Planning commission approves revised El Granada Elementary parking-lot lighting with conditions after public concern

San Mateo County Planning Commission on a voice vote approved an amendment to project permits for El Granada Elementary School that authorizes five pole-mounted lights in the school’s parking lot, lower mounting heights and a programmable, zone-based lighting schedule aimed at reducing off-site light spill.

The action came after staff and the district presented a revised design developed with an outside dark-sky consultant, followed by public comment urging further limits on nighttime lighting. Camille Leung, the project planner, summarized the application as an amendment to the campus modernization project that separates parking-lot lighting for additional community review.

The project team, representing the Cabrillo Unified School District, described technical changes made after community meetings and consultant review. Drew Gammon, the district’s bond fiscal project director, said the district had reintroduced parking-lot lighting after earlier removal and then retained an outside consultant to reduce light levels, pole heights and quantity. Shannon Goolsby, the project lighting designer, said site visits and night observations confirmed the lot is “a fairly dark location” and that the design was revised to meet stricter dark‑sky goals, including a 2,200‑Kelvin color temperature.

Staff explained…