MINUTES - Public Planning - 20170222
Town of Aurora
Council Public Planning
Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Attendance
Council Members Mayor Dawe in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Gaertner, Humfryes,
Kim, Mrakas, Pirri, Thom, and Thompson
Members Absent None
Other Attendees Marco Ramunno, Director of Planning and Building Services, Jeff
Healey, Planner, Marty Rokos, Planner, Samantha Yew, Deputy
Clerk, and Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 22, 2017 Page 2 of 6
3. Planning Applications
Mayor Dawe outlined the procedures that would be followed in the conduct of the
public meeting. The Deputy Clerk confirmed that the appropriate notice had been
given in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Planning Act.
1. PBS17-012 – Application for Zoning By-law Amendment, 1428420 Ontario
Limited, 22 and 26 Centre Street, Lots 120 and 121, Plan
246, File Number: ZBA-2016-08
Planning Staff
Mr. Jeff Healey, Planner, presented an overview of the application and staff
report respecting the proposal to rezone the subject lands from “Special Mixed
Density Residential (R5) Zone” to “Row Dwelling Residential (R6-X) Exception
Zone” to permit a maximum of twelve (12) block townhouse units. He noted
that the subject lands are located within the Northeast Old Aurora Heritage
Conservation District and designated as “Stable Neighbourhood Residential”
by the Town’s Official Plan. Mr. Healey further noted that a site plan
application has not yet been submitted.
Consultant
Mr. Stephen Bedford, Development Manager of Land Developments, on behalf
of the owner, spoke to the context of the subject lands as related to the
preservation of the Heritage District, compatibility, and surrounding land uses
and development. He noted that the large trees on the property boundary
would be retained as part of the proposed development. Mr. Bedford
requested that Council direct staff to work with the applicant to refine the
submission for the development of twelve townhomes designed to reflect the
characteristics of the Heritage District.
Public Comments
Aurora residents, including Jillian Bickmore, Bob McRoberts, George Steeves, and
Jacob and Danielle Stewart, provided the following comments:
Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 22, 2017 Page 3 of 6
• Concern regarding changes to the rear yard views of Catherine Avenue
properties
• Concern that the proposal is not respectful of the scale, massing, and rear
yard amenity areas of adjoining properties
• Concern regarding setting a precedent for future developments
• Concern regarding the appropriateness of the proposed intensification in a
Heritage District
• Concern regarding increased traffic on Centre Street and Catherine Avenue
• Concern regarding potential traffic and safety issues in neighbourhood,
including the safety of children
• Concern regarding the preservation of trees and potential damage to roots
• Concern regarding the proposed setback, height, shadowing, and drainage
Consultant
Mr. Bedford addressed the concerns respecting compatibility, preservation of
the Heritage District, traffic, and intensification.
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
1. That Report No. PBS17-012 be received; and
2. That comments presented at the Public Planning meeting be addressed by
Planning and Building Services in a comprehensive report outlining
recommendations and options at a future General Committee meeting.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Pirri
That the main motion be amended by replacing the words “General
Committee” with “Public Planning”.
Carried
Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 22, 2017 Page 4 of 6
Main motion as amended
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
1. That Report No. PBS17-012 be received; and
2. That comments presented at the Public Planning meeting be addressed by
Planning and Building Services in a comprehensive report outlining
recommendations and options at a future Public Planning meeting.
Defeated
Moved by Councillor Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Thom
1. That Report No. PBS17-012 be received; and
2. That the Application for Zoning By-law Amendment be denied as the
current proposal is not in conformity with the Town’s Heritage
Conservation District Plan and the Town’s Official Plan.
On a recorded vote the motion
Carried
Yeas: 9 Nays: 0
Voting Yeas: Councillors Abel, Gaertner, Humfryes,
Kim, Mrakas, Pirri, Thom, Thompson,
and Mayor Dawe
Voting Nays: None
2. PBS17-013 – Application for Zoning By-law Amendment, Dorota
Smolarkiewicz, 15403 Yonge Street, Lot 95, Registered Plan
246, File Number: ZBA-2016-14
Planning Staff
Mr. Marty Rokos, Planner, presented an overview of the application and staff
report respecting the proposal to rezone the subject lands from “Special Mixed
Density Residential (R5) Zone” to “Special Mixed Density Residential (R5-X)
Exception Zone” to permit business and professional office use, site specific
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Wednesday, February 22, 2017 Page 5 of 6
zoning provisions for parking, and recognize existing site conditions for front
yard setback, driveway width, and buffer strips. He noted that the subject
lands are designated as “The Aurora Promenade” and specifically “Downtown
Shoulder” by the Town’s Official Plan. Mr. Rokos further noted that a site plan
application has not yet been submitted.
Consultant
Mr. Jonathan Chan, representing the applicant, indicated that he had no
comments at this time.
Mr. Kurt Johnstone, representing the applicant, and owner of a small business
on the property, spoke to various aspects of the application including parking,
drainage, and snow removal. He noted that no changes were being proposed
for the property, building structure, or driveway, other than resurfacing of the
parking lot.
Public Comments
No members of the public came forward.
Moved by Councillor Pirri
Seconded by Councillor Thom
1. That Report No. PBS17-013 be received; and
2. That comments presented at the Public Planning meeting be addressed by
Planning and Building Services in a comprehensive report outlining
recommendations and options at a future General Committee meeting.
Carried
4. Confirming By-law
Moved by Councillor Thom
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the following confirming by-law be enacted:
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Wednesday, February 22, 2017 Page 6 of 6
5958-17 Being a By-law to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting from a
Council Public Planning Meeting on February 22, 2017.
Carried
5. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Pirri
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:51 p.m.
Carried
_________________________________ _________________________________
Geoffrey Dawe, Mayor Samantha Yew, Deputy Clerk
The minutes of the Council Public Planning meeting of February 22, 2017, are subject
to final approval by Council on March 28, 2017.