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Board adopts reduced-speed ordinance for Don Pedro Island to protect residents, wildlife and limit dust
Summary
Following an MSBU request and resident testimony, commissioners unanimously adopted an ordinance lowering speed limits on county-maintained Don Pedro Island roads (paved roads to 20 mph; sand/shell roads to 15 mph) to address safety, dust and gopher-tortoise mortality concerns.
Charlotte County commissioners unanimously adopted a Don Pedro Island speed ordinance April 8 after multiple residents testified about safety, wildlife impacts and dust from high vehicle speeds.
Don Pedro homeowners and MSBU representatives said the island's narrow roads are shared by vehicles, golf carts, pedestrians and children; resident David Cohen reported increased truck and contractor traffic, concerns about gopher-tortoise mortality and dust entering homes. Leonard Swiderski described the stretch near South Gulf Boulevard as effectively a beach parking area with heavy foot traffic and asked for visible speed signage and enforcement.
The ordinance lowers speed limits on county-maintained Don Pedro paved roads to 20 mph and on sand/shell roads to 15 mph; the board adopted the measure unanimously following public hearing testimony in support from multiple island organizations.
Next steps: staff to implement new signage and enforcement plan consistent with county ordinances and to coordinate with the Don Pedro Island MSBU and sheriff's office on community education and signage placement.
