MEMO
To: D ale Goldsmith Date October 14, 2025
Company: Armbruster Goldsmith & Delvac LLP
12100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1600
Los Angeles, California 90025
Phone: 310 209 8800
Email: [email protected]
From: Francis Krahe
Project: Lighting Analysis of Signs
234 S. Brand Avenue
Glendale, California
FK&A Project No. CU170
Francis Krahe & Associates analyzed the lighting from
the proposed outdoor advertising signs at 234 S. Brand Avenue, Glendale, California (Project) with respect to compliance with the City of Glendale, California (City) Municipal code regulations of outdoor signs as defined in Chapter 30.26 ADVERTISING SIGNAGE OVERLAY ZONE (ASOZ). The results of this analysis indicate the Project complies with the City regulations at sensitive use properties. The Project includes a digital display installation with two sign faces (one facing north, one facing south, collectively, the “Signs”) at the existing 234 South Brand building within the City of Glendale, California.
The digital displays will feature both accessory and non-accessory content. The displays will include integrated light sensors to automatically adjust brightness and film treatments to minimize light spill and glare impacts. The Signs shall not change images more frequently than each eight seconds, with a transition period of one second or less. This memo summarizes the methods of analysis by Francis Krahe & Associates and the findings of this analysis, which determines the Signs will not create an adverse lighting impact an residential use properties.
The Project proposes to install two Sign faces mounted to the existing building façade at 234 South Brand Blvd. at approximately 44 feet 4 inches above grade. The Sign faces are directed south and north, perpendicular to the South Brand Boulevard right of way, with each sign face 19 feet 8 inch wide by 36 feet 3 inch tall, at 716 square feet each as illustrated in the Project Concept Plan included herein as Appendix A. The Sign digital display faces would use light emitting diodes (LED) lighting with a daytime maximum up to 6,000 cd/m 2 and nighttime maximum
of up to 300 cd/m2.
The Project sign locations, size, and operating characteristics were evaluated with the Signs operating at night at a maximum Sign luminance of 300 cd/m
2, in all white mode to test both Sign light trespass illuminance at the nearest residential properties, and glare from Sign luminance, at adjacent roadways to evaluate compliance with City regulations as follows:
CHAPTER 30.26, ADVERTISING SIGNAGE OVERLAY ZONE (ASOZ), 30.26.050. Regulations for signs allowed by the ASOZ. …
D. Animated signs permitted under this chapter shall: …
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 1
5. The maximum brightness levels shall not exceed ambient light levels. The director may require a lighting study, field measurements or other satisfactory method to verify compliance with this requirement.
…
I. In addition to other regulations, the following shall apply to all signs permitted under this chapter:
...
5. Signs shall not negatively impact the flow of traffic or cause confusion for motorists, to the satisfaction of the director of public works.”
The results of the Sign light trespass illumination analysis conclude the Project will not introduce a new source of light trespass greater than ambient illumination at residential use properties, and therefore complies with paragraph 5.5 of the ASOZ.
Furthermore, the Project complies with the requirements of the California Vehicle Code, which regulates the maximum light source luminance which may affect the visibility of drivers on roadways. The maximum Project Sign luminance is substantially less than (82.5% less than) the maximum permitted by the California Vehicle Code during the night and during the day. Therefore, the Sign will not create a source of glare for drivers on adjacent freeways or surface streets, and complies with paragraph I.5 of the ASOZ.
A. EXISTING CONDITIONS ANALYSIS
The Existing Conditions Analysis evaluates the existing lighting conditions at the Project site and at the nearest surrounding residential or sensitive use properties. At each sensitive use property a nearby Monitoring Site within the public right of way is established where the view from the Monitoring Site to the Project site is evaluated and photographed, and the existing ambient illuminance and luminance within the field of view to the Project site are measured.
A.1. MONITORING SITE SURVEY DATA
The observations and measurement of existing lighting conditions within and surrounding the Project site are summarized below at each Monitoring Site. Figure 3 illustrates the location of the Project Sign and surrounding residential use properties (shaded red), and the location of the Monitoring Sites. The Monitoring Site locations are adjacent to the nearest qualifying residential use properties to the Sign, or at locations close to the Sign that represent the views from qualifying residential properties more distant from the Sign. More distant properties will receive substantially less light from the Sign due to attenution and are therefore less affected by light from the Sign.
There are existing lights on the building façade and at the retail storefront facing Brand Boulevard, at the south façade exterior stairs, and at the east bulding elevation within the Project site. Lighting within adjacent commercial and residential properties and roadway lighting on the adjacent right of way contribute to the ambient lighting conditions at the Project site.
a. Distance and Visibility
The view of the Project south Sign face from residential properties to the south is evaluated at Monitoring Site M- S1, which is located at the northwest corner of the Brand Boulevard and E. Colorado St. intersection. The view of the Project north Sign face from residential properties to the north is evaluated at Monitoring Site M-N1, which is located at the southwest corner of the Brand Boulevard and E. Harvard St. intersection. The view of the Project north Sign face from residential properties to the northeast is evaluated at Monitoring Site M-NE1, which is located at the 240 E. Harvard St parking structure, 3
rd level, southeast corner. The view from M-NE1 to the north Sign would
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 2 be at an oblique angle as the faces are oriented north and south. The nearest residential use property to the northeast of the north Sign face is the Casa De La Paloma located at 133 S. Kenwood St, approximately 1000 feet from the Sign. As Mononiting Site M-NEI is closer to the sign and has a more direct view, light impacts from the sign will be greater than at the Casa De La Paloma and therefore represents a conservative analysis. The distance from each Monitoring Site to the Sign is noted in Table 1.
