Commission approves replacement of cupola at 1145 Market, despite one dissent over nighttime lighting

The Planning Commission voted on June 5 to approve a Section 309 determination of compliance allowing 1145 Market Street to replace an existing copper cupola and external floodlights with an internally illuminated glass roof that requires a slight height increase to house lighting equipment. Planning staff summarized the project and recommended approval with conditions; the project sponsor said the internally illuminated design will reduce energy use and night-sky light output compared with the existing floodlight scheme.

The project team presented comparative figures: the existing roof lighting uses approximately 7,200 watts and 672,000 lumens; the proposed system would use about 2,600 watts and approximately 210,000 lumens — representing roughly a 64% reduction in wattage and 68% reduction in lumens, according to the sponsor’s presentation.

Commissioner Seguaya questioned whether the cupola needs lighting at all and objected to adding nighttime illumination on energy and environmental grounds; Seguaya voted No. Other commissioners said reduced energy and aesthetic considerations justified approval. Commissioner Antonini and others noted benefits of lighting for civic features and potential crime deterrence in some contexts.

The motion to approve passed 4–1, with Commissioner Seguaya dissenting. The approval allows the applicant to proceed with the glass cupola and internal illumination subject to the section 309 compliance conditions recorded in the file.

What’s next: Applicant will proceed under the approved Section 309 determination and comply with any conditions and monitoring in the project file.