CALGARY – A springtime public hearing to address amending the city’s light pollution policy is expected to bring new rules for the building industry.
A policy requiring builders and developers to submit lighting plans when applying for permits is expected to be added to Plan It development guidelines, the city’s planning and urban development committee heard Wednesday.
Controls and standards for shielding, mounting fixtures, height limits and canopy lighting aim to reduce “urban sky glow.”
Ald. Andre Chabot said he’d like to see the city go further and work toward lowering power consumption.
“I’m looking at it from a cost perspective. Ensuring we have all the protections in place and making sure all of our policies are aligned is essential,” he said.
New rules for lighting will go a long way toward alleviating concerns from those affected by lighting conditions.
“This amendment that’s being proposed clearly defines light spillage so it’s easier to enforce,” Chabot said.
The proposed changes originated with a notice of motion from Ald. Brian Pincott, requesting administration create illumination rules to cut down on light pollution.
Within the past 10 years, and before a city retrofitting program was implemented, Calgary was singled out as one of the nation’s brightest cities at night.
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