Kingsville contemplates regulating large holiday light show after complaints
CBC
Neighbour complaints could result in changes for a large annual Kingsville Christmas light show.
The Williams Light Show has been running for six years — emanating from 24 Marshwood Boulevard on the west side of the town.
It's made up of roughly 65,000 computer-coordinated lights that flash and change colour while set to music pumped out of speakers.
According to a report headed to council on Monday, some nearby neighbours feel as though the light show "unacceptably infringes" on their otherwise quiet street.
A staff report outlines objections from neighbours about things like repetitive flashing lights and music — as well as "excessive" traffic, driveways being blocked, and a large lift used to set up and takedown the show in November and January.
Administration says 20 to 30 vehicles have been reported idling for up to an hour to watch shows, creating an environmental impact with "localized smell and air quality issues."
The shows begin each year on Nov. 29 in honour of Colton Williams' late grandmother's birthday.
They last for about 20 minutes and run at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. On Friday and Saturday there is an additional 9 p.m. show. There are no displays Wednesdays, and the holiday shows end on Boxing Day.
Williams says he's not surprised the issue has ended up back on the town's radar.
"We've went through this song and dance multiple times," he said. "We thought this was all put to bed about two years ago."
He said at that time, there were two or three neighbours complaining.
"The last direction from the previous administration was to tell those neighbours that I am to remove the Wednesday shows and get rid of the 9 p.m. ones during the week."
Based on the time of the season, staff suggest if council wishes to regulate large light displays — similar to events — that they be considered for November 2024.
"Administration attempted in prior years to facilitate discussion and mediation between neighbours but to no satisfaction of any of the parties," the town report stated.
The NDP leadership race could be turning into a nail-biter with no clear winner in sight. But it's unclear if Canadians are tuning in.
As the prime minister gears up to visit China, his parliamentary secretary, MP Kody Blois, says Mark Carney would like to "recalibrate" Canada's once-frosty relationship with the Chinese government and look at economic opportunities for the two nations.
Ontario appears set to push ahead with a ban on declawing cats and debarking and ear cropping dogs, a move animal welfare advocates say is years overdue and doesn’t go far enough.
If you’ve ever wanted to groove to music while drinking coffee, the Kitchener Downtown BIA has you covered this winter.
Iranian Montrealers rallied in the downtown core Saturday afternoon in a show of support for the people of Iran.
A Manitoba judge says Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie must reconsider granting permits to a company that's no longer allowed to take tourists to see polar bears in large tundra vehicles east of Churchill.
Some people from a northern Saskatchewan reserve were left without phone landline and internet services for weeks, and wonder why it took so long for SaskTel to address the issue.
Alberta’s rate cap is deepening financial losses in the province's auto insurance market, industry experts say, as a new report found auto insurers lost more than $1.2 billion in 2024.
Environment and Climate Change Canada says an atmospheric river will take aim at British Columbia's south coast this weekend as heavy rain continues to batter the north coast.
Islanders packed into the temporary location for the Charlottetown Farmers' Market Saturday, marking the first day operating on North River Road in the former Sporting Intentions space.
More than 1,000 demonstrators gathered in Richmond Hill, Ont., Saturday to show solidarity to protesters in Iran, fighting against the country’s financial collapse and the regime that led to it.
The City of Toronto began its first pothole repair blitz of the year Friday with crews working to fill potholes across the city overnight and into Saturday.
One of the best gifts Cameron Eckert got for Christmas was a sighting of four white-tailed ptarmigan.