City officials seek report on updating airport vicinity plan

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This article was published 03/06/2021 (1763 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For decades, concerns about airport noise prevented many homes from being built near Winnipeg’s 24-hour airport.

Now, city officials want to update the Airport Vicinity Protection Area plan, which has severely limited residential construction near the airport since 1994.

In a report, city staff suggest an independent contractor should report on how best to update development rules, a proposal that would require full council approval.

The proposed update would follow a provincial airport noise study released in March, which found the city could greatly reduce the size of the area where residential development hasn’t been allowed. It’s partly because planes have become quieter.

A developer is concerned the proposed consultant’s study, which is expected to cost at least $250,000, could further delay development and waste taxpayer dollars.

“They should move as quickly as possible and waste as little money as possible, which this doesn’t seem to (do),” said Justin Zarnowski, general counsel for Shindico.

Shindico/Cadillac Fairview are behind a $1-billion proposal to build a mixed-use development, with multi-family buildings, at a Polo Park site that includes the former Canad Inns Stadium. Planning began years ago, but it has yet to gain approval from city hall due to the debate over noise. The Winnipeg Airports Authority feared the development could trigger complaints from residents of the new homes. That could create pressure to reduce the airport’s round-the-clock operations, which are key to its success, the authority said.

That proposal will be heard by the Manitoba Municipal Board, though exact dates have yet to be set.

Zarnowski said the provincial noise study should have already cleared the way for the Polo Park development, while the city’s plan to seek outside help to update its airport vicinity rules could create further delays.

“Every day of delay is a chance for (developers) to change their mind (and cancel the project),” he said.

The city estimates it will take about one year to update the rules, plus time for public consultation. The proposal asks the province and Winnipeg Airports Authority to pay a combined $250,000 toward the study, though its full cost will be determined through a request for proposals.

Tyler MacAfee, a vice-president with the authority, said his organization is willing to help.

“We’re open to putting dollars into a plan. We’ve got to make sure we get this one right,” said MacAfee.

He said further work is needed to study the noise impact of airport operations, deeming the province’s study a first step in that process.

Coun. Cindy Gilroy, chairwoman of the city’s property and development committee, said a contractor could provide an independent perspective on the development debate, which could trigger a compromise. That company could provide technical expertise on the noise concerns.

“We do have a 24-hour airport, they want to keep that status, and we do have an area that could use some development. So, we’re trying to balance (those) needs,” said Gilroy.

In a statement, a Manitoba government spokesperson did not indicate that the province supports the city’s funding request.

“The province has already funded a study… regarding development near the airport. The province also provides $121.3 million to the City of Winnipeg annually to allocate to their own priority projects,” the statement said.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga