MINUTES - General Committee - 20020319
TOWN OF AURORA
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
REPORT
NO. 02-05
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, March 19, 2002
ATTENDANCE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS Councillor Timpson in the Chair; Mayor Jones,
Councillors Griffith, Kean, MacEachern, Pedersen,
Vrancic, Wallace and West.
OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Corporate
Services/Town Clerk, Director of Building, Director of
Planning, Director of Public Works, Director of Leisure
Services, Treasurer and Council/ Committee
Secretary.
Councillor Timpson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
I DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
II APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Moved by Councillor Wallace Seconded by Councillor Griffith
THAT the content of the Agenda as circulated by the Corporate Services
Department be approved as presented with the addition of the following
delegation requests:
• Mr. Darryl Moore, Resident, Item #3 PL02-019- Site Plan Application
Service Corporation International (Canada) Limited, (Thompson
Funeral Home)
• Ms. Dianne McGregor, on behalf of the North West Aurora Ratepayers
Association, re: Item #7 PW02-018 - Widening and Reconstruction of
Bathurst Street - Peer Review of Noise Evaluation Results
• Ms. Christine Follett, resident, re: Item #7 PW02-018 - Widening and
Reconstruction of Bathurst Street - Peer Review of Noise Evaluation
Results
CARRIED
III DETERMINATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Items 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 were identified for discussion.
General Committee Report No. 02-05 Page 2
Tuesday, March 19, 2002
IV ADOPTION OF ITEMS NOT REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
Moved by Councillor Wallace Seconded by Councillor Griffith
THAT the following recommendations respecting the matters listed as
“Items not Requiring Separate Discussion” be adopted as submitted to
Council and Staff be authorized to take all necessary action required to
give effect to same:
2. LS02-013- 2002 Community Grant Requests
THAT the 2002 Grant requests including Community Grants and Special
Events Grants totaling $32,082 be approved as outlined herein.
4. PL02-021 - Zoning By-law Amendment
Heathwood Homes
Part of Lot 80, Concession 1 EYS
Plan 65M-3461
D14-01-02
THAT implementing By-law 4338-02.D be scheduled for enactment at the
next available Council Meeting.
9. Memo from Mayor Jones re: Regulation of Newspaper Boxes
THAT staff investigate and report back the feasibility of regulating the
distribution boxes, through the issuing of permits, in Aurora.
CARRIED
V DELEGATIONS
Beth McKay, Director of Finance & Operations at St. Andrew's
College re: Request to Defer Development Charges
Ms. Beth McKay, Director of Finance & Operations at St. Andrew's College
addressed the Committee to request a permanent deferral of development charges
for the College. Ms McKay briefly described the planning process the College has
gone through, the three projects they are proposing to build. Ms McKay advised
that the school is a not-for-profit organization, and is very proud of this status
because they are not there to make money but to provide a superior education. Ms
McKay gave a brief history of the school itself and informed the Committee that the
school has been in existence for the past 103 years, and confirmed that the school
is independent and not private. Ms McKay pointed out that the Region of York may
or may not charge developmental charges for independent schools depending on
the decision of local municipal Council and by exempting the school from these
charges at this level it will also defer the charges at the Regional level. Ms McKay
requested the school be exempt from development charges since it is a not-for-
profit organization like public schools or churches, which are also exempt from
these charges.
Moved by Mayor Jones Seconded by Councillor Pedersen
THAT the comments of the delegate be received and referred to item #8.
CARRIED
At this point in the meeting the Chair determined that it would be appropriate to move
Item #8, report TR02-005 forward for discussion.
General Committee Report No. 02-05 Page 3
Tuesday, March 19, 2002
8. TR02-005- Deferred Payment of Development Charges
St. Andrew's College - 15800 Yonge Street
Moved by Mayor Jones Seconded by Councillor Pedersen
THAT General Committee adopt Option #1 as referenced within this report
(#TR02-005) with respect to the request from St. Andrew's College to
defer payment of development charges in relation to site plan application
#D11-03-02 as follows:
Approve the request for deferral of payment of the Town’s
development charges under the provisions of planning application
#D11-03-02, indefinitely.
Under this option, payment of development charges would be
deferred until such time that the owners of St. Andrew’s College
made application to the municipality to change or alter use on the
110 acre parcel of land defined under roll # 1946 000 070 45500
0000; and
THAT General Committee direct staff to prepare and subsequently
present to Council for approval the necessary agreement between St.
