March 18 2025
Planning Commission Meeting
Topics
Text Amendment – Chapter 13.84 (Outdoor Lighting Standards)
- Background: Initiated in October 2024 after Council Member Emily Gray received constituent complaints about residential lighting
- Proposal consolidates existing lighting standards from various sections of Title 13 into a new, expanded Section 13.84
- Addresses nuisance lighting, glare, light trespass, color spectrum, lumen intensity, fixture shielding, and sports court lighting
- Distinctions drawn between security/safety lighting and decorative/seasonal lighting
- New requirement for a Lighting Plan when additions or new homes are built (residential: no specialist required; commercial: professional required)
- Consistency with existing Noise Ordinance referenced regarding 10:00 p.m./11:00 p.m. time references
- Staff recommended continuing the item to a future meeting to allow more time for code review and enforcement analysis
- No public comments received prior to the meeting
Eastwind Subdivision – Action Item (Subdivision Plat Amendment)
- Applicant (owner of Lot 1A) seeks to combine a neighboring property fronting Wander Lane into their existing lot
- Property located in the R-1-8 Zone
- Original three-lot subdivision previously amended to two lots in 2024
- Purpose: Enable future improvements (e.g., addition to existing home) that cross the current property line
- Easement vacation discussed; utility company letters required to confirm no existing facilities
- Active landscaping work noted on the property at time of meeting
- Applicant was not present at the start of the Regular Meeting; agenda order remained as written
Enforcement considerations
- New Code Enforcement Officer: Chad Pedersen, described as familiar with lighting standards
- Typically 4–5 residential lighting complaints per year
- Concern raised about creating non-conforming uses with new lighting standards
- Difficulty finding Dark Sky Approved fixtures at local building supply stores noted
Decisions
Agenda Order
During the Work Session, a discussion occurred about reordering the agenda (Action Item before Public Hearing). However, because the applicant for the Action Item was not present at the start of the Regular Meeting, the agenda order remained as originally written.
Continuation of Text Amendment
Staff recommended continuing the Text Amendment (File #25-4-02) to a future meeting to allow adequate time for review and enforcement analysis. (Note: The provided minutes are incomplete; a formal vote on continuation is not confirmed in the text provided.)
Actions
Continue Text Amendment (Chapter 13.84) to a future Planning Commission meeting for further review
City Staff / Planning CommissionReview enforceability of proposed lighting language and confirm Code Enforcement Officer (Chad Pedersen) comfort with standards
Jonathan Teerlink / Chad PedersenExplore outreach to local vendors regarding Dark Sky Approved lighting fixtures
Jonathan TeerlinkProcess Eastwind Subdivision Plat Amendment application (Lot 1A + neighboring parcel)
Justice Tuffour / City StaffConfirm utility company approvals for easement vacation related to Eastwind Subdivision
Applicant / City Staff
Notes
Holiday Lighting
The City Council expressed no interest in regulating holiday lighting by limiting it to 30 days before/after a holiday. No such restriction was included in the draft language.
Lighting Plan Requirements
The City Council withdrew the requirement for a lighting specialist to prepare residential Lighting Plans due to cost concerns. Commercial properties will still require professionally prepared Lighting Plans.
Dark Sky Compliance
Staff noted difficulty finding Dark Sky Approved fixtures at local building supply stores, raising practical concerns about residential compliance.
Non-Conforming Uses
Commissioner Cunningham raised a concern that the new lighting standards would create non-conforming uses citywide; Mr. Teerlink noted existing non-conforming use provisions in the code apply.
Definitional Language by Reference
Commissioner Cunningham suggested adopting definitional language by reference to a source document to avoid future amendment burdens; Mr. Teerlink confirmed this is possible.
Commissioner Prince's Departure
Commissioner Prince noted she needed to leave by 6:55 p.m. and requested the Action Item be heard first; this request was ultimately not accommodated due to the applicant's absence.
File Reference
Text Amendment – File #25-4-02; Legislative Action per Holladay Ordinance §13.07.
Note
The meeting minutes provided are incomplete — the document ends mid-sentence during the Public Hearing presentation. Decisions, votes, and outcomes related to both agenda items may not be fully captured above.
Summarized April 22, 2026