Title
Consider an ordinance to amend the City of Killeen Code of Ordinances Sec. 26-107(b) to decrease the maximum spacing of street lights and Sec. 26-107(e) to include LED fixtures as an alternative option for street lighting.
Summary
DATE: January 19, 2021
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Danielle Singh, Executive Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Amendment to City Code of Ordinances, Sec. 26-107(b) and 26-107(e).
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
Chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances regulates "Subdivision and Other Property Development". Sec. 26-107 provides development standards for street lighting infrastructure. Sec. 26-107 (b) states, “Street lights will be installed at intersections, curves, dead ends, cul-de-sacs and where spacing exceeds twelve hundred (1,200) feet." City staff utilizes this section as a policy for determining the need for new street lights requests in the City. Staff developed a streetlights map based on each pole’s location data provided by Oncor. Staff then randomly selected three (3) subdivisions in each council district and a total of twenty different functional classification streets within the City to analyze average distance in between streetlights. Staff has determined that the actual spacing of most streetlights in the City averages generally between 400 feet and 600 feet. This is largely due to the fact that streetlights are also required at intersections. Additionally, staff has completed research on street light ordinances in peer cities. Staff found that many other cities’ policies space street lights at 300 feet (Temple, Belton, Georgetown, Leander, and Round Rock) or 600 feet (Harker Heights and Copperas Cove). Staff proposes this code amendment to replace twelve hundred (1,200) feet with six hundred (600) feet in Sec. 26-107 (b). This will be consistent with the ongoing practice in the City. It will also ensure City of Killeen’s standard is comparable with other peer cities. Street light policies are typically included with subdivision or development codes, but also applied to existing areas when requests are made for new street lights.
Sec. 26-107 (e) states, “Street lights on local and collector streets shall be at least 100-watt high pressure sodium vapor or equivalent. Street lights on major collectors and arterials shall be at least 250-watt high pressure sodium vapor or equivalent." Current code provides an alternative option to high pressure sodium (HPS) but it does not specifically mention LED which is a better option from a long term energy efficiency and environmental benefits perspective. Currently, KISD plans to install LED lights along portion of Chaparral Road to be built as part of KISD High School 6. Staff proposes to add LED fixtures as an alternative option in Sec. 26-107 (e). Specific inclusion of LED fixtures will assist City staff to implement more LED street lights in the City in future.
All power costs for street lights will be borne by the City. At the present time, the City is paying $12.28/month per 100-watt light and $16.06/month per 250-watt light. Since the implementation of the present policy of a 1,200-foot spacing is actually resulting in an average spacing less than a 600-foot spacing, it is expected that this code amendment will not result in any cost increase and, if any, such cost increase will be relatively minor.
Per City Code Sec. 26-107 (d) and (f), developer is responsible for the cost of street light installation. However, Oncor has been installing and maintaining street lights at no additional costs following the current service agreement. Therefore, amending the City Code will not have any financial impact to the development community. Since the reduced spacing criteria aligns with the estimated spacing of streetlights throughout the City, we are anticipating financial impacts to the City in existing areas to be minimal. Additional streetlights within existing areas would only be installed if the spacing does not meet the revised criteria and only after a resident requests an additional street light.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
1. Continue with the current adopted maximum streetlight spacing of 1,200 feet in the ordinance and the language as currently written related to type of street lights.
2. Amend Sec 26-107(b) to require a maximum streetlight spacing of 600 feet and amend 26-107(e) to insert LED fixtures as an alternative.
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
Staff recommends option 2 amending Sec. 26-107(b) and Sec. 26-107(e) as proposed. Reducing the spacing requirement for street lighting is consistent with both the City's practice and peer cities' requirements. Adding LED lights provides an energy efficient alternative.
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
The proposed ordinance revisions conform to all applicable policies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
Expenditures would be based on the amount of new development that occurs and the number of requests by citizens. An increased number of street lights is included in the budget on an annual basis.
Is this a one-time or recurring expenditure?
Once a new street light is installed, there is a recurring monthly charge.
Is this expenditure budgeted?
Yes, $757,000 is budgeted for street lights electricity in account 010-3445-434.44-49.
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this expenditure?
Yes, it is anticipated that the existing budget is sufficient. However, if an abnormally large amount of requests are received, it is possible that additional funds may be needed.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the ordinance amending Sec. 26-107(b) to decrease the maximum spacing of street lights and Sec. 26-107(e) to include LED fixtures as an alternative option for street lighting.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Public Works
Finance
City Attorney
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Street lights location analysis
Ordinance