After weeks of discussions about the height of buildings in Whitehorse, city councillor Ted Laking is looking to take the city to new heights.

Laking, who said this month he’s tired of the various arguments against allowing taller buildings in the city, introduced a notice of motion Monday evening that would allow a maximum height of 35 metres.

Previously, Laking has said it has long been obvious the city needs to “infill” – make better use of existing space, particular in the downtown core.

Laking is of the opinion, though, that it’s not just lateral intensification the city needs. To be blunt, it needs to turn its eyes to the sky and build higher buildings.

Earlier this month, he said he is frustrated with the situation, and with some of the justifications residents use to voice their opposition to higher buildings.

One of those he pointed out was a concern about buildings casting shadows.

Laking said such concerns shouldn’t be used as an excuse to dodge the need for larger buildings.

“If we’re going to worry about things like shadows, we’re not going to be able to truly address the housing crunch,” he said.

“When people are more worried if there’s going to be shade on a sidewalk, I just don’t think it’s the right approach,” the first-term councillor said.

The Official Community Plan allows for buildings to rise to 25 metres, but the zoning bylaw hasn’t been updated to reflect that – leaving developers in a bureaucratic limbo.

“Going up is one thing we haven’t had a lot of in our community,” Laking said.

“The mentality that we can’t have tall buildings because we’ve never had tall buildings is just self-defeating.”