MINUTES - General Committee - 20180123
Town of Aurora
General Committee Meeting Report
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Attendance
Council Members Councillor Thom in the Chair; Councillors Abel (departed at 10:06
p.m.), Gaertner, Humfryes, Kim, Mrakas, Pirri, Thompson, and
Mayor Dawe
Members Absent None
Other Attendees Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer, Techa van
Leeuwen, Director of Corporate Services, Dan Elliott, Director of
Financial Services, Al Downey, Director of Operations, Marco
Ramunno, Director of Planning and Development Services, Lisa
Warth, Acting Director of Community Services, Stephanie
Mackenzie-Smith, Manager of Corporate Communications, Patricia
De Sario, Town Solicitor, Michael de Rond, Town Clerk, and Ishita
Soneji, Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
General Committee consented to recess the meeting at 8:44 p.m. and reconvened at
8:54 p.m.
On a motion of Mayor Dawe seconded by Councillor Kim, General Committee
consented to extend the hour past 10:30 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
General Committee approved the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services,
with the following additions:
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Tuesday, January 23, 2018 Page 2 of 13
• Delegation (b) Marnee Buckles, Resident; Re: Fence By-law
• Delegation (c) Bob Lepp, Resident; Re: By-law Reforms
• Item C9 – Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes of
November 17, 2017
• Notice of Motion (c) Councillor Mrakas; Re: Name Submissions for Library
Square
• Notice of Motion (d) Councillor Mrakas; Re: Local Appeals Body
• Notice of Motion (e) Councillor Abel; Re: Fence By-law
2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
3. Presentations
None
4. Delegations
(a) Dr. Brian Moore, Moore Chiropractic Group, Canadian Disc Institute
Re: Sign By-law No. 5840-16 as it relates to R5 Zoned properties
Dr. Moore expressed concerns regarding the regulations of Sign By-law No.
5840-16, and requested that the by-law be reviewed; including sections on the
sign variance appeal process, mobile sign usage in R5 Zoned properties, and
to include requirements to regulate A-frame signage.
General Committee received the comments of the delegation.
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Tuesday, January 23, 2018 Page 3 of 13
(b) Marnee Buckles, Resident
Re: Fence By-law
Ms. Buckles expressed concerns regarding an ongoing concern with a
neighbouring fence and regulations of the Fence By-law, and requested that
the Fence By-law be reviewed to include setback regulations from lot lines to
ease property access.
General Committee received the comments of the delegation.
(c) Bob Lepp, Resident
Re: By-laws Reform
Mr. Lepp expressed concerns regarding various municipal issues.
General Committee agreed to discontinue the delegation and not receive the
comments of the delegation.
5. Consent Agenda
Items C1 and C2 were removed from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion under
Section 6, Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion, as Item R10 and R11.
General Committee recommends:
That Consent Agenda Items C3 to C9 be approved:
C3. FS18-001 – Contracts Awarded Under Delegated Authority
1. That Report No. FS18-001 be received for information.
C4. Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 13, 2017
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of November 13,
2017, be received for information.
C5. Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of November 30, 2017
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Tuesday, January 23, 2018 Page 4 of 13
1. That the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Committee
meeting minutes of November 30, 2017, be received for information.
C6. Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 4,
2017
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
December 4, 2017, be received for information.
C7. Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 6, 2017
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of December
6, 2017, be received for information.
C8. Memorandum from Mayor
Re: Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority Board Meeting
Highlights of December 15, 2017
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Board Meeting Highlights of December 15, 2017, be received
for information.
C9. Trails and Active Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
of November 17, 2017
1. That the Trails and Active Transportation Advisory Committee meeting
minutes of November 17, 2017, be received for information.
Carried
6. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
General Committee consented to consider items in the following order: R1, R2, R3, R4,
R7, R8, R5, R6, R9, R10 (formerly C1), and R11 (formerly C2).
R1. PDS18-007 – Interim Control By-law, Stable Neighbourhoods, File
Number: ZBA-2017-10
General Committee recommends:
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Tuesday, January 23, 2018 Page 5 of 13
1. That Report No. PDS18-007 be received; and
2. That, pursuant to Section 38 of the Planning Act, an Interim Control By-
law be enacted to prohibit new residential dwelling or additions to an
existing residential dwelling that exceeds the current development
standards of the existing residential zones for a period not to exceed one
year; and
3. That staff be delegated authority to determine whether to allow
proposed minor variance applications in areas affected by the
Interim Control By-law to be brought forward to the Committee of
Adjustment; and
4. That staff be directed to undertake a study in conformity to the terms of
reference attached to Report No. PDS18-007, to assess the existing
development policies and zoning provisions within areas designated
Stable Neighbourhood within the Official Plan with recommendations for
the implementation of best practices to confirm to compatible infill
development.
