From: Amy Wilson
Sent: Monday, June 1, 2026 12:49 PM
To: Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]> Subject: Comments: SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL – MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2026 Dear City Clerk,
I am a San Rafael home owner and resident at I am writing to oppose adding lighting to the Starkweather Path.
Please include this in the public record.
I respectfully oppose the project for four reasons:
1. The Starkweather Path is a recreational shoreline path that is closed from sunset to sunrise. Before changing its character with permanent lighting, the City should demonstrate a clear need for nighttime use. The assertion that people use it to return home from Target after 10pm is not adequate justification, because anyone making that trip would still have to cross other dark, undeveloped areas before reaching the path, while existing street routes already provide a safer and more logical alternative.
2. The path borders sensitive Bay habitat, including areas used by federally protected species. Artificial lighting can disrupt wildlife and diminish one of the few remaining naturally dark shoreline environments in San Rafael. The Path was designed as a passiveuse recreational path and the project appears inconsistent with the goals of the City's shoreline planning efforts, including the 1989 Master Plan objective to protect, maintain, and support the diversity of wildlife habitats and native species associated with San Francisco Bay.
3. The public benefits appear limited. City survey results show that most use occurs during daylight hours (as required by law), and many respondents indicated that lighting would not increase how often they use the path. At the same time, environmental concerns were among the most consistent themes raised by residents.
4. The Starkweather Path offers residents a chance to experience the Bay without the glow of streetlights and urban infrastructure. Watching the sunset, seeing the reflection of the moon on the water, and experiencing the quiet transition from day to night are part of what makes this place special. Installing permanent lighting would diminish that experience. Once that character is lost, it cannot easily be restored.
I urge the City Council to preserve that character and reject the proposed lighting project.
Thank you for your consideration.
Amy Wilson
From: Brad Whitaker
Sent: Monday, June 1, 2026 2:09 PM
To: Lindsay Lara <[email protected]>
Subject: Oppose lighting of starkweather path.
Hi Lindsay,
I live on the canal and I oppose lighting Starkweather path.
The path is greatly used by myself and others in the daytime. Lighting after dark shouldn’t affect any usage. It is an unnecessary use of funds.
If you indeed decide to light the path please consider low profile waist high downward facing lighting that doesn’t shine in the direction of the canal. The fish and wildlife have enough trouble with the surrounding artificial lighting as it is. Please consider this effect.
Thank You.
Bradford Whitaker
Canal Waterfront home owner and member of the Marin Yacht Club.
From: MMBB
Sent: Monday, June 1, 2026 2:37 PM
To: Lindsay Lara <[email protected]>
Subject: Please remove the lighting from the Starkweather Path project
Dear City Clerk Lindsay Lara,
I’m writing because I’m really against adding lights along the Starkweather Path. I hope the City Council will listen to what the community is saying and take the lighting out of the plan.
The City’s recent lighting survey made it pretty clear that most of us in San Rafael want to keep our shoreline natural. A lot of people only use the path during the day for walking, exercising, and enjoying nature. Adding lights probably wouldn’t change how we use it, and it doesn’t seem worth the damage it would cause to the area.
The path goes right along sensitive wetlands that are home to protected animals like the Ridgway’s Rail and the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse. I’m worried nighttime lights would mess up their feeding and breeding. Plus, this plan goes against the 1989 Master Plan that was supposed to protect wildlife habitats here. The path is already closed from sunset to sunrise anyway since it’s a passive-use area, so lighting it doesn’t make much sense to me.
I also like that our shoreline stays dark at night. Extra lights would just create more glare and ruin the natural feel. And I haven’t seen any real crime numbers showing that we actually need lights in this spot.
I really hope the Council respects the survey results and votes to keep the Starkweather shoreline dark and peaceful for both people and wildlife.
Thank you for reading this and making sure my comments get included in the public record for tonight’s meeting. I appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Chris Bautista
San Rafael
From: Corrie Sias
Sent: Monday, June 1, 2026 3:27 PM
To: Lindsay Lara <[email protected]>
Subject: Lighting of the Starkweather Path
Please put the following comments on record for tonight's City Council meeting. Thank you.
San Rafael City Council Meeting
June 2, 2026
Lighting on the Starkweather Path
I would like it on the record that I support wholeheartedly more lighting in the Canal district since it is an area in which there is human activity 24/7.
On the other hand, I am opposed to lighting on the Starkweather Path. Others are stating environmental issues so I am going to address another issue with this project.
We have been told that this lighting is to make that path safer at night. I am unclear as to why the path is not safe now.
1. 2.
3. I have lived in my home on for almost 30 years and, in all that time, I can count on one hand the number of incidents
4. that have taken place on that path at night.
5. 6.
7. 8. Clearly, I must be correct because I asked the City twice to please send a complete report of all incidents that have occurred on
9. that path at night in the last 30 years. I have not received any response, so I can assume that there are no stats so this is not a problem.
10. 11.
12. 13. Residents in Spinnaker Point and Baypoint have met numerous times to share our concerns with the City and never has the issue of safety
14. and request for lighting ever come up with regards to the path. Our issues have been parking, speeding and algae in the lagoon. If there were problems on the path, it stands to reason that residents would bring it up with the City.
