THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE DIVISION (EPCRD), AND THE BROWARD COUNTY CLIMATE CHANGE TASK FORCE (TASK FORCE) RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Commission Value of "Encouraging investments in renewable energy, sustainable practices and environmental protection," and Goal 1: Seek funding for, implement policies and pursue projects promoting, the use of alternative energy, resource conservation, sustainable practices and environmental protection. This item also supports the Commission Value of "Offering sustainable, compatible, innovative housing options for all income-levels, including integrated, permanent supportive housing," and Goal 5: Promote housing and community redevelopment that integrates energy efficiency, community resilience, and other livability standards and initiatives.
Approval of this motion will serve to direct the County Attorney to draft an amendment to the County Code of Ordinances pertaining to outdoor lighting and the issue of light trespass, including defining criteria for the mounting height and shields of lighting fixtures and the temperature and quantity of light by use for new construction or major replacement projects. The Code will have direct application in areas of county authority, which includes the Broward Municipal Services District and County properties, and will serve to improve the quality of light within Broward County. In addition to energy conservation, benefits include safer conditions for drivers and pedestrians, improved security lighting, and improved environment conditions for residents and wildlife. The Code amendment will also serve to further dark sky objectives and energy efficiency goals.
Light pollution was one of seven issues highlighted for focused attention and improvement through the 2013 Broward Sustainability Tools for Assessing and Rating (STAR) certification process. The Broward County Climate Action Plan, updated in 2015, includes Policy Objectives and Action No. 11, which states the County will “Develop a model “Dark Skies” ordinance and encourage municipal and private sector participation to discourage light trespassing”. Support for night-friendly lighting policies and standards was documented in the 2015 Municipal Green Initiatives Survey and has been demonstrated by municipal and community involvement in multiple Sustainability Stewards events and workshops since 2015. In 2016, Broward County won a NACo Achievement Award for the Green Infrastructure Map Series which included communitywide mapping of night lighting to facilitate analysis of areas exposed to light pollution. In 2017, EPCRD launched a Sky Quality Monitoring Program to develop a baseline of existing conditions and to track progress in reducing light pollution over time.
Policy 3.6.8 in the Broward County Land Use Plan states “Local land use elements and development codes should include design guidelines to promote use of light only where needed thereby limiting excess light and reducing glare and to create a safe and pedestrian-scaled lit environment, utilizing Night-Friendly Lighting or Dark Sky principles outlined in the Model Lighting Ordinance by International Dark-Sky Association and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, or other local resources, for the purpose of creating appropriate outdoor lighting standards that reduce energy use, increase public safety, and protect human health and wildlife." On August 17, 2017 the Climate Change Task Force voted unanimously to recommend the County develop a Night Friendly Lighting Ordinance, and recommended that the cities also consider adoption. |