NOTE: Years later there have been numerous complaints regarding LISD facility and commercial lighting that contradicts the spirit of this ordinance.
Dallas Morning News / February 20, 2002 / Annette Fuller, Staff Writer
City fixes gaze on horizon
Officials hope new light ordinance returns luster to the night sky
Thomas Harris, who moved to Flower Mound 27 years ago, remembers when he could stand on the town's historic mound - the highest natural point in the county - and see the faraway skylines of Dallas and Fort Worth.
Today, those skylines are gone because of the light glare coming from the businesses and stores that crowd the intersection of FM2499 and FM3040, he said.
"We used to be able to see the stars at night," Mr. Harris said. "That was before D/FW [airport] opened and all the development."
But Mr. Harris said he was encouraged by the recent actions of the Town Council, which passed a stringent light ordinance that limits lighting that bleeds upward, taking away the dark of night and producing glare.
"We initiated a tougher lighting ordinance in response to complaints and suggestions we received from both residents and businesses," said Lori DeLuca, Flower Mound mayor. "I think our lighting ordinance is a balance between the security needed by proper lighting and the desire of our residents to enjoy the unique country atmosphere of our town."
The ordinance is expected to be made effective by the end of the month. It will apply to new construction. Existing facilities are exempt from the new regulations.
Some of the highlights of the new ordinances include a requirement that all building-mounted lighting be directed downward.
Unshielded light sources of more than 15 watts are prohibited. Light bulbs may not protrude lower than the shield or the housing.
Also, in parking lots with up to 150 parking spaces, the maximum height of light poles is 25 feet. In parking areas with more than 150 spaces, the maximum height is 35 feet.
"If you allow a slightly taller pole, then fewer of them have to be installed," said Van James, town manager.
The ordinance still allows an unlimited number of bulbs that are 15 watts or less, since restrictions on the wattage would interfere with people's Christmas displays, said Kathy Burris, the town's code enforcement officer.
"There would be difficulties in trying to enforce restrictions on 15 watts or less," Mr. James said.
Stricter lighting ordinances have been passed by various North Texas cities, including Garland, Plano, Frisco and Allen.
In southern Denton County, Flower Mound's new lighting ordinance is stricter than its neighbors'.
A Lewisville lighting ordinance says "no light shall be of such intensity to create a nuisance or detract from the normal use and enjoyment of adjacent property." Nuisance is defined as "0.4 of one footcandle of light" (a type of light measurement) measured at the property's boundary line, said Jackie Davis, chief code enforcement officer for the city.
"In the 10 years I've been here, there's been maybe half a dozen total complaints," he said. "We very rarely get a complaint."
The Colony has no light ordinances except for along State Highway 121.
A state law passed in 1999 requires that highway lighting must limit the amount of dispersed light and must give consideration to "preserving the natural night environment."
"Throughout the rest of the city, when a site plan is submitted, we request but don't require that lighting be controlled so as not to offend residential homes," said Diane Baxter, assistant to the city manager in The Colony.
Mr. Harris hopes Flower Mound's new ordinance will help eliminate what he calls the "yellow glow" that shines along the tree line in some areas of Flower Mound.
"There's no reason to bathe the world in constant light," Mr. Harris said.
"I do think that property owners should be able to light their property, but in such a way that they are considerate of their neighbors."