Milford will mull changing lighting ordinance tonight

An article by Michael Shelton    No Comments

The Milford Township Board of Trustees at its meeting tonight, Wednesday, Feb. 15, is scheduled to vote on an amendment to the township’s lighting ordinance.

The proposed amendment would affect the ordinance’s prohibitions section, with changes including allowing shielding to be included alongside a roof, overhang, or canopy to contain a luminaire.

The amendment also makes clarifications when it comes to lighting trespass. It states that lighting trespass caused by any outdoor fixture would be prohibited if it creates a nuisance for residentially-zoned or used property that is either adjacent to or is within a direct line from the light source.

Lighting trespass can be considered a nuisance if a building official judges that lighting levels have created a condition or situation which impedes or prevents the intended use and enjoyment of the interior of the complainant’s home or property.

The amendment will also require site plan lighting to be designed in such a way so as to avoid lighting trespass through means such as shielding or directional positioning.

Also included is an updated procedure for a building official making a determination of a lighting trespass nuisance, as that provision would be moved from the prohibitions section to the compliance section. The official would use a standard yardstick. The person taking the measurement would then determine if a shadow is cast by a light source beyond the yard setback line.

The township’s Planning Commission held a meeting on Jan. 26 and recommended that the township board approve the lighting ordinance text amendments.