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Planning board sends turtle‑lighting ordinance back to staff after concerns about special‑event limits
Summary
Boardors unanimously directed staff to rework ordinance 2025-16, the proposed wildlife/turtle lighting ordinance, after hoteliers and board members said its transient‑lighting and visibility definitions could effectively bar nighttime special events; staff will return with clearer permit examples and consult technical experts.
The St. Pete Beach Planning Board voted unanimously on Dec. 15 to send ordinance 2025-16 — proposed amendments to beach lighting intended to protect nesting sea turtles and shorebirds — back to staff for rework after members and hotel representatives raised concerns that its definitions and transient‑lighting ban could effectively prevent legitimate, compliant special events.
The draft adopts language from the state model lighting ordinance and tightens some standards: it reduces maximum visible light transmittance for glass visible from the beach to 30% (the draft cites Sea Turtle Conservancy‑reviewed research), requires long‑wavelength bulbs for new pools where safety permits, clarifies full cutoff/shielded fixtures, and proposes that…
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