Lighting Regulations in Cleona Borough, Pennsylvania: Balancing Community Character with Safety and Functionality

Introduction

Nestled in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, Cleona Borough carries a rich history dating back to the late 19th century when John Henry Long began developing the area. From its humble beginnings as a timber resource hub to its incorporation as a borough in 1929, Cleona has maintained a strong sense of community while evolving to meet modern needs.

Today, with over 2,100 residents, Cleona Borough continues to balance growth and development with preservation of its historical character. This balance is reflected in the borough's approach to lighting regulations, which aim to ensure public safety while maintaining the aesthetic integrity that makes Cleona special.

Quick Reference Guide: Cleona Borough Lighting Regulations

• Sign Illumination: Must be steady and stationary; no flashing or intermittent lighting
• Light Shielding: Required to shield light sources from adjoining residences and residential streets
• Parking Areas: Must be illuminated for public safety
• Glare Control: No objectionable glare affecting dwellings or streets
• Home Occupations: No visible external business lighting allowed
• Public Utility Lighting: License required for electric light poles in public rights-of-way

Sign Illumination Requirements

Steady and Consistent Lighting

Signs in Cleona Borough must adhere to specific illumination requirements that prioritize safety and community aesthetics. The borough code is clear that illuminated signs must:

• Maintain steady illumination with no flashing or intermittent lighting
• Use stationary light sources without moving parts
• Avoid casting objectionable light upon dwelling units on separate lots
• Prevent glare on any street

Color and Placement Considerations

Sign illumination colors are also regulated with public safety in mind:

• Signs illuminated in red, green, or amber may be considered traffic hazards
• Such signs may not be located within 100 feet of traffic signals or similar safety devices
• They are also restricted near street intersections where they might cause confusion

District-Specific Regulations

In residential and agricultural districts, additional care must be taken:

• Signs must be illuminated without objectionable glare
• Institutional signs and business identifications have specific illumination restrictions

Parking and Loading Area Illumination

Safety-First Lighting Approach

Proper illumination of parking and loading areas is not just recommended in Cleona Borough—it's required when necessary for public safety. The regulations state:

• Parking and loading areas shall be illuminated whenever necessary to protect public safety
• This requirement ensures that residents and visitors can safely navigate these spaces after dark

Thoughtful Design Requirements

The borough's regulations emphasize considerate lighting design:

• Shielded light sources: Illumination must be designed so that light sources are shielded from adjoining residences and residential streets
• Brightness control: Excessive brightness is prohibited
• Glare prevention: Lighting must not cause glare that could be hazardous to pedestrians or drivers

Home Occupation and Business Lighting

Residential Business Lighting

For those operating businesses from their homes, Cleona Borough has clear expectations regarding lighting:

• No external business appearance is permitted, specifically including lights
• This regulation helps maintain the residential character of neighborhoods while allowing for home-based businesses

Manufacturing and Commercial Considerations

For manufacturing and commercial uses, lighting impacts are considered when determining if a use is appropriate:

• Glare dissemination beyond the immediate site is a factor in determining if uses are objectionable
• Uses should not have adverse effects on adjacent areas, including through inappropriate lighting

Street Lighting and Public Infrastructure

Development Requirements

Developers in Cleona Borough should be aware of several lighting-related requirements:

• Streets must be designed and constructed with street lights among other improvements
• When required, developers must provide a street lighting duct system in accordance with public utility specifications
• Street lighting is considered part of necessary infrastructure for plat approval

Utility Lighting Regulations

The borough maintains oversight of lighting infrastructure:

• Public utility companies must obtain a license from the Borough Council to erect, move, or replace electric light poles in public rights-of-way
• Fees are established by resolution of the Borough Council
• The Council may impose conditions or modifications as deemed appropriate

Application Review Process

When reviewing applications for development or changes to properties, Cleona Borough considers lighting impacts as part of its evaluation process:

• Exterior lighting is reviewed with reference to:
• Potential glare
• Traffic safety implications
• Economic effect
• Compatibility and harmony with properties in the district

This comprehensive review ensures that lighting installations contribute positively to the borough's character while meeting functional needs.

What Property Owners Should Know

Compliance Essentials

Property owners in Cleona Borough should understand several key points about lighting regulations:

• Sign regulations apply to all properties and businesses
• Light shielding is mandatory when near residential areas
• Glare control is a consistent requirement across multiple regulations
• Home-based businesses must avoid visible exterior business lighting

Application Process Awareness

Before installing new lighting:

• Consider how your lighting plans might affect the application review process
• Be prepared to demonstrate how your lighting meets the borough's standards for glare control and compatibility
• Remember that both safety and aesthetic harmony are considered in lighting evaluations

Supporting Cleona's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918, understands and appreciates communities like Cleona Borough that work to preserve their distinctive character while embracing necessary modern infrastructure. As a Northeast Ohio manufacturer, we share Cleona's commitment to balancing safety and functionality with historical preservation.

Our experience with similar communities helps us understand the importance of lighting that respects Cleona's architectural heritage while meeting contemporary needs. We recognize that in a close-knit borough with strong community values, lighting plays a vital role in creating safe, welcoming spaces that still honor historical roots.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for communities navigating lighting regulations, helping property owners and developers understand how to achieve compliance while respecting community character. Our commitment to sustainable and responsible lighting practices aligns with Cleona's thoughtful approach to development and preservation.

Conclusion

Cleona Borough's lighting regulations reflect its broader community values of preserving historical character while ensuring public safety and allowing for appropriate development. Though not exhaustive, these regulations provide clear guidance on key aspects of lighting throughout the borough.

By focusing on controlling glare, ensuring appropriate illumination of public spaces, and maintaining compatibility with surrounding properties, the borough's lighting approach helps preserve the special character that has defined Cleona since its founding while meeting the needs of its residents today.

Property owners and developers who understand and embrace these principles contribute to the continued evolution of Cleona Borough as a community that honors its past while thoughtfully embracing its future.