Lighting Regulations in Ashley, Indiana: Preserving Small-Town Character While Meeting Modern Needs

Introduction

Ashley, Indiana, with its rich railroad heritage dating back to 1892, maintains a delicate balance between preserving its historical character and addressing contemporary needs. Named after Ossian W. Ashley, president of the Wabash Railroad, this small town of less than 1,000 residents has developed lighting regulations that reflect its community values and commitment to maintaining its unique small-town charm.

The town's approach to lighting regulations stems from both practical considerations and a desire to preserve the aesthetic character that makes Ashley special. Understanding these regulations helps property owners contribute to the community's vision while ensuring compliance with local ordinances.

Quick Reference Guide: Ashley's Key Lighting Regulations

• Emergency Lighting Protocols: Specific restrictions during designated blackouts or emergencies
• Light Leakage: Prohibitions against causing or permitting light reflection or leakage from structures
• Public Infrastructure: Street lighting systems considered as infrastructure with 35-year depreciation
• Public Structures: Prohibition against posting notices on lamp posts
• Building Assets: Lighting fixtures and systems serving buildings are considered part of the building asset

Emergency Lighting Regulations

Ashley maintains specific provisions regarding lighting during emergency situations or "blackouts." These regulations help ensure public safety and community coordination during critical times.

Prohibited Lighting During Emergencies

During designated emergency periods, the following lighting restrictions apply:

• Decorative Street Lighting: All decorative street lighting must be turned off
• Illuminated House Numbers: Prohibited unless under immediate manual control of a responsible person over 18 years of age
• Upward-Projecting Flood Lighting: Any exterior flood lighting that projects light upward is not permitted
• Billboard and Exterior Building Lighting: Including outline lighting, unless under immediate control of a responsible person over 18
• Illuminated Signs: Both exterior illuminated signs and interior illuminated signs visible from outside are prohibited unless manually controlled by someone over 18

Daytime Lighting Considerations

The regulations also address daytime lighting practices with future implications:

• No person shall leave lights on during daytime in any structure if those lights will not be under immediate manual control of a responsible person over 18 years old during nighttime

Enforcement of Emergency Lighting Regulations

The town takes these emergency lighting provisions seriously:

• Any light displayed contrary to these provisions constitutes a public nuisance
• Such nuisances are subject to abatement according to local ordinances

Light Leakage and Reflection

Ashley's regulations specifically address the issue of light trespass in the form of reflection or leakage.

Prohibited Light Trespass

Property owners must be aware that regulations prohibit:

• Causing, maintaining, or permitting any reflection or leaks of light from any structure
• Failing to prevent the display, operation, maintenance, reflection, or leakage of light from premises that are occupied, supervised, or controlled

These provisions help maintain the visual character of the town while preventing lighting from becoming a nuisance to neighbors or detracting from the night sky that's visible in small communities like Ashley.

Administrative and Infrastructure Considerations

Street Lighting as Infrastructure

From an administrative perspective, Ashley categorizes lighting assets in specific ways:

• Street Lighting Systems: Considered infrastructure and exceptions to land capitalization
• Street Lights Depreciation: Assigned a 35-year composite/group depreciation period for accounting purposes

Building-Related Lighting

When it comes to buildings and their associated lighting:

• Lighting fixtures serving a building are included as part of the building asset
• Lighting systems are included with the building asset if owned

Public Structures

Ashley's regulations also protect public lighting infrastructure:

• No person shall post or affix notices, posters, or other papers to any lamp post or public structure without proper authorization

What Property Owners Should Know

Compliance with Emergency Protocols

Property owners should:

• Develop a Plan: Create procedures for quickly adapting lighting during officially declared emergencies
• Designate Responsible Individuals: Ensure someone over 18 is available to manually control required lighting during emergencies
• Evaluate Current Lighting: Review exterior flood lighting to identify any that project upward

Preventing Light Trespass

To avoid creating nuisances through light leakage:

• Assess Existing Lighting: Evaluate properties for potential light leakage or reflection issues
• Direct Light Appropriately: Ensure exterior lighting is aimed to minimize spillover onto neighboring properties
• Consider Shields: For problematic fixtures, consider adding shields to control light direction

Supporting Ashley's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918, shares many values with small towns like Ashley that seek to preserve their historical character while meeting modern needs. As a Northeast Ohio manufacturer, we understand the unique challenges communities face in balancing practical lighting requirements with aesthetic and historical considerations.

Our experience with regional architectural styles and community needs allows us to appreciate Ashley's approach to lighting regulations. We recognize how proper lighting can enhance safety and functionality while respecting the small-town charm that makes communities like Ashley special.

As a resource for communities navigating lighting regulations, Bock Lighting is committed to supporting educational efforts and helping property owners understand how lighting choices impact their town's character. Our focus remains on sustainable and responsible lighting practices that align with community visions like Ashley's.

Conclusion

Ashley, Indiana's lighting regulations reflect the town's practical needs while honoring its historical railroad heritage and small-town character. The focus on emergency lighting protocols and preventing light leakage demonstrates the community's commitment to both safety and preserving its aesthetic quality.

For property owners, understanding these regulations is an important part of contributing positively to Ashley's community vision. By adhering to these guidelines, residents and businesses help maintain the special character that has defined this small Indiana town since its founding in 1892.

While these regulations may evolve over time, their underlying purpose remains consistent: to ensure that lighting enhances rather than detracts from the unique qualities that make Ashley special.