Lighting Regulations in Homer, Michigan: Preserving Historic Character While Ensuring Safety

Introduction

Nestled along the Kalamazoo River, the village of Homer, Michigan, carries a rich historical legacy dating back to 1832. From its early settlers—Powel Grover, William Wintersteen, and the McMurtrie brothers—to Milton Barney's influential development along the river, Homer has maintained its small-town charm for nearly two centuries. Since its official incorporation in 1871, this close-knit community has balanced growth with preservation of its historical character.

In keeping with this commitment to community values and heritage preservation, Homer has established specific lighting regulations. These guidelines aim to ensure safety and functionality while respecting the village's historic ambiance and the comfort of residents.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

• Light Trespass Prevention: Multiple regulations specify "no stray illumination onto adjoining properties" • Off-Street Parking: Lighting fixtures must be arranged to reflect light away from adjoining premises and streets • Security Lighting: Must provide adequate security while preventing light spillover to neighboring properties • Sign Illumination: Many restrictions on which signs can be illuminated and how illumination must be arranged • Tower Lighting: Prohibited unless specifically required by federal/state authorities; dual lighting systems required if necessary

General Lighting Principles in Homer

Preventing Light Trespass

The most consistent theme throughout Homer's lighting regulations is the prevention of light trespass. This reflects the village's commitment to respecting property boundaries and preventing nuisance to neighbors.

Key requirements include: • No stray illumination onto adjoining properties • Lighting arranged to reflect away from neighboring premises • Light sources should not be directly visible from adjacent properties • Illumination must not cause nuisance to adjacent properties

Security Lighting Standards

Homer recognizes the importance of adequate lighting for security purposes while balancing the need to prevent light pollution.

Security lighting regulations state: • "Adequate lighting shall be installed in a manner to provide for required security" • Security lighting must not create stray illumination onto adjoining properties • The lighting must fulfill security requirements without causing nuisance

Specific Property Types and Their Lighting Requirements

Commercial Properties

Off-street parking areas in commercial zones have specific lighting requirements to ensure safety while respecting neighboring properties.

Commercial lighting regulations include: • Parking area lighting fixtures must be arranged to reflect light away from adjoining premises and streets • For adult entertainment uses, "parking areas shall be well lit" • Adult entertainment establishments must include "lighting that will decrease the incompatibility with surrounding uses"

Storage and Warehousing Facilities

Both warehousing facilities and commercial storage rental facilities have identical lighting requirements:

• "Adequate lighting shall be installed in a manner to provide for required security" • No stray illumination is permitted onto any adjoining property

Tower Lighting Restrictions

Homer has strict regulations regarding tower illumination:

• Towers shall not be illuminated by artificial means • Strobe lights are prohibited unless specifically required by the Federal Aviation Administration or other authorities • If lighting is required, "a dual lighting system shall be employed to minimize the impact at night"

Sign Illumination Guidelines

General Sign Illumination Rules

Homer maintains specific regulations about how signs may be illuminated throughout the village.

General sign illumination regulations: • Sign illumination must not interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with traffic control devices • Sources of illumination must not be directly visible • Light must be arranged to reflect away from adjoining premises • No illumination involving movement is permitted

Permitted Sign Illumination Types

Different types of signs have specific illumination permissions:

• Church, school, park, or other authorized use signs "may be illuminated by a non-flashing reflected light" • Many residential signs must be non-illuminated, including home occupation signs, rental advertisements, and directional signs • Outdoor advertising signs (billboards) "may be illuminated by reflected light only"

Prohibited Sign Illumination

Several types of sign illumination are expressly prohibited:

• No illumination that causes confusion or hazards to traffic • No illumination that conflicts with traffic control signs or lights • No illumination involving movement "by reason of the lighting arrangement or other devices"

Street Lighting Requirements

The village code specifies that "The proprietor shall provide streetlights, including streetlight poles, approved by the Village Engineer." These are listed under the "Improvements" section (151.090), indicating their importance to village infrastructure.

While technical specifications aren't detailed in the extracts, all street lighting installations require approval from the Village Engineer, ensuring they meet Homer's standards.

What Property Owners Should Know

Key Considerations for Residential Properties

If you're a residential property owner in Homer, remember that most signs on your property must be non-illuminated, including home occupation signs and rental advertisements.

When installing security lighting, ensure it provides adequate security without allowing light to spill onto neighboring properties.

Commercial Property Lighting Compliance

Commercial property owners should pay particular attention to:

• Properly directing off-street parking area lighting away from streets and neighboring properties • Ensuring security lighting doesn't cause nuisance to adjacent properties • Following sign illumination guidelines specific to your business type

Supporting Homer's Lighting Vision

Homer's lighting regulations reflect the village's commitment to preserving its historical character while ensuring public safety. These balanced requirements help maintain the village's small-town charm that dates back to the 1830s.

The Blair Historical Farm and other historical elements of Homer remind us of the importance of thoughtful development that respects the past. The lighting regulations support this vision by preventing light pollution that would detract from the village's historic ambiance.

As residents and business owners select lighting solutions, considering both compliance and community character helps maintain Homer's distinctive atmosphere. Working with lighting professionals who understand these dual objectives can help achieve both regulatory compliance and preservation goals.

Conclusion

Homer, Michigan's lighting regulations focus primarily on preventing light trespass, ensuring security, and maintaining the village's historical character. The consistent emphasis on preventing stray illumination reflects the community's respect for neighboring properties and peaceful enjoyment.

While the regulations aren't extensively detailed, they provide clear guidance on the core principles of appropriate lighting throughout the village. The approval process through the Village Engineer ensures that lighting installations meet community standards.

By following these lighting guidelines, property owners contribute to preserving Homer's unique character while maintaining the safety and security that proper illumination provides.