Key Deer protection, Navy compatibility and community remarks surface during public comment

Public comment during the meeting raised wildlife and community concerns alongside land‑use matters. Valerie Priziosi, identified as a founder and president of Save Our Key Deer, outlined the deer's biology, habitat and threats: she said Key Deer are unique, estimate about 800 remain, and noted motor vehicle strikes are a leading cause of death. "Up to 15 percent of them are struck by motor vehicles and are killed every single year," Priziosi said and urged residents to secure trash and avoid feeding deer.

An ex‑officio commissioner representing military compatibility interests urged denial of the Geiger Key rezoning, telling the commission permitting the change could "jeopardize the safety and well‑being of our community" and threaten Naval Air Station Key West training operations. Other public speakers offered personal support for the Navy and described aircraft noise as positive; one longtime business owner, Gilda Fernandez, stated she enjoys the planes and local freedom the operations represent.

These public comments were linked to Item 1's rezoning discussion and informed commissioners' deliberations about noise zones, accident potential, previous Navy land acquisitions, and whether the map amendment would permit additional permanent residents who might later complain about aircraft noise.