Amid pressure to correct outdated and vague lighting standards in the city’s current zoning code, a subcommittee is set to meet Tuesday evening to gather community input on an ordinance that would regulate nighttime lighting throughout Malibu.
On Tuesday at 6 p.m., the city’s Zoning Ordinance Revisions and Code Enforcement Subcommittee (ZORACES) will lead a meeting inviting community members and stakeholders to help guide the city’s focus in the drafting of the lighting ordinance. Councilmembers John Sibert and Skylar Peak sit on the subcommittee.Â
Before hiring a consultant to draft the ordinance, city staff wants help from ZORACES in determining how closely Malibu’s draft ordinance should resemble a Model Lighting Ordinance (MLO) set forth by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) and Iluminating Engineering Society (IES). The inclusion of lighting standards for private and city-owned streets is also up for discussion by ZORACES.
On April 8, the City Council voted 5-0 to direct the hiring of a lighting consultant and for ZORACES meetings to be held on the drafting of the ordinance. Preparation of the draft is estimated to cost $20,000-$25,000.Â
Malibu has dealt with several lighting issues in the last year, including parking lot light plans at the Trancas Shopping Center, 70-foot stadium lights on the football field and parking lot light fixtures at a new proposed parking lot at Malibu High. The stadium lighting resulted in ongoing litigation among high school neighbors, the City of Malibu and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
If the city implements lighting regulations, which would provide stronger points of reference for city planners, many believe disputes over nighttime lighting could be avoided in Malibu.
For more information on Tuesday’s meeting, visit the city’s website.Â