To the City Of Quinte West Council and Municipal Officials,

For the past two years, I have been struggling with the excessive lighting coming from the building located behind my home.

The lights intruded directly into my home, cast harsh shadows throughout my yard, and render my outdoor space entirely unenjoyable due to their blinding brightness.
Whether it is a pleasant spring evening or a warm summer night, the lights are so glaringly bright that it is impossible to spend time in my own yard without being overwhelmed by the glare. My personal sanctuary and the simple joys of being outside have been significantly disrupted by this constant and intrusive lighting.

When I let my dogs out to the yard, I cannot see them as the light comes over the fence with such a glare, it shadows the immediate area below the fence at the back of my yard.

We couldn't have guests over or host gatherings at our property-once the lights come on, there is no ability to enjoy my property.
In addition to being a nuisance, this situation now presents a security concern for my home. If someone were to come over the fence into my yard, they would appear only as a dark silhouette against the intense lighting on a camera, making them completely unidentifiable. Any security cameras are rendered ineffective due to the extreme brightness aimed directly into my yard.

I have lived at my property for 29 years and have never encountered an issue like this before. While I have taken photographs of the problem, they do not fully capture the intensity and harshness of the light as experienced in person.

This problem affects not only my home but also the broader community here in Quinte West. Light pollution is not merely an inconvenience; it has well-documented impacts on the environment, wildlife, and the health of residents. According to research published by the American Medical Association, excessive exposure to artificial lighting can increase the risk of sleep disorders and certain chronic illnesses by disrupting the body’s natural circadian rhythm.

I strategically installed a gazebo to try to block the spotlight from shining through my living room and dining room.

My home office is located in my home. I work with clients globally, so I am required to use my office in the early mornings and evenings, with these brutal spotlights shining through my patio doors.

I have documentation showing that I contacted the business directly in April 2025 in an effort to resolve this matter. I have also reached out to the City of Quinte West seeking a solution, and until March 9, 2026 there was no resolution. 
It took me taking to social media platforms to encourage the building owner to make the changes. 

Once the changes were in process, he advised me that the electrical contractor that he had contracted to install the lights said 'they were fine'. 

As a resident of the City of Quinte West, it should not be my legal responsibility to hold the property owner responsible for the nuisance, excessive and harassing lighting. I have done my part by respectfully approaching the property owner, and then the City when no resolution was offered and the issue has not been corrected.

I pay my taxes, on time. I vote. I do not have a criminal record and I do not have a history of bringing concerns to the City of Quite West council or departments.

I attended the planning meeting where this property was looking for approval to make changes and I addressed my concerns about the infringement and enjoyment of my property then. I was met with considerable disparaging attitude and treated that my concerns were invalid. I was assured that the enjoyment of my property would not become a concern.

Taking to social media is the only step that has offered any response. Each person that has viewed the photos has agreed, something should be done.
The lights were finally adjusted on MARCH 9, 2026. 

It should not be my responsibility to outlay funds to file a civil suit against the property owner when the City has clear ability to solve this issue.
I want to be clear that I understand the need for security lighting. However, the current situation goes far beyond reasonable security measures and has become excessive and intrusive.

The City of Quinte West needs nuisance lighting bylaws intended to protect residents and maintain the quality of our community. These bylaws must be properly adapted and enforced. Doing so would require individuals and businesses to adjust, shield, or redirect their lighting so that it does not spill onto neighbouring residential properties.

The City does have the ability to correct this issue under its nuisance bylaws until a lighting bylaw requiring lumens and wattage to not exceeds the perimeters or property lines is completed.

Many municipalities have successfully addressed similar issues by implementing practical solutions such as shielding fixtures, installing motion sensors, using timers, and directing lights downward where they are actually needed. These measures maintain safety and security while greatly reducing unnecessary light pollution.

I respectfully call upon the City of Quinte West to take meaningful action regarding exterior lighting bylaws in our community.

Residents deserve the ability to enjoy their homes and outdoor spaces without the constant intrusion of excessive lighting.

I have no choice but to create a petition and will continually publicly call on the City of Quinte West and it's elected officials to correct this problem.
I have attached relevant photos, taken recently from my yard. I have included videos. In these videos, I have NO EXTERIOR LIGHTING ON MY HOME or DIRECTED TOWARDS MY HOME BY STREETLIGHTS. The illumination is 100% from the lights on the building behind my home. 

Sincerely,
Michelle Avery
Quinte West Resident, Property Owner and Business Owner

For the past two years, I have been struggling with the excessive lighting from the building located at 79 East Davis St. in Quinte West. The lights intrude into my home, casting harsh shadows in my yard, and rendering my outdoor space entirely unenjoyable due to the blinding brightness. Whether it's a pleasant spring evening or a warm summer night, the lights are so glaringly bright that it's impossible to enjoy time in my own yard without being blinded. My personal sanctuary and the simple joys of being outside have been disrupted by this glaring presence.
There is now a security concern for me and my home-if anyone comes over that fence, they would be nothing more than a dark shadow and completely unidentifiable. Any cameras are rendered useless by the brightness of the lights aimed into my yard.

I have lived at this property for 29 years and have never encountered an issue like this. The photos do not do justice to the actual brightness that these lights put out. 

This problem impacts not only my home but also the broader community here in Quinte West. Light pollution is not just an annoyance; it has wide-ranging effects on the environment, wildlife, and health of residents. According to a study published by the American Medical Association, exposure to excessive artificial lighting increases risks of sleep disorders and some chronic illnesses due to disturbances caused to the circadian rhythm.

I have proof that I have connected with the business directly in April 2025 and further connected with the city of Quinte West for a solution, with no success. 
I have expressed that I understand the need for security lighting, but this is beyond excessive. 

Quinte West should adapt and enforce the existing nuisance lighting bylaws, designed to protect homeowners and the environment. Proper enforcement would mean that individuals and businesses would be compelled to adjust or shield their lights, directing them away from residential properties and reducing the impact on neighbours.

We can look at successful examples from cities that have effectively managed and reduced light pollution by implementing practical solutions such as motion sensors, timers, and shields. Adjusting lighting fixtures and implementing these strategies would greatly reduce the nuisance without sacrificing safety or security.

I call upon the City of Quinte West to take meaningful action against the nuisance lighting  at 79 East Davis St. Let us ensure that everyone can enjoy their outdoor spaces, free from the imposing glare of nuisance lighting.

Please sign this petition to urge city officials to adapt and enforce the nuisance lighting bylaws, protecting the residents and returning tranquility to our neighbourhood.