Carried as amended
R2. CAO18-001 – Logo for Aurora Armoury
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CAO18-001 be received; and
2. That Logo C be endorsed as it relates to signage for the Aurora Armoury
and the subsequent promotion and advertising related to the Armoury (89
Mosley Street) as a community space.
Carried
R3. CS17-037 – 2018 Procedure By-law Review
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS17-037 be received; and
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2. That the final draft Procedure By-law, incorporating Council feedback, be
presented at a future Council meeting.
Carried
R4. PDS18-001 – Application for Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan,
Dorota Smolarkiewicz, 15403 Yonge Street, Lot 95
Registered Plan 246, File Numbers: ZBA-2016-14, SP-
2017-09,
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS18-001 be received; and
2. That Zoning By-law Amendment file ZBA-2016-14 (Dorota
Smolarkiewicz) be approved, to rezone the subject lands from
“Promenade Downtown Shoulder – Special Mixed Density Residential
PDS4 Zone” to “Promenade Downtown Shoulder – Special Mixed
Density Residential PDS4(X1) Exception Zone”; and
3. The Site Plan Application File Number SP-2017-09 (Dorota
Smolarkiewicz) be approved, to permit development of subject lands for
a business and professional office; and
4. That the implementing Zoning By-law Amendment be presented at a
future Council Meeting; and
5. That the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute the site plan
agreement, including any and all documents and ancillary agreements
required to give effect to same.
Carried
R5. PDS18-003 – Award of Contract – ESRI Canada Limited
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS18-003 be received; and
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2. That staff be authorized to renew the Enterprise License Agreement with
ESRI Canada Limited for a three-year term at a cost of $63,000 per year.
Carried
R6. PDS18-004 – Community Improvement Plan Incentive Program
Application, 14810 Yonge Street
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS18-004 be received; and
2. That the Façade and Signage Improvement Grant application for 14810
Yonge Street be approved and funding in the amount of $15,000 be
granted and funded from the Economic Development Reserve Fund; and
3. That the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to enter into and sign any
agreement, including any and all documents and ancillary agreements
required to give effect to same.
Carried
R7. PDS18-006 – Proposal for Zoning By-law Amendment Application
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS18-006 be received; and
2. That the Zoning By-law Proposal from the following applicant be
accepted as a Zoning By-law Amendment Application:
(a) Starlight Investments Ltd. (145 Wellington Street West), File No. ZP-
2017-12
Carried
R8. PDS18-008 – Tamarac Stormwater Management Facility Retrofit
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS18-008 be received; and
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2. That the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute the necessary
Agreement between the Town of Aurora and the Regional Municipality of
York allowing the Region to complete the upgrades to the Tamarac
Stormwater Management Facility, including any and all documents and
ancillary agreements required to give effect to the same.
Carried
R9. PDS18-009 – Award of Tender 2017-127-IES-ENG – For Mary Street
Sidewalk Construction, including New Right
Turn Lanes, AODA Modifications and Pavement Markings
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS18-009 be received; and
2. That the total approved construction budget for Capital Project No. 34629
be increased by $85,959 to a total of $787,420, to be funded from the
Roads and Related DC Reserve; and
3. That Tender No. 2017-127-IES-ENG, Capital Project No. 34629, for the
construction of sidewalk on Mary Street including the addition of right turn
lanes, AODA modifications and pavement markings, be awarded to Aloia
Bros. Concrete Contractors Ltd. in the amount of $691,170.72, excluding
taxes; and
4. That the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute the necessary
Agreement, including any and all documents and ancillary agreements
required to give effect to same.
Carried
R10. CS17-027 – Ontario Municipal Board Appeals between 2006 to Present
(Formerly Consent Agenda Item C1)
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS17-027 be received for information.
Carried
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R11. IES17-044 – Update on the Regional Road Projects in Aurora
(Formerly Consent Agenda Item C2)
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. IES17-044 be received for information; and
2. That staff be directed to write to the local MPP, Province, and
Region to express the need for an interchange at St. John’s
Sideroad and Highway 404.
Carried as amended
7. Notices of Motion
(a) Mayor Dawe
Re: Review of Restrictions on Parking of Commercial Motor Vehicles on
Residential Streets
Whereas the Municipal Act 2001, S.O., 2001, c. 25, section 11 (1) authorizes a
municipality to pass by-laws prohibiting or regulating parking and traffic on
highways and on properties other than highways; and
Whereas The Corporation of the Town of Aurora has enacted By-law Number
4574-04.T, as amended, being a by-law to regulate parking and traffic in the
Town of Aurora; and
Whereas residents have repeatedly expressed concerns with the parking of
commercial motor vehicles on residential streets for extended periods of time;
and
Whereas the current restrictions under the bylaw do not adequately address
the issues residents have expressed concerns about;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That By-law, Operations and
Engineering staff be directed to review the definition of “commercial motor
vehicle” and the current restrictions on the parking of commercial motor
vehicles on residential streets, and report back to Council on
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Tuesday, January 23, 2018 Page 10 of 13
recommended changes to the by-law to better address the needs of
residents.
