SOUTHPORT STREET LIGHT POLICY (4-14-2022)
Purpose
To provide standards for outdoor lighting and to establish policy regarding street light installation and maintenance. It will be the policy of Southport to reduce negative impacts on wildlife, human eye sensitivity and the natural beauty of the night sky while providing light to enhance safety and City appearance.
Coverage
This policy shall apply to all outdoor areas within the municipal limits and extra territorial jurisdiction (E.T.J.) of the City of Southport.
Lighting Plan
A plan that details lights for parking, landscaping, exterior building lighting, streets and signs is required for any proposed highway commercial, business district, industrial, Planned Unit Development (PUD), or Major Site Plan project that requires review by the Southport Planning Board.
Wherever possible, solar and dimming technology will be utilized to provide desired light conditions.
Definitions
Central Business District luminaire: Acorn style LED fixture on decorative black pole.
Luminaire: A complete electric light unit. Luminaire for the purpose of this policy will be luminaires pre-approved by the City of Southport and available through the City of Southport electrical installation and repair provider. All fixtures shall meet International Dark Sky Association standards and will have a color temperature of 2700 Kelvin (K) or less. (Appendix 4 identifies approved luminaires for use in Southport and the E.T.J.)
Light Source: (Lamp) The light emitted by Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and fiber optics is required. The maximum color temperature permitted is 2700 Kelvin (K). Existing light sources of incandescent, metal halide, or high-pressure sodium will be replaced with 2700K LED whenever a light source needs repair, replaced or as part of a maintenance plan.
Southport Historic District: Refer to the Southport Historic District map retained in the Planning Department.
Southport Special luminaire: Single bell-shaped fixture with LED as approved by the City of Southport.
Street Light Map: Color coded map attached to policy (Appendix 5). Colors identify criteria to be followed for luminaire installation. 2
Artificial Light General Use
A. Street Lighting fixtures may not exceed 40 feet in height (as measured from the ground to the top of the pole). The City of Southport may permit fixtures above this height when necessary to provide illumination for situations other than streets such as but not exclusive to: stadiums, water tanks, towers or recreation fields.
B. Lighting within any property that illuminates or interferes with the reasonable use or enjoyment of any other property is prohibited.
C. Blinking or flashing lights shall be prohibited unless the lights are required as a safety feature and approved by the City of Southport.
Lighting of City Maintained Streets
It is the goal of this policy to provide safe, effective lighting on City of Southport maintained streets consistent with the community’s historic character and residential neighborhoods. Lighting and maintenance of street lights will be the responsibility of the City when the lights are directly connected to the City of Southport electrical grid. If the streetlights on city maintained roads are the property of BEMC and are connected to the BEMC electrical grid, the cost of lighting and maintaining the street lights will be a shared responsibility between the City and HOA/POA. In all situations, the City’s maximum responsibility/contribution to the cost for operation and maintenance will be an amount that is equal to or less than the City’s monthly power and maintenance cost for a standard street light under this policy connected to the City of Southport electrical grid.
A. At any specified location, lighting shall be installed so that the level of illumination measured in foot-candles (fc), falls within the appropriate range. Foot-candle measurement is determined by measuring the lighted area on pavement, at any given point.
B. Street lights shall be installed within the road right of way or as close to lateral property lines as possible. Shorter or longer spacing intervals are permitted to accommodate the vertical or horizontal street alignment or natural features such as trees.
C. New street light luminaires and poles may replace existing fixtures, when necessary, to accomplish illumination measured in foot candles in accordance with the lighting chart in this document. Appropriate luminaire and pole types will differ depending on the location where the street light is to be installed. If minimum safe light conditions do not exist at a particular location, additional street lights may be installed.
D. Residents along a street may request additional street lighting beyond what is already installed, provided the requested additional street lighting is approved by the City. Requests shall be made by completing the Southport Street Lighting Request Form (See Appendix 3). The City shall determine 3
the area of influence on a case-by-case basis. If approved, the City will process the request and may cover all costs associated with street light installation if funds are available as determined by the City.
