There’s not a whole lot the Town of Gibsons can do about intrusive neighbours –– but their lights? That they can regulate.
Gibsons council unanimously passed three readings of a Light Intrusion Bylaw and update to its Enforcement Bylaw Feb. 4. The bylaw prohibits residential property owners or occupiers to permit outdoor light shining into the living or sleeping areas of an adjacent residential property in such a way that it disturbs the neighbours’ “quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience.”
The town has received resident complaints about intrusive light disturbing rest and property enjoyment in recent years. However, bylaw staff couldn’t act on the complaints because there was no corresponding bylaw, said a staff report from senior bylaw officer Sue Booth.
In particular, the town has heard from residents of a new apartment building who complained of outdoor light from an older, neighbouring apartment building shining into their units. While staff tried to work with the older building’s owner to adjust the lighting, the issue wasn’t resolved.
The new bylaw will not affect existing buildings but with more apartment buildings coming to town, the expectation is these kinds of complaints will increase, said Booth’s report.
The bylaw does not apply to street lights, traffic lights or other lights on Town property; lighting required by law enforcement or emergency services; lighting illuminating school playgrounds, public parks or playing fields; fully maintained motion detector lights or solar lights.
The penalty for violation of the bylaw is set at $300.
Council was generally complimentary of the bylaw, with staff re-iterating it only applies to residential properties and not businesses.
“Especially higher buildings that are right next to each other, [lights] can be very impactful for neighbours,” said Mayor Silas White.
Coun. Annemarie De Andrade liked the connection with preserving livability and Coun. David Croal noted with the switches to LEDs, the lights are getting a lot brighter.
Discussion about BC Hydro LED upgrades to streetlamps saw the director of infrastructure noting that while there’s no going back to the old bulbs but it may be possible to request shielding for specific lamps.
The bylaws’ next step is adoption.
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