City hall's executive committee voted Thursday to wait a few more weeks before making a decision on the proposed expansion of Toronto’s waterfront airport.

Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly supports Porter Airlines’ push to expand the runway and fly jets in and out of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, but moved to defer the debate until the new year to allow more time to address any issues or concerns about the plan.

The executive committee approved the motion with a vote of 11-2. Mayor Rob Ford and Coun. Peter Milczyn opposed the motion.

The 13-member committee was supposed to give its recommendation Thursday on a staff report that recommends Toronto city council delay a decision on Porter’s proposal until 2015 to allow for further study, planning and regulatory approvals.

The staff report says it would be “premature” for council to approve the proposal in its current state because, according to staff, there is no clear direction or plan for airport expansion or infrastructure upgrades that would be required.

The staff report says there are still unanswered questions about noise pollution and the impact passenger growth will have on the airport and surrounding area.

Also, the Toronto Port Authority has not released its report on the feasibility and impacts of a runway extension. The report requires input from Transport Canada.

Kelly is the executive committee’s chair after council stripped Ford of several key powers. Ford is still a member of the committee.

The pair met Wednesday to discuss Porter’s proposal, with Ford trying to convince Kelly not to delay the debate.

Last week, Kelly and Porter president and CEO Robert Deluce said council already has enough information to make a decision. Both said council could give conditional consent that would allow the project to move forward while giving more time for certain conditions to be met.

Porter is seeking approval from council, the federal government and Toronto Port Authority to extend the runway by 200 metres at each end and operate jet-powered Bombardier CS100 aircraft at the island airport. The changes would allow Porter to increase its fleet and expand its network to farther destinations in North America.

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