HomeMy WebLinkAbout4E - Street Lighting Policy
CONSENT AGENDA:
PREPARED BY:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
4 (e)
ROBERT BARTH, ENGINEERING INTERN
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF STREET LIGHTING POLICY
FEBRUARY 21, 1995
INTRODUCTION:
This item has been placed on the Council agenda so that Council can
consider approval of a residential street lighting policy. On December 5,
1994 staff presented Council with the results of its research into street
lighting issues as well as a draft street lighting policy. Staff intended that
Council provide direction on this matter so that further work might better
reflect the desires of Council. The Prior Lake City Council Minutes for
December 5, 1994 (item 7B under old business) summarize Council
input:
Robert Barth, Engineering Intern, identified nine issues
regarding the City's residential street lighting policy, and
presented an overhead indicating the areas within the
City that are well lit and areas in which no street lighting
exists. Discussion occurred regarding the type of policy
or ordinance the City should consider. Council
concurred that a revised street lighting policy should be
developed consistent with City code. The policy would
provide a means through which existing and new
developments can obtain street lighting if they agree to
pay for the initial capital and installation costs and the
number, location, and type meet the City's criteria. The
City would assume responsibility for ongoing operation
and maintenance costs. Council directed staff to look at
City-wide coordination with schools, busses and pick-up
spots. Council concurred that the laying of underground
power lines and mountings for lights during road
construction would save money in the future when
lighting of the area is required.
Attached is a copy of the residential street lighting policy recommended
for approval this evening.
BACKGROUND:
Council directives 94-82 and 94-05 directed the engineering staff to
research and draft new guidelines with respect to residential street
lighting. The City Subdivision Ordinance provides that: "6-7-5:
STREET LIGHTING: Street lighting shall be provided to conform with
standards adopted by council."
Our existing policy allows for street lighting at major intersections only.
The City does not provide lighting between intersections unless a clear
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AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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DISCUSSION:
ALTERNATIVES:
RECOMMENDATION:
ACTION REQUIRED:
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traffic hazard exists. The current policy does not address new
developments; where, generally, developers wish to provide more
comprehensive lighting plans - plans that provide street lights for
intersections, between intersections, and at the ends of cul-de-sacs.
Current policy does provide that the City pay all ongoing energy and
maintenance costs for its street lights.
At present developers do not pay the complete capital cost of the street
lights installed in their developments. They usually enter a lease
agreement with the utility, and the City assumes the monthly payment
once the utility energizes the lights. Lease agreements require less initial
capital, but entail monthly payments two to three times above what
would be paid under an operation and maintenance agreement.
Staff left the Council meeting of December 5, 1994 with the impression
that Council was satisfied with the draft street lighting policy.
Consequently, staff altered the draft only slightly. In the course of
discussion, Council made several recommendations. Council
recommended that developers pay the complete capital cost of the street
lights in their developments as well as operation and maintenance
through the warranty period. Council recommended that the City accept
no non-standard lighting systems. Council recommended that, in
existing subdivisions, the full capital cost of a new street light be the
responsibility of the benefitting residents. Lastly, Council recommended
that ongoing operation and maintenance costs be the responsibility of the
City except, as noted above, for new developments under warranty. City
Manager Boyles does not believe this is a financially prudent position for
the City to take, but recognizes that this has been the City's position to
date. In regards to lighting collectors, state aid roads and county roads,
Council accepted that this should be tackled on a project by project basis.
The alternatives are as follows:
1) Adopt the new residential street lighting policy.
2) Table this item with specific direction.
3) Deny.
Recommendation is for Alternative No.1. The Engineering Department
proposes that the residential street lighting policy be incorporated into
the Engineering Guidelines Manual. Approval by Council would satisfy
the subdivision code which references standards adopted by Council.
Staff recommends that Council approve the residential street lighting
policy.
motion to adopt the policy entitled
Lighting Policy."
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RESIDENTIAL STREET LIGHTING POLICY
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BACKGROUND:
The City intends that this street lighting policy promote the safe travel of city streets in a manner
both fair and affordable to the City and its residents. Residential street lighting promotes pedestrian and
traffic safety to the extent that the City shall approve street lighting where warranted by such concerns.
Lighting requests shall come either by recommendation of the City Engineer or by resident petition. The
capital costs of residential street lighting shall be the responsibility of those residents, or any portion of
those residents, determined to be affected by the light.
NEW SUBDIVISIONS:
All lighting plans require approval by the City and the utility responsible for street light operation
and maintenance. In new subdivisions street lights shall be placed at intersections, every 300 feet
between intersections where intersections are more than 600 feet apart, and at the ends of cul-de-sacs
where the distance from said end to the intersection of the cul-de-sac with the street is greater than 300
feet. Within their developments, developers shall also install lights to City standards at the intersections of
residential streets with collector streets. The developer shall pay the full capital cost of every light to be
installed; this includes poles, fixtures, underground wiring, and all appurtenant work. The developer shall
pay operation and maintenance for the light system until the City accepts the project, at which time the
billing shall be transferred to the City. 100 or 150 watt high pressure sodium lights in traditional or
cobra-head style (as approved by the City and the utility) shall be the standard for new subdivisions.
Where a portion of the development is already lit, new lights shall match in style and wattage those
already in place.
In cases where developers wish to install more lights than warranted by city policy, or wish to
install non-standard lights, monthly operation and maintenance becomes the responsibility of the
development's residents through their homeowner's association or similar organization. The City will not
take over such non-standard systems, though City approval shall still be required.
EXISTING SUBDIVISIONS:
Where traffic safety clearly warrants, a street light may be placed upon the recommendation of
the City Engineer's office. The basis of such warrants shall be a minimum Average Daily Traffic of 2000
vehicles or a layout such that, in the City Engineer's estimation, significant improvement in safety might
be obtained by the placement of a street light. Since the benefit of such installations extends to the City
as a whole, these will be done at City expense.
When residents request additional lighting for their neighborhoods, they must do so by petition -
signed by 60% of the neighbors affected by the proposed light. The affected area shall be 100 linear feet
on either side of the proposed light, on both sides of the street. The placement of the proposed light shall
be specified in the petition. Petitioners shall approach the City prior to circulating their petition to obtain
direction as to where street lights are warranted for their neighborhoods. Lights shall be approved only as
they meet the following warrants for existing subdivisions: intersections, between intersections at intervals
of 300 feet where the distance between intersections is greater than 600 feet, and at the ends of
cul-de-sacs where the distance from said end to the intersection of the cul-de-sac with the street is
greater than 300 feet.
If approved, each street light shall be purchased by the affected residents. Payment shall be
made prior to the installation of the light and shall include the cost of poles, fixtures, underground wiring,
and all appurtenant work. The method of payment shall be as directed by the City Finance Department.
The City shall assume operation and maintenance costs for a light from the time it is energized by the
utility.
In existing developments new lights shall match in style and wattage those already in place. If no
lights be currently in place, then 100 or 150 watt high pressure sodium lights in cobra-head or traditional
style shall be the standard.
BBSL.ARCH
Update: 2/07/95
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