Chatham-Kent council is taking the first step towards making sure the municipality is prepared for any possible glowing lights from greenhouses. Councillor Melissa Harrigan put forward a successful motion on Monday night requesting that staff bring back a report on the subject of greenhouse light emissions.
Harrigan is asking that the report provide recommendations with options to address any potential light nuisance from greenhouses in Chatham-Kent.
The topic of greenhouse lights has been an ongoing discussion in neighbouring Kingsville and Leamington, where pink and yellow lights glowing from greenhouses are so bright they can be seen far up Highway 401 and even across Lake Erie along the shores of Ohio. For those that live close-by, the lights can disrupt circadian rhythms and disturb sleep.
Although greenhouse light pollution hasn’t been of large concern in Chatham-Kent, Harrigan said the purpose of the report is to get ahead of the issue. “Generally speaking the goal is both to be proactive and also to not attract a tonne of development before we have any of the necessary regulations in place,” she explained.
While keeping Chatham-Kent’s night sky intact is important, Harrigan also said she recognizes the importance of making sure the recommendations still allow greenhouse operations to succeed.
Read more at Blackburn News (Allanah Wills)