Spotlight to Shine on Malibu High School Lights Project

The Malibu City Council will consider Monday night whether to approve permits for 70-foot permanent lights on the main sports field at Malibu Middle and High School.

The meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 25 at .

Malibu city staff have recommended the approval of a coastal development permit and a temporary use permit for the construction of the lights, which will only be allowed during certain times.

Each light will be covered with a visor to "direct light downward, reduce the spill of light into the sky, and reduce glare," according to city documents.

According to a city staff report, the lighting at Malibu High's main sports field will be allowed under the following conditions:

• Until 7:30 p.m. during Pacific Standard Time (the first Sunday in November to the second Sunday in March) for a maximum of three nights per week;
• Until 10:30 pm. up to 18 times (but never on two consecutive nights and no more than two nights in one week) from Sept. 1 to May 31.

staff, students and parents have been working to raise funds for the project.

Opponents have spoken out against the project's impact on local wildlife and bird migration patterns as well as views of the night sky.