HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP201200058 Eecutive Summary Minor Amendment 2012-11-13COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE: AGENDA DATE:
SDP2012 -00058 Charlottesville High School Field November 7, 2012
Lighting — Special Exception
ACTION: INFORMATION:
SUBJECT /PROPOSAL /REQUEST:
Special exception to allow waiver of the requirement for CONSENT AGENDA:
full cutoff luminaires ACTION: X INFORMATION:
STAFF CONTACT(S): ATTACHMENTS: No
Messrs. Graham and Benish, and Ms. Ray
REVIEWED BY:
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
BACKGROUND:
The Charlottesville High School athletic field complex, including the football stadium, is located on the north side of
Melbourne Road, about 800 feet from the intersection of Melbourne Road and Rio Road East [State Route 631]. The
athletic field complex is located mostly within the County. The City /County line runs through the High School football
stadium. The portion of the property within the County is identified as Tax Map 61 Parcel 193, is zoned R15 residential,
and contains 26.75 acres. The portion of the property in the County is located in the Rio Magisterial District. There are six
(6) proposed field lighting fixtures; however, the special exception is requested for the four fixtures located in the County.
City planning staff has indicated that they are comfortable with the proposed improvements.
County Code § 18- 4.17.4(a) requires that outdoor luminaires be full cutoff luminaires to protect dark skies, to control
spillover, and to prevent glare. This requirement may be waived by special exception.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Charlottesville Facilities Development Department is seeking a special exception to allow a waiver of the
requirements of County Code § 18- 4.17.4(a) to allow new light fixtures to be installed on the existing poles at the
Charlottesville High School stadium that do not meet the requirement that they be full cutoff luminaires . The lighting
proposed to be installed is Musco brand lighting, which is similar to the lighting that has been installed on various types of
playfields in the County, including three County high school baseball fields used for competitive play. The Musco design
was used in most of these County locations because there was no alternative design available that could meet both the
full cutoff requirement and provide the minimum foot - candle illumination needed for the competitive use of the field.
The applicant has provided a lighting measurement exhibit that shows the current foot candle readings when the stadium
lights are in use, and a photometric plan that demonstrates what the values would be with the proposed fixtures installed.
This information illustrates that the new fixtures provide better lighting of the field of play while reducing the amount of light
emitted onto areas outside of the field. The proposed Musco lighting system meets the standards specified by the Virginia
High School League to promote the health and safety of those using the field.
County Code §§ 18- 4.17.5 and 18 -31.8 allow the requirement for a full cutoff luminaire to be waived by special exception.
County Code § 18- 31.8(b) provides that the Board, when acting on a special exception, "shall consider the factors,
standards, criteria, and findings, however denominated, in the applicable sections of this chapter, provided that the board
shall not be required to make specific findings in support of its decision." In approving a special exception, County Code §
18- 31.8(c) authorizes the Board to impose "impose reasonable conditions to address any possible impacts of the special
exception."
County Code §§ 18- 4.17.5(a)(1) and (2) (italicized below) set forth the factors to be considered in reviewing this request:
1. Strict application of the standard would not forward the purposes of this chapter or otherwise serve the public health,
safety or welfare, or that alternatives proposed by the owner would satisfy the purposes of these outdoor lighting
regulations at least to an equivalent degree.
Strict application of the lighting standards would prohibit Charlottesville High School from improving its field lighting to
meet Virginia High School League standards, while also maintaining a higher level of spillover outside of the field of play.
AGENDA TITLE: SDP2012 -00058 Charlottesville High School Field Lighting — Special Exception
November 7, 2012
Page 2
2. An outdoor luminaire, or system of outdoor luminaires, required for an athletic facility cannot reasonably comply with
the standard and provide sufficient illumination of the facility for its safe use, as determined by recommended
practices adopted by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America for that type of facility and activity or other
evidence if a recommended practice is not applicable. (Amended 10- 17 -01)
It does not appear that there are any lighting systems currently available that both reasonably comply with the
requirement for a full cutoff luminaire and provide sufficient and safe illumination of athletic fields as recommended by the
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America It was originally thought that an alternative lighting system on the
market would meet the County's standard. However, over time, it has been determined that that system may not provide
the lighting levels required and is significantly more costly to install. Even though they do not meet the County's
requirement for a full cutoff luminaire, the proposed Musco luminaireshave been determined to be a reasonable
compromise that provide adequate lighting levels, reduce spillover, and limit light emitted above the horizontal plane.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the special exception with the following conditions:
The lighting fixtures installed shall be Musco Model LSG 1500 (Light Structure Green).
The height of the existing light poles shall not be increased.
Return to consent agenda
Return to regular agenda
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