MINUTES - Special Council - 19991125
TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL COUNCIL - PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING
NO. 33-99
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Thursday, November 25, 1999
7:30 p.m.
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Jones in the Chair; Councillors Griffith,
Hartwell, Healy, Hinder, Hogg, McKenzie, Morris, and
West.
Councillors Griffith, Hartwell and Hinder were absent
due to business commitments.
STAFF MEMBERS Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Corporate
Services, Director of Planning, Director of Building
Administration, Director of Public Works, Treasurer,
Administrative Coordinator and Committee Secretary.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
#783. Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor McKenzie
THAT the content of the Agenda be approved as outlined herein with the
addition of an In-Camera session following the regular meeting to address
a legal matter.
CARRIED
Mayor Jones advised that this meeting had been called as a Public Meeting with
respect to (1) a Town-initiated Official Plan Amendment Application for Trinity Anglican
Church, 79 Victoria Street, File No. D09-11-99 and (2) an Official Plan and Zoning By-
law Amendment Application submitted by 1157278 Ontario Limited, for property
described as Part of Lot 28, Registered Plan 246 and municipally known as 135
Wellington Street West, File No’s D09-12-99 and D14-19-99.
The Public Meeting procedures and the opportunities available for persons to ask
questions related to the item tabled for consideration were explained. Mayor Jones
advised that any person who wished further notice of the passage of any proposed By-
law under consideration should sign the information forms available. In addition, Mayor
Jones advised that any concerns regarding 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 their right to appeal to either the Region of York or the Ontario Municipal
Board. Names and addresses of speakers are required as a part of the record of the
proceedings.
M I N U T E S
Aurora Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 33-99 Page 2
Thursday, November 25, 1999
The Town Clerk confirmed that the required Notices of Public Meeting for the
applications were given and that the necessary signs were posted on the properties in
accordance with the rules and procedures under the Planning Act.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
PL99-113-341 - Official Plan Amendment Application,
Trinity Anglican Church, 79 Victoria Street, D09-11-99 and
Correspondence from Susan Morton-Leonard and Residents
Mrs. Sue Seibert, Director of Planning, explained that the subject application was being
sponsored by the Town of Aurora due to a mapping error by staff. Mrs. Seibert
provided a brief overview of the purpose of the application and noted that the rezoning
application that had been approved by Council for the subject property, was currently
under appeal before the Ontario Municipal Board. Mrs. Seibert explained that the Town
had requested and received an exemption from Regional approval for the subject
Official Plan amendment. She explained that the process after formal adoption of the
OPA by Council would be similar to the process required for the circulation of amending
zoning by-laws. Mrs. Seibert explained that the exemption process was being used to
facilitate the processing of what was essentially a technical error, and that should the
OPA also be appealed, the exemption would enable the matter to be brought before the
Ontario Municipal Board to consider concurrently with the zoning by-law under appeal.
Public Comments
Mr. Tely Spasopoulos, owner of the Trio Restaurant, 15171 Yonge Street, expressed
his support of the subject application. Mr. Spasopoulos submitted that the church
represented the history and culture of the Town and that in his 30 years as a resident of
Aurora, he has seen tremendous growth in population. Mr. Spasopoulos suggested that
the expansion of the Trinity Anglican Church was a logical step towards the future.
Ms. Susan Morton-Leonard, 78 Wells Street, Aurora, appeared on behalf of other
residents of Metcalfe Street and the surrounding area, and expressed concerns relating
to the recent approval of By-law No. 4060-99.D to rezone the subject property. Ms.
Morton-Leonard questioned the purpose of the Official Plan and submitted that the
document should not be amended. She suggested that in designating the lands as
"Institutional" the possibility existed for other businesses to move into this "sensitive"
residential area. Ms. Morton-Leonard also suggested that should Council choose to
approve the amendment, such approval would suggest a bias on the part of Council,
given that the OPA wouldn’t reflect the desires of the local residents.
The public portion of the meeting closed at 7:45 p.m. and Council’s deliberations began.
#784. Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor McKenzie
That the amendment to redesignate the lands from Urban Residential to
Institutional be approved, and that the implementing document OPA No.
29 be read before Council at the next available Council meeting.
CARRIED
PL99-114-342 - Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment
Applications, 1157278 Ontario Limited, Pt. of Lot 28, Registered
Plan 246, 135 Wellington Street West, D09-12-99, D14-19-99
and Correspondence from Arthur W. Diamond
Mr. Rob Hughes, Planner, provided a brief overview of the subject proposal including
the property location and applicable Official Plan and Zoning By-law provisions. Mr.
Hughes indicated that staff had no objection to the development of
Aurora Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 33-99 Page 3
Thursday, November 25, 1999
the subject lands for medium density residential purposes. However, Mr. Hughes stated
that staff had identified a number of concerns regarding development density, the
sufficiency of parking and garage widths, urban design and building placement. In
addition, Mr. Hughes referenced other concerns relating to snow removal and the size
of the turning bulb on the private road in the development.
Applicant’s Comments
Mr. Sean Herbinson, part owner of the subject lands, provided an outline of his vision
for the property. Mr. Herbinson explained that in his opinion, there was a need for
homes which offer low maintenance, in terms of lot and yard size, and which are
available at an affordable price range for those who are looking to downsize after the
children had moved away from home. Mr. Herbinson submitted that the location was
appropriate and that the proposal would be attractive and commercially viable in today’s
market. Mr. Herbinson displayed photographs of similar-type developments in
communities to the south of Aurora, together with internal layouts for the proposed
units.
Mr. Arthur Diamond, co-owner, referred to the contents of his letter dated November 22,
1999 wherein he addressed a number of the concerns raised in the Planning staff
report.
Public Comments
No members of the public appeared before Council concerning this application.
The public portion of the meeting closed at 8:13 p.m. and Council’s deliberations began.
#785. Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Healy
THAT Council endorse, in principle, the use of the subject lands for
medium density residential purposes, but that approval of the applications
be postponed pending resolution of the concerns raised in the Planning
Staff report, including density, parking and site plan issues; and,
THAT upon satisfactory resolution of such outstanding concerns, the
matter be brought directly back to Council for final disposition.
CARRIED
IN CAMERA
Legal Matters
#786. Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor McKenzie
THAT this Council proceed In Camera to address legal matters.
CAR RIED
ADJOURNMENT
#787. Moved by Councillor McKenzie
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
CARRIED
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Thursday, November 25, 1999
___________________________
____________________________________
T. JONES, MAYOR B. PANIZZA, MUNICIPAL CLERK