VILLAGE OF BARRINGTON HILLS

PLAN COMMISSION

DECEMBER 8, 2008

The regular meeting of the Village of Barrington Hills Plan Commission was called to order by Chairman Bosworth at 7:35 p.m.

Commission Members Present: Kenneth Bosworth, Chairman

                                                            George Gottlieb

                                                            Peter Grande

                                                            Patrick Hennelly

                                                            Julie Joyce

                                                            Joseph  Messer

                                                            David M. Stieper

                                      Absent:           Lou Anne Majewski

                                                            James O’Donnell

Chairman Bosworth introduced Sarah Kenney, the new Planning and Zoning Coordinator who spoke briefly about her background and schooling. 

PREVIOUS MINUTES:  Commissioner Grande made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Stieper, to approve the November 3^rd Minutes as presented.  Motion carried. 

EXTERIOR LIGHTING ORDINANCE:  Maura Rigoni, a planner with Robinson Engineering, and Debra Norvil, resident of Homer Glen and a member of the Environmental Committee, appeared before the Commission to review their community’s recently enacted lighting ordinance.

Ms. Rigoni reviewed the packet that had been distributed to the Commission that highlighted pertinent information regarding Homer Glen’s lighting ordinance, which covered the following:

• History of Homer Glen
• Timeline of Homer Glen’s Lighting Ordinance, which took about 6 years from its first draft in to final enactment on December 18, 2007.
• Foundation of the Lighting Ordinance:  Don’t use any more light than you really need and shine the light where you really need it.
• Reasons for such regulation:  economic, environmental, health.
• Photographic demonstration of a case study in Toronto which showed the Dark Sky during a blackout and its opposite when illuminated.
• Implications of light pollution:  Cost, light trespass, health issues, disruption of environmental cycles and public safety misconceptions.
• Explanation and demonstration of light trespass. 
• Public safety illustrated through various photos, demonstrating that more light is not safer.
• Dark Sky movement – a campaign to reduce light pollution so people can see the stars, reduce effects of unnatural lighting on the environment and to cut down on energy usage.  First recognized Dark Sky community was Flagstaff, AZ, the only one to receive a Dark Sky award.  Borrego Springs, CA and Homer Glen, IL are the only others recognized as Dark Sky communities.
• Typical approaches to lighting standards vs. that of Homer Glen, with the latter enforcing specific maximum regulations, including that of foot-candles and cut-off fixtures. 
• Conformance requirements, from full conformance, partial, or immediate, with existing developments having 11 years to comply.
• Demonstration both with photos and props of full and non-full cut-off fixtures.
• Lighting intensity and uniformity for commercial.
• Sample project; before and after.  Initial submittal vs. approved plan with decrease in lumens per acre and per fixtures.
• Implementation strategy:  Educate, plan, check and recheck. 
• Lighting industry collaboration, with several firms offering to aid in retrofitting existing street lights.
• Regional approach:  Audit to determine where the largest amount of light pollution exists, practice by updating public lighting to new standards, educate and become informed about the Dark Sky (www.darksky,org), outreach by working with local retailers to make cut-off fixtures available, and network because “the night sky belongs to everyone.”

Ms. Rigoni pointed out that most of their ordinance regulations apply to commercial and not residential.  She suggested limiting the amount of residential lighting to a maximum number of lumens (1100).  Ms. Norvil added that LED is the way of the future, which uses significantly lower wattage.  Ms. Rigoni said lumens per acre could be the approach to take.  She said guidance may be gained by reviewing the Flagstaff ordinance.  She also made reference to the term “photometric planning” that should be a consideration for new subdivisions at the beginning of their planning.  Also, a book could be compiled with pictures of acceptable fixtures.  Curfew lighting cutoff times as well as motion sensors were also suggested as a means of reducing prolonged lighting. 

Chairman Bosworth asked that Sarah Kenney learn as much as she could on this subject so as to help coordinate this undertaking.  He suggested her going to Homer Glen to look at that community’s commercial lighting.  He also formed an ad hoc draft committee with Commissioners Messer, Stieper and himself to begin formulating the first draft of the exterior lighting ordinance. Ms. Kenney and Nancy Schumm-Burgess of the Barrington Area Conservation Trust could also assist.  Commissioner Messer said they would have to characterize what is objectionable and provide visuals to help explain the types of allowable lighting.  Chairman Bosworth thought the preliminary issues should be:  (1)  No lighting of trees; (2) Building lights should be full cut-off, not allowing for light cascading into the sky; and (3) Determination of photometric approval, with a maximum number of allowable lumens.

Trustee Knoop said he would present a Proclamation at the next Board meeting to commit support to the 2009 Year of Astronomy and to the goal of being the 2^nd community to be the recipient of a Dark Sky community award. 

Trustee Grande would concentrate his efforts on promoting the Dark Sky theme throughout the Village, educating residents about the many reasons for its preservation, as well as making them aware of the 2009 Year of Astronomy. 

Motion:  Commissioner Hennelly made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Grande, to approve the Mission Statement drafted at the November Plan Commission Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

TRUSTEE’S REPORT:  Trustee Knoop advised that the Board of Trustees would be considering revisions to the existing Village Code.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m. after being so moved and seconded.

Respectfully submitted,

Lou Anne Majewski

Recording Secretary