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Residents urge San Rafael to exclude Starkweather Shoreline path from lighting project, citing wildlife harm and lack of safety need
Summary
Several residents from neighborhoods near the Starkweather Shoreline urged the council to remove the Starkweather segment from a proposed active-transportation lighting plan, saying their survey shows no safety benefit, the park is closed dusk-to-dawn and permanent lights would harm habitat and wildlife.
San Rafael '026-06-01 '026 — Dozens of residents testified Monday that a proposed permanent lighting component of the city's active-transportation lighting plan should exclude the Starkweather Shoreline path, arguing the segment is used overwhelmingly during daylight and that lights would harm sensitive shoreline habitat.
Public comments: Claire Taylor told the council she and survey respondents "overwhelmingly value the preservation of a natural shoreline over unnecessary artificial lighting," and asked the council to approve excluding the Starkweather segment from the lighting plan. Susan Lavine said residents directly affected by the proposal "have not felt included in the process," and asked the city to fully evaluate environmental consequences before proceeding.
Arguments presented: Speakers cited three main lines of concern: 1) the city's own survey indicated primary use was daytime recreation, not nighttime transit; 2) the Starkweather path is restricted from public use from dusk to dawn by municipal code (referenced in testimony as section 192090); and 3) permanent lighting would degrade habitat used by sensitive shorebird species and conflict with the 1989 master plan goal to protect wildlife.
Council response and follow-up: Council members asked staff whether federal agencies (US Fish & Wildlife) had been consulted and whether CEQA review was required. Staff said those are follow-up items and invited residents to email for additional information; no final decision was made on the Starkweather segment at the meeting.
Quote: "Permanent nighttime lighting does not provide a demonstrated public safety benefit and instead introduces substantial environmental and community impacts," said Claire Taylor during public comment.
What to watch: The council will continue project consideration at future hearings and staff will follow up on permitting, environmental review and outreach documentation. Residents asked that the Starkweather segment be removed from the scope pending further review.
