There will be Friday Night Lights in Malibu. Now that that’s settled, and the parameters of the scheduling set by the Coastal Commission established, the campaign is well underway to install 70 foot permanent steel poles that will dominate the Malibu skyline 24/7 even though they can only be used a fraction of the year.
Let us not forget that four years ago, there were Friday Night Lights in Malibu. To my knowledge, there were no complaints. Each Fall saw the installation of temporary lights and by late Spring they were gone. Then came BB bond money and the initial decision by SMMUSD to use funds earmarked to improve Malibu High’s facilities turned into a battle of the lights. After much discord, the Coastal Commission weighed in, allowing lights but restricting their use and requiring that the impact on the lighting on the birds be monitored.
For the last month or so, orange balloons have been on display at MHS, putting everyone on notice of the permanent, ugly visual impact that 70 foot poles (that’s about four times the maximum height restriction) smack in the middle of the Malibu Bowl. Actually, it will be much worse than the balloons suggest. Each pole will be equipped with twelve LSG fixtures with cross arms spaced at 29.5 inches apart. A beautiful equestrian park, a place to walk your dog and view the sunset and four 70 foot steel poles!
The Planning Department recommended approval of the proposed permanent lights. As part of its analysis it gave short shrift to the temporary lights alternative to 70-foot permanent poles (53 foot temporary lights), citing noise and light concerns and, amazingly, the lack of impact that 70 foot poles would have on the visual skyline. Have they taken a look at the orange balloons?
The good news is that there is a solution that addresses the seasonal athletic activities at MHS and environmental concerns. There are quieter generators available, including those generators used in filming. Although it is true that the taller the pole, the less the glare, the same company that is set to provide the permanent lights can devise improved temporary 53 foot lights that provide less glare that the temporary lights used without complaint in the old days.
And here’s another concern— the Coastal Commission’s ruling required the monitoring of any potential impact of these lights on the migratory and resident bird species. If there is an adverse impact, will these lights be taken down? In Kauai, three high schools were forced to terminate Friday Night Lights because of the impact on young seabirds. Doesn’t it make much more sense to insure the season begins in the Fall with temporary lights and give a balanced solution a chance rather than rush ahead with the construction of $600,000 of ugliness?
Cynthia Kesselman