Figure 1: Project Sign, Monitoring Site locations, and adjacent residential properties
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 3
Table 1: Monitoring Site Locations and Distance to the Project b. Measured Existing Illuminance:
Table 2 summarizes the existing conditions measured horizontal and vertical Illuminance at the Monitoring Sites.
Measured illuminance greater than 0.74 fc is evaluated as high illuminance, from 0.10 fc to 0.74 fc is evaluated as medium illuminance, and 0.10 fc or less is evaluated as low illuminance.
Table 2: Measured Illuminance (fc) at Monitoring Sites Monitoring
Site
Illuminance (fc)
Evaluation Horizontal Vertical
M-S1 0.70 1.44 Medium Horizontal Illuminance, High Vertical Illuminance
M-N1 0.76 0.91 High Horizontal Illuminance, High Vertica l Illuminance M-NE1 0.25 0.35 Medium Horizontal Illuminance, Medium Vertical Illuminance
c. Measured Existing Luminance:
The following luminance criteria are applied to measured and calculated luminance: luminance below 10 cd/m 2 is evaluated as low luminance; luminance greater than 10 cd/m 2 but less than 300 cd/m 2 is evaluated as medium luminance; luminance greater than 300 cd/m 2 is evaluated as high luminance.
The measured luminance recorded at the Monitoring Sites within the view to the Project includes prominent, high brightness light sources and illuminated surfaces, such as streetlights, illuminated signs, and flood lighted buildings, as well as lower brightness surfaces such as sidewalks, and un-illuminated walls or landscape areas.
The visual evaluation of High, Medium, and Low Contrast describes the perception of how bright a visible object appears to the surrounding objects within any given field of view and context. High Contrast indicates a potential glare condition for residential properties nearby. Contrast is the ratio of one surface luminance to a second surface luminance or to the field of view. Contrast ratios exceeding 30 to 1 are usually deemed uncomfortable and evaluated as high; less than 30 to 1 but greater than 10 to 1 is medium contrast; less than 10 to 1 but greater than 3 to 1 are clearly visible and evaluated as low; and less than 3 to 1 appear to be equal and are evaluated as very low.
Monitoring
Site Location
Approximate Distance to
Project Sign (feet)
M-S1 Northwest corner of S. Brand Blvd and E. Colorado St. 186 M-N1 Southwest corner of S. Brand Blvd and E. Harvard St. 388 M-NE1 Southeast corner of 3rd level of parking structure at 120 S.
Artsakh Avenue 617
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 4 Table 3: Measured Luminance (cd/m 2) at Monitoring Sites Monitoring
Site
Luminance (cd/m 2) Contrast Ratio
(Max/Avg) Evaluation Average Maximum
M-S1 144.6 2990 20.7 Medium Average, Medium Contrast
M-N1 359.7 5320 14.8 High Average, Medium Contrast
M-NE1 31.1 199.3 6.4 Medium Average, Low Contrast
The Project site is located at 234 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA. There is existing interior and exterior lighting within the Project site. The site is illuminated to a medium level by sources from the adjacent street lightng, and nearby building lighting and façade lighting within the Project site.
The range of recorded luminance from the Monitoring Sites is summarized in Table 3. The highest average luminance was recorded at Monitoring Site M-N1 at 359.7 cd/m 2, while the lowest average luminance was measured at Monitoring Site M-NE1 at 31.1 cd/m 2. The measured average luminance is evaluated as Medium Luminance (greater than 10 cd/m 2 and less than 300 cd/m 2) at monitoring sites M-S1 and M-NE1. The measured average luminance at Monitoring Site M-N1 is evaluated as High Luminance (above 300 cd/m 2). Therefore, the measured luminance range is from Medium to High luminance.
The highest maximum luminance was recorded at Monitoring Site M-N1 with 5320.0 cd/m 2, while the lowest maximum luminance was measured at Monitoring Site M -NE1 with 199.3 cd/m 2. The measured maximum luminance is evaluated as High (greater than 300 cd/m 2) at Monitoring Sites M-N1 and M-S1, and Medium (greater than 10 cd/m 2 and less than 300 cd/m 2) at Monitoring Sites M-NE1 and M-S1.
The calculated contrast ratio (maximum luminance / average luminance) varies from a minimum of 6.4 to 1 at Monitoring Site M-NE1 to a maximum of 20.7 to 1 at Monitoring Site M-S1. The calculated existing contrast ratio at MN-1 and M-S1 are evaluated as Medium Contrast (less than 30 to 1, and greater than 10 to 1). The calculated existing contrast ratio at M-NE1 is evaluated as low (less than 10 to 1).
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 5 d. Monitoring Site M-S1:
Monitoring Site M-S1 is used to evaluate residential use properties to the south of the Project site. Prominent light sources visible within the field of view to the Project site include street lighting, building façade lighting and traffic lights.
Figure 2: Monitoring Site M-S1 day image. September 23, 2025, 8:39 am
Figure 3: Monitoring Site M-S1 night image. September 23, 2025, 7.57 pm
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 6 e. Monitoring Site M-N1:
Monitoring Site M-N1 is used to evaluate residential use properties to the north of the Project site. Prominent light sources visible within the field of view to the Project Site include street lighting, buiding façade lighting and traffic lights.
Figure 4: Monitoring Site M-N1 day image. September 23, 2025, 8:42 am Figure 5: Monitoring Site M-N1 night image. September 23, 2025, 8:09 pm
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 7 f. Monitoring Site M-NE1:
Monitoring Site M-NE1 is used to evaluate residential use properties to the northeast of the Project Site.
