Lighting Regulations in South Amherst, Ohio: Balancing Historical Character with Modern Illumination Needs

Introduction: Lighting in a Historic Village

South Amherst, Ohio, with its incorporation dating back to 1918, has maintained a strong connection to its historical roots. The village, home to approximately 1,600 residents in Lorain County, takes pride in preserving its architectural heritage and community character. This commitment to historical preservation, championed by organizations like the South Amherst Historical Society (established in 2017), influences many aspects of village governance—including lighting regulations.

The village's approach to lighting reflects a careful balance between honoring its historical character and meeting modern safety and development needs. Whether you're a property owner, developer, or simply a curious resident, understanding these lighting requirements is essential for maintaining South Amherst's distinctive charm while ensuring appropriate illumination.

Quick Reference Guide to South Amherst Lighting Regulations

Key lighting regulations you should know:

• No light trespass allowed - Exterior lighting cannot extend onto adjacent properties or rights-of-way
• Street lighting must be installed by developers at their own expense and conform to Village Engineer specifications
• Sign illumination must be of constant intensity and color (with specific rules for electronic signs)
• Construction sites require warning lights at night for safety
• Shielding requirements apply to exterior lighting to prevent glare on adjacent properties
• Lighting plans are required for developments, including pole heights, locations, and foot-candle calculations
• Residential character lighting is required for Family Day Care Type A facilities

Public and Street Lighting Requirements

Street Commissioner Responsibilities

South Amherst's Street Commissioner plays a key role in public lighting management. The regulations specifically task this position with supervising the "lighting... of all public places" throughout the village.

Developer Obligations for Street Lighting

When new development occurs in South Amherst, the lighting of public areas doesn't fall to the village itself. Instead:

• Developers must install street lighting fixtures, wiring and poles at their own expense
• All installations must conform to standards and specifications set by the Village Engineer and the utility company
• The Planning Commission may waive certain requirements at their discretion
• Installation must follow specifications approved by Council

Construction and Safety Lighting

Safety lighting receives specific attention in the village code:

• Construction sites, excavations, wells, cesspools, and structures under construction must be protected by warning lights at night
• These warning devices are considered essential for public safety
• It is prohibited to remove, damage, or extinguish any such warning lights

Property and Development Lighting Standards

Light Trespass Prevention

Property owners must be mindful of how their lighting affects surrounding areas:

• No exterior lighting shall be positioned to extend light or glare onto adjacent properties or rights-of-way
• Exterior lighting must be shielded from adjacent properties to prevent glare
• Development plans are evaluated partly on whether they provide "adequate lighting for safe and convenient use of streets, walkways, driveways and parking areas"

Parking Lot Illumination

For commercial and public properties:

• Any parking lot intended for use during non-daylight hours must be illuminated
• Lighting must be arranged to reflect light away from adjoining property and public right-of-way

Required Lighting Plans

Development proposals in South Amherst must include detailed lighting information:

• Light pole heights and locations
• Building accent lighting specifications
• Pedestrian lighting details
• Average foot-candle calculations
• Minimum foot-candles
• Maximum foot-candles

Sign Illumination Regulations

General Sign Lighting Standards

South Amherst maintains specific controls on how signs can be illuminated:

• Signs must use only light or illumination of constant intensity and color
• Both internal and external lighting may be used where sign illumination is permitted
• For external illumination, the light source must be mounted and shielded to limit the field of illumination to the sign
• Light cannot be directed or reflected upon highway right-of-ways or adjacent property
• Temporary signs cannot be illuminated

Electronic and Changeable Copy Signs

Electronic signs must follow additional regulations:

• Messages must remain fixed for at least 10 seconds
• Messages cannot flash, include moving video displays or animation, or emit intermittent light
• Changes to messages or images must be accomplished in no more than 3 seconds
• Signs must be capable of regulating digital display intensity and automatically adjusting to ambient light conditions
• Displays cannot emulate traffic control devices

Prohibited Sign Lighting

Several lighting elements are explicitly prohibited:

• Strings of light bulbs
• Beacons or searchlights
• High intensity strobe lights
• Flashing, moving, intermittent or blinking lights (except as specifically permitted)

Special Sign Types

Wall murals have specific lighting requirements:

• They may be illuminated with up or down lighting only
• No glare shall be observed from neighboring properties or the public right-of-way

Special Use Lighting Requirements

Family Day Care Facilities

Family Day Care Type A facilities must ensure that:

• Exterior lighting is residential in character
• Lighting is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood

Wind Energy Systems

For small wind energy conversion systems:

• These systems shall not be artificially lighted, except as required by the FAA

Communication Facilities

Applications for communication facilities must include:

• Details on the location and dimensions for illumination of the facility

What Property Owners Should Know

Balancing Safety and Community Character

When installing lighting on your property in South Amherst, remember that the primary concerns are:

1. Preventing light trespass onto neighboring properties
2. Shielding lights to minimize glare
3. Ensuring adequate illumination for safety in public and commercial areas
4. Maintaining lighting that is compatible with the village's character

Planning for Development

If you're planning a development project:

• Include a comprehensive lighting plan in your submission
• Work with the Village Engineer to ensure street lighting meets specifications
• Consider both functional needs and aesthetic impact of your lighting choices
• Understand that you'll bear the cost of installing public street lighting

Supporting South Amherst's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots in Northeast Ohio dating back to 1918, shares South Amherst's appreciation for historical character and quality standards. As a regional manufacturer that understands the architectural heritage of communities like South Amherst, Bock recognizes the delicate balance between modern lighting needs and preserving community character.

We understand that communities like South Amherst value their historical identity while still requiring functional, safe illumination. Our experience with regional architectural styles allows us to serve as a resource for property owners and developers seeking to meet local regulations while enhancing the village's aesthetic qualities.

Bock Lighting is committed to supporting communities through education about lighting regulations and best practices that respect the unique character of historic villages. With our local presence and community-minded approach, we strive to help maintain the distinctive charm that makes places like South Amherst special.

Conclusion

South Amherst's lighting regulations reflect the village's commitment to preserving its historical character while ensuring safety and functionality. The focus on preventing light trespass, controlling sign illumination, and requiring appropriate lighting for developments demonstrates a thoughtful approach to balancing modern needs with community aesthetics.

Property owners and developers should pay particular attention to the requirements for shielding exterior lighting, planning illumination that doesn't affect neighboring properties, and following specific guidelines for sign lighting. By understanding and complying with these regulations, community members help maintain South Amherst's distinctive village atmosphere for future generations.

As South Amherst continues to preserve its rich heritage dating back to its 1918 incorporation, its lighting standards serve as an important tool in maintaining the village's unique identity and character.