Earlimart Middle School Track and Field Lights Project

2025041061

Earlimart School District

NOE - Notice of Exemption

4/22/2025

4/22/2025

Clint Jones

Earlimart School District

MOT Director

Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project

785 E Center Street
Earlimart, CA 93219

(661) 732-6230

cjones@earlimart.org

35°53'16.17"N 119°16'7.75"W

East Sutter Ave and North Church Rd

93219

20.4

315-080-010

SR 99

Union Pacific

NA

NA

NA

23S

25E

34

MDB&M

Categorical Exemption

Class 1- Section 15301 and Class 14- Section 15314

The project proposes further improvement of the existing Earlimart Middle School site through the addition of four 70-foot lights poles equipped with LED fixtures and associated utility infrastructure to illuminate an existing track and field facility (Figures 3-4). These improvements are proposed to be located within the existing footprint of the school campus that is currently developed with classrooms, support buildings, and outdoor recreational facilities. The track and field facility includes concrete pavement, an outdoor track, and bleachers. The project will be located within the existing footprint of the school campus and does not result in an increase or expansion of student or faculty population. The intent of the project is to alter the existing track and field facility to provide additional opportunities for use during the evening hours for the existing student and teacher population and Earlimart community. Light and Glare Implementation of the proposed project would result in the installation of LED light fixtures and four 70-foot light poles to illuminate the existing track and field facility in the northeast portion of the existing middle school campus. To determine if the Project would result in significant light and glare impacts, review of the manufacture’s performance summaries is attached as Appendix A. The project anticipates the installation of outdoor lighting to illuminate the track and field facility during nighttime use. The location of the proposed light poles and their relative distance from neighboring properties to the north is depicted on Figure 3. These areas are proposed to be illuminated via 70- foot light poles and LED fixtures. Per fixture details provided by the manufacturer, the lighting fixtures are designed with reflectors and hoods that minimize light spill and glare on off-site receptors while maximizing illumination of the facility. Photometrics supplied by the manufacture was used to make predictions of the light levels produced exclusively by the proposed lighting system (Musco Sports Lighting, LLC., 2025). Based on the assumed performance of the proposed lighting, a maximum illumination of 39-foot candles within the track and field facility would occur with an average of 34.28-foot candles where the majority of lighting would be concentrated. The manufacturer’s lighting summary indicates that the maximum illumination levels at the boundaries of the facility would be 4-foot candles. The closest residence is approximately 234 feet north of the nearest light pole and the second closest residence is approximately 287 feet north (Figure 3). Based on the manufacture’s performance summary the anticipated horizontal footcandle would be 0.02 at the nearest residence indicating minimal light and up to 0.03 footcandles at the southerly adjacent residence. The second closest residence anticipates 0.01 footcandles. It is anticipated that the neighboring residences will have little to no glare or light spill resulting from the project. Structural barriers and existing vegetation along the project’s northern boundary would further shield light exposure and reduce light spill levels. As a school district, special circumstances regarding the development of school facilities fall under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Education and the Division of the State Architect. Pertinent lighting sections as applicable under the California Code of Regulations (CCR) and the California Education Code (CDE) are as follows: CCR Article 4. Section 14030.l: consists of light design standards that shall generate a illumination level that provides comfortable and adequate visual conditions in each educational space, specifically; • Ceilings and walls are white or light colored for high reflectance unless function of space dictates otherwise. • Lights do not produce glare or block the line of sight. • Window treatment allows entrance of daylight but does not cause excessive glare or heat gain. • Fixtures provide an even light distribution throughout the learning area. • Light design follows the California Electric Code found in Part 3 of Title 24 of the CCR CDE Title 1, Division 1, Part 10.5, Chapter 3, Section 17280: Section 17280 states that the Department of General Services (Division of the State Architect) under the police power of the state shall supervise the design and construction of any school building or the reconstruction or alteration of or addition to any school building or the reconstruction or alteration of or addition to any school building, if not exempted under Section 17295, to ensure that plans and specifications comply with the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this article and building standards published in Title 24 of the CCR, and to ensure that the work of construction has been performed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications, for the protection of life and property. California Green Building Standards Code (Title 24, Part 11) The California Green Building Standards Code, which is Part 11 of Title 24, is commonly referred to as the CALGreen Code. Paragraph 5.1106.8, Light pollution reduction, requires that all nonresidential outdoor lighting must comply with the following: • The minimum requirements in the CEC for Lighting Zones 1-4 as defined in Chapter 10 of the California Administrative Code as noted above; and • Backlight, Uplight and Glare (BUG) ratings as defined Illuminating Engineering Society of North America’s Technical Memorandum on Luminaire Classification Systems for Outdoor Luminaires identified as IESNA TM-15-07 Addendum A; and • Allowable BUG ratings not exceeding those shown in Table A5.106.8 in Section 5.106.8 of the CALGreen Code. Earlimart is an unincorporated community within the County of Tulare. Earlimart School District is not considered under the jurisdiction of the County of Tulare, however as there is no established threshold adopted by the California Department of Education (CDE) or the school district, consideration is made to the Earlimart Community Plan and County of Tulare General Plan to determine if an impact is made on sensitive receptors under the jurisdiction of the County of Tulare. The following General Plan and Community Plan policies were identified as being applicable to the project. As the design and installation of the lighting is subject to the California Building Code and California Education Code requirements as noted above, the project is expected to comply with State rules and regulations. Under the performance standards provided by the light manufacture, the anticipated performance of the project at the nearest residence would be 0.02 footcandles, which indicates minimal light spill and glare as a result of the project. Based on the consideration of these factors, the illumination levels are not anticipated to impact sensitive receptors and would be in compliance with County of Tulare General Plan policies. CONCLUSION The project is determined to be a minor addition to the existing Earlimart Middle School campus. The installation of four 70-foot light poles and LED fixtures to illuminate the existing track and field facility will enhance the facility and provide an improved recreational experience for students, staff and the community. This project does not increase or expand the student or faculty population at the existing school. The project will minimally alter the track and field facility to allow for the use of the field during evening hours and does not expand the use of school campus outside of its existing footprint. As discussed above the project would not result in a significant environmental impact and is consistent with the provisions of a Class 1 and Class 14 Exemption as per CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 and 15314.