Prominent light sources visible within the field of view to the Project Site include lighting from adjacent buildings, street lights, and distant lighting from buildings. M-NE1 is located at the 3rd floor of the 120 S. Artsakh Avenue parking structure, which represents the view from upper floors of residential properties to the northeast of the Sign.
Figure 7: Monitoring Site M-NE1 day image. September 23, 2025, 8:49 am
Figure 6: Monitoring Site M-NE1 night image. September 23, 2025, 8:23 pm
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 8 B. PROJECT LIGHTING ANALYSIS
The analysis of the Project includes evaluation of the Sign light trespass illuminance from the Project at adjacent residential use properties, and an evaluation of glare from the Project Signs visible at residential use properties or at adjacent roadway locations.
This Study presents a conservative analysis with respect to light trespass and glare. The Project Sign presented in Appendix A is evaluated with the Sign operating at the maximum luminance (6,000 cd/m 2 during daytime and 300
cd/m 2 during twilight and night time), all white.
This evaluation of the Sign lighting is based upon the change in ambient nighttime levels as a result of Project light sources. Specifically, the Project would exceed the City regulations if Sign light trespass illuminance is greater than existing illuminance ambient conditions, or the Project creates glare effects on drivers of motor vehicles that would negatively impact the flow of traffic or cause confusion for motorists, specifically if the Project Sign luminance exceeds the maximum permitted luminance stipulated by the California Vehicle Code (CVC). The CVC stipulates the maximum brightness of the Project Sign within 10 degrees from the driver’s normal field of view must be less than 1,000 times the minimum measured brightness in the driver’s field of view, or when the minimum measured brightness in the field of view is 10 footlamberts or less, the measured brightness of the light source in footlambert exceeds 500 plus 100 times the angle, in degrees, between the driver’s field of view and the light source.
B.1. LIGHT TRESPASS ANALYSIS
Light trespass illuminance is evaluated at the nearest adjacent residential use properties to confirm compliance with City ASOZ, D.5. “The maximum brightness levels shall not exceed ambient light levels.” Ambient light levels are established by the measured illuminance at the Monitoring Sites as summarized above in Table 2. The minimum measured illuminance is 0.35 fc.
The Sign is located at 234 South Brand Blvd, Glendale, California and is surrounded by commercial properties to the north and south, existing residential properties to the west, and mixed use zoned properties to the north, and north west. There is no light trespass impact at commercial properties because additional nighttime illuminance does not interfere with or degrade the use of these properties. The nearest adjacent residential properties with potential view of the Signs are located to the west of Signs at The Excelsior residential community at 251 S. Brand Blvd., which is 127 feet away from the Signs to the west. The Excelsior (represented by MS-1) and the Americana at Brand Luxury Apartments (represented by MN-1) residential properties are part of the original Americana at Brand project developed by the Applicant and are not therefore considered to be a sensitive use affected by the Signs. Properties to the Sign that may be affected by light from the Sign are located to the northeast of the Project, north of E. Harvard St. and east of Artsakh Ave, which are a part of the East Broadway Land Use District.
Properties within the East Broadway Land Use District are zoned as mixed use, commercial and residential use.
The Project Signs are evaluated at the existing 3-story parking structure at the intersection of E. Harvad St. and Artsakh Ave at approximately 650 feet from the north Sign face. This location provides a very conservative evaluation of the light trespass illuminance, since all residential use properties will be more distant from the Signs.
Light degrades exponentially with distance. Therefore, residential properties more distant from the Signs receive exponentially less light than locations close to the Signs, according to the Inverse Square Law.
The Signs are analyzed to determine the critical distance where light trespass is significant. Sign locations where the distance to the nearest residential properies are greater than the Sign critical distance will not receive light trespass illuminance that exceeds the thresholds defined in Section E above, and therefore will not create an impact.
This Study evaluates light trespass illuminance for the Sign with procedures as recommended by the IESNA.
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 9 a. Sign Light Trespass Illuminance Analysis
The light trespass illuminance from the Project Sign is evaluated to determine a conservative standard distance where Sign light trespass illuminance would be below existing ambient illuminance measured at the Monitoring Sites. This conservative distance is used to determine the extent of residential use properties near to the Sign locations where there would be potential for light trespass illuminance. Light decreases exponentially as the distance increases from the Signs1. Therefore, residential use properties located farther away from the Project Sign will receive exponentially less light than locations near to the Sign. The Sign illuminance calculation determines a conservative distance from the Signs to exclude any potential impact at residential use properties located at greater distances.
Light trespass is calculated by the illumination modeling software program AGI32, which utilizes a 3-dimensional architectural computer model, including the sign dimensions and luminous specifications (as defined herein within Appendix A) to generate an accurate prediction of future illuminance. The results of the calculated distance where the light trespass illuminance from each Sign face is 0.35 fc is 250 feet. Light degrades rapidly over distance as explained by the Inverse Square Law. Therefore, any residential properties located at distances greater than 250 feet will receive less than 0.35 fc. and will not receive significant light trespass from the Signs and do not need further study. The distance where Sign light trespass illuminance is at or less than the threshold is presented in Table 5. The Sign is calculated as operating at the maximum nighttime luminance of 300 candelas per square meter. Each Sign face is modeled with dimensions, orientation, and elevation above the ground as described in Appendix A. The Sign light trespass analysis defines a conservative distance to evaluate the potential for the Project Sign to create a light trespass impact.
Table 4: Light Trespass Illuminance
All qualifying residential use properties are located farther than 250 feet from the Sign as demonstrated in Figure 1 above. Therefore, the light trespass illuminance from the Sign received at any residential property from the Sign will be far less than 0.35 fc, the minimum ambient illuminance measured at the nearest residential property.
