MINUTES - General Committee - 20180605
Town of Aurora
General Committee Meeting Report
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Attendance
Council Members Councillor Pirri in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Gaertner, Humfryes
(arrived 7:13 p.m.), Mrakas, Thom, Thompson, and Mayor Dawe
Members Absent Councillor Kim
Other Attendees Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer, Robin McDougall,
Director of Community Services, 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, Stephanie Mackenzie-Smith,
Manager of Corporate Communications, Patricia De Sario, Town
Solicitor, Michael de Rond, Town Clerk, and Linda Bottos,
Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
General Committee consented to recess the meeting at 8:32 p.m. and reconvened the
meeting at 8:42 p.m.
General Committee consented to extend the hour past 10:30 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
General Committee approved the agenda, as amended by the consideration of
Delegation (c) prior to Delegation (b), as circulated by Legislative Services with the
following additions:
• Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes of April 20, 2018
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Page 2 of 16
• Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 14, 2018
• Item R2 – Replacement Page 4 for Report No. OPS18-011 – Central York Fire
Services Headquarters 4-5
• Item R11 – CMS18-018 – Aurora Sports Dome Lease Agreement
• Notice of Motion (b) Councillor Abel; Re: Greenbelt Protection
• Notice of Motion (c) Councillor Abel; Re: Outdoor Sports Field Strategy
• Notice of Motion (d) Councillor Gaertner; Re: Actions for Environmental
Protection
2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
3. Community Presentations
(a) Shelley Ware, Supervisor, Special Events
Re: Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) Awards Announcement
Ms. Ware announced that FEO has recognized Aurora’s Haunted Forest and
Aurora’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Top 100 Festivals and
Events, and she acknowledged the many community organizations who
contributed to the success of these events. Mayor Dawe presented individual
FEO awards recognizing Sheryl Thomas, of Marquee Theatrical Productions,
and Brian Bishop, of The Salvation Army Northridge Community Church. The
Director of Community Services presented the Mayor with the FEO awards
welcoming these two events into the Top 100 list for 2018.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
4. Delegations
(a) Cameron Weighill, Resident
Re: Exception from Interim Control By-law
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Page 3 of 16
Mr. Weighill requested an exception from the Town’s Interim Control By-law to
allow for a minor variance application to facilitate the renovation of his home.
General Committee received the comments of the delegation for information.
(b) Brian Moore, Member of Aurora Chamber of Commerce
Re: Sign By-law
Dr. Moore, assisted by Mr. Javed Khan, presented a summary of the results of
the Aurora Chamber of Commerce member survey, conducted in April 2018,
regarding the Town’s current Sign By-law and proposed changes. He
provided Council with a report, “Review of the Town of Aurora Sign Bylaw in
Relation to Business Needs”, and requested that the recommendations
contained in the report be incorporated within a future staff report. He further
requested that he, Mr. Khan, and the Aurora Chamber of Commerce be
notified when the staff report is available.
General Committee received the comments of the delegation for information.
(c) George Hughes, Chair, Board of Directors, Aurora Chamber of Commerce
Re: Sign By-law
Delegation (c) was considered prior to Delegation (b).
Mr. Hughes presented an overview of the survey feedback from Chamber
members regarding the Town’s current Sign By-law, and offered recommen-
dations regarding portable signs (A-frame and curb signs) and banners.
General Committee received the comments of the delegation for information.
5. Consent Agenda
General Committee recommends:
That the following Consent Agenda Item C1 be approved:
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Page 4 of 16
C1. Memorandum from Mayor Dawe
Re: Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority Board Meeting
Highlights of April 27, 2018
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Board Meeting Highlights of April 27, 2018, be received for
information.
Carried
6. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
General Committee recommends:
That the Advisory Committee meeting minutes, Items A1 to A2 inclusive, be
received and the recommendations carried by the Committees be approved, with
the exception of Item A2 (sub-item 2), which was discussed and voted on
separately as recorded below:
A1. Trails and Active Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes of
April 20, 2018
1. That the Trails and Active Transportation Committee meeting minutes of
April 20, 2018, be received for information.
A2. Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 14, 2018
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of May 14, 2018,
be received; and
(1) HAC18 -009 – Aurora United Church – Site Plan Review, 15186
Yonge Street, 12 and 16 Tyler Street, 55 and 57
Temperance Street
(a) That the use of stucco be avoided and that the large white
surface areas be addressed.
