OKEECHOBEE – A new ordinance passed by Okeechobee County Commissioners at their March 13 meeting creates a buffer zone to protect Kissimmee Prairie State Park from light pollution.

The ordinance applies to the portion of the county west of US 441 and north of the section/township line along which County Road 724 runs be designated as the “Dark Sky Buffer Area.”  The law requires new fixtures and replacement of existing lighting fixtures use downward facing lighting compatible with Dark Sky standards.

 “From the bottom of my heart, thank you for considering this ordinance,” said Mayor Dowling Watford, who has advocated for a Dark Sky ordinance for years.

“I would respectfully request you consider doing this for the whole county, not just that area around the park,” he said. “Since this only applies to new construction, I request you do this for the entire county.”

The mayor also requested the ordinance honor the late Park Ranger Jen Benson-Hughes (known as “Prairie Jen”), who worked  hard to have Kissimmee Prairie State Park recognized as Florida’s First Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association.

Dr. Paul Gray, of Florida Audubon, said darkness is important for the ecology as artificial lighting is harmful to some wildlife.

“This is important biologically,” he explained.

Darkness is also important for some training flights from the nearby Avon Park Air Force Range, he added.

“Most people in the United States can’t see the Milky Way,” said Gray.  He said Okeechobee County residents can still see the night sky, and that should be protected. He added his encouragement that the ordinance be adopted for the whole county.

County Attorney Wade Vose said changing the ordinance to recognize the park ranger could be done without readvertising the ordinance. Expanding the ordinance to the entire county may take more discussion.

Commissioner Terry Burroughs asked about financial impacts if they include the whole county.

“If this is only for new and replacement lighting, my thought as far as the cost to the county, it would be a cost to the developers,” said Commissioner Michael Sumner.

“If it’s good for the goose up in that area, why not good for the rest of the county?” asked Sumner.

“If we do the entire county, I would want to make an exception for short periods,” said Commission Chairman David Hazellief. He gave the lights for the county fair as an example.

“To expand to the entire county, it may break things we haven’t thought about,” said Vose.

County Administrator Deborah Manzo said they would have to consider the cost for replacing lights on county facilities including ball fields and county buildings. She suggested commissioners also reach out the city officials for feedback.

New outside lights are usually downfacing, said Commissioner Frank DeCarlo.

“We’d have to look at that throughout our buildings and facilities,” said Manzo.

Hazellief suggested the ordinance be amended to honor both Jen Benson-Hughes and Mayor Watford. Commissioners agreed and the ordinance was passed unanimously.

The ordinance specifies: Exterior lighting shall be controlled to not adversely affect adjacent properties, neighboring areas and motorists. Exterior lighting intensities shall be controlled to ensure that light spillage and glare are not directed onto adjacent properties or streets and all direct illumination is kept within property boundaries. Exterior lighting shall be architecturally integrated with the character of the building. Full cut-off type lighting fixtures shall be used to illuminate all site areas, including pedestrian, parking, and circulation.  Exterior lighting shall be fully shielded to prevent glare. Any bright light shining onto adjacent property or streets which results in nuisance glare or disabling glare shall not be permitted. The shield or hood must mask the direct horizontal surface of the light source. The light must be aimed to ensure the illumination is only pointing downward onto the ground surface, without any upward light permitted that contributes to sky glow. Exterior lighting not attached to structures shall be designed, located and mounted at heights no greater than 25 feet above grade.

Vose said the ordinance exempts outdoor lighting related to qualified agricultural uses, however these property owners are encouraged to use lighting compatible with Dark Sky standards.

In other business at the March 13 meeting, commissioners approved an ordinance exempting facilities used solely for helicopters or other aircraft which take off and land vertically from the definition of “aviation facilities” or “airports,” with respect to specified distance requirements from landfills.

The county’s Land Development Regulations ban aviation facilities and airports within a 5 mile radius of the landfill.

Commissioner Brad Goodbread said a property owner who lives near the landfill brought up this issue. He said the man wants to travel back and forth from his home in another county via helicopter.

County Attorney Wade Vose said if an airfield were to be established within the 5 mile radius, it would pose a regulatory problem for future expansion of the landfill. He said facilities for winged aircraft would still be banned within 5 miles of the landfill.

Commissioners also approved an ordinance to revise the definition of “major development,” from 100 or more dwelling unites to 25 or more dwelling units. All major developments will go to the Planning Board for review and recommendation and then go before the Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners for approval.

Site plans for all developments will still go before the commission for final approval.