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Home My WebLink About9C - Residential Street Lighting Policy STAFF AGENDA REPORT DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: MAY 4,1998 9C GREG ILKKA, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKSICITY ENGINEER CONSIDER APPROVAL OF REVISIONS TO THE RESIDENTIAL STREET LIGHTING POLICY TO ADDRESS NON-STANDARD STREET LIGHTING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE. AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: HISTORY The City has an approved a Residential Street Light Policy (attached) that is incorporated into the Public Works Design Manual. The policy addresses street lighting for both new and existing subdivisions. CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES In new developments, the current policy requires that the monthly operation and maintenance costs of non-standard street light fixtures are to be borne exclusively by the development's residents through a homeowner's association or similar organization. A standard street light is defined as any street light fixture design that is available through the power company that provides power to the subdivision. Therefore, a non-standard light is any proposed light not available through the power company. The power companies offer a wide selection of fixtures that meet the requirements of most developers. Currently standard street lighting in new subdivisions is paid for by the City via a monthly service charge to the power company that includes the operation and maintenance of the lights. The City benefits by having the power company maintain the lights because it is impractical to have a licensed electrician on City staff. Further, the City does not have to keep an inventory of parts on hand for the lights. ISSUES 1620{}1~@CCreek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Operation costs: If a proposed non-standard street light fixture uses the same amount of energy per month as a standard fixture, it seems fair and reasonable for the City to pay for the energy to operate the non-standard street lights. Maintenance costs: The City should not be expected to pay maintenance costs of non-standard street lights. The purpose of requiring the developer to install a standard street light is to get the City out of the street light business, with the exception of paying the power bill. Maintenance of non-standard street lights should not be eligible for City funding unless a signed agreement between the City, Developer, and power company can be reached that provides for power company maintenance of the non- standard lights at a cost to the City equal to, or less than, standard lights. With the exception of Main Avenue and County Road 21 street lights, all City street lighting is maintained by the power companies. CONCLUSION The Residential Street Lighting Policy should be revised to make the electrical power costs of non-standard street lights eligible for City funding, provided that the energy costs are equivalent to standard street lights. Maintenance of non- standard street lights should not be eligible for City funding unless a signed agreement between the City, Developer, and power company can be reached that provides for power company maintenance of the non-standard lights at a cost to the City equal to, or less than, standard lights. A copy of the Residential Street Lighting Policy is attached showing the recommended revisions. FISCAL IMPACT: Increased street lighting costs should be offset by increased revenues generated by new homes in new subdivisions. ALTERNATIVES: There are three alternatives for the City Council to consider: 1. Approve revisions to the Residential Street Light Policy as recommended. STLIGHTS.DOC ", RECOMMENDED MOTION: REVIEWED BY: S11.IGIfTS.DOC 2. Deny this item for a specific reason and provide staff with direction. 3. Table this item until some date in the future. o approve alternative no. 1. RESIDENTIAL STREET LIGHTING POLICY 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. ~F. oases 'Nh~~ tea developers ',',':33. ~~ iF.cEt:l!~ :Bore lights tp.c.:: '.Y:'R":mted by City poliey, e:- ':liEh ~€ :F.c!:ll! ::::x: E~ttftElaFi !{g&ts-, :B13FJ..tRly epemt:~z. ::.E.8 F.la~F.~-cF.:'::6e 1;8eomes tke feSP~:::s:~i-.1{~y of the developmeRt's :-asidents through their homeo',\r.:f's :.ssoeiation ~f :i:T.Har efgs.:::i:::l1i~:::. '!'ss City wh1..t F.:)t take ovc fI"::=- ::on standard systewr::-, ~hough City :l;;l'ffi'a! :eall &~.E! 1;8 required. Where a developer wishes to install more lights than warranted by City policy, the monthly operation and maintenance costs of the addtionallights shall be borne by the residents of the development through their homeowner's association or similar organization. Where a developer wishes to install non-standard lights, not available through the servicing power company, the City will pay operation costs equivalent to a standard street light. Maintenance of non-standard street lights at City cost will require a signed agreement between the City, Developer, and power company that provides for power company maintenance of the non-standard lights at a cost to the City equal to or less than that of a standard fixture. STLIGIITS.DOC " .., ::...... ,"",' 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. STLIGI-ITS.DOC