Artificial Light Poses Threat to Sea Turtle Population

Artificial Light Poses Threat to Sea Turtle Population

The Gulf Coast has some of the highest counts of sea turtle nests in Florida.  Artificial light is a danger during nesting season because hatchlings are drawn to brightness, whereas in undeveloped coastlines they are naturally drawn to the bright horizon.  But lighting for beach residential needs versus lighting for sea turtle nesting is a tough balance.¹  Some local governments in Florida are adopting ordinances to regulate lighting requirements for this endangered species.  The Pompano Beach City Commission recently adopted an ordinance discussing the types of light bulbs that are allowed for ocean front properties.²  The Dania Beach City Commission instructs residents to close existing draperies, amongst other specific measures.³
Do sea turtles supplement nature tourism in Florida?  Should we work to protect their habitat regardless?  Or are mandates to close curtains in your home a step too far?  Please share your thoughts.  The following are examples from the OrdinanceWatch™ archive.  Sign up for a 30 day trial of local government action email advisories at www.OrdinanceWatch.com.

• Volusia County, FL Adopts Ordinance Regarding Lighting Standards for Sea Turtle Protection

• Dania Beach, FL Adopts Ordinance regarding Lighting Requirements for Marine Turtle Protection

• Pompano Beach, FL Adopts Ordinance Regarding Turtle Lighting

• Martin County, FL Adopts LDR Amendments Related to Wetlands

<sup>1.  Lindsay, Fredrica. “Saving Sea Turtles With a Lights-Out Policy in Florida.” National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 10 Mar. 2003. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/03/0310_030310_turtlelight.html>.
2. “City of Pompano Beach Online.” City of Pompano Beach Online. 26 Sept. 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. <http://www.mypompanobeach.org/>.
3. “City of Dania Beach, Florida – Official Web Site.” City of Dania Beach, Florida. 24 Oct. 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. <http://www.ci.dania-beach.fl.us/>.</sup>

Food Truck Frenzy

Food trucks are mobile kitchens that can cater any kind of meal.  With a simple message via social network sites, food trucks can steal the spotlight from surrounding stationary restaurants.  Within minutes consumers can have instant access to food trucks location changes and menu updates.  The growing phenomenon of instant gratification through social network updates is helping contribute to the rise in food truck demand and popularity.

Food Truck Frenzy

 

Food trucks can also offer more than just fast food.  Some chefs will cater personal parties such as holiday gatherings or weddings.  With food trucks anything goes and the opportunities seem endless.  Michael Santacroce, a long time veteran of the restaurant industry, says, “There’s a sense of free spirit involved that’s really exciting, you get to go wherever you want and make whatever kind of food you want.”¹
But how is this affecting the rest of the food service industry?  Some local governments have begun enforcing restrictions on mobile food structures.  These mobile kitchens are changing the traditional restaurant business model that put so much emphasis on location. Now a restaurateur, whose brick and mortar is 30 minutes away, can set up a temporary kitchen almost anywhere, which might be unwanted competition on some corners. Piggy’s BBQ restaurant owner Brian Rowe in Tallahassee, FL has both a storefront and a truck.  He says, “Restaurant owners downtown think all that business should be theirs especially now during Legislative Session.  That just isn’t the case anymore.  It is all about capitalism.  I don’t see Food Trucks as having an unfair advantage because they are just smaller versions of restaurants.  They still have the same overall cost categories just everything is at a smaller scale.  As long as they are licensed and inspected, the public shouldn’t have any concerns.”

 

Now local governments are stepping in.  St. Cloud, in Osceola County, adopted a moratorium on opening new temporary or mobile structures, which is in effect until 12/31/11. Currently there is minimal regulation related to the use of food trucks and the moratorium is giving staff time to draft an ordinance.²  The Tallahassee City Commission also recently adopted permitting procedures for mobile food vendors in certain locations and plans to review the policy again in March 2012 to determine if additional amendments are needed.³

 

The following are examples from the OrdinanceWatch™ archive. Sign up for pending local government action email advisories at www.OrdinanceWatch.com.

• St. Cloud, FL Adopts Ordinance Regarding a Moratorium on the Sale of Food, Services or Merchandise from Temporary or Mobile Structures
• Tallahassee, FL Adopts Amendments affecting Mobile Food Vendors
• St. Petersburg, FL to consider request to amend the Roadside Vending Ordinance to address Food Truck Regulations

<sup>1. Linn, John. “Meals on Wheels: The Food Truck Phenomenon Sweeps South Florida.” Broward/Palm Beach News, Events, Restaurants, Music. 25 Nov. 2010. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. <http://browardpalmbeach.com>.

2. “St. Cloud City Council.” City of St. Cloud, Florida – Official Website. 8 Feb. 2011. Web. 9 Feb. 2011. <http://www.stcloud.org/>.

3. “Tallahassee City Commission.” Talgov.com – The Official Website of the City of Tallahassee. 26 Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://www.talgov.com/>.</sup>

What is an Internet Café Anyway?

What is an Internet Cafe Anyway?

