HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWC 262 07/12/1988 1984-1988REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE Ofd PUBLIC WORKS
DATE: July 12, 1988,
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 11:00 a.m.
Chairman and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Works to which was referred Communication
.No. 1692 and its attached Bill No. 590, reports as follows:
Bill 590 proposes to amend Chapter 14, Article 9 of the Hawaii County
Code 1983, relating to outdoor lighting, by repealing it and adding a
new article to be appropriately numbered related to outdoor
lighting. The purpose of the bill is to conserve energy through a
change to low pressure sodium (LPS) lighting and to restrict the
permitted use of outdoor light fixtures which have a negative impact
on astronomical observation.
Your Committee on Public Works has reviewed Communication 1692 from
the Chief Engineer which states why and how Bill 590 was developed:
1. The purpose is to protect the skies of the County from light
pollution.
2. The bill was a joint effort of Dr. David Crawford of Kit
Peak Observatory; Dr. Don Hall of the University of Hawaii
Institute of Astronomy; and the Building and Traffic
Division of the Department of Public Works.
Comm. 1692 also summarizes the changes to the outdoor lighting
ordinance as follows:
1. Definitions were expanded to include technical terms as well
as to establish three functional classes of outdoor lighting.
2. General Requirements were expanded and items from other
sections consolidated into this section. Furthermore, low
pressure sodium (LPS) is designated as the standard light
source for the County and the requirement for conversion of
nonconforming lighting is made more clear. The use of
mercury vapor is prohibited ten years after the enactment of
the ordinance.
3. Prohibitons and Exclusions are combined and made into a
table for ease of use.
4. A penalty section is added to make the ordinance enforceable.
P14C REPORT ;';O 262
ADOPTED: JUL 2 0 1988
PWC- Page July 12, 1988
Your Committee had questions regarding outdoor lighting and future
development, lighting for sports events and enforcement. The Deputy
Chief Engineer responded that astronomers can work around low
pressure sodium lights. The Deputy Chief Engineer also explained
that the ordinance will take effect upon adoption except existing
mercury vapor lights are grandfathered in. He also stated that
stadium lights would be exempted and that the Department of Public
Works would enforce the ordinance.
Your Committee on Public Works recommends assage of Bill No. 590 on
first reading by the County Council.
ME,RLE K. LAI,',CH WOMAN
S. kA
USSELL S. KOK BUN, VICE CHR. FRANK DE LUZ III, MEMBER
I
T KASHI 7
INGO MEMBER SH RWOOD R. H. REENWELL, MEMBER
LA/TW