MINUTES - Special Council - 19980923
TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL COUNCIL PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING
NO. 31-98
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Wednesday, September 23, 1998
6:00 p.m.
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Jones in the Chair; Councillors Griffith,
Hartwell, Healy, Hinder, Hogg, McKenzie, Morris, and
West.
STAFF MEMBERS Director of Corporate Services, Director of Planning,
Director of Building Administration, Director of Leisure
Services, Planner, and Administrative Assistant.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest under the Municipal Conflict of interest Act.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
#593. Moved by Councillor Hartwell Seconded by Councillor Griffith
THAT the content of the Agenda be approved as outlined herein.
CARRIED
Mayor Jones advised that this meeting had been called as a Public Meeting with
respect to proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment for 919179 Ontario
Limited, Part of Lot 2, Registered Plan 107, application numbers D09-05-98, D14-15-98
and with respect to Official Plan Modification to OPA No. 19 for the Baldwin Feed Mill
Lands, application number D09-07-96.
The Public Meeting procedures and the opportunities available for persons to ask
questions related to the items tabled for consideration were explained. Mayor Jones
advised that any person who wished further notice of the passage of the proposed By-
law under consideration could sign the information forms available. In addition, Mayor
Jones advised that any concerns with the proposal must be expressed during the public
meeting or in writing prior to the adoption by Council of any amendment in order to
protect the right to appeal to either the Region or the Ontario Municipal Board. Names
and addresses of speakers are required as a part of the record of the proceedings.
The Clerk confirmed that the required Notice of Meeting for the applications were given
and that the necessary signs were posted on the property in accordance with the rules
of procedure under the Planning Act.
M I N U T E S
Aurora Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 31-98 Page 2
Wednesday, September 23, 1998
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
PL98-101-222 - Proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment
919179 Ontario Limited, Part of Lot 2, Registered Plan 107
120 Wellington Street East
D09-05-98, D14-15-98
Official Plan Modification – OPA No. 19
Baldwin Feed Mill Lands, 124 Wellington Street East
D09-07-96
Mr. Hughes, Planner, reviewed the history of the lands immediately abutting the subject
lands to the east, known as the Baldwin Feed Mill lands, noting that it was subject to
redevelopment applications previously approved by Council. Regional review of this
earlier Official Plan Amendment resulted in concerns being expressed with respect to
the proposed access to Wellington Street. In response to these concerns the applicants
have chosen to add a parcel of land, located immediately to the west, to the Baldwin
Feed Mill lands in order to allow for direct access to Wellington Street, resulting in the
subject applications.
Mr. Hughes provided an overview of the subject proposal including the location,
surrounding uses and applicable Official Plan and Zoning By-law designations
respecting the subject lands. The Planner indicated that the applicants propose to
change the Official Plan designation applying to the lands from Urban Residential to
Commercial Special as per the provisions approved for Official Plan Amendment No. 19
that apply to the Baldwin Feed Mill lands to the east. Additional uses proposed include
commercial clubs, restaurants, funeral parlors and retails stores. As well, the applicants
propose to rezone the lands from “Special Mixed Density Residential (R5) Zone” to a
site specific “Central Commercial (C2) Exception Zone” to allow for the following uses:
antique shops, personal service shops, business and professional offices (excluding
medical), funeral parlors, studios, warehousing, light service shops, commercial clubs,
restaurants, and retail stores. Exceptions to the by-law include reductions in the site
specifications to recognize the adjacent existing feed mill building, a reduction in the
number of loading spaces from two to nil, and permission to locate parking both within
the side and front yard. In response to the applicant’s request to modify the provisions in
OPA No. 19 to allow for restaurants, commercial clubs, retail stores and funeral parlors
as additional uses, the Planner suggested that consideration for the request be dealt
with in conjunction with the subject applications.
The Planner reviewed the details of the concerns expressed in connection with the
proposed uses involving parking and traffic related issues. It was indicated that the
applicant had filed a revised traffic study to address these concerns and that both the
Region of York and the Town’s Public Works Department concurred with the results.
He clarified that should it be the applicant’s intention to seek a fitness centre for the
lands, the use falls under the definition of “health centre” as opposed to “commercial
club” as requested. In addition, the Planner reviewed the details of Staff’s concerns
respecting site plan issues. These issues included vehicular and pedestrian access to
the site given the difficult site lines created by the rise of the nearby railway tracks, the
impact on the neighbourhood residents related to the Regional request that truck
access only be via Centre Street, sufficient landscaping to act as a buffer strip between
the development and existing residential uses, the insufficient width of the proposed
Wellington Street access point, and the absence of storm sewers servicing the site. In
addition, it was indicated that a road widening is required along both sides of Centre
Street and that a restrictive covenant should be entered into to ensure each property
could not be further developed without consideration being given to the other. In
conclusion, the Planner indicated that staff were in support of the application subject to
the resolution of issues respecting the reconstruction of Centre Street as well as with
the proposed uses, and the adoption of an implementing by-law incorporating a holding
prefix that requires the approval of a site plan agreement.
Applicant’s Comments
Mr. Arthur Diamond, on behalf of the applicant, indicated that he concurred with the
recommendations noted in the Staff Report. He reviewed the design details of the
changes to the Baldwin Feed Mill building noting that the exterior of the building would
Aurora Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 31-98 Page 3
Wednesday, September 23, 1998
remain intact in order to retain its historic character. With respect to the question of
what definition a fitness centre would fall under, the agent confirmed his desire to also
include “Health Centre” to the list of proposed uses for the site. Mr. Scott Fortner,
Transportation Engineer with Cole, Sherman & Associates Ltd., reviewed the findings of
the Traffic Impact Analysis included in the Staff Report noting a requirement for more
study to determine the impact that would result on Centre Street.
Public Comments
Two nearby residents expressed concerns with the proposal. These concerns included
the negative impact of possible though traffic via the Centre Street and Wellington
Street accesses to the site, increased traffic on Centre Street, the grading affects
resulting from the reconstruction of Centre Street, increased parking spaces on the
lands north of the site, and the preservation of existing vegetation. It was also indicated
that funeral parlors and clubs are generally not desirable in residential areas.
#594. Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor McKenzie
THAT the application be approved subject to the following:
1. Consideration being given to the rescheduling of the upgrading of Centre
Street from 2001 to 1999, possibly on a phased basis, subject to
appropriate financial arrangements being made with the applicant.
2. The resolution of issues respecting proposed uses as noted within the
staff report, prior to the drafting of an implementing Official Plan
Amendment for 120 Wellington Street East.
3. Satisfactory resolution of the issue of truck traffic on Centre Street.
4. The adoption of an implementing by-law incorporating a Holding prefix that
requires the approval of a site plan agreement, and the resolution of
issues respecting the upgrading of Centre Street, prior to removal.
THAT further investigation of the request to add funeral parlors by modification to
OPA No. 19 be undertaken; and
.
THAT potential change in existing driveway elevations through the Town’s Centre
Street reconstruction initiative be reviewed by Staff.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
#595. Moved by Councillor West
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
CARRIED
___________________________
____________________________________
T. JONES, MAYOR L. ALLISON, MUNICIPAL CLERK