Wildlife lighting ordinance hearing Dec. 9

[John R]

But if the upland owner wants to make his pool area look like Times Square, that is his business.

to a degree. how about it's affect on nesting, or light spillage to his neighbors? it becomes the business of anyone it impacts. by your argument, a noisy party should never get shut down.

 

[idlewind]

That is why we have a land development code. To insure that the uses of property are compatable. It is the changing of the code AND FORCING EXISTING BUSINESSES/RESIDENTS TO CONFORM that I strongly object to. If government is going to mandate change, they should at least provide funds to pay for it.

 

[wrobert]

by your reasoning, should we get rid of traffic lights also?

I believe lights at crosswalks are a pretty standard safety tool used throughout the country. Lights on a beach seem like an amenity and really not a requirement. Most beaches I've been on at night are pretty nice on their own merit, with out lighting.

did i read your statement the wrong way?

re lifeguards. either we should have them on all our publicly accessed beaches, or get rid of the program.

No. And we do need marked crosswalks. We also need enforcement of the statute that requires automobiles to yield when someone is standing in a marked crosswalk. What we never needed were those flashy lights in the street that people thought were some sort of shower.

As for your other point, you are use to the beach. I am use to the beach. But we are inviting people down here that have trouble finding Seaside on 30-A. Good grief! Let them have a little light to see by. Edison would have wanted it that way.

 

[scooterbug44]

You do understand that we are just talking about different light bulbs and light fixtures near the beach, right?

Many new beach/lakefront homes in Sowal already comply with an ordinance about turtle lighting without security or safety problems.

30 watt max light bulbs and fixtures that don't shine directly onto the beach are a small price to pay (literally and figuratively) to protect an endangered species and everyone's enjoyment of the night skies.

 

[wrobert]

You do understand that we are just talking about different light bulbs and light fixtures near the beach, right?

Many new beach/lakefront homes in Sowal already comply with an ordinance about turtle lighting without security or safety problems.

30 watt max light bulbs and fixtures that don't shine directly onto the beach are a small price to pay (literally and figuratively) to protect an endangered species and everyone's enjoyment of the night skies.

And the current light bulbs and light fixtures are legal to purchase in Lowes? What we are talking about is freedom. Freedom to live in a well lit environment, surrounded by puppies and away from the noisy owls.

 

[John R]

also freedom to not be assaulted by light pollution spilling over from one's neighbor's property.

 

[scooterbug44]

WRobert - are they trying to take your puppies away?

I just don't understand why reducing gulf-front light pollution and protecting an endangered species is such a bad thing.

 

[idlewind]

WRobert - are they trying to take your puppies away?

I just don't understand why reducing gulf-front light pollution and protecting an endangered species is such a bad thing.

Protecting endangered species is not a bad thing, trampling property rights is a bad thing.

 

[Walton Outdoors]

Food for thought

Turtle lighting ordinances have been in effect across the state as far back as the mid 1980s. Nothing new, if you look at the map on this link, it will show how the majority of turtle nesting areas along the coast in the state have some type of ordinance in place. I was not at the meeting on Dec. 9, but it is my understanding from what I heard from Sharon Maxwell of Turtle Watch, that the biggest objection was from big business, and not private homeowners.

http://www.floridaconservation.org/seaturtle/Lighting/Light_Ordinance.htm

Map:
http://www.floridaconservation.org/seaturtle/Lighting/SeaTurtle_LightOrdMap_Nov08.pdf

 

[Matt J]

Perhaps you can explain to a father and mother why their daughter was raped on a beach we advertise as "safe." There is no way to have a safe beach for humans at night without light. Read any risk prevention pamplet you wish ( my insurance company sends them out by the millions) and it will advise you to make sure your property is well lit in order to prevent you becoming a crime victim.

I have lived in this area for over 12 years. I have never once heard of a rape on the beach in South Walton or even PCB for that matter.

Why is it that people always have to go to fear to make their point?