Lighting rules progressing in Arlington Hts.

Arlington Heights’ environmental commission will propose regulations for outdoor lighting to the village board, Chairman David Templer told trustees Monday night.

Several commissions that work with the village’s health services department made their annual reports to the board.

The environmental commission, which has been working on the ordinance for a few years, hopes to avoid controversy that proposed ordinances have caused in other communities, including Barrington Hills.

At a recent commission meeting, member Michael Wilder presented suggestions that Tom Ponsot, traffic engineer, made about a draft ordinance the commission is working with. When commissioners agree on an ordinance it will be reviewed by village departments before going to the board. Templer said he hopes this will occur in the next few months.

Lighting around play or basketball courts is one category that village staff members agree needs regulating, Wilder said.

The hours that lights can be used, the directions they can point and their maximum output are outlined in the draft ordinance, as are fines. Security lighting has special rules and is not subject to curfews.