<html>
<body>
I am dedicating this post to Section 9.03 of the Proposed
Ordinance. This section is entitled "Design Standards for all
Outdoor Lighting". I am moving over Sections 3. 02 to 8
because I have exhausted all the hours available to me for preparing
commentary before the Tuesday Planning Commission Meeting.
<br><br>
I will return to the skipped Sections after that meeting.<br><br>
Section 9.03 is rather short and may best be digested if read in full -
so here it is:<br><br>
<b>SECTION 9.03 DESIGN STANDARDS FOR ALL OUTDOOR LIGHTING<br>
</b>9.03.01 APPLICABILITY<br>
In order to conserve energy and reduce light pollution, all outdoor
lights, including lights<br>
attached to any type of building or structure shall be:<br><br>
<ul>
<li><font color="#FF0000"><b>1. Equipped with a photo-sensor so they are
automatically turned off during daylight hours; and
<li>2. Of a design that does not allow light to travel up or
horizontally; and
<li>3. Lamped with high pressure sodium, metal halide, or compact
fluorescent lamps, or incandescent bulbs of 60 watts or less.</b></font>
</ul><br>
9.03.02 CHANGE IN USE<br>
When application for a change of use or for a conditional use permit is
made, all existing lighting<br>
must be brought into compliance with Section 9.03.01 of this
ordinance.<br><br>
9.03.03 QUASI-JUDICIAL DECISIONS<br>
The Zoning Commission or the Board of Latah County Commissioners may set
stricter<br>
conditions than are set in Section 9.03.01 of this ordinance for any type
of permit that comes<br>
before them.<br><br>
Now just sit back and reflect on this proposed County Wide
standard. Imagine changing a tire or repairing a combine or field
tractor, installing your snow blower under a 60 watt incandescent
bulb. I can see the next line of jokes about Idaho - How many 60
watt bulbs does it take to change a tire in Idaho? OR In Idaho, to
save energy - residents are required to purchase 60 watt luminaire
fixtures (as many as it takes) to get the light they need for a
task. Or try this - In Idaho, apparently folks there aren't smart
enough to know to turn off their lights in the daytime because County
Officials have required everyone to install photo sensor lights to turn
them off during daylight.<br><br>
I can also imagine the headlines later this summer. Remember the
"breast exposure" issue raised in Moscow a few summers
ago. Well apparently all those folks who geared up with their
protractors and compasses to determine whether or not the breast was
legally or illegally exposed will now have a new task for their
investment in equipment - then can go out and find lights that are
beaming rays out between 90 degrees and 270 degrees.
Sigh!!!<br><br>
Come on folks - we have a lot of serious issues to be resolved in this
county. The last thing we need is designation of the
"Illumination Police".<br><br>
Just so that you are fully informed, here are some price quotes for
replacement bulbs using the various options required by the proposed
ordinance - the price of the fixtures varies considerably.<br><br>
Price is cost per each<br><br>
23W outdoor flood flourescent BR
38<x-tab> </x-tab>$ 28.04 <br>
12W NanoLux
Spot<x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>$ 21.20<br>
50W High Pressure
Sodium<x-tab> </x-tab>
<x-tab> </x-tab>$
10.88<br>
50W Mercury
Vapor<x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>$ 10.50<br>
50W Metal
Halide<x-tab> </x-tab>
<x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>$ 10.88<br>
50W BR 30 Flood
Incandescent<x-tab> </x-tab>$ 3.74<br><br>
I guess I trust the price system and the judgment of Latah's citizens to
be able to decide for themselves how much candlepower and lumens they
need and the means by which they provide it.<br><br>
Again, please keep your comments coming - they have been
helpful.<br><br>
And try to attend the next meeting of the Latah Planning Commission on
Tuesday, February 1 at the Latah Courthouse at 5:30 pm,'<br><br>
While no public testimony is scheduled to be allowed, the Commissioners
are expected to discuss their findings following the previous public
hearing.<br><br>
I urge you to draft a short letter to the Planning Commission requesting
that they table this ordinance until the public has had a chance to
provide full comment on the
draft.<x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab><br><br>
<br><br>
</body>
<br>
</html>