The Point Reyes Station Village Association wants to restore the visibility of the night sky.
A new lighting review committee met earlier this month for a night walk and identified several buildings with lights that do not follow the town’s community plan. Now, they are reaching out to the building owners, requesting that they install more discreet lighting.
Wells Fargo is the most egregious offender, with 12 bulbs shining into its parking lot. West Marin School, the fire station, the gas station, the Livery Stable and Side Street Kitchen were also identified as having problematic lighting.
Preserving the ability to stargaze is a tenet of the Point Reyes Station community plan, which is used by county planners to evaluate permits. The plan, established in 1976 to accompany the Marin Countywide Plan, is legally enforceable. It reads, “Exterior lighting shall be limited to the minimum necessary for safety and security and shall be located to avoid or minimize its visibility from surrounding properties and roadways. Light fixtures shall be mounted at low elevations (eight feet or less) and fully shielded to direct lighting downward.”