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Ordinance amending and supplementing the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title Four: Public Places and Properties, Articles I: Public Right-of-Way, XI: Parks and Playground and XIV: Public Buildings by adding language to require that new streetlights and lighting in newly constructed and renovated City-owned facilities and parks comply with Dark Sky Lighting principles.
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WHEREAS, as part of the Climate Action Plan 3.0, the City of Pittsburgh has committed to increase energy efficiency and improving building operations; and,
WHEREAS, Dark Sky Lighting Principles decrease energy usage, reduce light pollution and glare that can be distracting and unsightly, assist in protecting wildlife habitats, improve public health outcomes, and eliminate waste; and,
WHEREAS, rather than installing less lighting, Dark Sky Lighting Principles utilize technology, lower color temperature, and shielding to reduce wasteful light pollution and dangerous glare; and,
WHEREAS, current technology enables normal lighting functions for safety and comfort while still maintaining compliance with Dark Sky Lighting Principles; and,
WHEREAS, communities of color experience over-lighting and light pollution, which can negatively impact residents' mental and physical health, at a disproportionate rate; and,
WHEREAS, government buildings and park spaces should serve as a model for other structures; and,
WHEREAS, the City is currently in the process of retrofitting existing high-pressure sodium streetlights to LED with Dark Sky compliant fixtures and is committing to improving energy efficiency in lighting, eliminating light pollution, reducing glare and light pollution, and advancing equity through this process; and,
WHEREAS, as part of the introduction of this legislation, the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, the National Aviary, and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens have committed, wherever possible, to install Dark Sky compliant lighting in all future capital ...
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