
§ 215-69 Lighting.
Purpose and intent. The purpose of this section is to prevent nuisances caused by unnecessary light intensity, glare, and light trespass.
Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
The average level of illuminance for a given area measured at ground level with a light meter placed parallel to the ground.
The unit of measurement used to quantify the amount of light falling on a surface. One footcandle is the illuminance produced by a candle on a surface one foot square from a distance of one foot.
A visual effect produced when a light source within the field of view is brighter than the level to which the eyes are adapted. Glare may cause annoyance, discomfort, loss of visual acuity, or momentary blindness.
A light bulb or other component of a fixture that changes electricity into visible light.
The unit of measurement used to quantify the amount of light produced by a lamp or emitted from a fixture (as distinct from "watt," which is a measurement of the electrical power). For the purposes of this chapter, measurements in lumens shall refer to "initial lamp lumens" (as opposed to "maintained lamp lumens") as rated by the manufacturer when the lamp is new, as listed on the packaging.
Any outdoor lighting that creates a potential hazard to the public or light trespass or glare to neighboring properties, thereby causing loss of enjoyment, comfort, or repose.
An opaque device that is attached to a light fixture to prevent light from being emitted in certain directions.
Applicability.
New lighting. All outdoor lighting newly installed after the effective date of this chapter shall comply with all applicable regulations in this article.
Preexisting lighting. All properties with legally existing and operative outdoor lighting at the effective date of this chapter shall be exempt from compliance, subject to the provisions below:
Any outdoor lighting fixture that is replaced, changed, repaired, or relocated, in whole or in part, after the effective date of this chapter shall comply with the requirements herein.
Nuisance lighting. The exemption shall not apply if the Village determines that certain outdoor lighting creates nuisance lighting as defined herein. If the Village determines, that nuisance lighting exists on a property, such lighting shall comply with Subsection C(3) below.
Light trespass shall be considered nuisance lighting when illuminance at or beyond a property line or public right-of-way exceeds 0.5 footcandle as measurable from any orientation of the measuring device.
Glare light shall be considered nuisance lighting when a light source is seen from a neighboring property or roadway at sufficient intensity to cause discomfort, annoyance, or impaired visibility.
Abatement of nuisance lighting. If the Village determines nuisance lighting to exist on a property, that lighting shall comply with either Subsection C(3)(a) or (b) below.
To the extent that the abatement of nuisance lighting will require reaiming a fixture or relamping to reduce lumen output, such lighting shall be reaimed and/or relamped so that the light source is not visible across property lines.
To the extent that the abatement of nuisance lighting will require removing, replacing, shielding, retrofitting, or relocating a fixture, such lighting shall be removed, replaced, shielded, retrofitted, or relocated so that the light source is not visible across property lines.
Residential lighting standards. All residential and multifamily residential properties shall comply with the following standards:
Nuisance prevention:
Outdoor lighting on residential properties shall be designed and installed so that all light which is emitted by any outdoor light fixture shall not shine on or illuminate any neighboring property.
Light trespass at or beyond a property line or public right-of-way shall not exceed 0.5 footcandle.
Shielding. All outdoor lighting fixtures shall be fully shielded and aimed straight downward, with the following exceptions:
Outdoor lighting fixtures with total light output of 900 lumens or less (60 watts incandescent or less) are exempt from the shielding and aiming requirements above.
Unshielded outdoor lighting fixtures operated by motion sensors are permitted, provided that:
Unshielded floodlights not exceeding 1,800 lumens per fixture (100 watts incandescent) are permitted, provided they are aimed no higher than 45° and do not cause nuisance lighting. See Figure 33.
 Figure 33: Unshielded Floodlights. |
Driveway lighting. Unshielded fixtures installed in or on a pillar or post at the foot of a driveway may not exceed 250 lumens (25 watts incandescent) per pillar/post.
Nonresidential lighting standards. Properties with nonresidential lighting shall comply with the following standards. The Planning Board may permit minor adjustments to any lighting requirement herein, provided that the proposed outdoor lighting is found to be reasonable, necessary, and consistent with the purposes of this section.
