MINUTES - Public Planning - 20170426
Town of Aurora
Council Public Planning
Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Attendance
Council Members Mayor Dawe in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Gaertner, Kim
(departed 8:02 p.m.), Mrakas, Pirri, Thom (departed 9:30 p.m.),
and Thompson
Members Absent Councillor Humfryes
Other Attendees Marco Ramunno, Director of Planning and Building Services, Glen
Letman, Manager of Development Planning, Samantha Yew,
Deputy Clerk, and Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Council consented to recess the meeting at 8:45 p.m. and reconvened at 8:54 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Pirri
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 Page 2 of 6
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
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. PBS17-029 – Application for Official Plan Amendment, Minister of
Infrastructure Ontario (IO), 50 Bloomington Road West
File Number: OPA-2016-06
Planning Staff
Mr. Glen Letman, Manager of Development Planning, presented an overview
of the application and staff report respecting the proposed Official Plan and
amendment to redesignate portions of the Eastern Parcel of the subject lands
from ‘Major Institution’ and ‘Minor Institution’ to ‘Cluster Residential’, ‘Special
Policy Area’ and increasing the ‘Environmental Function Area’. He noted that
the proposed Official Plan amendment would allow up to 148 residential units
to be located on the subject lands and provide continued permissions for
government office uses. Mr. Letman further noted that, while there are no
plans for development of the subject lands at this time, if the lands were to be
sold the future landowner would be responsible for obtaining any Zoning By-
law amendments, Draft Plan of Subdivision or Site Plan Approvals.
Consultant
Ms. Amy Shepherd, of IBI Group, presented an overview of the proposed
Official Plan amendment, including detailed site descriptions and context, the
proposed redesignation of the Eastern Parcel, process and timing of potential
future development, and plans for the remainder of the site.
Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 Page 3 of 6
Public Comments
Aurora residents, including, Jeff Andersen, Karen Bayly, Lauren Bayne, John
Green, Asha Fortini, Shin Jiang, Bohdan Kowalyk, Warren May, Laurie Uetz, and
Steve Varga, provided the following comments:
• Suggestion to preserve and enhance the natural landscape of the proposed
development area
• Suggestion to keep area undeveloped as it is one of the few undeveloped
gateways into Aurora
• Concern regarding potential loss of employment in the area
• Concern regarding increased density
• Concern regarding potential loss of parkland and community gardens
• Concern regarding potential destruction of historic buildings
• Concern regarding potential fragmentation of trail system
• Concern regarding the removal of mature trees
• Concern regarding conformity to the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Strategic Plan, and Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan
• Concern regarding the preservation of gravesites on the subject lands
• Concern regarding impact on pond, animals and birds
• Concern regarding stormwater drainage into pond
• Concern regarding lack of community centres and greenspace in the Town
• Concern regarding potential relocation of Ontario Provincial Police Station
• Concern regarding traffic and safety
• Concern regarding the potential sale of the subject lands and future
development
Consultant
Ms. Shepherd responded to the concerns regarding potential development
plans, density, and tree preservation.
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Pirri
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That Report No. PBS17-029 be received; and
Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 Page 4 of 6
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 No. 1
Moved by Councillor Thom
Seconded by Councillor Mrakas
That the following clause be added to the main motion:
That the heritage component of the application be referred for
evaluation by the Heritage Advisory Committee.
Carried
Amendment No. 2
Moved by Councillor Thom
Seconded by Councillor Pirri
That the last clause of the main motion as amended be replaced with the
following clause:
That staff be directed to report back to another Public Planning
meeting addressing the issues that were raised at this Public Planning
meeting.
Carried
Main motion as amended
Moved by Councillor Pirri
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
1. That Report No. PBS17-029 be received; and
2. That the heritage component of the application be referred for
evaluation by the Heritage Advisory Committee; and
3. That staff be directed to report back to another Public Planning
meeting addressing the issues that were raised at this Public
Planning meeting.
Carried as amended
Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 Page 5 of 6
2. PBS17-033 – Applications for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-
law Amendment, 1754260 Ontario Limited (Polo Club)
15286 and 15306 Leslie Street, Part of Lot 21, Concession 2
File Numbers: OPA-2016-03 and ZBA-2016-07
Planning Staff
Mr. Marco Ramunno, Director of Planning and Building Services, provided a
brief update regarding the application, noting that the applicant was requested
to provide a further traffic and access evaluation based on the comments from
the Public Planning meeting held on Wednesday, September 28, 2016. He
further noted that the applicant has proposed four options, and that York
Region staff has indicated that they concur with Option 4.
Consultant
Mr. Brad Rogers, of Groundswell Urban Planners, and Mr. Mark Jamieson, of
BA Group, presented an overview of access options related to right-in/right-out
access to the proposed condominiums from Leslie Street, and provided
information regarding the application background, transportation background,
access options, and next steps. Mr. Jamieson noted that the access options
include:
• Option 1 – Connection thorough the property to the south
• Option 2 – Connection through the property to the north
• Option 3 – Roundabout to the north
• Option 4 – Introduction of a northbound turn lane at the Northridge Church
driveway
Public Comments
Mr. Eric Liversidge noted that, although he resides at a property adjacent to the
subject lands, he had not been consulted in regard to this application. Mr.
Liversidge expressed concern regarding the number of parking spaces, traffic,
proposed U-turn lanes indicated in Option 4, and maintaining the aesthetic of the
eastern gateway to Aurora.
Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 Page 6 of 6
Moved by Councillor Pirri
Seconded by Councillor Mrakas
1. That Report No. PBS17-033 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 Abel
Seconded by Councillor Pirri
That the following confirming by-law be enacted:
5979-17 Being a By-law to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting from a
Council Public Planning Meeting on April 26, 2017.
Carried
5. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:38 p.m.
Carried
_________________________________ _________________________________
Geoffrey Dawe, Mayor Samantha Yew, Deputy Clerk
The minutes of the Council Public Planning meeting of April 26, 2017, received final
approval by Council on May 23, 2017.