San Mateo County Planning Commission Finds Cabrillo Unified Listened to Public and Applied “Dark Skies” Standards for El Granada Elementary Lighting Plans

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VIDEOS. From the San Mateo County Planning Commission on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025 at 9:00am, as a hybrid meeting with remote comment.  Agenda. Staff Report for Item #2.

“Consideration of an amendment to a Coastal Development Permit (CDP), Use Permit, Design Review
Permit, and Resource Management Permit, pursuant to Sections 6328.4, 6161.j, 6565.3, and 6903 of
the County’s Zoning Regulations, for five 18-foot-high light posts, including four light posts installed
on a 3-foot-high concrete base, in an existing parking lot associated with the El Granada Elementary
Modernization Project, at the developed El Granada Elementary school campus located at 400
Santiago Avenue in the unincorporated El Granada area of San Mateo County. The CDP
Amendment is appealable to the California Coastal Commission.”

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More on El Granada Elementary Parking Lot Lighting on Coastside Buzz

Midcoast Community Council Hears Latest Plans from Cabrillo Unified for El Granada Elementary Parking Lot Lighting with Worry; June 11, 2025

Cabrillo Unified Hosts Community Forum for CPD Feedback for El Granada Elementary Parking Lot Lighting; Latest Plan is to Reduce Number of Poles and Reduce Pole Height; April 24, 2025

New Cabrillo Unified Board Votes to Reopen Lighting Design for El Granada Elementary Parking Lot After MCC Insisted on Dark Skies Standards to be Balanced with Student Safety; February 6, 2025

CUSD Construction Manager Reports that for First Time in his Career DSA Changed Design Plans for El Granada Parking Lighting after Midcoast Community Council Advocacy on Dark Skies; October 24, 2024

San Mateo County Planning Approves El Granada Elementary’s Permits for Phase 1; Lighting Permit will Require Separate Application; May 2, 2024

CUSD Superintendent Reviews Community Lighting and Visual Corridor Concerns for the El Granada Elementary Modernization; January 21, 2024

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San Mateo County Plannning Commission

• VACANCY for Lisa Ketcham 2nd Term
  Jan 01, 2023 to Dec 31, 2026
  Representing Third District
• Adam Nugent 1st Term
  Aug 26, 2025 to Dec 31, 2027
  Representing Second District
• Andrei Garcia 1st Term
  Jun 10, 2025 to Dec 31, 2028
  Representing Fourth District
• Carlos Serrano-Quan 2nd Term
  Jan 01, 2025 to Dec 31, 2028
  Representing Fifth District
• Kumkum Gupta 3rd Term
  Jan 01, 2025 to Dec 31, 2028
  Representing First District

• Steven Monowitz
  Community Development Director
• CONTACT
  Angela Montes, Commission Secretary
  455 County Center, 2nd Floor
  Redwood City, CA 94063
  Phone: (650) 363-4161
  E-Mail: planning_commission@smcgov.org
  

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