Stadium lights for Carmel High School approved

The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.

A project to add lights to Carmel High School's stadium moved forward Tuesday evening after the Carmel Unified School District's board unanimously approved a resolution that approves the project.

The approved resolution includes the adoption and certification of the project's final Environmental Impact Report and other environmental reports and findings.

You can read the approved resolution here.

Lawsuits under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) are expected following the board's approval.

The project will add four light poles to the stadium, lights to the school's pool and additional parking to the campus.

Twenty-six people spoke in support and against the project during Tuesday evening's special meeting at Carmel Middle School.

Those opposed argued the lights will cause light pollution and harm natural habitats. One neighbor believes the school should further study the lights before a final decision is made.

"I am not for lights as the current proposal states," said Nancy Chira, a Carmel resident. "I think there should be trial runs and there should be modifications based on what is learned from that before you spend multiple millions."

People in support of the stadium lights argue they are necessary for a successful athletic program at Carmel High School.

"I just came from soccer practice. It's dark out there. We need lights. We need safety," said one student who spoke during the public comment period.