DEPARTMENT: Office of Sustainability
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Douglas Melnick, Chief Sustainability Officer, AICP, CNU-A
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Proposed Dark Sky Policy Evaluation Process
SUMMARY:
Briefing on the Proposed Dark Sky Policy Evaluation Process.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The SA Tomorrow Sustainability Plan is one of the three growth-related plans adopted by City Council August 11, 2016 and includes a strategy related to Dark Skies that has been identified by City Council as a high priority.
The Green Buildings and Infrastructure Strategy GB10 states: Working with a broad stakeholder group, study and consider whether to update San Antonio's Dark Sky Ordinance.
The current ordinance only applies to areas around military bases. An update to this ordinance, if deemed necessary through a broad stakeholder process, could expand the reach and leverage newer technology to promote energy savings in addition to the other environmental and health benefits associated with dark skies.
The current Ordinance that is considered for evaluation is the Military Lighting Overlay District Ordinance that was adopted on December 11, 2008, Ordinance 2008-12-11-1133. There were other actions that led to this initiative as listed below.
On May 25, 2007, Governor Rick Perry signed into law Texas House Bill 1852 providing that on the request of a United States military installation, base, or camp commanding officer, the commissioner's court of a county, which is located immediately adjacent to the installation, base, or camp, may adopt orders regulating the installation and use of outdoor lighting.
On February 21, 2008 City Council approved an ordinance to undertake a Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) of Camp Bullis to ensure the viability of the Camp's mission. While the study was underway, it became evident that urgent action was needed to address short term concerns that may potentially degrade the mission at the installation.
On August 7, 2...
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