CCC to Hear Malibu High Lighting Plan on Oct. 5

The California Coastal Commission staff report for the City of Malibu’s Local Coastal Program Amendment to permit field lighting at Malibu High School is now available. The matter is on the agenda for the Wednesday, Oct. 5, CCC meeting in Huntington Beach,

Staff has recommended that the lighting proposal, which has resulted in a sharp division of opinion within the community, includes modifications to address concerns about the project’s environmental impact.

California Coastal Commission staff is recommending the commission deny the City of Malibu’s Local Coastal Program Amendment to permit athletic field lighting at Malibu High School and approve a modified amendment that requires an extensive ornithological survey and monitoring program if the lights are used during fall or spring bird migration periods, and a prohibition on the light use more then three times a week, or on consecutive nights, and during certain periods of bird activity.

During Pacific Standard Time (defined as of 2011 to be the first Sunday in November to the second Sunday in March), the lights may be illuminated no later than 7:30 p.m., according to the staff report.

From each September 1 through May 31 period, inclusive, the lights may only be illuminated after 7:30 p.m. up to 18 times, and then (a) only until 10:30 p.m., (b) never on consecutive nights, and (c) on no more than two nights in any given calendar week. The lights may not be illuminated at any time between June 1 and August 31, inclusive, of any year.

The report is available online at http://www.coastal.ca.gov/mtgcurr.html