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MINUTES - Special Council - 19951213TOWN OF AURORA SPECIAL COUNCIL -PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING NO. 40-95 ATTENDANCE COUNCIL MEMBERS STAFF MEMBERS Council Chambers Aurora Town Hall Wednesday, December 13, 1995 7:00p.m. MINUTES Mayor Jones in the Chair; Councillors Griffith, Healy, McKenzie, Morris (7: 13 p.m.), Ochalski (7:05 p.m.), Sorley, Wallace and Weller. Municipal Clerk, Deputy Clerk/Solicitor, Director of Planning, Director of Building Administration, Director of Public Works, Treasurer and Planner. The Mayor advised that this meeting had been called as a Public Planning meeting with respect to proposed Zoning By-law amendment, Peter and Tim Diamond, 94 and 98 Wellington Street East, Lots 7 and 8, Registered Plan 107, application D14-28-95. The Public Planning meeting procedure and the opportunities available for concerned residents to ask questions related to the application tabled for consideration were explained and Mayor Jones advised that any person who wished further notice of the passage of the proposed By-law under consideration could sign the information form available. The Clerk advised that the required Notice of Meeting for application D14-28-95 was mailed November 10, 1995. The notice was circulated in compliance with the Planning Act, by prepaid First Class Mail, to the every person shown on the last revised assessment roll of the Town of Aurora within 120 metres of the areas to which the proposed By-laws would apply and to every person within 1 20 metres who provided the Clerk with written notice of change of ownership or occupancy and to every person and public body who provided the Clerk with a written request for such notice. In addition, the necessary signs were posted on the subject properties in accordance with the rules of procedure under the Planning Act. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Councillor Sorley declared an interest in certain matters considered at the previous meeting of Council on December 4, 1995, being a meeting at which Councillor Sorley was not present. Councillor Sorley's interest arose by virtue of a solicitor-client relationship with regard to the two delegations, correspondence and Staff Report PL95-127-379 re: Canadian Tire. J Aurora Special Council -Public Planning Minutes No. 40-95 Wednesday, December 13, 1995 Page 2 Councillor Wallace declared an interest in certain matters considered at the previous meeting of Council on December 4, 1995, being a meeting at which Councillor Wallace was not present. Councillor Wallace's interest arose by virtue of ownership of a business in the vicinity of the Canadian Tire application in relation to the two delegations, correspondence and Staff Report PL95-127- 379 re: Canadian Tire. APPROVAL OF AGENDA #704. Moved by Councillor McKenzie Seconded by Councillor Weller THAT the content of the Agenda be approved as outlined herein, with the addition of correspondence from Mr. Worling, Mrs. Housser and from Mr. McRoberts for consideration with Report PL95-135-403. CARRIED PLANNING APPLICATIONS PL95-135-403-Proposed Zoning By-law Amendment. Diamond. Peter and Tim. 94 and 98 Wellington Street East. Lots 7 and 8. Registered Plan 107: D14-28- 95 and Correspondence from Mr. Worling. Mrs. Housser and from Mr. McRoberts The Director of Planning provided an overview of this application to amend the Zoning By-law to permit two existing homes facing Wellington Street East to remain and to develop the rear of the two lots for five townhouse units fronting on Centre Street. The Director indicated that the proposal generally conforms to the Official Plan and that Staff have no objections to the proposal. She detailed the requested exceptions to the standard R6 Zoning provisions for the proposed townhouse block, including reductions to minimum lot areas, front yard set backs and lot coverage. She pointed out that, although these are characterized as exceptions, many of the reduction proposed have become the norm elsewhere in Town. Merits of the proposal include the fact that this will provide residential infill, close to the historic core of the Town. The proposal would continue the diversity of residential land uses in the neighbourhood, offering a compatible building facade. In addition, residential development along Centre Street would protect this area from becoming a parking lot serving potential commercial development fronting on Wellington Street. Of particular importance, was the applicants intention to preserve the existing heritage homes. With regard to the question of the required road widening, she suggested that this could be reviewed during the site plan approval process in order to confirm the width that might be necessary in this circumstance. Should Council find merit in the application, she suggested that approval be granted subject to processing the site plan application and resolution of the road widening issue. Aoolicant' s Comments Mr. Arthur Diamond detailed the advantages of the site, which include its proximity to retail land uses in the historic core, community services and the GO transit terminus. He reviewed the diversity of structures in the neighbourhood, including the eight-plex residence to the east. Noting that a range of uses were possible under the existing Zoning By-law, he suggested that the application would enhance the existing neighbourhood. Aurora Special Council -Public Planning Minutes No. 40-95 Wednesday, December 13, 1995 Public Comments Page 3 There were a number of residents present to discuss the application. One was in favour of the proposal. Several others expressed concerns with the proposed density of five additional units on the lands. They questioned whether exceptions to the Zoning By-law were the norm in established neighbourhoods such as the historic core. Given the lot coverage, several questioned whether there would be sufficient lawn areas for children to play on and sufficient building sizes to permit storage areas other than the garages. On-street parking and increased traffic were raised as issues. Residents sought guarantees that the exterior finishes detailed in the drawings would actually be constructed. They questioned the proposed sale price and whether such units would become rental units. Several persons indicated that they had no objections to a proposal of this nature, but they suggested that the density be revised. Responses to Questions The Director of Planning detailed the Official Plan policies for the neighbourhood, which promote infill, residential uses and commercial conversions along Wellington Street, such to certain conditions. The applicant confirmed that free hold townhouses were contemplated and he indicated that the expected sale price would be between $150,000-$180,000. At 812 p.m. the Public Planning meeting closed and Council's deliberation began: #705. Moved by Councillor Griffith Seconded by Councillor Morris THAT the application be approved in principle, but referred back to staff for further review with the applicant in relation to the potential to downsize the number of units proposed. CARRIED ADJOURNMENT #706. Moved by Councillor Griffith THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:27p.m. CARRIED /---) ·~AL T. JOf'{1t"s;~R ''- ·,···-- L.