(b) Mayor Dawe
Re: Menorah Lighting Ceremony
Whereas on December 18, 2017 the Town of Aurora partnered with Chabad
Aurora to host the first ever Menorah Lighting Ceremony; and
Whereas the Ceremony was attended by several members of the Community
and Members of Aurora Council; and
Whereas the feedback received to date is to host the ceremony on an annual
basis;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Special Events staff be
directed to investigate and report back to Council on the implications and
feasibility of hosting an annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony as part of its
regular event schedule beginning in 2018; and
2. Be it Hereby Further Resolved That staff consult with Chabad Aurora prior
to finalizing their report.
(c) Councillor Mrakas
Re: Name Submissions for Library Square
Whereas “Library Square” is a significant Town project for the redevelopment
of our downtown core; and
Whereas naming of the Square is an important part of the project; and
Whereas the redevelopment of the Square will focus on more than just the
Library;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to create a
process to receive name submissions for the square from the public and
report back to Council with a recommendation; and
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2. Be It Further Resolved That all Aurora residents be invited to make
submissions.
(d) Councillor Mrakas
Re: Local Appeals Body
Whereas Section 8.1 (1) of the Planning Act states, “if a municipality meets the
prescribed conditions, the Council may by by-law constitute and appoint one
appeal body for certain local land use planning matters, composed of such
persons as the Council considers advisable, subject to subsections (3), (4) and
(5). 2006, c.23, s.7”; and
Whereas Bill 139, Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds
Act, 2017 has received Royal Assent;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff create a Local Appeals
Body asper section 8.1 (1) of the Planning Act to hear Committee of
Adjustment appeals; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That the Terms of Reference for the Local Appeals
Body be brought back to Council in May for enactment.
(e) Councillor Abel
Re: Fence By-law
Whereas the Town has current Zoning By-laws in place that provide guidelines
for residential development as per the Ontario Planning Act; and
Whereas the by-laws include how close to property lines the residential
building can be constructed, or “setbacks” as they are called; and
Whereas these setbacks allow access to the homes and allow residents to
move from the front yard to the back, where pools, decks can be located so as
not to infringe on their neighbours; and
Whereas property lines are shared, and fences are erected; and
Whereas some homes are constructed with common sideboard access,
shared driveways between the houses; and
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Whereas some homes have maintenance easements in place that allow
residents rights of access; and
Whereas some homes in the Town's older sections, many dating more than
150 years, were constructed prior to the Zoning By-law and Building Codes
being in place, resulting in unique situations where a house may have been
constructed with less than a foot to the property line; and
Whereas a fence in this case may obstruct a resident from access to their
home;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to review the
Town's Fence By-law and report back with amending provisions that would
restrict the erection of fences in situations where the fence would impede
access to the home.
8. New Business
Councillor Mrakas inquired about the changes in procedures and regulations for
the upcoming 2018 Municipal Election, and staff noted that an information report is
forthcoming.
New Business Motion No 1.
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
1. That a public meeting be held to receive residents’ comments and
suggestions on the proposed changes to the Zoning By-law for Stable
Neighbourhoods that would make them more protective and in keeping
with Aurora's Official Plan policies; and
2. That the meeting be held at the end of February or first week of March
2018 to ensure that suggestions received are included in the staff report
to Council; and
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3. That the current Zoning By-laws governing these older neighbourhoods
and relevant policies of Section 6 in the Official Plan 2011 be made
easily available online, by email request and on hard copy; and
4. That the meeting information be posted on the Notice Board, online,
social media platforms as soon as possible, and comments and
suggestions be accepted by any appropriate means including email,
written submissions, and social media.
Carried
Councillor Gaertner expressed concern regarding the lack of accessible
washrooms on the second floor of the Aurora Public Library, and requested staff to
consider this in the 2018-2024 Accessibility Plan.
Councillor Humfryes referred to Delegation (b) and inquired about the next steps in
addressing the concerns expressed by the delegate, and staff provided a
response.
Councillor Thompson further inquired about the Town’s procedures on fence
regulations and issues, and staff provided a response.
Councillor Kim extended his regards to Councillor Thompson for his leadership
with the budget process in 2017 and the Finance Advisory Committee.
9. Closed Session
None
10. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:54 p.m.
_________________________________ _________________________________
Jeff Thom, Councillor Michael de Rond, Town Clerk