Downtown Form-Based Code

DFD 608. Lighting & Mechanical Equipment

1. A.
   Applicability
   District wide, except: these standards do not apply to Metcalf Avenue and 75th Streets.
2. B.
   Intent
   Appropriate lighting is desirable for night-time visibility, crime deterrence, and decoration. However, lighting that is too bright or intense creates glare, hinders night vision, and creates light pollution. Every attempt should be made to preserve the ambiance of the night by applying the appropriate fixtures in the correct locations. Streetlighting should occur along all streets providing the appropriate illumination according to the City Streetlighting Resolution. All materials and equipment chosen for lighting fixtures should be durable to age well without demanding maintenance requirements.
   
   Mechanical equipment is generally any heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) or electrical machinery but also includes air compressors, hoods, mechanical pumps, exterior water heaters, water softeners, utility and telephone company transformers, meters or boxes, garbage cans, storage tanks, and similar elements. These elements should not be located in any public areas or be visible from the street. Mechanical equipment should not detract or interfere with the pedestrian space or sight triangle.

The illustrations and statements of subsection B. Intent, are advisory only. Refer to the Code standards on the following page for the specific prescriptions of this section.

DFD 608 Lighting & Mechanical Equipment
		​The illustrations below are examples of mechanical equipment arrangements that are only acceptable away from and/or not visible from a street-space (e.g. within an alley or hidden from view).   Not permitted within the STREET-SPACE
		Not permitted within the STREET-SPACE
		Not permitted within the STREET-SPACE

3. C.
   Lighting

   1. 1.
      The configuration of streetlighting poles will be based on the street designation.

      1. a.
         For streets designated Major Urban, streetlights shall generally be installed in the median, where a median exists. Where a median does not exist, the placement of poles shall be on the side of the street and coordinated with the location of both overhead and underground utilities.
      2. b.
         For all other street designations, streetlight poles shall be a pedestrian scale and will generally be installed on either one or both sides of the street depending on street width. The placement of street trees shall be coordinated with the location of streetlights such that trees are not placed any closer than 15 feet from any streetlight.
   2. 2.
      At the front of the building, exterior lights shall be mounted between 6 feet and 14 feet above the adjacent grade, or as approved by the Director.
   3. 3.
      All lots with Alleys shall have lighting fixtures within five feet of the Alley. These fixtures shall illuminate the Alley and not cause glare in adjacent lots.
   4. 4.
      Lighting elements shall be specified that provide a more natural spectrum of light such as LED, metal halide, halogen. Low pressure sodium lamps are not allowed. Fluorescent lights (except compact fluorescent bulbs that screw into standard sockets) shall not be used on the exterior of buildings. These standards may be updated by the Director as technologies advance and produce additional Equivalent or Better lighting elements.  See 18.435.
   5. 5.
      Security lights may be used to illuminate Alleys, parking garages and working (maintenance) areas, but shall be shielded in such a way that they do not shine into other lots, the Street-Space, or direct light out of the FBC district.
   6. 6.
      Flood or uplighting may not be used to illuminate private building walls. Accent lighting may be permitted on Civic Use Buildings, historic buildings, or monuments to highlight architectural features (such as church steeples or courthouse domes).
   7. 7.
      Site lighting shall be of a design and height and be located as to illuminate only the lot. An exterior lighting plan shall be approved as consistent with these standards by the Director.
   8. 8.
      Flashing, traveling, animated, or intermittent lighting shall not be mounted on the exterior of any building whether such lighting is of temporary or long-term duration.
   9. 9.
      Lighting for parking garages shall consider Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) intent.
   10. 10.
       Holiday Lighting is exempt.
4. D.
   Mechanical Equipment

   1. 1.
      The following shall be placed behind and away from any Required Building Line, may not be stored or located within any Street-Space, and shall be screened from view from the Street-Space: air compressors, mechanical pumps, exterior water heaters, water softeners, utility and telephone company transformers, meters or boxes, garbage cans, storage tanks, and similar equipment.
   2. 2.
      The following shall be screened from pedestrian-level view (5 feet above paved surface) from the Alley or Common Drive: air compressors, mechanical pumps, exterior water heaters, water softeners, garbage cans, storage tanks, and similar equipment.
   3. 3.
      Roof-mounted equipment shall be placed behind and away from any Required Building Line and be screened from view from the Street-Space.

Effective on: 1/1/1901