[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6171252,"mediaKeyId","5394629-b9cc8f5964abe0637aef022782c2a9ed","parentId",5394629,"title","Residents press city on tent size, commercial photo shoots and enforcement at beach forum","audioSeconds",2478,"startMs",494000,"endMs",2972000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394629-b9cc8f5964abe0637aef022782c2a9ed&start=494&end=2972","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394629-b9cc8f5964abe0637aef022782c2a9ed/thumbnail_494000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6171252/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Residents-press-city-on-tent-size-commercial-photo-shoots-and-enforcement-at-beach-forum","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171252-8fea135389d5c7d90f06a531eaea4c6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133680&Signature=AeXHi8np-OAPRgK70XaSqFsQHyzSwpqSN2ANkgSj~va0qGAssS3AZTTPmFh9afldfZcFTabbVxFRCVZtWORK34DSMYn97~hcE2o73veCx04UYGS~4uQJr5qabODG5QJI-vJUsmWqE6nRFx9BK1ynwyVSvMRVG0hVAOhQ5hqTJXtVjVHsT6YdtYYTdHQEybr4xwBfJpopwAl-0CP-LM4Ke4ORWL9NdZd2X8tGCfgSlXkP2Uj8zevCNdLkgJXyvuszKxFeyFxB6TdaybtdXr9JgqFnfgPP5l4yePa2ckjQgJKUYPzo~SctxYM62qxWMblLEXDsRjY3Ydk-5GIxE5szuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of St. Pete Beach, FL","date","2025-07-16T04:01:02.713Z","article","At an informal community forum on proposed beach code changes, residents pressed city staff about tents and other beach equipment, commercial photo shoots and enforcement. Multiple public commenters said 10-by-10 framed tents and large canopies have caused hazards when they are blown into crowds or left overnight, and they suggested clearer size or placement restrictions.

One resident recalled a large tent that \"knocks into people\" and urged the city to require permits or anchors for larger shade structures. Participants noted the city's current code already contains a provision that tents may not exceed 10 by 10 feet and that multiple tents should not be assembled together; speakers said the practical enforcement and placement issues motivated further review. Several commenters suggested the city's goal was not to ban normal beach shade items such as umbrellas, chairs and blankets but to limit large canopies that block public access or create safety hazards.

Residents also described commercial photo shoots and other pop-up businesses on public beach access points — for example, multi-person shoots with lighting rigs, reflectors and dressing areas — and said the ordinance currently prohibits solicitation but does not clearly cover commercial operations that use public beach space. Staff said the intent of permitting would be to cover repeated or monetized commercial uses and that the Beach Stewardship Committee and staff will work to define the line between casual personal photography and commercial operations.

Public commenters proposed practical enforcement measures: a \"leave no trace\" tagging and removal program that Treasure Island and other municipalities have used (tag items left overnight and remove them after a fixed time), visible on-site permits or stickers for authorized commercial operators, and clearer rules for who enforces violations. One commenter said bicycles riding on the hard sand near the water's edge can injure shorebirds and beachgoers and recounted a near-accident involving a toddler and a bike.

Speakers raised enforcement challenges: the sheriff's office is the primary law-enforcement presence on the beach and some speakers said sheriff enforcement priorities and state protections for service animals complicate immediate enforcement of certain rules. At the forum, a city official said staff would follow up to clarify whether recent citation ordinance changes provided additional code-enforcement authority regarding non-service animals and other enforcement tools. Residents were encouraged to report issues to the sheriff's nonemergency number and to contact city staff for follow-up.

Ending: Staff said they will work with the Beach Stewardship Committee and enforcement partners to refine permit definitions, enforcement procedures and outreach materials before bringing ordinance language back for committee and public review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Community Meeting - Beach Ordinance - 7.14.25","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters raised safety and enforcement concerns about 10-by-10 tents, umbrellas, commercial photo shoots and bicycles and dogs on the beach. Staff said permitting definitions and enforcement responsibilities will be worked through with the Beach Stewardship Committee and enforcement partners.","taxTitle","St. Pete Beach, Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",48406,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6171258,"Staff recommends technical updates to beach lighting to better protect sea turtles",1249,235000,1484000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394629-b9cc8f5964abe0637aef022782c2a9ed&start=235&end=1484","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394629-b9cc8f5964abe0637aef022782c2a9ed/thumbnail_235000.jpg","/articles/6171258/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Staff-recommends-technical-updates-to-beach-lighting-to-better-protect-sea-turtles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171258-c99e5d97411a9c6df2a11bbe9f545cbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133680&Signature=JeeigIUTXFncwkTTT-AY7fP8cXCLZkSGMoZ5mHHHREmszmOPv9AW2uQ4dYzYMd~CuphnkMp8DLoYrN0kGLRQk9eudxWlThgCoZprCJaU0h8DhXMhY43rhR2ZnALL-imfwg99lG0Sym4q0-orOM~L8BkghxEbgxLjPO5XEUDbWOFLOrJ70PSWQpajK4v7K-vcsMIxJz3l9bqWFxNTH-xTJ3kv441frSIm-NDlBHMr4AfphbPhsl3Ikrw3L19sh4uypgVgyys4Aqt1VtfPBGyStDwSRxD1Mtd79c~EFL6A2e6UL3id2NscsE1fdtVMTHCeQzAxDdfCldGB8v2UsrGCiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff told an informal community forum that the city's marine-turtle lighting standards need technical updates and that those updates will be brought to the Beach Stewardship Committee for review. Brandon Berry, a city planner, said the city's existing ordinance is 18 years old and is based on an older state model lighting ordinance; staff wants to add technical standards that reflect more recent research.

