Malibu Patch Poll: Sports Field Lights at Malibu High

The California Coastal Commission next month will consider a proposal from the city of Malibu to allow sports field lights at . The city's request is for a change in the law to make "limited lighting" possible; the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District would have to submit an application to the city to install the lights.

The city's proposal (which is attached to this piece) calls for allowing "limited lighting" at the main sports field until 7:30 p.m. during Pacific Standard Time (early November to early March) and until 10:30 p.m. on any night of the year up to 18 times in a 12-month period.

Prior to the October 2009 Coastal Commission hearing, Malibu High used temporary lights for football games. This was done in violation of a 2000 coastal development permit for athletic facility upgrades, but nobody made a public complaint for many years. Eventually, it became an issue, and the school district requested an amendment to the permit to allow temporary lights.

The Coastal Commission rejected this request at the October 2009 hearing in Oceanside, despite its staff recommending approval. The commission's justification was that the city's Local Coastal Program did not allow it. The current city proposal would change this feature of the LCP.

Malibu residents on both sides of the issue attended the Oceanside hearing.

The upcoming Coastal Commission hearing will take place Oct. 5 at Huntington Beach City Hall. The staff report had not been released as of Thursday afternoon.

Malibu Patch wants to know what you think about this issue. Share your opinion by voting in the first Malibu Patch poll. You are free to share your thoughts in the comments section as well, but please stay on topic and be civil. Comments that do not follow those guidelines will be deleted.