AGENDA REPORT
City Council
MEETING
DATE:
9/23/2026
PREPARED
BY:
Deputy Mayor, Jim O’Hara
DEPARTMENT: CITY COUNCIL
INITIATED ITEM
SUBJECT:
Direct City Manager’s Office to include official city participation in International Dark Sky Week 2027 (April 12–19, 2027) as part of the 2027 calendar.
INTRODUCTION OF CONCEPT OR IDEA:
International Dark Sky Week, organized globally by DarkSky International (formerly the International Dark-Sky Association), takes place annually during the new moon phase in April.
The 2027 observance will occur from April 12 to April 19, 2027.
Excessive and misdirected artificial light at night (light pollution) impacts coastal ecology, human circadian rhythm, energy consumption, and public safety. Because Encinitas hosts sensitive coastal bluffs, lagoons (e.g., San Elijo Lagoon), and agricultural corridors, reducing urban light spill aligns directly with the City's Climate Action Plan (CAP) goals and coastal environmental stewardship policies.
DIRECTION TO STAFF OR RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Direct the City Manager’s Office to explore and organize the City’s Staff/Facilities and its partners to participate in International Dark Skies Week in the following capacities; City Facilities & Lighting Controls
Municipal Dimmings & Audits: Turn off non-essential architectural and exterior lighting at City Hall, community parks, and administrative facilities after 9:00 PM during the week of April 12–19, 2027.
Streetlight Policy Alignment: Request Public Works conduct a review of existing municipal fixtures to prioritize full-cutoff, warm-spectrum (2700K or lower) LED retrofits along sensitive ecological borders.
Community & Astronomy Events
Lagoon & Beach Stargazing Nights: Partner with the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve and local astronomy organizations (such as the San Diego Astronomy Association) to host guided telescope viewings and nocturnal wildlife walks.
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Encinitas Library Public or Community Center Workshops:
Host educational presentations on dark sky preservation, home lighting fixture retrofits, and night sky photography.
Public Education & Business Engagement
Dark Sky Business Recognition: Partner with MainStreet Associations (Downtown Encinitas, Leucadia, Cardiff, Chamber of Commerce) through their annual MOU to encourage downtown merchants to turn off decorative storefront signage after closing.
Residential "Lights Out" Campaign: Launch a public outreach campaign encouraging residents to shield exterior fixtures, direct outdoor lights downward, and utilize motion sensors or timers.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:
The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a “project” under Section 15378(b)(5) of CEQA Guidelines.
The action involves an organizational or administrative activity of government that will not result in the direct or indirect physical change in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN/CITY COUNCIL FOCUS AREAS:
This item aligns with the City's Climate Action Plan (CAP) goals and coastal environmental stewardship policies.
FISCAL CONSIDERATIONS:
No Fiscal Impact
BACKGROUND:
Excessive and misdirected artificial light at night (light pollution) impacts coastal ecology, human circadian rhythm, energy consumption, and public safety. Because Encinitas hosts sensitive coastal bluffs, lagoons (e.g., San Elijo Lagoon), and agricultural corridors, reducing urban light spill aligns directly with the City's Climate Action Plan (CAP) goals and coastal environmental stewardship policies.
ANALYSIS:
Encinitas has an ideal convergence of factors—coastal ecosystem sensitivity, community values, tourism potential, and fiscal efficiency—to gain from Dark Sky Week. It presents an opportunity for the City Council to showcase leadership through sustainable lighting, foster local pride, enrich public health and education, and drive eco-friendly tourism.
Organizing a Dark Sky Week in Encinitas would be a tangible step toward building a healthier, more vibrant, and economically resilient community—under the same brilliant sky that generations have cherished.
ATTACHMENT(S):
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