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Commission introduces stronger sea‑turtle lighting standards; officials and staff flag potential costs
Summary
Staff presented an ordinance modeled on Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission guidance to reduce sea‑turtle hatchling disorientation by tightening exterior/interior lighting standards; commissioners supported the goal but raised questions about how much lighting causes disorientation, city budget impacts and alternatives such as shielding and available grants.
The commission considered a proposed ordinance to replace the city's existing sea‑turtle protection standards with a version modeled on guidance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Planning staff explained the FWC model focuses on three principles — keep lighting low, long‑wavelength (amber) and shielded — and said the draft ordinance would strengthen standards for new construction and set multi‑year compliance expectations for existing developments. Staff said the ordinance aims to reduce hatchling…
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