MINUTES - Special Council - 19930520TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
NO. 14-93
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Thursday, May 20, 1993
7:35p.m.
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COUNCll.. MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE
STAFF MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE
DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Mayor West in the Chair;
Councillors Constable, Griffith,
Healy, Jones, Pedersen, Timpson
and Weller
Councillor McKenzie was absent.
Municipal Clerk, Deputy Clerk,
Director of Planning, and Senior
Planner -Long Range
Councillor Weller declared a possible Conflict of Interest by virtue of ownership of
property within four hundred feet of the Wellington Street corridor, and did not take part
in or vote on any questions in this regard, or attempt in any way to influence the voting
on such questions.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
#283. Moved by Councillor Timpson Seconded by Councillor Griffith
THAT the content of the Agenda be approved as outlined herein.
CARRIED
Mayor West indicated that this Special Council meeting was called to discuss the
recommendations of the Wellington Street East Corridor Study Committee. Mayor West
welcomed those citizen members of the Committee who were present. The proponents
of the development sites under consideration by the Committee were invited to make brief
presentations to Council.
DELEGATIONS
Kim Mcinnis. Markborough Properties Inc.
Mr. Mcinnis noted that the applicant had reviewed several sites, upon the request of
retailers interested in locating in the Town, and in 1988 had purchased land at the south
east corner of Bayview Avenue and Wellington Street East. The applicant intends to
phase construction of a community commercial shopping mall with a total of 280,000
square feet of commercial uses, including a food store, a junior department store and an
automotive and home improvement type outlet. The proposed design is not an enclosed
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Aurora Special Council Minutes No. 14-93
Thursday, May 20, 1993
Page2
centre and is based upon the look of the existing Town streetscape to reflect the character
of Aurora. Noting that this applicant had not been ranked first in the report of Marshall
Macklin Monaghan, Mr. Mcinnis indicated concern that the urban services boundary,
being Bayview Avenue, should not preclude the application. He pointed out that, in the
long term, this intersection would be a significant gateway to the Town. Highlighting the
fact that the applicant had purchased its land and had executed contracts with some of the
anchor tenants, he asked Council not to adopt the recommendations in report PL93-038-
146 and to designate that applicant's lands for a community commercial development.
In response to questions from Council, he noted that this application is the smallest of the
three projects. Thus, it would focus on serving the Aurora market. Given its scale, there
are lesser opportunities to develop community oriented facilities; however, facilities that
could be constructed include a daycare or a library. This applicant was willing to joint
venture cooperative advertising with other Town retailers and would be willing to start
construction as soon as possible after obtaining municipal approvals.
Mr. Michael Gedz. Cadillac Fairview/Bayview Wellington Developments Ltd.
Mr. Gedz indicated his support of the Committee recommendation to designate the
applicant's site at the north west corner of Bayview Avenue and Wellington Street East
as a community commercial development. He pointed out that the site respects the urban
services boundary of the Town, thereby implementing both the provincial urban
settlement guidelines and the Town's Official Plan. Other advantages of the proposed site
include the linkages it will implement with existing civic amenities, including the Town
Hall, Leisure Complex and open space areas. In addition, he noted that the proposal will
not impact on agricultural land or on lands within the Oak Ridges Moraine. He indicated
that the applicant proposes to phase construction of an enclosed community commercial
centre. This would consist of a commercial component of 300,000 square feet. In
addition, a cinema, offices and services uses would increase the proposal to a total of
450,000 square feet. Mr. Gedz noted that commitments are in place from Batons,
however, he is unsure whether this tenant will locate within phase I or phase IT. He
expressed confidence that the applicant will be able to firm up ongoing negotiations with
a junior department store and food store during the time that it takes to obtain final
municipal approvals. He expressed willingness to enter into a development agreement
to commit to construction along appropriate time frames, so that zoned land would not
remain vacant. Noting that the applicant had a proven track record as a developer, owner
and manager of enclosed shopping centres, he urged Council to adopt the
recommendations in report PL93-038-146.
In response to questions from Council, he indicated that the applicant has no firm intent
to construct campus facilities on the perimeter of the development; however, this might
be added at the site plan stage. Community facilities to be provided might include an
outdoor pond that could be converted into a skating pad and inside areas, such as meeting
rooms. He indicated that the applicant intended to construct within one year after the
date all municipal approvals are in place.
Mr. Chusid. Whitwell Developments Ltd.
Mr. Chusid outlined his client's proposal to phase construction of a regional mall at the
north west corner of Wellington Street East and Highway 404. The proposal would
consist of 970,000 square feet, including two department stores, a junior department
store, a supermarket, a specialty auto related department store and 470,000 square feet
of retail, including a community library, theatre and cinemas. Other planned uses would
include a hotel/convention centre and a sports complex. Mr. Chusid took exception with
the Committee's recommendation that no site along the Wellington Street corridor be
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Aurora Special Council Minutes No. 14-93
Thursday, May 20, 1993
Page 3
endorsed for a regional shopping centre. His market studies have indicated that by the
year 2000 there will be sufficient need for such a regional centre. Thus, the real question
is when and where such a centre should be implemented, rather than the architectural
details relating to the centre.
In response to questions from Council, he indicated that his client owns 65 of the 131
acres proposed to be developed and that construction of phase I would involve 580,000
square feet. He noted that anchor tenants were not under contract at this time, but that
retailers tend to locate where there is demand. He stated that his client would be willing
to joint venture a cooperative advertising campaign with Town retailers. In his opinion,
approving this application would not preclude continued commercial development in the
Town.
STAFF REPQRT
PL93-038-146-Recommendations re: Wellington Street Corridor Study
#284. Moved by Councillor Pedersen Seconded by Councillor Healy
THAT at this time Council does not endorse any site in the Wellington
Street Corridor for a regional shopping centre.
On recorded vote, the resolution was CARRIED
YEAS: 6 NAY: 1
VOTING YEA: Councillors Constable, Griffith, Healy, Jones, Pedersen and Mayor
West.
VOTING NAY: Councillor Timpson.
Councillor Weller, having previously declared a possible Conflict of Interest in this
matter, did not take part in the vote called for in this regard.
#285. Moved by Councillor Pedersen Seconded by Councillor Healy
THAT the Bayview Wellington lands be designated for a community
commercial development, to serve the Aurora market and that the floor area
be determined through the Secondary Planning process.
On recorded vote, the resolution was CARRIED
YEAS: 6
VOTING YEA:
VOTING NAY:
NAY: 1
Councillors Constable, Griffith, Healy, Jones, Pedersen and Mayor
West.
Councillor Timpson.
Councillor Weller, having previously declared a possible Conflict of Interest in this
matter, did not take part in the vote called for in this regard.
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Aurora Special Council Minutes No. 14-93
Thursday, May 20, 1993
#286. Moved by Councillor Pedersen
Page 4
Seconded by Councillor Healy
THAT the Report of Marshall Macklin Monaghan be received as
information.
On recorded vote, the resolution was CARRIED
YEAS: 7 NAY: 0
VOTING YEA: Councillors Constable, Griffith, Healy, Jones, Pedersen, Timpson
and Mayor West.
Councillor Weller, having previously declared a possible Conflict of Interest in this
matter, did not take part in the vote called for in this regard.
ADJOURNMENT
#287. Moved by Councillor Timpson
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:02.
CARRIED
L. AL UNICIPAL CLERK