With council approving the official plan amendment to make way for a new Glendale Secondary Plan on Tuesday, building heights are still a primary concern for coun. Gary Burroughs.
Part of Glendale is under federal airport zoning regulations for the nearby Niagara District Airport, which means restrictions on how tall buildings can be.
Burroughs voiced concerns about the building heights interfering with flight paths at a committee of the whole meeting in June 2024.
Concerns about building heights in Glendale were again raised during a committee of the whole meeting in October.
When Burroughs questioned planner Stephen Bedford on height requirements, Bedford said they may not have a final answer from Transport Canada by mid-November, but they will have direction.
No final answer has been given yet.
During a question period on Tuesday, Burroughs confirmed with Kirsten McCauley, the town’s director of community and development services, that staff met with Transport Canada in October to discuss the heights.
Burroughs requested the meeting last year, to confirm height restrictions and exceptions.
“We are working toward getting some information to council on the outcome of that meeting,” McCauley said.
Burroughs, who was present at the meeting along with Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa, said Transport Canada was “extremely clear” that exemptions will not be granted.
Transport Canada’s only exception is if a crane needed for construction is above height guidelines, Burroughs told The Lake Report.
“I’d like to make sure both developers and residents know what the current situation is and what the plan is to do something about it,” he said.
The secondary plan outlines Glendale as a “strategic growth area,” in that it can tolerate higher densities, McCauley said.
“If and when there is an amendment to those airport zoning regulations or there is a request for an exemption, it does recognize there are some areas that can accommodate those taller buildings,” she said.
Burroughs made clear that he will not support the amendment because he thinks council is rushing.
“We haven’t even had a meeting with the rest of council to discuss what happened at that meeting (with Transport Canada),” Burroughs said.