Therefore, the Project Sign will not create a significant source of light trespass.
B.2. GLARE ANALYSIS
Glare from the Project is evaluated at adjacent roadways for drivers on adjacent streets to confirm compliance with City ASOZ, I.5 which states “Signs shall not negatively impact the flow of traffic or cause confusion for motorists, to the satisfaction of the director of public works.” For this analysis, the Project compliance with City regulations is evaluated relative to the Sign compliance with the requirements of the California Vehicle Code for night, twilight, and day conditions.
The Project’s lighting effect on a driver’s visibility is evaluated at the center line of the driver’s field of view and at angles wider than the center line of the driver’s field of view. Bright sources within the driver’s field of view, from the centerline of the roadway to angles up to 90 degrees from the center line of the roadway, may create glare if the light source is brighter than the limits established by the CVC. As summarized below, the results of this analysis demonstrate that the maximum Project luminance is substantially less than the limits established by the CVC for excessive luminance, or glare, during night, twilight (sunset and sunrise) and during the day. Accordingly, the
1 Inverse Square Law, (see Glossary of Lighting Terminology).
Sign Description Sign Dimensions
Minimum Ambient Illuminance
(0. 35 fc )
South Sign Face 19’8” x 36’3” 250 feet
North Sign Face 19’8” x 36’3” 250 feet
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 10 Project luminance is far below the maximum permitted luminance by the CVC requirements for roadways approaching the Signs from all directions.
The roadway glare analysis evaluates the maximum Sign luminance during night, twilight, and day with respect to the most stringent requirements of the CVC to determine if the Project creates distracting glare to drivers. As defined in Appendix A, the maximum Sign luminance at night and during twilight in all white mode is 300 cd/m 2,
and the maximum Sign luminance during the day is 6000 cd/m 2, in all white mode.
The most stringent condition contained within the CVC Section 21466.5, states: “except that when the minimum measured brightness in the field of view is 10 footlamberts or less, the measured brightness of the light source in footlamberts (fL) shall not exceed 500 plus 100 times the angle, in roadway degrees, between the driver’s field of view and the light source.” Thus, a conservative evaluation occurs where a Sign is visible within the centerline of a driver’s field of view, the angle noted above within the field of view is 0, the surrounding surface luminance is less than 10 fL, and therefore the maximum allowable luminance is 500 fL. Therefore, the most conservative condition at night or at twilight evaluates the Sign maximum luminance in comparison to the maximum permitted luminance defined by CVC, which is 500 fL.
A measured brightness within the driver's field of view of less than 10 fL occurs at night when the maximum Sign luminance is 300 cd/m
2, which converts to English units from metric units as 87.6 fL. The Sign maximum luminance would not exceed 87.6 fL, which is 17.5% of the 500 fL CVC maximum, which is the most conservative limit provided by the CVC for conditions where the minimum brightness in the driver’s field of view is less than 10 fL. Therefore, at night, the Sign within the driver’s field of view would not exceed 500 fL and, therefore, would not introduce a new source of glare as defined by the CVC Section 21466.5. Sign luminance is consistent for distances less than 1000 feet, and degrades at distances greater than 1000 feet.
When the sign is located beyond the driver’s 10 degree field of view, the maximum luminance is permitted to increase under the CVC. For example, light sources located 15 degrees from the centerline of the driver’s field of view are limited to a maximum of 1,000 fL (500 fL plus 100 times the angle (5 degrees) = 1,000 fL). The maximum Sign luminance at night is 300 cd/m 2 or 87.6 fL, or less than approximately 8.8% of the maximum allowed by the CVC for Signs located at 15 degrees from the center of the driver’s field of view. Therefore, at night, the Signs beyond the driver’s 10 degree field of view would not exceed the 1000 fL and would not introduce a new source of glare as defined by the CVC Section 21466.5.
The Sign is evaluated during twilight (the transition period from day to night, from sunset to 45 minutes after sunset, and from 45 minutes before sunrise to sunrise). Sunlight increases gradually from the minimum brightness during the night to maximum brightness at mid-day, and then decreases gradually to the minimum brightness after sunset during the night. The minimum ambient luminance from sunlight occurs 45 minutes after sunset or later, until at least 45 minutes before sunrise. During evening twilight, from sunset and for 45 minutes thereafter, the ambient sunlight will be greater than the minimum values at night due to the light from the setting sun. And during morning twilight, from 45 minutes prior to sunrise until sunrise, the minimum luminance will be greater than the minimum luminance during the night due to the rising sun. This Study applies the CVC minimum light criteria for night conditions (10 fL) during twilight, extending the duration of minimum sunlight, to present a conservative evaluation of glare. Therefore, the maximum luminance during twilight permitted by the CVC is 500 fL, which equals 1,579 cd/m
2. The Sign luminance will not exceed 300 cd/m 2 (87.6 fL), from sunset to sunrise. At 45 minutes prior to sunset, the Signs transition from the maximum daytime luminance of 6,000 cd/m 2 to the maximum nighttime luminance of 300 cd/m 2. This transition is completed no later than sunset to avoid potential high contrast, glare conditions.
Similarly, the Signs transition from the night maximum luminance of 300 cd/m 2 to the day maximum luminance of 6,000 cd/m 2, beginning no earlier than 45 minutes prior to sunrise. Therefore, the Signs would not exceed the CVC maximum of 500 fL and would not introduce a new source of glare during twilight.
