Lighting Regulations in Glen Carbon, Illinois: Balancing Growth with Community Character

Introduction: Glen Carbon's Approach to Lighting Standards

Glen Carbon, Illinois, with its roots dating back to 1892, has evolved from a mining company town to a thriving community that values both its historical character and modern development. The village's approach to lighting regulation reflects this balance between preservation and progress.

Initially established to serve workers of the Madison Coal Company and the St. Louis Press Brick Company, Glen Carbon has maintained connections to its past while embracing thoughtful development. This commitment to community character is evident in the village's comprehensive lighting regulations.

As the community has grown alongside Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Glen Carbon has implemented lighting standards that promote safety while respecting neighborhood aesthetics and minimizing light pollution.

Quick Reference Guide to Glen Carbon Lighting Regulations

Before diving into details, here are the key lighting requirements to know:

• Maximum Fixture Heights:
• Residential districts: 16 feet maximum
• Non-residential districts: 24 feet maximum (reduced to 16 feet when within 50 feet of residential zones)
• Parking Area Requirements:
• Minimum illumination: 1 foot-candle over parking areas used between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM
• Uniform illumination level: 2 foot-candles for all parking areas and walkways
• Maximum light at residential boundaries: 1 foot-candle at property lines
• Streetlight Standards:
• LED fixtures in ornamental housings approved by Planning and Zoning
• Minimum intensity: 2 foot-candles measured at ground level
• Posts must be at least 14 feet high
• Required at intersections, cul-de-sacs, and at approximately 400-foot intervals
• Prohibitions:
• No blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights
• No lights that could be confused with traffic signals
• No light trespass onto adjacent properties
• No beacon lights

General Lighting Standards for All Properties

Preventing Light Trespass

Glen Carbon prioritizes preventing unwanted light from affecting neighboring properties. The code explicitly states that light from any luminaire must be:

• Shaded, shielded, or directed to prevent direct light from being cast upon adjacent property
• Designed to prevent glare or other objectionable problems to surrounding areas
• Arranged so neither direct nor reflected light creates a disabling glare on public roads

Height Restrictions

The village sets clear height limits for lighting fixtures:

• Residential districts (zones beginning with "R"): Maximum height of 16 feet
• Non-residential districts: Maximum height of 24 feet
• When non-residential lighting is within 50 feet of residential zones: Height reduced to 16 feet

Special Exceptions

Some lighting situations require additional review:

• Lighting for major outdoor recreation facilities requires special use permits
• The Planning and Zoning Commission may approve exceptions through site plan approval
• The Village Board of Trustees may permit exceptions through special use permits

Parking Area Lighting Requirements

When Lighting is Required

Any off-street parking or loading area used between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM must have a lighting system. Exceptions may be granted by the Planning and Zoning Commission for areas used less than four days per month during these hours.

Illumination Standards

Glen Carbon sets specific illumination requirements for parking areas:

• Minimum of one foot-candle of illumination across all parking areas used at night
• Uniform illumination of two foot-candles required for all parking areas and walkways
• Maximum of one foot-candle at any property boundary adjacent to a residential zone

Installation Requirements

The code includes clear standards for parking area lighting installation:

• All lighting must be served with underground cable
• Fixtures must be arranged to deflect, shade, and focus lights away from adjacent properties
• Lighting plans must be submitted with architectural plans and shown on the site plan

Buffer Requirements

For parking areas adjacent to residential zones, additional protection is required:

• Continuous opaque screen between 4-8 feet high (limited to 3 feet within 15 feet of road rights-of-way)
• Screen must block direct light from vehicle headlights
• Can be wall, fence, landscaped berm, or vegetation (must remain opaque year-round)

Street Lighting Standards

Fixture Requirements

Glen Carbon specifies that streetlights must be:

• LED fixtures housed in ornamental fixtures approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission
• Installed with underground conduit and wiring (no overhead wiring permitted in new subdivisions)
• Designed to provide a minimum intensity of two foot-candles measured at ground level
• Mounted on posts at least 14 feet high

Placement Requirements

Streetlights must be strategically placed throughout developments:

• At each intersection of two streets or alleys
• At each cul-de-sac
• At intervals of approximately 400 feet of street frontage between intersections
• Between street intersections and dead-end street termini
• In multi-family developments, one light per 25 parking spaces (or fraction thereof)

Design and Review Process

The design and installation of every streetlight system must be reviewed by:

• The Public Works Director or designee
• The appropriate electric utility company

Sign Illumination Regulations

General Requirements

Glen Carbon carefully regulates how signs may be illuminated:

• Light must be shaded, shielded, and directed to prevent nuisance to surrounding areas
• No attachment of signs to light standards
• Canopy signs must use internal, non-intermittent light sources
• Gasoline price signs must use internal, non-intermittent light sources

Prohibited Sign Lighting

The following sign lighting is explicitly prohibited:

• Blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights (with limited exceptions)
• Variable light intensity (with some exceptions for signs under 12 square feet)
• Beacon lights
• Strings of lights outlining property features (except residential holiday lighting from November 1-January 15)
• Retail marijuana and dispensary signs may not be illuminated

Special Use Lighting Considerations

Athletic Field Lighting

For athletic fields and recreational facilities, Glen Carbon has specific requirements:

• Permission must be obtained from the Village Board of Trustees
• Only persons designated by the Public Works Director may operate lighting systems
• Major outdoor recreation lighting requires a special use permit

Home Occupations

For businesses operated from homes, the code states:

• No equipment or process shall create glare detectable to normal senses off the premises

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning for Compliance

When developing lighting plans for your property, consider these practical steps:

1. Consult with professionals: Work with qualified lighting designers familiar with Glen Carbon's regulations
2. Submit detailed plans: Include fixture types, locations, heights, and illumination levels
3. Consider neighbors: Design lighting to minimize impact on adjacent properties
4. Focus on efficiency: The Illinois Energy Conservation Code applies to lighting systems

Common Compliance Mistakes to Avoid

• Installing fixtures that are too tall for your zoning district
• Failing to shield lights properly, causing light trespass
• Using prohibited types of lighting (flashing, colored, etc.)
• Not providing adequate parking area illumination

Supporting Glen Carbon's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, a manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, understands the balance Glen Carbon seeks to maintain between historical character and modern development needs. As a company with deep Midwestern roots, we appreciate communities that value both heritage and progress.

Glen Carbon's approach to lighting—emphasizing directed illumination, appropriate fixture heights, and minimal light trespass—aligns with sound lighting design principles. These regulations help maintain the village's distinctive character while ensuring safety and functionality.

As lighting technology continues to advance, communities like Glen Carbon benefit from regulations that guide responsible implementation. Understanding these standards helps property owners contribute to the community's aesthetic while meeting practical lighting needs.

Bock Lighting's experience with projects in communities that value historical character allows us to serve as an educational resource on lighting regulations. We appreciate Glen Carbon's thoughtful approach to lighting that supports both residential quality of life and commercial development.

Conclusion

Glen Carbon's lighting regulations reflect the village's commitment to balanced growth and community character. From specific technical requirements for illumination levels to thoughtful placement of streetlights, these standards help ensure the village maintains its aesthetic appeal while providing adequate lighting for safety and function.

Property owners who understand these regulations can develop lighting plans that not only comply with village requirements but also enhance their property and contribute positively to the community. By following these guidelines, residents and businesses help preserve Glen Carbon's unique character while supporting its continued growth and development.