Lighting Regulations in Golf Manor, Ohio: Balancing Historic Charm with Modern Standards

Introduction

Nestled within Hamilton County, Golf Manor is a charming village with deep historical roots dating back to the 1920s. Incorporated in 1947, this small community of approximately 3,814 residents takes pride in maintaining its distinctive character while adapting to modern needs. The village's approach to lighting regulations reflects this balance – preserving the warmth and character of its neighborhoods while ensuring safety and functionality.

Golf Manor's lighting regulations have evolved from its earliest days when the village contracted with Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company for street lighting. Today, these regulations aim to maintain the aesthetic appeal of the village's unique blend of traditional and contemporary homes while minimizing light pollution and disruption to residents.

Quick Reference Guide to Golf Manor Lighting Regulations

• Residential Sensitivity: All lighting must be sensitive to nearby residences in color, intensity, glare, and height
• Directional Requirements: Exterior lighting must be positioned to direct glare away from adjacent properties or rights-of-way
• Nuisance Prevention: No private property activity may generate light creating a nuisance to surrounding properties
• Parking Areas: Lighting must be arranged to direct light away from adjoining residential properties
• Sign Illumination: Specific restrictions on sign illumination including brightness limitations and prohibition of flashing lights
• Electronic Signs: Maximum illumination of 5000 nits during day, 500 nits from dusk to dawn

General Lighting Requirements

Definition of Light Nuisance

Golf Manor specifically defines "glare" in its regulations as "the brightness of a light source which causes eye discomfort." This definition helps establish a baseline for enforcement when determining whether lighting installations comply with village standards.

Neighborhood Considerations

The village places strong emphasis on neighborhood compatibility, requiring that all lighting should be sensitive to nearby residences in color, intensity, glare, and height. This requirement acknowledges the village's compact 0.57 square mile area and the close proximity of homes to one another.

Directional Requirements

Golf Manor regulations specify that exterior lighting shall be positioned to direct glare away from adjacent properties or rights-of-way. This requirement helps maintain the peaceful atmosphere of residential areas while still allowing for necessary illumination.

Nuisance Prevention

The regulations explicitly prohibit any activity on private property that generates light creating a nuisance to surrounding properties. This determination is made by the Zoning Administrator, providing a mechanism for addressing resident concerns about excessive lighting.

Specific Lighting Applications

Parking Area Illumination

For commercial and multi-family properties, Golf Manor requires that:

• Any lighting used to illuminate parking areas must be arranged to direct and reflect light away from adjoining residential properties
• All lighting must be maintained in working condition
• Illumination plans must include photometric details showing maximum foot candles at the surface
• Plans must document light pole heights and locations
• Average foot candle calculations must be included
• Location of house side shields must be specified

Loading Area Lighting

Similar to parking areas, loading zones have specific requirements:

• Lights must be arranged to reflect light away from adjoining property
• All lighting must be maintained in working condition
• Lighting must be included in site plan submissions

Construction Site Safety Lighting

Golf Manor's code section 521.03 requires:

• Warning lights at night for excavations, wells, cesspools, or structures under construction
• Protection of warning lights against damage, removal, or extinguishing

Sign Illumination Standards

General Requirements

The village has detailed regulations for sign illumination:

• Light sources must not be of such brightness as to constitute a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic
• Artificial light must remain stationary and constant in intensity and color when in use
• No rotating beams, beacons, or flashing illumination resembling emergency lights are permitted

Prohibited Lighting Types for Signs

Golf Manor specifically prohibits:

• Blinking, flashing, or intermittent lighting
• Bare bulb illumination
• Flames as a source of light

Entranceway Signs

For entranceway signs, Golf Manor requires:

• Only external illumination sources are permitted
• Internal illumination is specifically prohibited

Electronic Message Center Signs

Golf Manor has established specific standards for electronic message center signs:

• Permitted only in Business and Industrial Districts
• Maximum illumination limits:
• 5000 nits (candelas per square meter) during daylight hours
• 500 nits between dusk and dawn
• Certificate of maximum illumination required before sign permit approval
• Electronic displays cannot change at intervals less than five seconds
• Signs cannot change color, blink, flash, rotate, scroll, or change in illumination intensity
• Visual effects such as fading, dissolves, frame entrance/exit effects, or background animation are prohibited
• Streaming video or full-motion video is prohibited
• Default "freeze" message required in case of malfunction

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning for Compliance

When developing lighting plans for your property in Golf Manor, remember to:

• Consider how your lighting impacts neighboring properties
• Include detailed photometric plans when required
• Ensure all exterior lighting directs glare away from adjacent properties
• Maintain stationary and consistent illumination
• Avoid any lighting that could create a nuisance

Historic Context and Modern Needs

Golf Manor's lighting regulations reflect its evolution from the days of gas street lamps contracted in the late 1940s to today's modern LED technology. The village strives to maintain its historical character while meeting contemporary needs for safety and functionality.

Variance Considerations

If you're seeking a variance for your property, be aware that the impact on "adequate supply of light and air to adjacent property" is one of the factors considered in the approval process.

Supporting Golf Manor's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, shares Golf Manor's commitment to balancing historical character with modern functionality. As a regional partner familiar with the architectural styles and community values of villages like Golf Manor, Bock understands the importance of lighting that respects both the aesthetic and regulatory requirements of the area.

Our expertise in lighting solutions aligns with Golf Manor's emphasis on minimizing light trespass while providing necessary illumination for safety and security. Bock Lighting appreciates Golf Manor's approach to maintaining its distinctive community character through thoughtful lighting regulations.

As a resource for understanding and implementing lighting best practices, Bock Lighting is committed to supporting communities like Golf Manor in their efforts to preserve their unique charm while embracing appropriate lighting technology.

Conclusion

Golf Manor's lighting regulations aim to protect the quality of life for all residents while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and functionality. By directing light away from neighboring properties, maintaining appropriate illumination levels, and prohibiting disruptive lighting effects, these regulations help preserve the village's character and peaceful atmosphere.

Property owners should familiarize themselves with these requirements when planning exterior lighting installations or sign illumination. Understanding and following these regulations helps maintain Golf Manor's distinctive blend of historic charm and modern livability that has characterized this community since its incorporation in 1947.