Chatham-Kent council OK’s greenhouse light control bylaw

In an effort to reduce area light pollution, Chatham-Kent is moving ahead with a greenhouse lighting bylaw.

Council approved a staff recommendation to require greenhouses install blackout curtains and use them sunset and sunrise if lights are in operation.

West Kent County. Lauren Anderson applauded the municipality’s proactive stance, saying the change will be “good for everybody.”

“It’s a really important thing to do now, rather than try to implement something later,” she said.

The bylaw, which council approved unanimously, allows increased light emissions for ceiling venting. This lets operators retract ceiling curtains by up to 10 per cent for venting between sunset and 10 pm and 2 am and sunrise.

There will also be an extended phase-in period of 18-plus months to give operators time to comply with the rules, the staff report said.

A fine schedule was established, and the municipality can apply to the Superior Court of Justice for an order to cease greenhouse operations for up to two years in case of repeated and/or egregious bylaw contraventions.

Other municipalities in the region have taken steps to mitigate light pollution, while ensuring greenhouse operators still can take advantage of the productivity boost artificial lighting offers.

The development of Chatham-Kent’s bylaw involved discussions with representatives of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association, which gave a deputation in support, and several local greenhouse operators.

The association’s Rob Petro called the bylaw the culmination of “thoughtful consultation, critical collaboration and wise forethought” to benefit the community and the future of farming.

“Across Canada, the introduction of lighting has extended growing greenhouse vegetables from prolonged seasons to a year-round endeavour,” he said. “Year-round growing keeps Canadian agriculture competitive with countries that have low-cost inputs, and increases Canada’s food production off-season.”

The evolution of the greenhouse industry also has provided high-tech jobs in automation, energy efficiency and computer control, Petro added.

“The farming jobs and spinoffs contribute to over 3,000 jobs within the municipality, through growing and the affiliated supply chain,” he said.

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