E. Residents may request the relocation of a street light. Requests shall be made by completing the Southport Street Lighting Request Form. The City shall consider such a request if the relocation does not reduce the illumination below minimum foot candles. Relocation costs and all facilities abandonment costs must be paid in full to the City, in advance, by the resident(s) requesting the relocation if the request is approved but funds are not approved by the City.
F. When new streets have been completed according to City standards and accepted by the City for maintenance, a request for adoption of the installed street lights can be made by the developer or HOA/POA.
G. In cases of annexation, where the street(s) meets City standards and have been accepted by the City, the streetlights can be considered for adoption by the city. When applicable, the HOA/POA shall make a request for the City to evaluate existing street lights for adoption. If the street lights conform to City standards, the city may adopt the street lights.
Lighting of North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Maintained Streets
NCDOT allows the installation of utilities, including lighting along NCDOT maintained roadways through the encroachment process. Several roads in the City of Southport are maintained by NCDOT. If the City plans to change the existing street lighting design on NCDOT maintained roads, the new lighting design must be submitted to and approved by NCDOT, through the encroachment agreement process prior to installation.
Street Lighting Map
A. HOA /POA in a Planned Unit Development or Subdivision (map color purple): Street lights will be identified on plans submitted by the developer to Development Services for new construction or by Homeowners/Property Owners Organization if lights are being replaced.
1) The City of Southport will not pay for any costs associated with the lighting of private streets, parking lots, alleys or driveways.
2) Luminaires and poles used in Planned Unit Developments and Major Site Plans must be approved by the City of Southport.
3) Street lights will be placed at all street intersections.
4) See chart for light levels for streets.
B. Waterfront and Downtown Area Streets (map color blue): Streets highlighted with blue on map that are located in the Waterfront Area, the Yacht Basin, E. Moore St., and including Howe St. up to 14th Street.
1) Lighting in this area will be the Southport Special luminaire mounted on concrete poles.
2) See chart for light levels for streets and intersections.
3) Street lights will be placed at all street and crosswalk intersections. 4
C. Central Business District (map color red): Streets highlighted with red on the map shall conform to the following standards:
1) Utilize a combination of acorn fixtures on decorative poles and standard armed fixtures on wooden poles at intersections.
2) See chart for light levels for streets.
3) When underground electricity is installed in this area, the standard armed fixtures/poles at intersections shall be replaced by Southport Special luminaires on concrete poles.
D. Street Lights on Residential Area Streets (map color green): Streets highlighted with green on map in residential areas beyond the Waterfront/Downtown area and are not part of an HOA/POA; lighting on these streets shall conform to the following standards:
1) Street lights will be approved fixtures mounted on wooden poles.
2) See chart for light levels
3) Street lights will be placed at all street and crosswalk intersections.
E. Street Lights on Main Roadway Corridors (map color yellow): Main roadway corridor street lights shall conform to the following standards:
1) Street lights will be approved fixtures mounted on wooden poles.
2) See chart for light levels
3) Street lights will be placed at all street and crosswalk intersections.
Nonconforming Lights
Luminaires (fixtures) existing as of April 14, 2022 in HOA/POA neighborhoods may remain and shall be considered nonconforming structures. However, nonconforming lights will not be maintained by the City even if such lights are on City maintained streets. Modifications, replacement, or expansions, shall conform to the standards of this policy. If HOA/POA neighborhoods desire to retain nonconforming lights and poles, those shall be maintained, repaired and/or replaced with the like kind, at the expense of the HOA/POA.
Appendix 1: Street light acceptance flow chart
Appendix 2: Light levels chart
Appendix 3: Southport Street Lighting Request Form
Appendix 4: Pictures of approved luminaires and poles
Appendix 5: Map
