Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Protection representatives met March 30 with Manatee County public works personnel to discuss plans to install 11 light poles at Kingfish Boat Ramp.
AMITW executive director Suzi Fox had raised concerns that the lighting plan proposed by the county would “add unnecessary illumination to a very valuable nesting beach at the end of Manatee Avenue as well as a very sensitive wildlife area around Kingfish Boat Ramp and the Intracoastal Waterway.”
The county has proposed 400-watt high-pressure sodium lights atop 40-foot-tall poles.
At the conclusion of their meeting, Fox and county representatives Sia Mollanazar and Walter Sowa agreed on the following:
• Maintain 11 poles at the 40-foot height.
• Change the bulbs from high- to low-pressure sodium light bulbs.
• Provide a full shield to wrap around the bottom part of the fixture. If no shield is available for the purchased fixtures, the interior of the reflective area covering the bulb is to be painted matte black.
According to Mollanazar, the purpose of the meeting was to come up with a plan that would satisfy the concerns of both AMITW and the city of Holmes Beach.
However, Holmes Beach superintendent of public works Joe Duennes, who was invited to attend the meeting, declined after speaking with Holmes Beach Mayor Rich Bohnenberger.
“The meeting with Suzi Fox was about the type of lighting,” said Bohnenberger. “My concern here is the whole process. Our issue is that the county has not followed procedure.”
When Holmes Beach annexed the boat ramp site from the county, an agreement was made for the city to review and approve any work to be done. The understanding also was that any work would adhere to the county’s land-development code.
Bohnenberger on March 9 sent a letter to Manatee County administrator Ed Hunzeker saying the county needs site-plan approval and a permit from the city to implement its lighting project.
Duennes said no such plans have been submitted for city review.
Bohnenberger was told the county attorney indicated the county is exempt, but “we have nothing in writing and the attorney has failed to share what makes the county exempt from the permitting process.”
Manatee County Commission Chair Carol Whitmore, a former Holmes Beach mayor, also wrote to Hunzeker seeking explanation. She now says she suspects a communication problem.
Bohnenberger said he plans to issue a stop-work order if the county attempts to install the lighting without obtaining a city permit.
“I don’t want to be forced into a confrontation. It’s the last thing I want,” said Bohnenberger, “but I have an obligation here.”