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Environmental Advisory Board urges bird-safe design, limits on aerial fireworks and review of cell-tower rules
Summary
The Fort Myers Environmental Advisory Board presented its 2024 annual report, urging the city to adopt bird-safe building standards, consider drone shows instead of aerial fireworks and craft science-based rules for new cell technology to limit impacts on migratory birds and light pollution.
Connie Bennett Martin, past chair of the Environmental Advisory Board, presented the board's 2024 accomplishments and recommendations to the City Council on May 5, 2025. She highlighted presentations on living seawalls, derelict-vessel removal, well-head protection and a wastewater consent-order update, and said the board passed two motions: limiting aerial fireworks and recommending drone light shows for public celebrations.
"Transitioning to drones would be a powerful step towards sustainability," Bennett Martin said, urging the council to consider wildlife and public-health impacts when approving future events. The EAB also recommended exploring the Florida Green Building Certification and integrating bird-safe design, such as non-reflective glass and minimized nighttime lighting, into land-development code updates.
The board flagged cell-tower proposals for further review, noting concerns related to migratory birds, human health, light pollution and compatibility with zoning. Justin Mahone, the city's environmental compliance manager, and Council liaison Liston Beauchez were thanked for their ongoing support. Council members acknowledged the EAB's work and encouraged staff to incorporate the board's suggestions into the comprehensive plan survey and parks master plan outreach.
The board invited council members to attend EAB meetings and urged city staff to consider several near-term actions, including drafting ordinance language that balances technological needs with environmental protections. Council took the report for consideration; no formal ordinance was adopted at the meeting.