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 11 The evaluation of the Sign luminance during the day (from sunrise until 45 minutes before sunset) compares the daytime, ambient brightness to the maximum sign brightness required by the CVC during full sun conditions and overcast sky conditions. The CVC, Section 21466.5, above, permits the Signs to "generate light intensity levels greater than 1,000 times the minimum measured brightness in the driver’s field of view, except when the minimum values are less than 10 (fL).”
During the day (sunrise until 45 minutes before sunset), sunlight with clear sky conditions or light overcast conditions provides sufficient illuminance to generate surface brightness greater than 10 fL and up to 1200 fL on the least reflective surfaces, such as roadway pavement. Utilizing the value of 10 fL as the minimum within the driver’s field of view, the maximum allowable brightness would be 1,000 times 10 fL, or 10,000 fL. The daytime maximum Sign luminance is 6,000 cd/m
2 (1,751 fL), which is less than 17.5% of the maximum luminance stipulated by the CVC. Therefore, the Sign will not create a new source of glare during daytime hours of operation with clear sky or light overcast conditions.
Severe storms, heavy cloud cover, or other atmospheric conditions may occur during the day, which may cause the minimum brightness within the driver’s field of view to be less than 10 fL. The Sign includes an electronic control system to reduce the sign luminance from 6,000 cd/m 2 (1,751 fL) to 300 cd/m 2 (87.6 fL) maximum when the
ambient sunlight falls to illuminance values similar to night, less than 100 fc. During the day, when storms, cloud cover, or other low ambient sunlight conditions occur and when the ambient sunlight is less than 100 fc, the Sign will transition from the daytime 6,000 cd/m 2 (1,751 fL) to 300 cd/m 2 (87.6 fL) maximum, and thereby ensures that the sign brightness remains less than the maximum brightness required by the CVC. Therefore, the Sign would not create a new source of glare during daytime periods with storm or severe overcast weather conditions and would not exceed 87.6 fL, or 17.5% of the 500 fL maximum allowed by the CVC during overcast conditions.
The Sign will not exceed 300 cd/m 2 (87.6 fL) luminance at night or during overcast sky conditions, and will not exceed 6,000 cd/m 2 (1,751 fL) during the day. The Sign luminance is less than the CVC standard, including 17.5% of the maximum allowable luminance permitted by the CVC for glare during the day. Therefore, the Signs will not create a new source of glare or distraction to drivers on adjacent streets within the City of Glendale.
Sincerely,
FRANCIS KRAHE & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Francis J. Krahe, P.E.
State of California Professional Electrical Engineer License #: 12953
Francis Krahe II
Digitally signed by Francis Krahe II
DN: C=US, [email protected], OU=Francis
Krahe & Associates Inc., CN=Francis Krahe II
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Reason: I attest to the accuracy and integrity of
this document
Contact Info: [email protected]
Date: 2025.10.14 18:00:03-07'00'
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 12 APPENDIX A. APPENDIX A: SIGN CONCEPT DESIGN
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 13
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 14 APPENDIX B.
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 15
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 16
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 17 APPENDIX C. APPENDIX B : LIGHTING REGULATIONS & REFERENCE STAN DARDS Exterior lighting is regulated throughout California by the local municipal code and the state energy and building codes. Pertinent lighting sections are summarized and discussed for the City of Glendale, California Municipal Code (GMC), the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), the California Energy Code (CEC), and the California Vehicle Code (CVC). Reference standards include model lighting ordinances provided by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and the International DarkSky Organization, and various publications from the IESNA. Various aspects of these reference standards are included in local regulations to improve the outcomes of any approved project and avoid future disputes or legal challenges to proposed lighted signs. The lighting standards summarized below balance the requirements of property owners for sufficient brightness and flexibility for the use of the signs, with minimizing the off-site negative effects of light trespass and glare.
CITY OF GLENDALE MUNICIPAL CODE
The GMC includes the following specific regulations or performance requirements for outdoor lighting or illuminanted signs with respect to light trespass (i.e., the spillover of light onto adjacent light-sensitive properties). “CHAPTER 30.26
ADVERTISING SIGNAGE OVERLAY ZONE (ASOZ)
…
§ 30.26.050. Regulations for signs allowed by the A SOZ.
…
D. Animated signs permitted under this chapter shall:
…
5. The maximum brightness levels shall not exceed ambient light levels. The director may require a lighting study, field measurements or other satisfactory method to verify compliance with this requirement.
…
I. In addition to other regulations, the following shall apply to all signs permitted under this chapter:
...
5. Signs shall not negatively impact the flow of traffic or cause confusion for motorists, to the satisfaction of the director of public works.”
The City of Glendale enforces the building code requirements of the CEC and CALGreen.
CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 24
Title 24 of the 2022 California Code of Regulations (CCR), also known as the California Building Standards Code, includes regulations for all exterior lighting throughout the State of California, including requirements related to outdoor sign lighting. The CCR Title 24 Part 11 (CALGreen) includes the regulations which mandate limits to light trespass and glare at any property line or center line of adjacent transportation right of way according to the outdoor lighting zones adopted by CEC. However, the CALGreen grants exceptions to signs which comply with the lighting controls and energy use requirements within CEC Sections 130.3 and 140.8 following requirements regarding outdoor light pollution, which pertain to outdoor sign lighting.
CALGreen, Chapter 5, paragraph 5.106.8 Light Pollution Reduction stipulates compliance with the CEC for Lighting Zones 0-4 for light trespass and Backlight, Uplight, and Glare as per IES TM-15-11. However, the Signs
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 18 comply with the exceptions to Section 140.7(a), and therefore qualifies as an exception to the light trespass and glare requirement defined in Section 5.106.8. Therefore the CEC light trespass and glare limits do not apply to the Signs. However, this Study analyzes the Project’s light trespass and glare with respect to the CEC limits for outdoor lighting to present a conservative analysis.
