Pilson citizen input assists in Farragut ordinance change
When Farragut’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen vote on second reading to adopt its new outdoor lighting ordinance Thursday, Jan. 26, it will have been with the help of a Farragut resident and lighting expert.
Mark Pilson, who has worked with Lighting Trends for more than two decades, worked closely with Community Development director Mark Shipley on updating the Town’s lighting ordinance — and it was not the first time the lighting expert offered his assistance.
“Since I am a Farragut resident and also involved in the lighting profession, I contacted Mark’s predecessor, Ruth Hawk, to offer assistance with any of the Town’s lighting needs,” Pilson said of his involvement several years ago. “After Ruth’s departure, I contacted Mark with the same offer, and we have discussed issues from time to time and also discussed the need to update the lighting ordinance since lighting has changed so much in the past 10-15 years.”
The issue was discussed in October and November among Farragut Municipal Planning Commission members, which recommended approval Nov. 18. BOMA approved the updated ordinance, 21-20, on first reading Thursday, Jan. 13.
“Some of the Town’s existing provisions are outdated or do not address certain types of lights,” stated a BOMA report from Shipley.
“Specifically, staff noted that standards were needed for decorative string lights and how to address the brightness of some LED lighting.”
Pilson “helped us tremendously,” establishing specific standards and updating others, Shipley added during the Nov. 18 FMPC meeting.
“We went through the whole ordinance and reorganized it, to make things easier to find/ He also noted existing provisions and performance standards were clarified for pole-mounted lights, wall mounted lights, and under-canopy lights.
Additionally, the new ordinance as written establishes Kelvin temperature standards to help control brightness and glare. Along with the decorative string lighting standards, it also establishes standards for bollard and landscape lights; and organized and clarified lighting plan submittal and verification requirements.
During the Nov. 18 meeting, Pilson said he “had a lot of experience trying to work with regulations within the Town. It has sometimes been challenging, so I thought if I can assist with making it easier for everybody, I felt that would help.”
In a separate interview, Pilson said, “I started with little knowledge on lighting and have learned through training with manufacturers and through my own research.”
In addition to his hands-on experience, Pilson said six years ago he tested for and received a professional certification for lighting, known as an “LC,” through the National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions.
