The Town of Kingsville is ready to enforce light pollution controls to reduce the infamous "county glow".
With the new year underway, the town is prepared to work with greenhouse operators in the area on light abatement initiatives that were approved by town council in October 2020. Since then, greenhouse owners have been in touch with the administration to discuss plans to reduce the amount of light and odour released from those facilities at night.
Owners were expected to begin compliance immediately, and Mayor Nelson Santos said he is encouraged by the response the town has received from operators.
"It's important to recognize that many growers have already taken steps and made installations in support of Kingsville's public nuisance bylaw," said Santos. "These acts of compliance are making an impact in responding to our community's concerns."
Light pollution abatement became necessary as word spread across the province, Canada, and even across the border in Michigan, about the "county glow", a yellow-orange light in the southeastern sky that pinpoints the greenhouses being operated in Kingsville, Leamington, and portions of Chatham-Kent.
The town said the vast majority of business owners have been eager to get in compliance with the new bylaws, producing plans, purchase receipts, and timelines for implementing the abatements. These businesses will not be subject to fines as long as they stick to their plans.
The few that have not come forward yet may be subject to more pressing enforcement.
Kingsville CAO John Norton acknowledges that change won't come overnight, so to speak, as the glow may not completely vanish for a couple of years yet.
"We have already been questioned on the legality of our bylaw so we have to do enforcement carefully," said Norton. "On the other hand, we have seen a very positive response from the growers who have responded to the bylaw by ordering curtains and beginning the process of becoming compliant. So I think we are heading in the right direction."
