OSBT Chautauqua Lighting Design Guidelines 10.11.17Chautauqua Lighting Design Guidelines
October 2017
Project Purpose
The Chautauqua Lighting Design Guidelines is an
interdepartmental project, developed by the City of Boulder and
the Colorado Chautauqua Association using the Collaborative
Stewardship Framework.
The purpose of this project is to aid in decision making for
exterior lighting proposals within the boundaries of the
Chautauqua Historic District, designated as a local historic district
and as a National Historic Landmark.
Community Culture and Safety Tax –2014 LAC Application
Project Goals and Objectives for the Guidelines
Project Goals
1.Provide context for the historic intent and use of lighting at Chautauqua;
2.Identify and assess the need for lighting at Chautauqua;
3.Utilize feedback from the Internal Core Team, External Working Group, Boards,
and members of the public in making recommendations
4.Provide performance-based design guidelines that are broad, direction based, to
aid in the decision-making process for exterior lighting.
Process
1.Historic Context and Existing Conditions; Development
of Project Goals and Draft Lighting Principles (April-
June 2017)
2.Lighting Areas and Desired Qualities (July-August)
3.Draft Design Guidelines (August -October)
•Draft Design Guidelines –September
•Revised Design Guidelines –October
4.Finalize Plan and Design Guidelines (November 2017)
•Final Design Guidelines –November
Process
1.Historic Context and Existing Conditions; Development
of Project Goals and Draft Lighting Principles (April-
June 2017)
2.Lighting Areas and Desired Qualities (July-August)
3.Draft Design Guidelines (August -October)
•Draft Design Guidelines –September
•Revised Design Guidelines –October
4.Finalize Plan and Design Guidelines (November 2017)
•Final Design Guidelines –November
Core Team and Working Group Members
Core Team
Jeff Medanich, Chautauqua
Joe Paulson, Transportation, Public Works
Ericka Pilcher, OSMP
Jeff Haley, Parks and Recreation
James Hewat, Historic Preservation, PH&S
Gretchen King, Communications
Joel Wagener, Finance
Working Group
Historic Boulder, Inc.
Friends of Chautauqua
History Colorado
Chautauqua Cottagers
Sierra Club
Review Boards
Landmarks Board
CCA Board of Directors
Parks and Rec Advisory Board
Open Space Board of Trustees
City Council
Project Team
Marcy Cameron, Historic Preservation,
PH&S
Michael Matts, CCA
Tina Bishop, Mundus Bishop
Shelby Scharen, Mundus Bishop
David Roederer, Clanton and Associates
Lighting Principles
•Preserve the camp-like character and architectural and historical integrity
of the Chautauqua Park Historic District/National Historic Landmark when
proposing lighting for the district or surroundings.
•Respect a dark sky environment for Chautauqua that meets or exceeds
local regulations and International Dark Sky Association (IDA) guidelines
for light level, trespass, pollution and glare.
•Ensure energy efficiency and sustainability in all new and retrofitted
lighting proposals.
•Provide lighting only when and where need is clearly identified for safety,
security, programming, accessibility or wayfinding, using the basic
approach of providing a balance or consistency of light through use of
light color and levels, controls, and placement of fixtures.
•Maintain dark areas within Chautauqua and surroundings to protect
wildlife, open spaces and park areas, and scenic viewsheds.
History of Lighting at Chautauqua
Period Plan: circa 1920
•Lighting was installed for the inaugural
1898 season, and was improved as the
Chautauqua developed in the early
twentieth century;
•Lighting has historically been utilitarian in
nature, located at key intersections and
public buildings;
•No original street-lights exist; the earliest
public fixture are the globe lights at the
Auditorium, installed in the 1940s;
•The stone columns at King’s Gate,
sometimes referenced as “lanterns” were
not historically lit.
Lighting Design Guidelines
•Development of the
Design Guidelines
•History of Lighting at
Chautauqua
•Existing Conditions
•Needs Assessment
•Recommended
Approaches to
Lighting
•Design Guidelines
Lighting Areas
•Minimize lighting at Chautauqua;
•Lighting should follow a conservative
approach;
•Low Glare; Dark Sky friendly -
Minimize Light Pollution and
Trespass;
•Light only what is necessary;
•Use controls to light only when it is
necessary
•Neutral design of fixtures;
•Warm color;
•Lighting must not distract from the
scenery or mountain views.
Guidelines for Open Space
Open Space
Open Space includes the perimeter of the historic district boundary which borders the City of
Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) land. This includes the west, south, and
southeast edges and perimeter of the historic district. These areas should remain dark in order
to protect wildlife and scenic viewsheds. Lighting at trails is not appropriate, and the transition
areas should remain unlit with minimal light trespass from other areas.
7.1 The interface with the Open Space and Mountain Parks should remain unlit with minimal
light trespass from other areas in the historic district.
7.2 Efforts to minimize or eliminate spill light and light trespass should be employed when
lighting adjacent areas.
•Pole mounted luminaires should be oriented into the adjacent area and away from open
space.
7.3 Allow minimal lighting at the Ranger Cottage and parking for OSMP evening events.
•Porch lighting at the Ranger Cottage and parking area lighting meeting Section 4.0
Parking/Vehicular Circulation, may be appropriate immediately before, during and after an
event. Design these lights to be subdued and only illuminate the immediate area, with no
spill light into the adjacent Open Space.
Next Steps
•November: CCA and Landmarks Board review and adoption
•December 2018: City Council Information Packet
•Q1 2018: Public Works submits a Landmark Alteration Certificate
for review by CCA and the Landmarks Board.
Does the board have feedback on the schedule
or scope of the Chautauqua Lighting Design
Guidelines?
Board Feedback
Joint Board Discussion
Site Plan