Ordinance Number 676ORDINANCE NO. 676
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AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 9-3.614, ENTITLED
"LIGHTING" OF TITLE 9 "LAND USE" OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE
TO ADD EXTERIOR LIGHTING STANDARDS FOR NON-
RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, DOES
HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Code Amendment.
Municipal Code Section 9-3.614, entitled "Lighting," is hereby amended to read
as follows:
"Section 9-3.614. Lighting.
"(A) Purpose and Intent. It is the goal of the General Plan of the City to
maintain a small -village, rural atmosphere and to ensure that all future
developments reiterate these qualities. Exterior lighting is to serve both an
aesthetic and safety function at the same time. To meet this goal, site
lighting should be kept to a minimum level and still provide safety to the
public.
"(B) Non -Residential. All properties zoned for commercial, industrial or
public institutional use (including Planned Community Districts), shall be
subject to the exterior lighting regulations set forth below. Such regulations
also apply to security lighting. All exterior lighting shall be included on an
electrical plan and shall meet the following standards:
"(1) Intensity. The amount of parking lot light projected onto any
ground or wall surface shall not be less than one (1) footcandle nor
exceed five (5) footcandles at the base of the light fixtures. The
electrical plan shall demonstrate the dispersal of light on the ground
surface and compliance with the requirements of this section. Building -
mounted decorative lights shall not exceed five (5) footcandles measured
five (5) feet from the light source.
11(2) Height. The height of exterior lighting fixtures shall be as follows:
"(i) Building -mounted lights shall be located below the eave. Roof -
mounted lights are prohibited.
"(ii) Pole-mounted/parking lot area. The maximum height shall not
exceed 14 feet as measured from finish grade to the top of the
light fixture. Concrete pedestals used to protect the light pole
shall not exceed 24 inches in height and shall be included in the
overall height calculation.
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"(3) Spacing. The distance separating lights shall be determined during
the development review process and shall comply with the design criteria
set forth in this section to ensure adequate lighting for the safe
movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
"(4) Wattageof Light Fixtures. The intensity of light wattage shall be
minimized to comply with the intensity standards set forth in this
section. Halogen and mercury vapor lights shall be prohibited. Other
sources such as metal halide or high pressure sodium are permitted.
"(5) Type of Fixtures. Applicants shall be encouraged to use decorative
light fixtures consistent with the architectural style of the project.
Contemporary fixtures shall be prohibited for all areas within the D
(Design Standards) Overlay District. In all other areas, it is to be
discouraged unless determined to be consistent with the architectural
style of the specific project.
"(6) Shielding. Where the light source is visible from outside the
project boundary, shielding shall be required to reduce glare such that
the light source nor its image from a refectory surface shall be directly
visible from any point measured five feet (51) outside the subject
property line.
"(7) Use of Exterior Lighting. Exterior light shall be authorized during
normal business hours. Except for authorized security lighting, all lights
shall be turned off by 10:00 p.m., or one-half hour after the close of
business, whichever is later.
"(8) Required Review. All exterior lighting proposals shall be reviewed
and approved by the Design Review Commission prior to issuance of any
permits for the project. In reviewing said plans, the Design Review
Commission is to find that the lighting plan meets the intent and purpose
to minimize the level of lighting while still providing safety to the public
consistent with the standards set forth above.
"(9) Exceptions. Exceptions to the above standards shall be considered
by the Design Review Commission after conducting a duly advertised and
noticed public hearing. Exceptions shall only be granted upon a finding
by the Design Review Commission that the exception is consistent with
the intent and purpose of this section to minimize the level of lighting
and is necessary to provide for the safety of the public.
"(C) Outdoor Recreational Use. Outdoor night lighting for tennis courts,
equestrian u,5gesjor other recreational uses except that required for security
purposes, shall not be permitted unless a Conditional Use Permit is approved
by the City. All outdoor night lighting shall be arranged to substantially
confine all direct rays to the subject property and away from streets and
adjacent properties. For specific standards regarding tennis courts refer to
Section 9-3.607(eX4) of this Chapter.
"(D) Residential Areas. All properties zoned for residential use shall be
subject to the exterior lighting regulations set forth in this subsection. Such
regulations shall apply to security lighting. Purely decorative lighting is
prohibited. Exterior lighting can serve both as an aesthetic function as well as
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passage.
a safety function at the same time. All exterior lighting shall be included on
an electrical plan which includes a site plan, fixture design and size, height,
and type and total wattage. Said plan shall meet the following standards:
(1)—
Intensity. The amount of light projected onto any surface shall not
"exceed five 5 footcandles.
"(2) Height. Building -mounted lights shall be installed below the eave
line and no higher than 14 feet unless used to illuminate a second story
entry eave, balcony, or outside stairway where in such case it shall be no
higher than eight feet (8') above floor elevation of second story. Pole or
wall -mounted lights will be limited to eight feet (8') in height above the
finished grade.
11(3) Spacing. The distance separating lights shall be a minimum of
thirty-five feet (351). Lights at doorway exits are exempt. Low -intensity
ground -mounted lights (one footcandle, maximum eighteen inches (18") in
height) needed for pedestrian safety are exempt.
1K4) Location. Lighting shall only be installed adjacent to buildings,
walkways, driveways, or within activity areas (swimming pools/spas,
outdoor dining areas, and other similar uses) and focal landscape areas
located in close proximity to residence or activity area.
11(5) Type. The use of high pressure sodium lights and metal halide are
permitted. Exceptions shall be subject to review and approval of the
Design Review Commission.
11(6) Shielding. Where the light source is visible from outside the
property, such lighting shall be limited to fifteen (15) footcandles
measured one foot (1') from the lamp.
"(7) Required Ministerial Review. All residential exterior lighting
proposals set forth in the electrical plan shall be reviewed by the
Department of Planning to determine compliance with the standards set
forth in this subsection. The review shall be a ministerial, non -
discretionary review as a compliance with the specific criteria set forth
in subdivision (d). Exceptions to such standards may be granted by the
Zoning Administrator subject to criteria set forth in subsection (i) of
Section 9-2.304 of Article 3 of Chapter 2 of this Title. A positive finding
for subsection (i) of subsection (1) of subsection (C) of Section 9-2.304 is
required for exceptions to these standards.
SECTION 2. Effective Date.
This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days after its
SECTION 3. City Clerk's Certification.
The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and cause the
same to be posted at the duly designated posting places within the City and published
once within fifteen (15) days after passage and adoption is required by law; or, in the
alternative, the City Clerk may cause to be published a summary of this Ordinance and a
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certified copy of the text of this Ordinance shall be posted in the Office of the City
Clerk five (5) days prior to the date of adoption of this Ordinance; and, within fifteen
(15) days after adoption, the City Clerk shall cause to be published, the aforementioned
summary and shall post a certified copy of this Ordinance, together with the vote for and
against the same, !n the Office of the City Clerk.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 6th day of November
1990.
GA Y L. H USDORFER, MAYO)
ATTEST: /
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO )
1, CHERYL JOHNSON, City Clerk of the City of San Juan Capistrano,
California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of
Ordinance No. 676 which was introduced at a meeting of the City Council of the City
of San Juan Capistrano, California, held on October 16 , 1990, and adopted at
a meeting held on November 6 , 1990, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmen Schwartze, Friess, Buchheim and
Mayor Hausdorfer
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Councilman Bland
ABSENT: None
(SEAL) CHERYL JO SO , CITYTY CLtRK
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