The Town Council went over to the dark side at its regular meeting on Nov. 3. The Council voted unanimously to approve amendments to the town’s lighting ordinance that are consistent with requirements that would qualify the town as a Dark Sky Community.

Guidelines for such a designation are established by the International Dark-Sky Association. A committee of local residents has been instrumental in working with staff to assure that the town’s updated regulations comply with Dark Sky criteria.

The recommendation of the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission included two requirements that were in conflict with the dark sky recommendations. One of those issues was resolved through staff efforts and, after an hour of discussion during the meeting, Council members were satisfied that new language would work for both the town and the dark sky element.

One of those issues was a lumen density cap, which limited the amount of lighting that could be installed over a quarter-acre area. Development Services Director Bob Rodgers told the planning commission he believed such a cap could not be enforced, and should not be included in the regulations.

Councilman Cecil Yates also expressed concern over that issue saying he believes it could limit the ability of the town to attract major commercial businesses that generally have their own consistent development standards.

Rodgers said that since the Planning and Zoning meeting it was determined that the lumen density requirement could be included with a site plan submittal requirement that new commercial construction provide a photometric plan. This could be more easily enforced and does meet the criteria of the dark sky guidelines.

That change was made prior to submittal to the council.

The second issue deals with the requirement that municipal government meet the new standards for its lighting. The town would normally be exempt from such regulations based on its responsibility for public safety.

Rodgers also said that could not be enforced.

However, language proposed by IDSA proved satisfactory to staff and the council. The dark skies group suggested that the ordinance remove the town’s exemption but allow for the town to do whatever it deems necessary to meet the requirements of public safety and welfare.

This meets the requirements of the dark skies certification because it encourages the town not to install any more lighting than necessary, however the town is not prevented from installing whatever it considers necessary for its safety obligations.

The Council accepted this compromise, and commended the efforts of the local Dark Sky Committee, led by Nancy and Joe Bill, in working with staff for more than a year to accomplish goals that both are satisfied with.

The original purpose of making the amendments was to update the ordinance so it is consistent with new lighting technology and terminology.

Joe Bill told the council that approval of the new lighting ordinance that meets the dark sky criteria is the first step in the process for the town to achieve the Dark Sky Community designation. He said the next step is to complete that application, which will now include the new ordinance, and submit it to the IDSA.

Achieving the Dark Sky designation is rare, and it would be unusual for a community so close to a major metro area. In Arizona, Flagstaff and Sedona have the designation.