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Design board approves Congregation's lighting upgrade, citing safety and a time‑sensitive grant
Summary
The Tiburon Design Review Board voted 3–0 to adopt a draft resolution approving a shielded, down-directed lighting upgrade at Congregation Cole Chauffar (215 Blackfield Drive); the applicant said the project is funded by a Cal OES nonprofit security grant that must be spent by Dec. 31.
The Tiburon Town Design Review Board on June 18 approved a proposal by Congregation Cole Chauffar to upgrade exterior lighting across its campus at 215 Blackfield Drive, citing improved safety for congregants and reduced light spill to nearby properties.
Gordon Gladstone, the congregation's executive director, told the board the project will replace aging fixtures, improve illumination on stairways and paths and reduce off-site light cast. He said the work is funded through a California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) nonprofit security grant that must be spent by Dec. 31. "We have funding through Cal OES ... we have to spend the money by December 31st of this year," Gladstone said.
The submitted plan calls for low bollard lights in the upper parking lot (roughly 4-foot fixtures), taller poles on the lower parking lot (about 8 feet) and code-required stairway lighting. Board members and public commenters emphasized fixtures that are shielded and directed downward; the applicant confirmed all proposed fixtures are downward-facing, shielded and include motion sensors. The project will adhere to the congregation's existing conditional-use permit operating hours (lights are to be off by 10 p.m. except when activated by motion within the CUP parameters).
Supporters at the hearing said better lighting addresses both safety and security concerns. Planning Commission Chair Daniel Mir described the campus as an important community institution and said the proposed fixtures represent a thoughtful balance between security and neighborhood sensitivity. Congregants and residents described walking the campus in the dark and said improved illumination will reduce trip-and-fall hazards and enhance security for congregants, particularly older members.
After public comment and technical clarifications from an electrical engineer on Zoom, the board moved to adopt the draft resolution approving the lighting upgrades. The motion passed 3–0 with two members absent.
Next steps: staff will issue the approval documents and advise the applicant on permit and installation steps; the congregation must comply with CUP operating hours and any building- or fire-code requirements.