Regulation of Internet Cafés in Florida is a topic that is getting more and more attention.  There is a lot of debate about whether these businesses are unregulated gambling houses.   Many local governments are considering ordinances and moratoria to combat gambling growth.  But is this the best way to address the confusion?  Can the business community play a productive role in helping to define how this industry should be structured and regulated?   From Internet Cafés and Adult Arcades to Slot Machines and Sweepstakes Centers, adult game establishments in Florida are prevalent.  If you had a say, what would statewide legislation look like for oversight of these entities?

North Palm Beach is currently considering adoption of an ordinance regarding a moratorium on Adult Arcades.  The Village Council feels that “businesses have taken advantage of a gray area in the law which raises doubt as to whether the activity can be criminally prosecuted as illegal gambling.”¹  The final public hearing for North Palm Beach is scheduled for 8/25/11.  In Central Florida, the Leesburg City Commission just adopted a resolution to enact a moratorium on the development of Internet Sweepstakes Cafes for 180 days (the moratorium is due to expire November 2011).  This moratorium will give the Commission time to address the need for protection of their citizens.²  Manatee County was also considering adoption of an ordinance with similar gambling regulations, focusing more on Bingo establishments.³

Along with local governments, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam would like some clarification. In a recent blog post he said, “There is an ambiguity in the law itself, which is leading to uneven enforcement. And that’s unhealthy regardless of who the impacted parties are”.4  Have you been to any internet cafes in Florida?  Do you notice an abundance of them in your area?  Do you think discussion of this subject is a waste of time and energy?  Please share your thoughts and comments.

Listed below are Internet Café issue examples tracked by OrdinanceWatch™. Visit our website at www.OrdinanceWatch.com where you can sign up for advance notice of pending local government action and have access to our searchable archive.

• North Palm Beach, FL to Consider Ordinance regarding a proposed Moratorium on Adult Arcades

• Leon County, FL Adopts Ordinance Regarding Internet Cafe Regulations

• Manatee County, FL to Hold Discussion of possible Gambling Regulations

• Leesburg, FL Adopts Moratorium on Internet Sweepstakes Cafe Development

• Casselberry, FL Adopts Internet Cafe Moratorium

<sup>1. “North Palm Beach Village Council.” Village of North Palm Beach, FL . Web. 17 Aug. 2011. <http://www.village-npb.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC>.
2. “City Commission Meetings : City of Leesburg, Florida.” City of Leesburg, Florida : The Lakefront City : Welcome! 5 May 2011. Web. 27 May 2011. <http://www.leesburgflorida.gov/government/commission_meetings.aspx>.
3. “Agenda Documents.” Home. 25 Apr. 2011. Web. 27 May 2011. <http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/board-of-commissioners/agendas.html>.
4. “Ag Commissioner Adam Putnam Wants Legislature to Clarify Legality of Internet Cafes.” Web log post. St. Petersburg Times – Buzz Blog. 18 May 2011. Web. 25 May 2011.</sup>

Dog Friendly Dining, a Do or a Don’t?

Dog Friendly Dining, a Do or a Don't?

Does it make you feel uncomfortable when you are eating at a restaurant and someone with a dog sits next to you? What if it’s not a service dog, just a family pet? Do you support regulations to allow furry friends at restaurants? Many local governments have recently adopted ordinances to allow dogs and other pets in more public areas.

Florida State law prohibits dogs in restaurants unless a City or County adopts an ordinance to allow such powers.¹ Local governments are required to establish a permit to exempt dog friendly restaurants from Chapter 509 of the Florida Statutes, which regulates inspection of public food service establishments for the purpose of safeguarding the public health, safety, and welfare.² Palm Beach Gardens and Jacksonville Beach recently adopted ordinances focusing on “dog friendly dining” and the process for obtaining a permit. Miami-Dade County, FL adopted an ordinance to amend the county code for regulation of dogs in public areas, adding that “a dog may be unrestrained and shall not be deemed to be at large if it is supervised by a competent person”.³

What are your thoughts on sharing your dining space with dogs or other pets? Would you like to see an ordinance adopted to allow this in your town? Or do you have pet allergies, or a fear of dogs, or concerns with dog hair, dog waste and smell? Please comment and share your thoughts. OrdinanceWatch™ tracks pending local government initiatives providing email alerts for issues of interest to you. Access to our searchable archive is also available. Sign up for a 30 day trial at www.ordinancewatch.com.

• Miami-Dade County, FL Adopts Ordinance Regarding Regulations for Dogs in Public Areas
• Palm Beach Gardens, FL Adopts Ordinance Affecting Dog-Friendly Dining
• Jacksonville Beach, FL Adopts Ordinance Affecting Dogs in Public Food Service Establishments and the Annual Permit Fee
• Winter Park, FL Tables consideration of creating an Ordinance to allow Dogs in Restaurants

^{1) Jacksonville Beach, FL – Official Website. 30 July 2010. Web. 30 July 2010. <http://www.jacksonvillebeach.org/>.
2) City of Palm Beach Gardens – Home. 18 Aug. 2010. Web. 18 Aug. 2010. <http://www.pbgfl.com/>.
3) 20 Jan. 2010. Web. 20 Jan. 2010. <http://miamidade.gov/>.}