The California Coastal Commission (CCC) is expected to make a decision on Pepperdine University’s request to install six 80-foot stadium lights on one of its recreational fields at this month’s meeting, taking place Oct. 9-11 in San Diego. The commission was scheduled
to make a decision on the lights at its September meeting in Eureka, but postponed the decision. Pepperdine reportedly requested the delay on a decision last month so it could have more time to respond to findings reported by Coastal Commission staff, in which they recommend the CCC reject a plan for the lights.
Staffers say the proposal, which would add six 80-foot stadium light fixtures to replace four existing 28-foot fixtures at what is known as the Marie Canyon field, would harm a nearby environmentally sensitive habitat area (ESHA). But university officials say the lights are actually less harmful to the environment than the existing fixtures, and are crucial to providing future recreational opportunities to students.