Officials with the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers are praising Chatham-Kent for its new greenhouse light by-law.
Chatham-Kent Council passed a new by-law on Monday to regulate greenhouse light emissions.
In a deputation to council, Rob Petro of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers said the Chatham-Kent lighting by-law is “the culmination of thoughtful consultation, critical collaboration and wise forethought to ensure the benefit of the community and the future of farming.”
The by-law was formed, in part, from the by-laws that Kingsville and Leamington have had in place for the past few years. Both communities have a high concentration of greenhouse development. In Chatham-Kent there are about a dozen greenhouses in place, and they all don’t currently use grow lights, but it’s an emerging industry.
The by-law involves a compromise between the needs of the industry and area residents. Petro admitted the by-law is not perfect, but it protects and balances the rights of the community and its farming members.
The Chatham-Kent by-law requires the installation of blackout curtains on the sidewalls, end walls and ceilings of lit greenhouses and they be used from sunset to sunrise.
The by-law provides an 18 month phase in period to allow existing operators with time to comply with the regulation.
The bylaw also establishes an enforcement system for those who don’t comply.
