Dark Sky Special Lighting Zone-the Observatory at Turner Farm Park, Virginia
The Fairfax County Planning Commission on 18 October 2023 held a public hearing on creating a special lighting zone to protect the dark skies around the Observatory at Turner Farm Park in Great Falls, Virginia as allowed under Virginia State Code 15.2-920
The motion to take staff recommendations for creation of this protected lighting zone to the Board of Supervisors passed unanimously.
The following link is to the public hearing with Dark Sky Friends founder’s remarks beginning at 1:58:26.
Video begins at start of hearing on the zoning ordinance amendment on dark sky lighting.
Fairfax County Planning Commission Public Hearing Video
Code of Virginia
§ 15.2-920. Regulation of outdoor lighting near certain facilities.
In addition to any other authority granted to localities by law, any locality may by ordinance regulate outdoor lighting within an area one-half mile around planetariums, astronomical observatories and meteorological laboratories. This section shall not be construed to affect any ordinance heretofore adopted by a locality.
1980, c. 512, § 15.1-29.8; 1997, c. 587.