The RM of Portage la Prairie received a visit Tuesday from representatives ofr Roquette requesting a variation to change the maximum allowable height of structures built in the RM.

"They had to come in and get a variance to change the maximum building height from 50 feet to 195 feet," explains reeve Kam Blight. "So, there's a public hearing held here today. They gave a presentation, the public hearing went forward, and the council passed a resolution to approve. Council wanted to make sure that there were no concerns, and that it didn't impact our neighbouring airport, or anything like that, in a negative way. But everything seems to fit."

Smith explaining visibility prominence of buildings from the Trans-Canada Highway and Portage bypass

Aecom was retained by Roquette to perform environmental permitting, and planner Conor Smith made the presentation to council. He says the facility will be visible from 2 km away to those going westward on the bypass, and eastbound traffic on the Trans-Canada will see it 1.5 km away. He adds it'll be placed behind Simplot far enough from major thoroughfares to not be overly prominent.

Smith says they're excited to see the project come to fruition, and it'll be a great thing for Portage and the province.