Councillors on the city's planning committee have approved plans to build a church and community centre in Barrhaven, even though it's in the Ottawa Airport noise restriction area.
But if the proposal is approved by full council, the city could be in for a fight at the Ontario Municipal Board.
Representatives of the Salvation Army told the committee on Tuesday the planned building is on the very edge of the noise zone and, with proper construction, airplane noise won't bother their worshippers - adding this is, literally, the last piece of land available in Barrhaven for such uses.
Army spokesperson Jeff Barrett said they also removed several planned uses, like a day care, to answer airport concerns - but it didn't work.
"We were told in no uncertain terms that the Airport Authority would be appealing any decision that would support the Salvation Army's efforts," Barrett told the committee.
The Airport Authority is concerned about what impact the church will have on the airport's functions in future years if, for example, new owners complain about the noise.
"Curfews and sanctions can do a lot to stifle an airport's ability tso develop economically and to grow," authority spokesperson Krista Kealey said.
"That is absolutely what we have to safeguard."
The proposal goes before full council on April 12th,