‘The brightest thing I’ve ever seen’: Point Grey homeowners’ light spurs complaints to city

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Locals want the City of Vancouver to flip the switch on a motion-activated light installed by Point Grey homeowners that blasts its blinding beam onto a public beach.

Keenan Skelly has been visiting the beach at Volunteer Park for years. He’s not sure exactly when the light was installed, but he first noticed it a few weeks ago when he went to meet friends to watch the sun set.

“This light was there, it was really obnoxious, really bright,” he says. “It was the brightest thing I’ve ever seen. It lit up the entire beach.”

Property owner in Kits appears to have installed a flood light aimed at a public beach (also reports that a loud voice is coming through a speaker if you get too close?). Infuriating.

Is this allowed @CityofVancouver? pic.twitter.com/XTGvfAN3br

— Kitsilano for Inclusivity (@KitsInclusivity) April 9, 2021

He says he understands if the homeowners want to take security measures to discourage people from coming onto their property, but says this seems designed to keep people off the beach entirely.

“Not only are people near the house not able to do anything, but everybody down the beach is completely blinded,” he says.

“Protecting your house is one thing from other people, but removing people’s ability to enjoy public space in the city, it’s just selfish.”

Like many in the city, Skelly says he relies on public space when meeting up with friends outdoors at a safe social distance.

“Since COVID started, with the restrictions in place, we couldn’t see each other in person, so it’s a safe place to go,” he says, adding heading to a beach is a budget-friendly activity and a vital option for apartment-dwellers who don’t have yards.

“It’s rude and it’s inconsiderate to others, especially in a time like this.”

The sprawling, beachfront property is assessed to be worth more than $20 million.

“Somebody who owns literally [a multi-million] dollar house is installing things that are removing our ability to enjoy public space, and it is public space,” he says. “I think that they need to take it down.”

Skelly submitted an online complaint earlier this week, but says he hasn’t heard back yet.

More photos of the ‘guard tower’ in action. pic.twitter.com/ujYKOAKLuE

— Douglas Alder (@douglasalder) April 9, 2021

Doug Alder has also complained about the light, which he says seems to have been installed over the winter, and he raises similar concerns to Skelly.

“If you think about World War II movies, and the prisoners escaping, and the bright lights coming on — that’s the kind of light it is. It’s very bright, it covers a big area, and it’s set off by a motion sensor,” he says.

“It’s a public space down there. The beach is a much-loved area of Vancouver and it doesn’t seem fair or right that a private property owner should get to say who is there and what times they’re there.”

When he complained to the city, he says he was told to contact the Vancouver Park Board since the affected area is under their jurisdiction. NEWS 1130 has reached out to the board for comment.

“It seems like there already is a bylaw in place for if your neighbour points a light in your backyard or into one of your windows, there’s definitely rules against that. I guess where it gets a little bit grey is that the light isn’t actually going onto another person’s property it’s going into public space,” he explains.

I put in the same question to the City. Vaughan Kopy, an inspector, followed up and said they had nothing in the rules to prevent it. They said it might be in the parks board’s jurisdiction, but I never got a call back from them. pic.twitter.com/I1HEtkqcdI

— Douglas Alder (@douglasalder) April 9, 2021

In an email, the City of Vancouver tells NEWS 1130 staff are aware of the situation, and have heard from people like Skelly who want the light turned off.

“The City has received complaints about this light being projected outward from a private residence along Point Grey Road. Staff are currently investigating the compliance of this structure being on the property.”

Coun. Pete Fry, in a tweet, says the light runs afoul of a municipal bylaw that prohibits “light that unreasonably disturbs peace, rest, enjoyment of occupants of neighbouring property.” Fry says this can be applied to the situation at the beach even though the beach is not private property.

Re: the Kits homeowners' obnoxious blinding light directed off property- Section 7 of Untidy Premises by-law 4548 say shall not permit light that unreasonably disturbs peace, rest, enjoyment of occupants of neighbouring property (incl. public property)https://t.co/A4uFa3Mu5B https://t.co/awIogNjk21

— Pete Fry (@PtFry) April 9, 2021

With files from Kurtis Doering