Commission directs staff to consult Sea Turtle Conservancy on lighting rules to protect nests

Commissioners asked staff to work with the Sea Turtle Conservancy and return with recommended changes to lighting regulations and other code provisions to better protect sea turtle nesting along Sunny Isles Beach.

A commissioner said she had received resident complaints about bright nighttime lighting near beachfront buildings and reported that the Sea Turtle Conservancy assigned the city a low score under its lighting program. She asked staff and the city attorney to engage the conservancy and prepare ordinance language as needed.

Code staff confirmed the city has been in contact with the Sea Turtle Conservancy and said they were “working on drafting something” to address the conservancy’s recommendations. Staff and commissioners noted that possible ordinance changes could have broader implications for street or building lighting and that any changes would require analysis of financial impacts. Commissioners requested that code and legal staff include building owners and property managers in outreach and consider how any changes would affect piers and other beachfront structures.

Next steps: the code manager and city attorney will continue talks with the Sea Turtle Conservancy, review the conservancy’s model ordinance, assess financial and enforcement implications, and return to the commission with a draft ordinance or recommended amendments.