Nuisance prevention:
Outdoor lighting on nonresidential properties shall be designed and installed so that all light which is emitted by any outdoor light fixture shall not shine on or illuminate any neighboring property.
Light trespass at or beyond a property line or public right-of-way shall not exceed 0.5 footcandle.
Shielding. Unless otherwise permitted by the Planning Board, all outdoor lighting fixtures shall be fully shielded and aimed straight downward.
§ 215-70 Landscaping, screening, and buffering requirements.
Purpose and intent. The following standards are intended to implement the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan by assuring an acceptable extent of buffering between land uses, particularly between residential and nonresidential uses, providing a balance between developed uses and open space, enhancing the visual and aesthetic appearance of the community, and encouraging preservation of existing natural features. Specifically, these regulations are intended to:
Provide natural visual screening of parking areas and along property boundaries to protect the existing visual quality of adjacent lands;
Reduce surface runoff and minimize soil erosion through the natural filtering capability of landscaped areas;
Provide natural buffers that reduce glare and noise, provide wildlife corridors and protect wildlife habitats, wetlands, stream corridors, and other significant environmental features;
Moderate the microclimate of parking areas by providing shade, absorbing reflected heat from paved surfaces, and creating natural wind breaks; and
Enhance the overall visual quality of the community by surrounding developed areas with a variety of plant materials that are consistent and compatible with the existing natural vegetation of the area.
Applicability. These landscaping regulations shall apply to all uses in all districts. More specifically, requirements and procedures shall be as follows:
Buffer screening shall be provided along the boundaries of any commercial or industrial use or off-street parking lot which abuts a residential use; and shall be provided for any special use where such screening is required.
General requirements:
Existing site vegetation and unique site features, such as stone walls, shall be incorporated into landscaping plans to the maximum extent feasible. Existing healthy trees which are retained shall be credited against the requirements of these regulations in accordance with their size and location.
Issuance of a certificate of occupancy shall require completion of lot grading, seeding, and required landscaping or posting of a performance guaranty acceptable to the Code Officer if the applicant cannot perform the work due to seasonal impracticalities.
All required landscaping shall be of healthy stock, planted according to accepted horticultural practices. Landscaping plans shall clearly indicate who is responsible for plant maintenance during the first 12 months after planting, and a performance guaranty shall be posted for assuring replacement in kinds of plants, which die or become diseased with in that time.
All required landscaping shall be maintained in healthy condition. Failure to maintain such landscaping or to replace dead or diseased landscaping required by this article shall constitute a violation of these regulations.
All plant material adjacent to parking areas, loading areas and driveways shall be protected by barriers, curbs or other means by damage from vehicles or from stormwater runoff.
Where existing conditions make compliance with these regulations not feasible, the Planning Board, at its discretion, may approve planters, plant boxes or pots containing trees, shrubs and/or flowers to comply with the intent of these regulations.
In cases where the edge of pavement within a public right-of-way does not coincide with the front lot line, the property owner shall landscape the area between the front lot line and the edge of the street pavement.
Trees for screening shall be of species and stock that will provide a visual screen from the ground up, at least five feet in height.
Required buffer screening shall consist of a visual screen or obstruction of suitable shrubs, hedges, fences, or wall at least six feet high and shall be maintained in good condition.
Shrubs, hedges, fences, or walls less than six feet tall, along with trees or other plant material designed to enhance the livability and attractiveness of any lot may be located in any yard or court and shall be maintained in good condition.
Landscaping plan. Based on the scale and location of the project, the Planning Board shall determine whether the landscaping plan must be prepared by a professional such as a licensed landscape architect or landscape designer. All landscaping plans shall contain the following information:
A title block with the name of the project, then name of the person preparing the plan, a scale, North arrow, and date.
All existing significant plant materials on the site.
Existing and proposed structures.
Topographical contours at two-foot intervals.
Parking areas.
Access aisles.
Drainage patterns.
Location, size, and description of all landscape materials existing and proposed, including all trees and shrubs, and shall identify those existing plant materials that are to be removed.
Other information as may be required by the Code Enforcement Officer and/or the Planning Board.