CAL GREEN CHAPTER 5
California Green Building Code, Chapter 5, paragraph 5.106.8, Light Pollution reduction stipulates compliance with the California Energy Code for Lighting Zones 0-4 for light trespass and Backlight, Uplight, and Glare as per IES TM-15-11. However, Exception 1 allows for exclusion as noted in Section 140.7.
5.106.8 Light pollution reduction. [N] Outdoor lighting systems shall be designed and installed to comply with the following:
1. The minimum requirements in the California Energy
Code for Lighting Zones 0-4 as defined in Chapter 10,
Section 10-114 of the California Administrative Code ; and
2. Backlight (B) ratings as defined in IES TM-15-1 1
(shown in Table A-1 in Chapter 8);
3. Uplight and Glare ratings as defined in California
Energy Code (shown in Tables 130.2-A and 130.2-B in
Chapter 8) and
4. Allowable BUG ratings not exceeding those shown in Table 5.106.8 [N], or
Comply with a local ordinance lawfully enacted pursuant to Section 101.7, whichever is more stringent.
Exceptions: [N]
1. Luminaires that qualify as exceptions in Sectio n 140.7 of the California Energy Code.
SECTION 140.7 PRESCRIPTIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR OUTDOO R LIGHTING includes the following requirements. (a) An outdoor lighting installation complies with this section if it meets the requirements in Subse ctions (b) and (c), and the actual outdoor lighting power inst alled is no greater than the allowed outdoor lighti ng power calculated under Subsection (d). The allowed outdoor lighting shall be calculated according to outdoor lighting zone in Title 24, Part 1, Section 10-114.
Exceptions to Section 140.7(a): When more than 50 percent of the light from a luminaire falls within one or more of the following applications, the lighting power for that luminaire shall be exempt from Section 140.7:
…
7. Lighting of signs complying with the requirements of Sections 130.3 and 140.8.”
The Project includes lighting control systems which demonstrate compliance with Sections 130.3 and 140.8.
Therefore, the Project is within the exceptions to Section 140.7(a), and therefore qualifies as an exception to the light trespass and glare requirement defined in Section 5.106.8 above.
The CEC sections that apply to the Signs are included below to define the required lighting controls to qualify as an exception within Section 140.7.
“California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6)
Section 141.0 ADDITIONS, ALTERATIONS AND REPAIRS TO EXISTING NONRESIDENTIAL, HIGH- RISE RESIDENTIAL, … AND TO INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGNS
Additions, alterations, and repairs to existing … i nternally and externally illuminated signs, shall m eet the requirements specified in Sections 100.0 through 110.10, and 120.0 through 130.5 that are applicable to the building project, and either the performance compliance appr oach (energy budgets) in Section 141.0(a)2 (for add itions) or 141.0(b) 3 (for alterations), or the prescriptive compliance approach in Section 141.0(a)1 (for additions) or 141.0(b)2 (for alterations)...
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 19
Section 100.0 Scope, (d) Outdoor lighting and indo or and outdoor signs. The provisions of Part 6 apply to outdoor lighting systems and to signs loca ted either indoors or outdoors as set forth in Tabl e 100.0-A. …
Table 100.0 - A APPLICATION OF STANDARDS
OCCUPANCIES
APPLICATION MANDATORY PRESCRIPTIVE PERFORMANCES ALT ERATIONS/
ADDITIONS
Signs Indoor and
Outdoor
110.9, 130.0,
130.3
140.8 N.A. 141.0,
141.0(b)2H
”…
and paragraph 6 page 3, states:
“Signs. Sections 130.0, 130.3 and 140.8 apply to n ewly constructed signs located either indoors or ou tdoors, and Section 141.0 applies to sign alterations located either indoors or outdoors.”
The requirements of SECTION 110.9, MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR LIGHTING CONTROLS stipulate the type and method of outdoor lighting control systems and the types and methods of daylight sensors required for Signs to provide automatic reduced sign lighting after sunset and before sunrise.
The requirements of SECTION 130.0 LIGHTING SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT, AND ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS – GENERAL, include the following pertaining to outdoor signs:
“(a) The design and installation of all lighting sy stems and equipment in nonresidential, high-rise re sidential, hotel/motel buildings, outdoor lighting, and electr ical power distribution systems within the scope of Section 100.0(a), shall comply with the applicable provisions of Sections 130.0 through 130.5.” SECTION 130.3 SIGN LIGHTING CONTROLS, includes the following section that pertains to outdoor signs:
“(a) Controls for sign lighting. All sign lighting shall meet the requirements below as applicable:
2. Outdoor signs. Outdoor sign lighting shall meet the following requirements as applicable:
A. All outdoor sign lighting shall be controlled w ith a photocontrol in addition to an automatic time -switch control, or an astronomical time-switch control.
B. All outdoor sign lighting that is ON both day a nd night shall be controlled with a dimmer that provides the ability to automatically reduce sign lighting power by a minimum of 65 percent during nighttime hours. Signs that are illuminated at night and for more than 1 hour during daylight hours shall be considered ON both day and night.” SECTION 140.8 PRESCRIPTIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGNS ….
Maximum allowed lighting power.
For internally illuminated signs, the maximum allowed lighting power shall not exceed the product of the illuminated sign area and 12 watts per square foot. For doubl e-faced signs, only the area of a single face shall be used to determine the allowed lighting power.
Alternate lighting sources. The sign shall comply if it is equipped only with one or more of the foll owing light sources: ….