Andrew's College and the Town of Aurora outlining the terms and
conditions of any provision to defer payment of development charges in
relation to site plan application #D11-03-02.
CARRIED
Mr. Darryl Moore, Resident, Item #3 - PL02-019- Site Plan Application
Service Corporation International (Canada) Limited, (Thompson Funeral
Home)
Mr. Darryl Moore advised the Committee that Thompson Funeral Home has
installed a very large light in the back parking lot that has created excess light in
his backyard and is concerned that with the site plan application and the
proposed additional parking it would only add to this problem. Mr. Moore advised
that this affects him and two other neighbours and provided the Committee with
background information regarding light pollution levels and requested that the
Committee review the lighting standards proposed in the site plan in order to
reduce light pollution on his property.
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor MacEachern
THAT the comments of the delegate be received and referred to item #3.
CARRIED
At this point in the meeting the Chair determined that it would be appropriate to move
Item #3, report PL02-019 forward for discussion.
3. PL02-019- Site Plan Application
Service Corporation International (Canada) Limited
(Thompson Funeral Home)
Part of Lot 7 North of Mosley Street and
Part of Homestead Lot, Registered Plan 68
29 Victoria Street
File Number D11-02-02
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor MacEachern
THAT Report PL02-019 be received as information;
General Committee Report No. 02-05 Page 4
Tuesday, March 19, 2002
THAT, subject to a satisfactory review by the Site Plan Committee, the
Director of Planning be authorised to execute a site plan agreement
between Service Corporation International (Canada) Limited and the Town
of Aurora respecting the expansion of the parking lot for Thompson
Funeral Home by 14 spaces;
THAT staff work with the delegate, Mr. Moore, to address the issue of
lighting within the site plan and that the owner of Thompson's Funeral
Home be approached to discuss the possibility of turning the external
lights off after 10:00 p.m.; and
THAT a report regarding the issue of lighting be brought back to Council
for final approval.
CARRIED
Ms. Dianne McGregor, on behalf of the North West Aurora Ratepayers
Association, re: Item #7 PW02-018 - Widening and Reconstruction of
Bathurst Street - Peer Review of Noise Evaluation Results
Ms. Diane McGregor appeared before the Committee to extend her support of
the recommendations within report PW02-018 - Widening and Reconstruction of
Bathurst Street - Peer Review of Noise Evaluation Results. Ms. McGregor
advised the Committee of her concerns of the widening of Bathurst Street and
the noise that is generated by the transport trucks that have been routed along
Bathurst Street from highway 400. Ms. McGregor is asking for the Committee's
support for the protection from excessive noise and to approve the
recommendations contained within the report.
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor MacEachern
THAT the comments of the delegate be received and referred to item #7.
CARRIED
Ms. Christine Follett, resident, re: Item #7 PW02-018 - Widening and
Reconstruction of Bathurst Street - Peer Review of Noise Evaluation
Results
Ms. Christina Follett, resident of 388 Kennedy Street West commented that she had
moved from the city for a quiet life and also had concerns regarding the noise level
from the widening and reconstruction of Bathurst Street. Ms. Follett requested that
the Town provide safeguards for the quality of life of its residents that are affected
by this reconstruction.
Moved by Councillor Pedersen Seconded by Councillor Griffith
THAT the comments of the delegate be received and referred to item #7.
CARRIED
At this point in the meeting the Chair determined that it would be appropriate to move
Item #7, report PW02-018 forward for discussion.
General Committee Report No. 02-05 Page 5
Tuesday, March 19, 2002
7. PW02-018 - Widening and Reconstruction of Bathurst Street -
Peer Review of Noise Evaluation Results
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Mayor Jones
THAT the Region of York be requested:
1. to initiate designs for noise attenuation devices along Bathurst Street
as appropriate from Bloomington Road to St. John's Sideroad;
2. to implement the noise attenuation devices referred to above as soon
as practicable;
3. to assume the full cost of implementation and maintenance of the
noise attenuation devices referred to above; and
4. to consider instituting a requirement for field noise measures in their
current review of Regional noise policies.
5. to take measures to ensure that any noise attenuation devices
implemented are aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
6. to consider the possibility of relocating more of the street
widening project on the West side of Bathurst Street where there
are fewer residential properties abutting Bathurst Street.