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Page 5 of 16
(2) HAC18-008 – Yonge Street Building Evaluations
(a) That the following properties be designated under Part IV of the
Ontario Heritage Act:
(i) 15243B Yonge Street; "Whimster's Store";
(ii) 15243A Yonge Street; "Mulock Block";
(iii) 15242 Yonge Street; "The Lloyd Building";
(iv) 15240 Yonge Street; "The Ashton Building";
(v) 15233 Yonge Street; "Medical Hall";
(vi) 15229 Yonge Street; "The Willis Building";
(vii) 15225 Yonge Street; "Winter's Bakery";
(viii) 15222, 15224 and 15226 Yonge Street; "The Faughner
Building";
(ix) 15221 Yonge Street; "Sterling Bank";
(x) 15218-15220 Yonge Street; "The Clift Building";
(xi) 15216 Yonge Street; "The Odd Fellows Block";
(xii) 15210 Yonge Street; "The Andrews Block";
(xiii) 15203 Yonge Street; "The Butcher Building";
(xiv) 15199 Yonge Street; "The Grimshaw Bakery"; and
(xv) 15195 Yonge Street.
Carried
(3) Memorandum from Planner/Heritage Planning
Re: 32 Wellington Street East
(a) That this item be referred to the Town’s Legal staff for affirmation
that the builder has not complied with Council’s approval related
to the development at 32 Wellington Street East, and to provide
options for next steps.
New Business
(a) That the Evaluation Working Group provide an objective
evaluation on each of the following properties:
(i) 136 Wellington Street East; "Railroad Hotel"; and
(ii) 124 Wellington Street East; "Baldwin’s Restaurant"; and
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Page 6 of 16
(b) That the objective evaluations be submitted to the Heritage
Advisory Committee meeting of July 9, 2018, for further review.
Carried
7. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
General Committee consented to consider items in the following order: Items R1,
R5, R9, R2, R4, R11, R3, R6, R7, R8, and R10.
R1. PDS18-069 – Renovations of the Aurora Armoury, 89 Mosley Street
Mr. Anthony Ierullo, Manager of Policy Planning and Economic Development, and
Philip Hastings, GOW Hastings Architects, presented an overview of the proposed
design for renovation of the Aurora Armoury building as a renewed asset for the
community.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the presentation to
Item R1.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS18-069 be received; and
2. That the design of the Aurora Armoury as outlined in this report be
approved; and
3. That, in accordance with the Aurora Hydro Sale Investment Reserve
Fund By-law No. 5439-12, Council determines that completion of the
Aurora Armoury project is in the best interests of the Town; and
4. That, having provided the necessary public notice required of Bylaw No.
5439-12, the budget for the Armoury restoration and renovation be
increased by $4,618,800 to a total budget of $4,883,800, and that the
additional funding be sourced from the Aurora Hydro Sale Investment
Reserve Fund; and
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Page 7 of 16
5. That the above budget includes a 1% contribution in the amount of
$46,100 to the Town’s Public Art Reserve Fund in accordance with the
Official Plan requirements; and
6. That the budget for the Armoury restoration and renovation be
increased by $50,000 to allow for the installation of the treated pine
Accoya exterior alternative in lieu of the budgeted cedar exterior,
and that the additional funding be sourced from the Aurora Hydro
Sale Investment Reserve Fund.
Carried
R2. OPS18-011 – Central York Fire Services Headquarters 4-5
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS18-011 be received; and
2. That the final design of Station 4-5 be approved; and
3. That the Aurora portion of the budget be increased by 1% in the amount
of $36,100 in support of public art in accordance with the Official Plan
requirements; and
4. That additional Aurora funding in the amount of $3,523,400 be approved
for the Town share of the cost of the construction of Station 4-5, to be
funded from the Fire DC Reserve Fund as set out in Report No. OPS18-
011; and
5. That staff be authorized to proceed with Phases 4, 5 and all outstanding
services identified in the RFP submitted by Thomas Brown Architects in
the amount of $345,000, excluding disbursements and taxes.
Carried
R3. OPS18-012 – Winter Maintenance 2017/2018 Report
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS18-012 be received for information.
Carried
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Page 8 of 16
R4. CS18-012 – Magna Golf Club – Display Fireworks
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS18-012 be received; and
2. That the setting off of Display Fireworks for a wedding at Magna Golf
club on June 23, 2018, for approximately five minutes at 10:30 p.m. be
approved; and
3. That a by-law to amend Fireworks By-law No. 5373-11 be brought
forward to a future Council meeting providing delegated authority to staff
for the approval of setting off fireworks in celebration of events other than
Victoria Day and Canada Day.
