MINUTES - Public Planning - 20200211
Town of Aurora
Council Public Planning
Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Attendance
Council Members Deputy Mayor Kim in the Chair; Councillors Gaertner, Gallo,
Gilliland, and Humfryes
Members Absent Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Thompson
Other Attendees David Waters, Director of Planning and Development Services,
Michael Logue, Senior Policy Planner, Samantha Yew, Deputy
Town Clerk, Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
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, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
3. Planning Applications
Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 11, 2020 Page 2 of 4
Deputy Mayor Kim outlined the procedures that would be followed in the conduct
of the public meeting. The Deputy Town Clerk confirmed that the appropriate
notice was given in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Planning Act.
1. PDS20-014 – Town of Aurora Official Plan Review
Planning Staff
Mr. Michael Logue, Senior Policy Planner, presented an overview of the staff
report regarding the Town’s Official Plan (OP) review process, which is also
subject to policy direction from York Region’s ongoing Municipal
Comprehensive Review. He advised that, in addition to an online survey and
eight Planner Pop-up events hosted last fall which engaged more than 300
residents, a public open house was held today prior to this special meeting,
which serves to officially kick off the Town’s review of the current OP adopted
by Council in 2010. Mr. Logue stated that the Town’s OP is founded on twelve
guiding principles, and the review is proposing to include five phases and six
focus areas of study. He noted staff’s intent to exceed the minimum
consultation requirements and advised that a public engagement and
communication strategy will be developed, to include the retaining of a public
engagement consultant, a combination of in-person and online approaches, a
Technical Steering Committee and Community Steering Committee, and
regular updates to Council throughout the process.
Public Comments
Aurora resident Neil Asselin expressed the following concerns and
suggestions:
• Concerns regarding:
Sprawling nature of Town’s development that continually promotes a
car-centric planning style that should be discouraged
Sprawling nature due to building only single-family dwellings
High GFA (gross floor area) promotes luxury housing market that lacks
affordable housing
Safety of cyclists on Yonge Street, Wellington Street, and Bayview
Avenue
Safety of pedestrians due to bicycle traffic on sidewalks
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Tuesday, February 11, 2020 Page 3 of 4
Unpleasantness of walking on Yonge Street due to speeding vehicles,
parking lots, drive-throughs, and the lack of trees and buffers between
the sidewalk and street
Unfriendliness of Bayview Avenue
Political influence on the OP process, including promotion of small town
charm and height restrictions, which limits options, dialogue and
progressive planning
Trails are important for leisure, but not practical as active transportation
option
• Suggestions:
• Promote mixed-use, vibrant neighbourhoods
• Create soft density options along with midrise and rental housing to
address the missing middle
• Encourage good, open-minded policy with a slow and cautious
approach to move forward and create equitability on the streets in
mobility, transportation, and affordable housing
Planning Staff
Staff addressed the issues regarding future growth, higher densities and
Regional targets, protection of stable neighbourhoods, intensification and the
need for ‘missing middle’ housing in strategic areas, and active transportation.
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
1. That Report No. PDS20-014 be received; and
2. That another Public Planning meeting be held after the public engagement
consultant’s work is underway and staff report back with an Official Plan
Review work plan that incorporates the feedback received to date from
public consultation; and
3. That the Town Clerk provide a copy of this report to The Regional
Municipality of York, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Toronto
and Region Conservation Authority, Town of Newmarket, Township of
King, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, and City of Richmond Hill, for
information.
Carried
Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 11, 2020 Page 4 of 4
4. Confirming By-law
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the following confirming by-law be enacted:
6240-20 Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council resulting from a Council
Public Planning meeting on February 11, 2020.
Carried
5. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:48 p.m.
Carried
_________________________________ _________________________________
Harold Kim, Deputy Mayor Samantha Yew, Deputy Town Clerk