MINUTES - Public Planning - 20190130
Town of Aurora
Council Public Planning
Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Attendance
Council Members Mayor Mrakas in the Chair; Councillors Gaertner (arrived 7:01
p.m.), Gallo, Gilliland, Humfryes, Kim (arrived 7:01 p.m.), and
Thompson
Members Absent None
Other Attendees Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer, Lawrence Kuk,
Acting Director of Planning and Development Services, Michael de
Rond, Town Clerk, and Linda Bottos, Council/Committee
Coordinator
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Council consented to recess the meeting at 9:42 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at
9:52 p.m.
On a motion by Councillor Thompson seconded by Councillor Gaertner, Council
consented to extend the hour past 10:30 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, January 30, 2019 Page 2 of 6
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. Planning Applications
Mayor Mrakas outlined the procedures that would be followed in the conduct of the
public meeting. The Town Clerk confirmed that the appropriate notice had been
given in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Planning Act.
1. PDS19-010 – Stable Neighbourhoods Study
Planning Staff
Mr. Lawrence Kuk, Acting Director of Planning and Development Services,
introduced Mr. Ron Palmer, Principal, The Planning Partnership, who provided
an overview of the work for which he was retained, including: site visit findings
within the study area; review of public comments and ratepayer association
comments; review of other municipal tools and approaches; assessment of the
staff report and recommendations; expert interviews on the impacts of
downzoning; and conclusions and recommendations.
Public Comments
Aurora residents, including Neil Asselin, Rebecca Beaton, Ron Cocking, Frank
D’Amico, Peter DeMille, Allison Halls, Sharon Hanak, Matthew Kinsella, Doug
MacPherson, Jim McCart, Trish Meehan, Michael Palmieri, Sandra Sangster,
Jorma Takki, and Sean Zelden, provided the following comments:
• Support for:
• Overall direction of report recommendations
• Less restrictive zoning
• Proposed zoning amendments
• Maximum height of nine meters measured to peak of roof; separate
lower limit for homes with flat roof design
• Recommendation #1; change by-laws to be compliant with Official
Plan
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Wednesday, January 30, 2019 Page 3 of 6
• Recommendations #2 and #3; move to further refine protections that
are non-restrictive; controlling scale is most impactful feature
• Recommendations #2 and #3; implement concurrently, identifying key
character features of each distinct neighbourhood
• Alignment of by-laws with the Official Plan and stated protections for
Stable Neighbourhoods
• Consultant’s advice and more detailed studies to define clear process
going forward that doesn’t put properties at peril
• Opposition to:
• Proposed by-law changes and downzoning
• Area-specific restrictions; should apply to whole Town
• Controls and restrictions that would artificially reduce property values
• Downzoning as solution for whole Town Park area; potential negative
impact on home values
• Questions regarding:
• Three neighbourhoods identified on the map versus five areas
• Consultant’s communication with ratepayer associations
• Available protections for smaller, older homes with unique architecture
• Definition of “Stable Neighbourhood”
• Definition of “monster” homes
• Concerns regarding:
• Balance between neighbourhood renewal and preservation of
neighbourhood character
• Different opinions regarding definition of “monster” homes
• Most new housing incompatible in size, style, and built form to existing
stock
• Shadowing caused by larger new homes
• Potential decrease in home and property values
• Negative impact of downzoning on market and property values
• Restrictive development that would stagnate values and encourage
rental properties and multiple unit development resulting in increased
infrastructure costs (garbage, street parking, safety)
• Suggestion that rental properties would decrease property values
• Comments from ratepayer associations not representative of all
residents in area; important to hear all sides
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Wednesday, January 30, 2019 Page 4 of 6
• Older homes need much renovation to meet building code (no
insulation, outdated electrical, rotten drainage pipes)
• Difficult renovation process would lead to owners renting out their
properties
• Too much red tape
• Height and material restrictions
• Suggestions:
• Provide specific examples showing how lot coverage limits would
compare to maximum floor area measure
• Increase community input through new advisory committee with
representation from the three ratepayer associations
• Encourage owners to preserve and improve existing stock
• Manage development in progressive and respectful manner
• Consider that many homes require renovations to meet family needs
of today
• Seek more clarity and research on impact of downzoning, benchmarks
of other municipalities, and appeal process
• Small pocket of Golf Glen area included in Regency Acres area needs
to be considered separately (different lot sizes and home age)
Planning Staff
Mr. Kuk addressed the questions and concerns regarding: the interconnection
between the consultant’s recommendations #2 and #3; the designation
process to protect homes with unique attributes; Stable Neighbourhoods as
defined in Section 8 of the Town’s Official Plan; and the boundaries of the
Interim Control By-law.
The Mayor addressed the question regarding how the motion to retain a
consultant was brought forward.
The Town Clerk addressed the question regarding the formation process for
ratepayer/community associations.
Mr. Palmer addressed the questions and concerns regarding comments from
the ratepayer associations and other public comments.
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Wednesday, January 30, 2019 Page 5 of 6
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
1. That Report No. PDS19-010 be received; and
2. That staff be directed to come back with a report on a Zoning By-law
Amendment that addresses Recommendations #1 and #2 of the
consultant's report, being a maximum floor area, 9-metre height,
placement of garage doors, and a Council-approved Design Guidelines, at
the March Public Planning meeting.
Amendment No. 1
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the report back also include driveway width and setbacks in the Town
Park neighbourhood.
Defeated
Amendment No. 2
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
That the main motion be amended by adding the following clause:
That staff be directed to undertake a substantive public outreach
program to ensure that all affected landowners have a chance to
understand and respond to the proposed changes.
Carried
Main motion as amended
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
1. That Report No. PDS19-010 be received; and
2. That staff be directed to come back with a report on a Zoning By-law
Amendment that addresses Recommendations #1 and #2 of the
consultant's report, being a maximum floor area, 9-metre height,
Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, January 30, 2019 Page 6 of 6
placement of garage doors, and a Council-approved Design Guidelines, at
the March Public Planning meeting; and
3. That staff be directed to undertake a substantive public outreach
program to ensure that all affected landowners have a chance to
understand and respond to the proposed changes.
Main motion as amended
Carried
4. Confirming By-law
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
That the following confirming by-law be enacted:
6153-19 Being a By-law to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting from a
Council Public Planning Meeting on January 30, 2019.
Carried
5. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
That the meeting be adjourned at 10:54 p.m.
Carried
_________________________________ _________________________________
Tom Mrakas, Mayor Michael de Rond, Town Clerk