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Two beachfront businesses told to switch to turtle‑friendly lighting or shut lights off by magistrate
Summary
The magistrate found Coconut Inn LLC and Hurricane Lounge in violation of the city’s beachfront‑lighting standards and gave both businesses 14 days to replace fixtures or use turtle‑friendly bulbs or switches; the city set fines if they do not comply.
The City of St. Pete Beach presented code‑enforcement evidence that exterior balcony and uplighting at two beachfront properties — Coconut Inn LLC (113 Eleventh Ave) and Hurricane Lounge Inc. (809 Gulf Way) — did not meet the city’s beachfront lighting standards and could affect nesting sea turtles. The city’s code officer recommended replacement with turtle‑friendly lighting or turning lights off between May 1 and Oct. 31.
Maggie LeBlanc, managing partner of Coconut Inn LLC, told the magistrate she had been unaware lights in guest rooms and older exterior fixtures were noncompliant and said she had unscrewed bulbs and distributed decals for guests; she said compatible bulbs were on order and expected to be installed within a week. “We are now in compliance and we have those light bulbs being delivered probably in the next few days,” LeBlanc said.
Rick Falkenstein, president and owner of Hurricane Lounge, said orange tinting and turning off multiple fixtures were installed, and he asked the city to verify compliance. The magistrate gave both properties 14 days from the date of the order to achieve full compliance and instructed code enforcement to confirm compliance; if they fail to do so, fines and administrative costs recommended in the notices will be imposed and the cases will return to the August docket.
