Kincardine resident objects to excessive lighting planned for parking lot beside Dunsmoor Park

Shirley Wright says the proposed lighting in the parking lot beside Dunsmoor Park, Kincardine, is excessive and will destroy the view for people watching sunsets, and star-gazing there.

The Kincardine woman brought her objections to Kincardine council in committee-of-the-whole, Monday night (July 12).

A resident of Kincardine for 70 years, she has lived at 181 Lambton Street for 20 years and her home is located directly east of the Lambton Street parking lot, beside Dunsmoor Park.

She said the proposed upgrades to the project area, which includes the parking lot, through Dunsmoor Park and to the south side of the Kincardine Pavilion, are excellent, improving the area, cleaning it up and most importantly, providing a sidewalk for pedestrians.

However, she does not want to live next to a shopping mall parking lot.

“What I vehemently oppose is the proposal to add a meridian in the middle of the parking lot in order to support two double mast arms,” she said. “That’s four lights, plus one more similar double mast (two lights) at the top at the entrance to the parking lot and four double mast arms (eight lights) within Dunsmoor Park.

“By my count, there will be 14 lights between Lambton Street and the pavilion. There are also two decorative lights and additional street-type lights by the boardwalk that I am not even counting here, for a total of 19 lights in my little section of the town.”

She said the municipal parking lot behind the Royal Bank has 12 lights and is lit up like daylight.

“People who come here at sunset and into twilight, are here to see the amazing sunsets or a spectacular thunderstorm,” said Wright. “After twilight, everyone generally leaves. The parking lot and Dusmoor Park remain empty for the remainder of the night except for people passing by on their way home or someone who can't sleep who seeks the dark, quiet solitude of the shoreline.”

She said this area, which is used 12 months of the year, will be lit up all that time, not just for two months during the tourist season. Plus, the sun goes down at 5 p.m. in the winter and the lot is closed off completely by the snowplow, so people don’t go down there and get stuck.

“For six to eight weekends, only weekends, and based on there being some rainy weekends, this area has only recently been full to over capacity in the day time,” said Wright. “At between 5-6 p.m., people pack up and go home for dinner, a few stay and picnic. Between 7 p.m. and sunset, usually different people come here to let the kids play after supper and others to watch the sunset.

“As soon as the sun goes down, car doors slam, engines start and most leave; some stay until after twilight, and it is empty after that except for the odd motorist on a tour. Now, where in that scenario do you see a need or want of lighting?”

She said the cost-savings of not doing this excessive lighting, is about $250,000. And if the concern is safety, she said, “I know of no incidents in the 20 years I have been here that occurred due to a lack of lighting. There is no one present to be hurt. As for vandalism, the only vandalism I have witnessed is the municipal neglect of the structures in this area.”

She stressed that the municipality should leave this area alone, or the community will lose this unique area forever.

“And although certain people like to call Kincardine a tourist town, two months of the year may belong to the tourists, but 12 months of the year belong to US, the community,” she said. “Thank you for listening, and I hope you make the decision that is in the best interest of the people who live and love this community.”

Councillor Bill Stewart said the lights proposed for the parking lot are different than the existing lights and have timers on them, so people’s enjoyment of the sunsets will continue.

“I disagree,” said deputy mayor Randy Roppel. “I agree with Shirley (Wright). I’ve been down there. You don’t need more lights down there. Let’s save some taxpayers’ money and show some common sense.”

Councillor Maureen Couture said there are safety concerns but council should consider a compromise here.

“Are the old lights coming out?” asked councillor Dave Cuyler.

Public works director Adam Weishar said the existing lights in the parking lot and on the roadway are being eliminated. But the ones at the pavilion will stay.

“I gave Shirley (Wright) more information,” he said. “There are 10 lights being installed in the parking lot, not 14 – three double fixtures and two single fixtures.”

Cuyler said the new lights aren’t as bad, but he supports Wright and said council should make some changes to the proposed project.

“I think the number of lights may be a bit excessive,” said councillor Dorne Fitzsimmons. “The parking lot at the Tiverton Arena has only two poles with two lights on each one, and a couple of lights on the arena.”

Weishar said the new fixtures are dark-sky compliant lights. They all have photo cells and operate only from dusk to dawn, he said, and the cost for the lights for this project is $70,000.

Council requested a staff report on reducing the number of lights at this parking lot project.