Light emitting diodes (LEDs) with a power supply having an efficiency of 80 percent or greater’’
California Vehicle Code, Division 11. Rules of the Road Chapter 2, Article 3 of the California Vehicle Code stipulates limits to the location of light sources that may cause glare and impair the vision of drivers.
ARTICLE 3. Offenses Relating to Traffic Devices [21450 - 21468] (Article 3 enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.), Section 21466.5. No person shall place or maintain or disp lay, upon or in view of any highway, any light of a ny color of such brilliance as to impair the vision of drivers upon the highway. A light source shall be considered vision impairing when its brilliance exceeds the values listed below.
The brightness reading of an objectionable light source shall be measured with a 1-1/2 degree photoelectric brightness meter placed at the driver’s point of view. The maximum measured brightness of the light source within 10 degrees
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 20 from the driver’s normal field of view shall not be more than 1,000 times the minimum measured brightn ess in the driver’s field of view, except that when the minimum measured brightness in the field of view is 10 footlamberts or less, the measured brightness of the light source i n footlambert shall not exceed 500 plus 100 times t he angle, in degrees, between the driver’s field of view and the light source.
IESNA Recommended Practices
The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) produces illumination research and engineering standards which are widely recognized and accepted as best practices for the science of lighting research, lighting terminology definitions, and the methods of analysis and application of illuminantion engineering.
The IESNA reference publications include American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) ANSI/IES OL-IM-03 Lighting Design Criteria and Illumination Recommendations, which provides definitions of lighting science and lighting applications; ANSI/IES LP-11-20 Environmental Considerations for Outdoor Lighting which provides definition of light trespass and glare; and ANSI/LP 2-20 Designing Quality Lighting for People in Outdoor Environment, which summarizes research of light affects on human health at night and provides guidelines for environmental regulations for outdoor lighting.
IES LP-11-20 defines Outdoor Lighting Zones which describe the extent of human activity at night versus natural habitat (see Appendix D of this Study) for a range of existing lighting conditions, from low or no existing lighting to high light levels in urban areas. Outdoor Lighting Zones are included in CEC as noted above in relation to allowable energy use for outdoor lighting and light pollution reduction. In addition, the IESNA 10th Edition Lighting Handbook defines recommended light trespass illuminance limits in Table 26.5, included in the Appendix E hereto, relative to the Outdoor Lighting Zones. The recommended light trespass illuminance limits define the maximum light trespass values in lux at the location where lighting is under review.
The existing conditions surrounding the Project are best described as Lighting Zone 3. IESNA Table 26.5, lists a Pre-curfew 8 Lux (0.74 footcandles) maximum at the location where trespass is under review for Lighting Zone 3.
This analysis utilizes IESNA recommended practice in the methods of analysis for light trespass and glare at senstivie use properties.
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 21 APPENDIX D. IESNA LP-11-20
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CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 23 APPENDIX E. IESNA TABLE 26.5
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 24 APPENDIX F. APPENDIX C : GLOSSARY OF LIGHTING TERMINOLOGY Discussions of lighting issues include precise definitions, descriptions or terminology of the specific lighting technical parameters. The following glossary summarizes explanations of the technical lighting terms utilized in this Study and the related practice standards to facilitate discussion of these issues. The following technical terms are defined by IESNA is ANSI/IES LS-1-21, and are used in this Study.
Brightness: “The attribute of a visual sensation according to which an area appears to emit more light or less light”. The magnitude of sensation results from viewing a source of light.
This sensation is determined partly by the source of light and partly by the conditions of observation (context). The context establishes the state of adaptation of the eye.
For example, auto head lamps appear bright at night and dim during the day, because the eye adapts to the higher brightness of daylight.
Candela: The Standard International (SI) unit of luminous i ntensity. One candela is one lumen per steradian (lm/sr). Candela is a measure of light energy from a source at a specific standard angle and distance. Candela (cd) is a convenient measure to evaluate output of light from a light source in terms of both the intensity of light and the direction of travel of the light energy away from the source.
Contrast: Calculated comparison ratio of luminance, where l uminance of a subject is compared to a second luminance of an adjacent subject, or to the average luminance within the field of view of an observer. High contrast, where the ratio exceeds 30 to 1, is usually deemed uncomfortable; contrast ratios greater than of 10 to 1 are clearly visible; and contrast ratios less than 3 to 1 appear to be equal.
Glare: The sensation produced by luminance within the visual field that are sufficiently greater than the luminance to which the eyes are adapted to cause annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance or visibility . Note: The magnitude of the sensation of glare depends on such factors as the size, position and luminance of a source; the number of sources; and the luminance to which the eyes are adapted.
Glare is visual discomfort experienced from high luminance or high range of luminance. For exterior environments at night, glare occurs when the range of luminance in a visual field is too large. The light energy incident at a point is measured by a scale of footcandles or lux, and is described in the technical term Illuminance. This incident light is not visible to the eye until it is reflected from a surface, such as pavement, wall, dust in the atmosphere or the surface of a light bulb. The visible brightness of a surface is measured in footlamberts (or metric equivalent candelas per square meter) and is described by the term Luminance.
The human eye processes brightness variations acr oss a very broad spectrum of intensities. The range of brightness generated by direct noon sun versus a moonlight evening is over 5000 to 1. Human eyes are capable of accommodating to this range of intensities given adequate time to adjust. However, the eye cannot process brightness ratios of more than 30 to 1 within a view without discomfort. See ANSI/IES, LS-6-20 Lighting Science: Calculation of Light and Its Effects, 10.2 Calculating Glare.