Carried
R5. CS18-013 – Town of Aurora 2018-2024 Accessibility Plan
Ms. Ivy Henriksen, Manager, Customer Service, and Mr. Matt Zawada,
Accessibility Advisor presented an overview of the Town’s annual Accessibility
Plan, including purpose, legislated and non-legislated goals, and successes.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the presentation to
Item R5.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS18-013 be received; and
2. That the 2018-2024 Annual Multi-Year Accessibility Plan be approved.
Carried
R6. PDS18-030 – Parking By-law Amendment for Commercial Motor Vehicle
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS18-030 be received; and
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Page 9 of 16
2. That a by-law to amend By-law No. 4574-04.T be brought forward to
update the definition and on-street parking restrictions for commercial
motor vehicles.
Carried
R7. PDS18-058 – FCM Partners for Climate Protection Council Resolution
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS18-058 be received; and
2. That the resolution contained in the attachment be endorsed; and
3. That the Program Manager Environmental Initiatives and the Mayor be
appointed to oversee implementation of the Partners for Climate
Protection (PCP) Program Milestones.
Carried
R8. PDS18-060 – Building Permit Fees Review
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS18-060 be received; and
2. That the proposed Building Permit fee amendments be approved; and
3. That the amending by-law be presented to Council at its meeting of June
26, 2018, for enactment effective July 1, 2018; and
4. That the current policy for Temporary Sales Trailers/Offices be repealed
and replaced with the new Guidelines for the Approval of Temporary
Sales Trailers and/or Office.
Carried
R9. PDS18-062 – Application for Site Plan Approval, Gottardo Construction
Limited, Lot 3 and Part of Block 11, Registered Plan 65M-
4324, 95 Eric T. Smith Way, File Number: SP-2018-04,
Related Files: D14-05-04 and D12-05-1A
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Page 10 of 16
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS18-062 be received; and
2. That site plan application number SP-2018-04 (Gottardo Construction
Limited) to permit the development of the subject lands for a six-storey,
110-room hotel, be approved; and
3. 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
R10. PDS18-063 – Application for Site Plan Approval, 1623 Wellington Street
East Developments Limited, (SmartCentres), 1623
Wellington Street East, File Numbers: SP-2018-05 and ZBA-
2018-03, Related Files: OPA-2011-02 and ZBA-2011-06
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS18-063 be received; and
2. That site plan application number SP-2018-05 (1623 Wellington Street
East Developments Limited) to permit the development of the subject
lands for four buildings totaling 11,000 square metres (118,407 square
feet) of leasable floor area, to be used for retail uses in accordance with
the site-specific zoning be approved; and
3. That the extension of Goulding Avenue through to Wellington Street East
be approved; and
4. 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; and
5. That the application to amend the Zoning By-law File Number ZBA-2018-
03 to lift the Holding (H) Prefix for the subject lands currently zoned
“(H)E-BP(398) Business Park Holding Zone” be approved; and
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Page 11 of 16
6. That the implementing Zoning By-law Amendment be presented at a
future Council meeting.
Carried
R11. CMS18-018 – Aurora Sports Dome Lease Agreement
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS18-018 be received; and
2. That the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute the Aurora
Sports Dome Renewal of Lease Agreement, including any and all
documents and ancillary agreements required to give effect to same.
Carried
8. Notices of Motion
(a) Mayor Dawe
Re: Bee City Canada Designation
Whereas the goal of the Bee City Canada designation is to promote healthy,
sustainable, habitats and communities for pollinators; and
Whereas bees and other pollinators around the globe have experienced
dramatic declines due to land fragmentation, habitat loss, use of pesticides,
industrialized agriculture, climate change and the spread of pests and
diseases, with serious implications for the future health of flora and fauna; and
Whereas cities, townships, and First Nations communities and their residents
have the opportunity to support bees and other pollinators on both public and
private land; and
Whereas supporting pollinators fosters environmental awareness and
sustainability, and increases interactions and engagement among community
stewards; and
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Page 12 of 16
Whereas by becoming a Bee City, The Town of Aurora, can highlight initiatives
already in place and further engage local communities in an environment of
creativity and innovation which will promote a healthier life for our community;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to pursue the
Bee City Canada designation for The Town of Aurora.
