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MINUTES - Special Council - 19940303II TOWN OF AURORA SPECIAL COUNCIL -PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING NO. 07-94 Council Chambers Aurora Town Hall Thursday, March 3, 1994 7:30p.m. MINUTES II COUNCIL MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE Mayor West in the Chair; Councillors Constable, Griffith, Healy, Jones, McKenzie, Pedersen, and Timpson. STAFF MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE STEERING COMMITTEE CITIZEN MEMBERS Councillor Weller was on vacation. Municipal Clerk, Director of Planning, Director of Building Administration, Senior Planner, Planner, and Recording Secretary. David Amborski (regrets), David Barrow, Robert Faiello (regrets), and Judith Ochalski. Mayor West advised that this meeting had been called as a Public Meeting with respect to the conclusion of the second phase of the Wellington Street East Corridor Study. The statutory Public Meeting procedure and the opportunities available for concerned residents to ask questions related to the proposal tabled for consideration were explained. Persons wishing further notice of the passage of the proposed By-law under consideration were requested to sign the information forms available. Mayor West advised that the report under consideration comprised specific land use and policy proposals in the form of a secondary plan for the Bayview Wellington Centre as well as urban design guideline recommendations for Wellington Street between George Street and Bayview Avenue. He reminded those present that an ad-hoc committee of Council had overseen the entire planning process, which had begun in June of 1 992 and resulted in the proposal before Council this evening. Phase I of the study decided on the best location and scale of a commercial centre for Aurora. Phase II developed a detailed plan for the selected site and design guidelines for its integration with the rest of the Town. On behalf of Council, Mayor West extended thanks and appreciation to the citizen members of the committee for their significant contributions in time, energy and ideas. He advised that Mary Rose, Consultant with Marshall Macklin Monaghan would outline the essential elements of the Committee's work and following this presentation the floor would be opened for questions and comments by members of the public. Aurora Special Council -Public Planning Minutes No. 07-94 Thursday, March 3, 1994 Page 2 The Municipal Clerk advised that the required Notice of Meeting for application number 009-09-92 was placed in the January 25, 1994, edition of the Era Banner, in compliance with the rules of procedure under the Planning Act. To supplement publication of the notice, advertisements were also placed in the February 22nd and March 1st, 1994, issues. In addition, a Notice of Public Meeting was served January 25, 1994, by First Class Mail to the addresses of owners within one full concession lot north and south of the study area from the CNR tracks to Highway 404, as well as the owners of all properties bordering Wellington Street from the CNR tracks westward to the York Region Board of Education lands on the north side and Harriman Road on the south side, as shown on the last revised assessment roll of the Town of Aurora, and to the Clerk and Secretary, Planning Committee of each bordering municipality. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST There were no disclosures of interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. APPROVAL OF AGENDA #127. Moved by Councillor Griffith Seconded by Councillor Constable THAT the content of the Agenda be approved as outlined herein with the addition of correspondence received for consideration along with Report PL94-023-068 . CARRIED PL94-023-068-Bavview Wellington Centre Secondary Plan Phase II of the Wellington Street East Corridor Study; 009-09-92 Mary Rose, Consultant with Marshall Macklin Monaghan, briefly outlined the history of this proposal. As a result of receipt of three competing major commercial centre applications, Phase I of the study recommended that the lands located at the north-west corner of Bayview and Wellington be incorporated into a secondary planning area. The proponent originally suggested a regional shopping facility, major office component, campus retail, institutional and community uses, recreation facilities, along with a 1 ,900 unit residential neighbourhood. In comparison, the Bayview Wellington Centre Secondary Plan now proposes a community commercial centre of 325,000 sq. ft. with potential expansion to 490,000 sq. ft., office commercial, campus retail, two schools, recreational facilities, and an approximate 1.400 unit mixed- use community. The purpose of the plan was to redesignate the subject lands from industrial to commercial, institutional and residential. Studies supporting the proposal indicate an ability to accommodate Aurora's industrial land requirements for the next 20 years, exclusive of the property in question. It has been concluded that the lands could be developed for the proposed uses, which could be supported through the redesignations. The proposal has attempted to create an urban centre with a sense of community that promotes transit, accessibility to greenspace, and an area to live, work and play, with an element of mixed-use development. Aurora