Berry said a recent study (published at the state level) indicates municipalities should aim for about 30% visible light transmittance for windows/fixtures to reduce impacts on turtles; the city had previously used a 45% transmittance standard in earlier model language. He said staff is considering adopting long-wavelength bulb standards, adding spectrometric testing for new lighting that is outside the state's model categories, and requiring full-cutoff fixtures and shields on exterior lights.

\"We fit scored fairly well for language and for implementation. We actually do quite a bit more now than we did back in '22,\" Brandon Berry said when describing prior evaluations of the city's ordinance. He added that the framework in place is sound but needs updated technical standards to reflect new science. Staff said they will consult state partners including the Sea Turtle Conservancy and the Fish and Wildlife Commission as they refine proposed text.

Residents raised practical concerns about how darker lighting would affect people's views from residences and hotels and asked for examples and visual materials; staff said the Sea Turtle Conservancy and recent studies provide examples and that staff can provide photos and compliant/noncompliant examples for the public to review. Staff also noted that the lighting standards apply to any light visible from the beach and that the typical protections include three criteria: long wavelength, shielding (full cutoff), and limiting visibility from the beach.

Ending: Staff said the lighting updates are largely technical and consistent with state conservation guidance and will be presented to the Beach Stewardship Committee in August for further public review.","City planner told a public forum the city will update local marine-turtle lighting standards — including adopting longer-wavelength standards, spectrometric testing, and full-cutoff fixtures — and that staff will take the lighting ordinance to the Beach Stewardship Committee in August.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6171263,"City staff proposes splitting beach code into three ordinances, schedules committee review in August",2970,98000,3068000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394629-b9cc8f5964abe0637aef022782c2a9ed&start=98&end=3068","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394629-b9cc8f5964abe0637aef022782c2a9ed/thumbnail_98000.jpg","/articles/6171263/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/City-staff-proposes-splitting-beach-code-into-three-ordinances-schedules-committee-review-in-August","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171263-fe529bb34c9daa3db3a8b695dd590cf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133680&Signature=PUngudN0ElK0CrojnQo79DqwbrR2nFR~lAPkx22Y7J7PeoO4atK0QuJsEqwg4qkR7ml5obmr1N3UXpqJPDi~XeRr~Bpf8wH85FXWW5lFI7NWRBKRjra~jWTTC7nz23ZNGGVOC45lALKcI1~alatnYU-ituPJ1LtoriPWWas4yY~01jw3nztaOAelqnu2nAHhv4zQzxXnC57L-LcgrfScs8X34Q-IHArY0Puq~~MpEUy8KOSg5Q3aqKKd9bGoWSKNtB1SrAFftFKFKdCXV3XOKW21B4gYld~hAgyXnoG5lpJijfEeeAHcADXakk6XnIdpIxCW8JDUxh-mwes~nbCCFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff proposed splitting the consolidated beach ordinance into three separate ordinances and asked the public for feedback during an informal community forum. Brandon Berry, a city planner, presented the staff proposal and said the split is intended to move higher-priority items forward more quickly while keeping other topics available for continued public review.

The proposal would separate behavioral conduct and permitting rules from a standalone wildlife-friendly lighting ordinance and a third ordinance addressing commercial activity on recognized commercial beach areas. \"We're really here to hear from you, the public. But we wanted to put forward the staff proposal for this ordinance,\" Brandon Berry said. Staff recommended taking the items to the Beach Stewardship Committee at its August meeting and then to first and second readings if the committee gives positive feedback.

The split is a process recommendation rather than a formal decision. Staff described the first ordinance as changes that had little substantive public comment in recent meetings — for example, clearer rules for removing abandoned equipment and furniture from public beaches, requiring permits for transient, non-site-based businesses (pop-ups such as photography setups or exercise classes), and prohibitions on smoking, unattended fishing lines and unpermitted e-bikes. The second ordinance is intended to update marine turtle–friendly lighting technical standards; the third would focus on banner/service areas, alcohol, and commercial beach furniture and operations.

Residents at the forum raised questions about notice and process; the meeting was framed as an informal, interactive community meeting rather than a formal, noticed hearing, and no votes were taken. Staff emphasized they will continue public engagement through the Beach Stewardship Committee and later readings. Berry said staff intends to present the ordinances in a sequence that allows the city to advance items \"expeditiously\" while still collecting public feedback.

Discussion at the forum also covered enforcement and practical implementation questions — for example, how permits would be issued and enforced for photo shoots and other commercial activity, how signage or visual permits might help identify authorized vendors, and which city or county agencies would have enforcement responsibility. Staff acknowledged those implementation questions will be worked through with the Beach Stewardship Committee and other partners.

The meeting did not produce any formal motions or votes; staff characterized the plan as a referral and next-step timeline for committee review.

Residents who want to follow the timetable or submit written feedback were told to look for the staff presentation and related materials when staff posts them and to attend the Beach Stewardship Committee meeting in August for additional public comment.

Ending: The city framed the forum as a listening session to refine process and technical details; staff said they will return with the first ordinance items to the Beach Stewardship Committee in August for further review and public comment.","City planning staff told a community forum they will split the consolidated beach ordinance into three separate ordinances — behavioral conduct and permitting, wildlife-friendly lighting, and commercial beach operations — and bring the first reviews to the Beach Stewardship Committee in August for further public comment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press city on tent size, commercial photo shoots and enforcement at beach forum

Staff recommends technical updates to beach lighting to better protect sea turtles

City staff proposes splitting beach code into three ordinances, schedules committee review in August