UPDATE: The light intensity of the sign has been turned down so it’s not as bright.
A large billboard sign along Hwy. 60, going eastbound, by the former Grandview Inn entrance, has certainly been noticed. Area residents say it’s too bright and doesn’t belong there.
Several community members contacted this publication expressing their disdain saying the sign went up last Monday and does not belong in the area.
“This LED billboard is brighter than anything around and blinds drivers as they go down the highway, especially at night,” said one. “It doesn’t belong here,” wrote another resident.
Huntsville Doppler reached out to the Town of Huntsville wondering whether the sign complies with the municipality’s dark sky bylaw
Staff noted that they were aware of the issue. “We have been in contact with the owner and installer regarding the sign, and the lighting is being updated to meet the provisions of both the Town’s sign by-law and the Dark Sky Lighting by-law,” responded Kirstin Maxwell, Huntsville director of development services.
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It’s time to stop littering our landscape with road signs. Messaging should only be allowed at or very near businesses and definitely not along rural roadways.
The biggest problem I see with this type of sign is that it does not fit in with the idea of a natural, peaceful Muskoka. The density of billboards allowed along Highway 60 is disturbing already, but I find this type of sign much more invasive.
Hi, Leanne
Mental health is indeed, a big issue these days. Education surrounding this issue is imperative. Apparently, a sign that is too bright is not the answer. However, the brightness of the sign perhaps, has served its purpose. The message is out. It is unfortunate that the brightness of the sign has taken away from the tranquility of Muskoka, along this corridor.
I suggest that we still have the signage with its important message, but, with a lower level of light intensity. Or, place the sign elsewhere, in a spot where many will see it but won’t be distracted by it.
Mental health is a huge issue these days and so many people need a helping hand to get threw every day life and all its turmoil it may bring to people. No I have not seen the signs brightness as of this post but will be in Huntsville to see for myself in the next couple of days. Bell has been an ongoing supporter of mental health for years now and our just letting people know it is an issue for many people and that there is help out there for people. The people that are making an issue about this because it takes away from the Muskoka scenery are the ones that need help as far as I’m concerned. How many people have taken their lives due to mental health issues lots. So in the end I think the people complaining are selfish and obviously ignorant to the issue at hand. Kindness goes a long way and makes the world a better place as far as I’m concerned. People now a days I find just want to complain about everything All you people need to grow up and face the facts This is a reality and people need help
It amazes me the all those in favor of this type of billboard are the ones that say:
” Community growth is great….just not in my backyard.”
Well this eye sore is in peoples backyards along with our deer and other types of animals which are impacted negatively. This is light pollution at its highest level.
I will definitely boycott anyone or business that advertise on this ridiculous “thing” and definitely contact them too.
A big shout out to those who are standing up against this nonsense.
As a local contractor and owner of one of the largest signs on Highway 60 that I assumed apon purchase see nothing wrong with this billboard.First of all everything around Huntsville is expanding and become a more modernized town.We have an amazing art culture here with a fantastic theatre, I wonder if it would disturb the people if that seen promoted upcoming theatre events? I often see people that have moved up here and then assume you’re in a pristine nature environment while the reality is your in the new Hamptons where build more is the new way of life.I grew up further north and can assure you even more north these signs are everywhere so there is nothing wrong with mto process or any law for that fact.Highway 60 is dark enough without Any lighting on rock cuts blind driveways or lack of turning lanes for side roads.Focus on the reality of town growth and not on the way it use to be those days are long gone.
I can’t help but laugh at the people commenting about cleaning our windshields or keep your eyes on the road. Come on out along hwy 60 after dark, and see for yourself, it’s after a blind curve and is in direct vision. Stop being a negative contrarian for the woke purpose of uneducated negative commentary.
This spot of the billboard is a hodgepodge of a broken dog daycare and a backwoods food truck. Time for the town to assume this property for beautification from it’s current owner and newly retired vet.
I saw this sign for the first time this morning, on my way to enjoy nature in Algonquin Park. To say it is an eyesore, and completely incongruous, is putting it mildly. And I came across it in daylight. I can’t imagine how obnoxious it must be at night.
My question for the town of Huntsville is, if they have received complaints about this sign that is clearly in the control zone of the MTO, why have they not forwarded this issue to said Ministry.
If this sign has been erected without permit approval from the MTO as previously stated in a prior comment, then it is deemed to be a illegal sign and must be removed ASAP.
The reasoning for MTO to have a permit system in place is to control the placement of “signs” entrances, encroachments, setbacks etc, to protect the safety of the motoring public.
I will be reaching out to the MTO to see if approval has been given, and a permit issued for the sign in question.
Unless you have driven along hwy 60 and have seen this glaring obscenity, you have no right the have an opinion. I see that Bells advertising on this board. They can spend funds to promote service in the area but are not willing to bring fibe to the residence or upgrade their network for mobile internet. It’s an eye sore and not needed.
I just joined the 1 in 4 that have experienced high levels of anxiety. The last thing Muskoka needs is more billboards, let alone super-bright ones!
Keep your eyes on the road .
This illuminated LED sign has no place in our countryside. It is the only lit up sign coming east along Highway 60 out of town and is a glaring offence to the eyes day or night.
Not in keeping with the natural environment we would all like to see, what people come north to see. UGH !!
I haven’t seen the sign so I can’t comment on the brightness level. I am in favour of the message on the sign. Educate the public. Don’t hide the stats.
It’s reality and action needs to be taken.
I wonder. Is the message disturbing to some people?
We understand the need for advertising and support it whole heartedly, but does it have to come blindingly “Vegas style”, in an area people escape to FROM 24 hour lit skyscrapers and flashing neon signs??? It’s not what I “ signed “ up for!!!
We have put in a call to the MTO to look into the permit and to question their rationale. Thanks for bringing up the discussion.
The highway signs that are on our highways are important part of the local economy and to travellers looking for food or lodging along their route. They generate pennies for the MTO and help keep businesses operating and employees employed. I know this because my business depended on my two signs for 20 years in the ’70s and 80s.
If this sign is actually blinding you then the best thing to do is clean your windows and stop the glare, oncoming traffic must be a terrible problem for you. The signs are outside the treeline so no trees were killed for a sign to go up.
“brighter than anything around and blinds drivers”.
Excessive, thoughtless, blue-white-shocking, dangerous lighting is the modern way.
From oncoming vehicle headlights (flashing brights to ask for a lowering is often ignored and or answered with their brights flashing, indicating their “low-beams” are blinding) to building-exterior lights that splay way out beyond any usefulness to that property, to these absurd light-blasting signs. And the town streetlight replacement left us with very unpleasantly-glaring blue-white light that is not true downlighting (the one near my house glares uphill, and they are so bright they reflect a very large amount of light up off the pavement and the snow).
I guess this all comes from “LED lights are cheaper” and for some newfound reason “more light is better” but with thought, desire and planning they could be lower colour temperature, aimed to do a particular job and turned off when useless or offensive.
Good to see this story come up and that the town will review the sign relative to “dark sky” objectives. Huntsville is no dark sky; there is a lot of review to do.
Hello Catherine,
Approval for that sign did not go through council. It would’ve received a building permit from the municipality, and approval from the MTO.
Thank you for your comment.
It’s all about greed. Nothing matters but how to create more income. This sign is way out of keeping with our Huntsville ambiance. The billboards installed several years ago are bad enough.
I am disappointed that Huntsville council approved this sign. It is blinding at night, and does not belong in Muskoka. Our once paradise is being slowly eroded. I mourn our lost forests and dark skies.