Special Council -Public Planning Minutes No. 07-94 Thursday, March 3, 1994 Page 3 Ms. Rose advised that this proposal presented major opportunities for Aurora to create a well integrated urban centre, particularly due to the proximity of the Town Hall, transit and road linkages. The need has already been identified for both community scale shopping and medium density residences. The geographically central location of the subject lands surrounded by major open spaces, with roads and infrastructure in place, can meet these needs with a minimal impact on the existing urban area. The proponent is the major land owner and has the cooperation for the integration of development of the owners of adjacent lands. Accepted planning principles have identified the requirement for medium density housing. Ms. Rose provided a breakdown of density types and units proposed. Total areas for each aspect of the development were also defined. She indicated that a grid road pattern would create a pedestrian friendly environment with narrower streetscapes and tighter intersections than in other recent developments. In closing, Ms. Rose advised that although the urban design guidelines were not part of the Official Plan Amendment proposed for formal adoption, they will provide a basis for the enhancement of the corridor area and the links to the new community. Recommendations include policies for the enhancement of Wellington Street between John West Way and the CNR tracks, maintenance of and transition to the historic core, suggested build-to planes, discouragement of front yard parking, improved pedestrian and bike connections, and the creation of a gateway to the area at both ends. Public Comments Items of concern identified by members of the public included potential increased costs to ratepayers to meet water supply demands; the potential removal by the Region of on-street parking along Wellington to accommodate increased traffic flows; the possibility of Wellington Street requiring road upgrades; planned traffic movement within the subject site; the feasibility of an additional east-west traffic corridor; provisions for connectivity between the proposed community and St. John's Sideroad; and the potential for deterioration within the residential component due to inadequate setbacks and lack of privacy. A need for community auditorium facilities was also identified. In responding, Ms. Rose indicated the water demand can be accommodated. It was pointed out that alternative water sources are being sought in order to satisfy future demands throughout the Region. From a design aspect, preference is given to on-street parking, however, Wellington Street is a regional road and thus not controlled by the Town. With respect to increased flows along Wellington, it was pointed out that with the completion of the Industrial Parkway bypass flows have actually decreased along Wellington. It is not the Town's intention to widen Wellington Street west of the CNR tracks. St. John's Sideroad comprises the only feasible additional east-west alternative. Although not direct, the proposed road pattern offers a connection to St. John's Sideroad through the Aurora East Industrial development. With respect to the setbacks proposed and the ultimate appearance of the residential component, it was described in jargon as a higher density-low rise development with a predominant two-storey building height. The minimum setback as proposed would provide a 20 foot front yard between the sidewalk and structure, similar to much of the older section of Aurora. Aurora Special Council -Public Planning Minutes No. 07-94 Thursday, March 3, 1994 Page 4 In response to comments regarding the proximity of the hydro corridor, particularly concern over future increases to power capacity and the establishment of adequate setbacks due to EMF fields, it was pointed out that the maximum capacity is 44 kv, which meets the standard for lines within urban areas. Although the Region's preference of relocating the lines to Bayview is desirable, it is not financially feasible at this time. In response to concerns raised regarding potential tax increases, it was noted that development charges would be imposed with the intent that developments pay for themselves. The Public Meeting closed at 8:29p.m. and Council's deliberations began. #128. Moved by Councillor Pedersen Seconded by Councillor McKenzie THAT Council support, in principle, the Bayview/Wellington Secondary Plan and its proposed land uses and accept, in priniciple, the recommendations proposed in the Urban Design Guidelines as formulated by the Committee; THAT Council refer both documents to the Steering Committee for final review in light of comments made at this public meeting along with any written remarks received prior to the Committee's next scheduled meeting; and THAT the Steering Committee be requested to prepare a report outlining final recommendations to Council including any revisions to the secondary plan and urban design guidelines, which may be required. On recorded vote, the resolution was CARRIED YEAS: 7 VOTING YEA: VOTING NAY: ADJOURNMENT NAY: 1 Councillors Constable, Griffith, Healy, Jones, McKenzie, Pedersen, and Mayor West. Councillor Timpson. #129. Moved by Councillor Griffith THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:58p.m. CARRIED JWEST,~;L N, MUNICIPAL CLERK