(b) Councillor Abel
Re: Greenbelt Protection
Whereas the Town of Oakville has passed a similar resolution; and
Whereas the Greenbelt is an integral component of land use planning that
complements the Growth Plan to encourage smart planning, the reduction of
sprawl, protection of natural and hydrological features and agricultural lands;
and
Whereas the Greenbelt has protected 1.8 million acres of farmland, local food
supplies, the headwaters of our rivers and important forests and wildlife habitat
for more than 12 years; and
Whereas a permanent Greenbelt is an important part of the planning for
sustainable communities; and
Whereas there is a tremendous amount of land already planned and available
in excess of the development needs of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
without weakening the protections provided by the Greenbelt; and
Whereas efforts to open the Greenbelt to create the opportunity for land
speculators to build expansive homes, at immense profits, in remote areas;
and
Whereas opening the Greenbelt would move the urban boundary thus creating
more sprawl and increased traffic; and
Whereas the costs of sprawl result in increased taxes, because 25% of the
costs of sprawl are downloaded to existing property tax payers; and
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Page 13 of 16
Whereas programs like the proposed inclusionary zoning regulations will assist
municipalities in advancing the supply of affordable housing stock without the
need to expand the built boundary;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the Town of Aurora stands
with its municipal neighbours to undertake continued action to maintain
and grow the current Greenbelt, of which the Oak Ridges Moraine is a
part; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That the Province be strongly urged to extend
Greenbelt protection to include the appropriate white belt lands within the
inner ring, lands that are the most immediately vulnerable to development
in the province; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That this resolution be distributed to the Premier of
Ontario, the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the Minister of the Environment
and Climate Change, all Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) municipalities,
the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Environmental Defence,
Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, STORM Coalition (Save The Oak
Ridges Moraine), Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation, The Regional
Municipality of York, and members of Municipal Leaders for the Greenbelt,
and leaders of the various Ontario political parties.
(c) Councillor Abel
Re: Outdoor Sports Field Strategy
Whereas the 2016 Parks and Recreation Master Plan identified facility
pressures, namely outdoor sports fields, in both soccer and baseball; and
Whereas staff suggested that managing the needs may be accommodated
through land acquisition and partnership opportunities; and
Whereas staff also suggested that there may be opportunities of repurposing
fields that are under-utilized; and
Whereas it is in the Town's best interest to encourage outdoor field sport
participation opportunities for all Town of Aurora residents; and
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Page 14 of 16
Whereas a Sports Field Strategy would ensure public awareness and access
of the Town's outdoor sport facilities for its residents; and
Whereas a Sports Field Strategy would provide high quality sports surfaces for
sports field user groups in the community, and ensure guidelines are
developed that promote and support field sport that is integrated with the
Town's economic and tourism plans; and
Whereas a Sports Field Strategy would encourage and facilitate innovative
and cooperative partnerships for the delivery of outdoor field sports programs
in the community; and
Whereas a Sports Field Strategy would provide opportunities for community
field sport groups to provide input into future field sport strategies, policies,
procedures and budget priorities;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to report back
to Council in the Fall 2018 with terms of reference for an Outdoor Sports
Field Strategy that addresses the future needs of the community as well as
prioritizes the repurposing of existing fields and identifies opportunities for
corporate and neighbouring municipality partnerships.
(d) Councillor Gaertner
Re: Actions for Environmental Protection
Whereas recent severe weather conditions have underlined the need to take
action to protect our environment; and
Whereas the Town's Community Energy Plan is not ready as yet; and
Whereas it is responsible and appropriate to put as many protective measures
in place as soon as possible;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff investigate and report
back on the following actions:
(a) A plan to diminish the use of lights in our buildings and facilities during
the night hours;
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Page 15 of 16
(b) Raise the temperature setting in Town buildings by one degree in the
summer months, and lower the temperature by one degree in the
winter months;
(c) Decrease kitchen and bathroom hot water temperature settings;
(d) Mitigate the summer sun effect from the Town Hall Atrium and main
floor south-facing front windows; and
(e) Install automatic room timers on a five-minute empty room shut-off.
9. New Business
Mayor Dawe referred to the request of Delegation (a), Cameron Weighill, and put
forward a motion.
General Committee recommends:
1. That staff be directed to investigate the provision of relief from the Interim
Control By-law for the property at 11 Patrick Drive; and
2. That staff bring forward an amendment to the Interim Control By-law.
Carried
Councillor Abel referred to the comments of James Hoyes, who spoke in Open
Forum prior to the meeting, and put forward a motion.
General Committee recommends:
1. That staff be directed to conduct a public consultation regarding the
request for installation of a sidewalk on Kitimat Crescent.
Carried
Councillor Mrakas inquired about the By-law Services monitoring of parking issues
in the Seaton Drive and Murray Drive area, and staff provided a response.
Councillor Mrakas inquired about the parking of construction vehicles on Murray
Drive, and staff provided a response.
General Committee Meeting Report
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Page 16 of 16
10. Closed Session
None
11. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:54 p.m.
_________________________________ _________________________________
Paul Pirri, Councillor Michael de Rond, Town Clerk