{"id":20427,"date":"2016-09-20T06:00:57","date_gmt":"2016-09-20T10:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntsville.dopperonline.ca\/?p=20427"},"modified":"2016-09-20T12:49:57","modified_gmt":"2016-09-20T16:49:57","slug":"outdoor-lighting-bylaw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/outdoor-lighting-bylaw\/","title":{"rendered":"What you need to know about the new outdoor lighting bylaw"},"content":{"rendered":"

In many cities around the world the night sky isn\u2019t what it used to be. The stars are still there, of course. Residents just can\u2019t see them beyond the artificial light that brightens our world at night.<\/p>\n

Even in Huntsville, some residents see fewer stars than others. The Town of Huntsville is working to change that.<\/p>\n

A new Outdoor Lighting Bylaw, passed by Town Council in January 2016, requires that all new developments and outdoor fixtures immediately comply with the bylaw. Property owners have 10 years to upgrade existing lighting so that it is in compliance.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to preserve the viewing of the stars,\u201d says Councillor Bob Stone. \u201cIt\u2019s one of the major reasons why tourists visit Huntsville. (The bylaw) is also about being a good neighbour \u2013 we all know people who have lights that are too bright. Our objective is to address these issues.\u201d<\/p>\n

The intent of the bylaw is for lighting to only illuminate what it\u2019s intended to. \u201cUnless you are standing under the fixture, you shouldn\u2019t see the lightbulb,\u201d explains Stone.<\/p>\n

\"Good

From the Muskoka Watershed’s Dark Sky Lighting technical bulletin<\/p><\/div>\n

The need for sensitive lighting was identified as part of Huntsville\u2019s Official Plan in 2006.<\/p>\n

Sensitive lighting which is oriented downward, is low wattage, energy efficient, and minimizes glare will be encouraged, throughout the Town, in order to prevent conflicts with abutting uses and preserve privacy, prevent impacts on wildlife and hazards to navigation, preserve the night sky\u2026 The view of the nighttime sky is important to tourism and worth preserving for future generations.
\nTown of Huntsville Official Plan, 2006<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What is light pollution and why does it matter?<\/strong><\/h6>\n

We do need some light at night, however, “much outdoor lighting used at night is inefficient, overly bright, poorly targeted, improperly shielded, and, in many cases, completely unnecessary,” says the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). “This light, and the electricity used to create it, is being wasted by spilling it into the sky, rather than focusing it on to the actual objects and areas that people want illuminated.”<\/p>\n

People often think of streetlights when they think light pollution, but they’re not the only culprit. Exterior lights on buildings and overspill from interior lights, advertising, illuminated parking lots and commercial properties, factories, sports venues and even the lights in your garden or on your dock all contribute to light pollution.<\/p>\n

The IDA identifies four primary effects of light pollution:<\/p>\n