THAT Report No. PW02-18 dealing with the Peer Review of Noise
Evaluation for the Widening of Bathurst Street be referred to the Town of
Newmarket for information.
CARRIED
VI CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION
1. LS02-007 - Aurora United Church Agreement Status
Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Vrancic
THAT this matter be deferred to the next Council Meeting, pending
confirmation regarding the snow removal service provided on the parking
lot and adjacent property.
CARRIED
5. PL02-022- Site Plan Amendment
1207302 Ontario Inc.
Magna Golf Course Clubhouse
D11-02-98
and revised agreement (handed out at meeting)
Moved by Mayor Jones Seconded by Councillor Pedersen
THAT Council authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the Site Plan
Amendment Agreement dated March 19, 2002 between the Town of
Aurora and 1207302 Ontario Inc., 690346 Ontario Inc., Magna
International Inc., and the Alpen House Limited for the Magna Golf Course
Clubhouse.
CARRIED
General Committee Report No. 02-05 Page 6
Tuesday, March 19, 2002
6. PW02-017- Sidewalk Inspection and Maintenance Policy
Moved by Councillor Kean Seconded by Councillor Pedersen
THAT Council approve the attached Public Works Department Policy 59 -
Sidewalk Inspection and Maintenance Policy.
CARRIED
10. Memo from Councillor Kean re: Aurora's commitment not to
support the Region of York's decision to give its employees
50% discount on transit fares
Moved by Councillor Kean Seconded by Councillor MacEachern
THAT the Region of York be advised that the Council of the Town of
Aurora does not support the Region’s proposal to permit Regional and
other municipal employees a 50% discount in transit fares; and
THAT this resolution be circulated to all Municipalities within the Region of
York, encouraging their support.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor Kean Seconded by Councillor MacEachern
THAT Council request Town staff to determine the estimated cost of
allowing Seniors in Aurora to ride the transit system free in non peak times
and that at other times the Seniors get a 50% discount on the transit
system, as well as determine what other discounts are in place for seniors,
and report back on this matter as soon as possible.
CARRIED
VII OTHER BUSINESS, COUNCILLORS
Moved by Councillor Griffith Seconded by Councillor Pedersen
THAT staff investigate the feasibility of establishing a Free Rabies Clinic in
Aurora, and report back to Council on findings.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor Griffith Seconded by Mayor Jones
THAT staff re-visit the issue of whether there is a necessity to implement
water restriction measures during the winter months.
CARRIED
Councillor Kean advised that the Yonge Street Commercial Area Sub-Committee will be
having it's first meeting this month and he noted that the Committee will be considering
holding their meetings on the first Mondays of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Moved by Councillor Vrancic Seconded by Councillor Wallace
THAT when a new subdivision is designed, the grading height should be
disclosed to the public within Plans of Subdivision; and
General Committee Report No. 02-05 Page 7
Tuesday, March 19, 2002
THAT when a new development is being built abutting existing homes that
the grading be no higher than the existing grades; and
THAT appropriate screening be provided between new development and
existing homes; and
THAT architectural control be considered as part of any new plans of
subdivision; and
THAT staff review the Town's zoning by-laws to address the issue
regarding the propensity of large homes on small lots and the associated
coverage of the buildings; and
THAT staff review the Town's zoning by-laws with respect to the
redevelopment of existing homes and the scale of new proposed houses
on these lots.
CARRIED
Councillor Pedersen expressed her concerns regarding the unsightliness of the Town
roads, specifically Bayview Avenue and the accumulation of debris along the side.
Mayor Jones indicated that he would follow up with the Region on this matter.
Councillor McEarchern indicated that she had heard concerns being raised about
possible problems related to the watermain and sewer pipe installed as part of the
Wellington Street reconstruction. Mr. Wayne Jackson, Director of Public Works advised
that he would check with the Region and advise Members of Council.
VIII ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor Griffith
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
CARRIED
(THE REPORT OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING NO. 02-05 WAS
CONSIDERED AND ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY,
MARCH 26, 2002 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM NO. 1 WHICH WAS DISCUSSED
AND ADOPTED AS AMENDED AND ITEM NO. 8 WHICH WAS APPROVED ON A
RECORDED VOTE)
______________________ _________________________________
T. JONES, MAYOR B. PANIZZA, TOWN CLERK