15. From: josh luria
Sent: Monday, June 1, 2026 12:30 PM
To: Lindsay Lara <[email protected]>
Subject: Opposition to Starkweather Path Lighting
Just wanted to voice my opposition to this. Bad for the wetlands, Closed at night anyway, Light pollution, bad policy.
Please mark my opposition.
Regards,
Josh Luria
San Rafael, CA 94901
From: Mark Fallows
Sent: Monday, June 1, 2026 2:48 PM
To: Lindsay Lara <[email protected]>
Subject: Lighting proposal
Before any vote, I'm asking this council to direct staff to confirm on the record: one, whether USFWS was consulted; two, whether CEQA review addressed nighttime lighting in designated critical habitat.
Thank you!
Mark
Mark Fallows
PARTNER
https://fabricacollective.com
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Sent via Superhuman
From: Madeline Morey
Sent: Monday, June 1, 2026 11:27:40 AM
To: Lindsay Lara <[email protected]>
Subject: Opposed to Starkweather Path lighting plan
We would like to register our opposition to the Starkweather Path lighting plan. We reside across the canal from the path at (SR, 94901). A: The natural beauty of the area and the marshes along with the wildlife are the primary reason for living here in San Rafael rather than another town. The lighting plan will certainly disrupt the breeding, feeding, and sleeping habits of the wildlife in this area. Starkweather Path was intended for daytime recreational use to enjoy this beauty. Additionally, the night time lights will cause a light pollution and glare that will disrupt the natural character of the area as well as disrupting the sleeping habits of the not-so-wild life. The path and those lights will be right across the canal and in clear view from the our bedroom as well as our neighbors. B: This path is technically closed from sunset to sunrise. Lighting the path will actually enable illegal use of the path in the evening. From our excellent vantage point, we have not seen or heard any nighttime activity on the path.
Thank you for your consideration of our opinion.
Robert and Madeline Morey
From: roberta hoffman
Sent: Monday, June 1, 2026 10:49 AM
To: Lindsay Lara <[email protected]>
Subject: Starkweather path
Dear Lindsay Lara,
My name is Roberta Hoffman and I am a resident of Baypoint Lagoons HOA who deeply values Starkweather Path for something increasingly rare in our region: unobstructed, open views of the Bay and surrounding marshland.
I want to be clear that I support the intent and artistic vision of the People of the Canal project and the goal of honoring Miwok history. My concern is not with the story being told, but with the proposed location along Starkweather Path. I believe there are more appropriate venues where this important history can be shared without permanently altering the character of Starkweather Path.
Starkweather Path is cherished precisely because it remains a quiet, natural corridor. It is a place to connect with the Bay, observe wildlife, and enjoy uninterrupted views. The installation of 22 placards and a large sculpture would fundamentally change this experience, shifting the path from a nature refuge to an outdoor gallery.
I respectfully encourage the city to consider alternative locations that could honor the same history while preserving what makes Starkweather Path special, such as:
• Placing the installation at end of the Bay Trail (beach near the Gun & Rod Club to picnic area by Target)
• Integrating the exhibit within the Pickleweed Community Center campus • Placing exhibit at History Museum in San Rafael
• Placing the installation at Olompali State Park
These locations would allow the story to be shared in settings that are more accessible, appropriate for gathering and reflection, and better supported by nearby parking and all while protecting the unique and peaceful nature of Starkweather Path.
I am also concerned that the funding has no provision for patrolling or maintenance of the installation.
Previously there was a par course on the path border and it was vandalized within a year.
Lighting the path is intrusive to homeowners who live along the path both buy attracting noise at night and light that precludes positive conditions for sleep. The money for the lighting can certainly be used along other areas of proposed improvement such as bus stops and commercial areas.
I respectfully ask that the city reject the proposal in its current location and stand with the residents who are most directly impacted by this decision. Thank you for your time, thoughtful consideration, and openness to community input.
Sincerely,
Roberta Hoffman
San Rafael, CA 94901
From: roberta hoffman
Sent: Monday, June 1, 2026 11:01 AM
To: Lindsay Lara <[email protected]>
Subject: stark weather path concerns
Dear Lindsay,
Some data about the Starkweather path that precludes its appropriateness as a “museum” for Miwok art and night time lighting.
Key Reasons to Oppose Lighting on the Starkweather Path • The proposal conflicts with the 1989 Master Plan objective to protect, maintain, and support the diversity of wildlife habitats and native species of San Francisco Bay. • The Starkweather Path is a passive-use shoreline path that is officially closed from sunset to sunrise. • The project may adversely affect sensitive shoreline habitat used by two federally threatened species:
the Ridgway’s Rail and the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse.
• Artificial lighting can increase skyglow, glare, and light trespass, disrupting wildlife feeding, breeding, and migration patterns.
• The project raises environmental and sea-level-rise concerns associated with installing permanent lighting adjacent to tidal wetlands and Bay habitat.
• Opposition has been expressed by environmentally focused and scientifically informed organizations, including the Marin Conservation League, Audubon advocates, and DarkSky supporters. • The City's reliance on a CPTED exemption highlights the absence of publicly presented crime statistics or incident data demonstrating a need for nighttime lighting in a park that is closed after dark. • Lack of approval from the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) • The Starkweather Path is not designated as a transportation corridor.
Respectfully submitted,
Roberta Hofman
San Rafael, CA 94901