Long Road Ahead Toward Installation of Malibu Field Lights

to allow lights at the main sports field at was a victory for many people in Malibu and a disappointment to others. But it was only the first stage in a lengthy process before "Friday Night Lights" can be a reality.

The commission's decision was to modify the city's Local Coastal Program (a two-part document that sets the rules of coastal development in Malibu) to make sports field lights in Malibu a possibility.

"With [the Coastal Commission decision], we're well on our way," said Jan Maez, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District's chief financial officer, at Thursday's Board of Education meeting. "I don’t know how soon we'll see lights on the field, but the sooner the better."

The next step is that the must also approve this LCP amendment. Since a majority of the council members came to the coastal meeting to speak in favor of it, logic would assume the council would pass the measure. That vote could take place as soon as next month, said Malibu Planning Director Joyce Parker-Bozylinski.

After the council approves the amendment, the SMMUSD can apply for a coastal development permit to install the sports field lights and a conditional use permit to use them. Maez told the board on Thursday that there is no specific proposal at this time. Also, there is not a funding source for the lights.

"We've got to get the ball rolling on that, and do it right," head football coach Ray Humphrey said on Wednesday after the coastal meeting. He attended the session along with many players from the varsity and junior varsity football teams.

Humphrey added, "This football season is not possible, but we're going to start working on it now, so that we can get the lights up as soon as possible."

The permit applications will go before the . A decision by that body can be appealed to the City Council. Malibu High is not located in what is known as the "appealable zone," so the council's decision cannot be appealed to the Coastal Commission.

Litigation is possible. Sports field lights opponents Judi Hutchinson and Steve Uhring of the Malibu Dark Skies Committee did not respond to Malibu Patch's requests for interviews. If a lawsuit were filed, and the Coastal Commission were to lose, any legal fees awarded to the plaintiff would have to come from the school district, Maez told the board on Thursday.

The Coastal Commission's decision does not mean lights will be shining at Malibu High every night for all hours. The amendment limits their possible use to the following:

• 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

Also, the amendment states, "Lighting shall be minimized, directed downward and shielded using the best available visor technology and pole height and design that minimizes light spill, sky glow and glare impacts to public views and wildlife to the maximum extent feasible."

An application to use lights during bird migration periods (September through the first week of November and the last week of March through May) must be accompanied by an Avian Monitoring Plan.

The football, boys and girls soccer and lacrosse teams will use the lights. Malibu High principal Mark Kelly told the Coastal Commission that nonsporting events are possible, but "at this point in time, our primary consideration is with our athletic program." If it is determined the lights should be used for other events, they would be mentioned in the permit applications.

A conditional use permit does not have an expiration date, but often the city approves a CUP on the condition that it will be revisited annually or in some other timeframe.

Evan Anthony, a senior co-captain on the Sharks football team, was the lone player to address the Coastal Commission. He said after the meeting that he was pleased with the decision, even though he will never get to play under the lights.

"Friday night lights is something that everybody should get to enjoy," Anthony said. "And I'm just so happy that everybody on the team next year will be able to experience that. I never will, but I am happy for everybody else."

Coach Humphrey added, "That first game under the lights is going to be huge … we have to celebrate it right. It's going to be huge, not just for Malibu High School, but for the community as a whole."