For the purpose of this analysis, brightness of l ight sources may be described subjectively by the following criteria:
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 25 High Contrast Conditions: View of light fixture emitting surface, such as a lens, reflector, or lamp, where brightness contrast ratio exceeds 30 to 1 (source Luminance to background Luminance ratio in footlamberts).
Medium Contrast Conditions: Brightly lighted surfaces where contrast ratio exceeds 10 to 1, but is less than 30 to 1 (lighted surface Luminance to background Luminance ratio in footlamberts).
Low Contrast Conditions: Illuminated surfaces where contrast ratio exceeds 3 to 1, but less than 10 to 1 (source Luminance to backgrou nd Luminance ratio in footlamberts).
Very L ow Contrast Conditions: Illuminated surfaces where contrast ratio are less than 3 to 1 (source Luminance to background Luminance ratio in footlamberts).
Illuminance: The areal density of the luminous flux incident at a point on a surface. Illuminance is the means of evaluating the density of Luminous Flux. Illuminance indicates the amount of Luminous Flux from a light source falling on a given area. Illuminance is measured in footcandles (fc) which is the lumens per square foot, or Lux (lumens per square meter). Illuminance need not necessarily be related to a real surface since it may be measured at any point within a space. Illuminance is determined from the Luminous intensity of the light source. Illuminance of a point source decreases with the square of the distance from the light source (see Inverse Square Law definition).
Inverse Square Law: In physics , an inverse-square law is any physical law stating that a specified physical quantity or intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source of that physical quantity. The fundamental cause for this relationship can be understood as geometric dilution corresponding to point-source radiation into three- dimensional space (see Figure 11). The divergence of a vector field which is the resultant of radial inverse-square law fields with respect to one or more sources is everywhere proportional to the strength of the local sources, and hence zero outside sources. Newton's law of universal gravitation follows an inverse-square law, as do the effects of electric, magnetic, light, sound, and radiation phenomena. Thus, Illuminance decreases with the square of the distance from the light source.
Figure 8: Inverse square law diagram (hyperphysics.phy-ast.gsu.edu)
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 26 Light Source: Device which emits light energy from an electric power source.
Light trespass: Electric light from subject property incident onto adjacent properties, measured in footcandles or lux, usually analyzed by measurement at or near the adjacent property line.
Lighting Zone (LZ): Defined by IESNA and adopted by California Energy Code.
Lighting Zone LZ2: Outdoor areas of human activity where the vision of human residents and users is adapted to moderate light levels. Lighting is not uniform or consistent. Lighting is generally desired for safety, security and/or convenience.
Lighting Zone LZ3: Outdoor areas of human activity where the vision of human residents and users is adapted to moderately high light levels. Lighting is generally desired for safety, security and/or convenience.
Lighting Zone LZ4: Outdoor areas of human activity where the vision of human residents and users is adapted to high light levels. Lighting is generally desired for safety, security and/or convenience.
Lumen (lm): “SI unit of luminous flux . Radiometrically, it is determined from the radiant power (see luminous flux ). Photometrically, it is the luminous flux emitted within a unit solid angle (one steradian) by a point source having a uniform luminous intensity of one candela .”
Luminance: “The quotient of the luminous flux at an element of the surface surrounding the point, and propagated in directions defined by an elementary cone containing the given direction, by the product of the solid angle of the cone and the area of the orthogonal projection of the element of the surface on a plane perpendicular to the given direction. The luminous flux may be leaving, passing through, and/or arriving at the surface.”
Luminance is a measure of emissive or reflected light from a specific surface in a specific direction over a standard area. Luminance is measured in footlamberts (fL) (1/π candela per square foot) or cd/m 2 (candela per square meter). 1fL = 3.43 cd/m 2.
Whereas Illuminance indicates the amount of Luminous Flux falling on a given surface, Luminance describes the brightness of an illuminated or luminous surface. Luminance is defined as the ratio of luminous intensity of a surface (candela) to the projected area of this surface (m 2 or ft 2).
Luminous Flux: Mean value of total candelas produced by a light source. Luminous Flux describes the total amount of light emitted by a light source, units Lumen (lm).
This radiation could basically be measured or exp ressed in watts. This does not, however, describe the optical effect of a light source adequately, since the varying spectral sensitivity of the eye is not taken into account. To include the spectral sensitivity of the eye the Luminous Flux is measured in lumen. Radiant Flux or 1 W
CU170 234 S Brand Lighting ME 20251014.docx October 14, 2025 Page 27 emitted at the peak of the spectral sensitivity (in the photopic range at 555 nanometers produces a Luminous Flux of 683 lumen). The unit of lumen does not define direction.
Monitoring Sites: Locations adjacent to the Project sites selected for observation and measurement to evaluate the visual field from the sensitive use properties to the Project sites to determine the extent and intensity of existing light sources within and surrounding the Project sites. The Monitoring Sites are within the public right of way, and may be adjacent to sensitive use sites. These locations are representative of the view to a specific Project site from the vicinity of the sensitive sites surrounding the Project to the north, south, east or west.
Skyglow: “The brightening of the night sky that results from the scattering and reflection of light from the constituents of the atmosphere (gaseous molecules and aerosols), in the direction of the observer. Skyglow has two separate components: natural sky glow and artificial sky glow.” Natural causes of skyglow include sunlight reflected from the surface of the earth and moon, sunlight illuminating the upper atmosphere, and visible illumination from other interplanetary sources.
Human made causes of skyglow include electric light that is emitted directly upward into the sky (uplight), or reflected off of the ground.
Visual Field : “The locus of objects or points in space that can be perceived when the head and eyes are kept fixed.” In this Study existing and future lighting conditions are evaluated within the visual field from an observer’s position at the Monitoring Sites to the Project site.