MINUTES - Special Council - 20010131
TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL COUNCIL - PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING
MINUTES
NO. 03-01
Wednesday, January 31, 2001
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS Deputy Mayor West in the Chair; Councillors
MacEachern, Pedersen, Timpson, Vrancic and
Wallace.
Mayor Jones, Councillors Kean and Griffith were
absent.
STAFF MEMBERS Chief Administrative Officer, Deputy Town Clerk,
Director of Planning, Long Range Planner, Planner,
Committee Secretary.
Deputy Mayor West called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
I DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest
Act.
II APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Moved by Councillor Timpson Seconded by Councillor Pedersen
THAT the content of the Agenda be approved as presented.
CARRIED
III PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Deputy Mayor West outlined the procedures that would be followed in the
conduct of the public meeting. The Deputy Town Clerk confirmed that
appropriate notice had been given and that signs had been posted on the subject
properties in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Planning Act.
Aurora Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 03-01 Page 2
Wednesday, January 31, 2001
1. PL01-008 - Zoning By-law Amendment Application
Ceby Management Limited
Lots 1, 6, 7, 8 and 9, Registered Plan 30
32 Mill Street
File Number D14-21-00
Planning Staff
The Planner outlined the purpose of the application and briefly summarized the
contents of Planning Report No. PL01-008. Mr. Fillipetto explained that while
staff have no objections to the application for a zoning by-law amendment to
allow for the expansion of the existing nursing home, many concerns have been
raised by the neighbourhood which need to be addressed and should be done in
concert with site plan approval.
Public Comments
Comments were made by the following residents opposing the application:
Lee Hurst, Resident of 66 Tyler Street
Stephen Corrigan, Resident of 48 George Street
Leona Rodall, Resident of 80 Tyler Street
Linda Shauks-Skinner, Resident of 42 George Street
Steve Bilcheck, Resident
Jackie Hillchack, Resident
Andris Lauris, Resident of 91 Tyler Street
Joe Bile, Resident of 78 Tyler Street
Scott Pogue, Resident of 38 George Street
Gordon Kyle, Resident of 80 Tyler Street
Comments were also made from the following people opposing the application:
Sharon Nisbet, President of the Aurora Historical Society
Ildi Connor of the LACAC Committee
James McKenzie, Planner representing Jennifer and Norm Ryan, Resident of
29 George Street
Concerns were raised regarding the demolition of the heritage homes and
mature trees, increased traffic problems and the safety of their children, the
quality and enjoyment of their property and value of their property and the visual
effect this new structure would have on the neighborhood and view from their
homes. Comments were made regarding how the new structure would not be
compatible with the existing area, that the size of the addition is vast in
comparison to the surrounding structures and concerns were raised regarding
the amount of noise from the months of construction.
Comments were made from the following people who were in support of the
application:
Amanda Jeffs, Resident of 71 George Street
Joyce Mikail
Milton Fletcher, Resident of 20 Mill Street
Reverend M.J. Perry
Observations were made regarding the need for a better place for the elderly to
improve their quality of life in their final years. With Resthaven being near the
downtown core, it is convenient for the residents of Resthaven and their visitors
to use the needed facilities offered in the downtown core. Attention was brought
to the fact that the residents of Resthaven are also the residents that have over
the years helped to build the Town of Aurora.
Aurora Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 03-01 Page 3
Wednesday, January 31, 2001
Applicant/Agent
Mr. Binions gave a brief history of the Resthaven Retirement Home and the need
for the proposed addition. Mr. Binions explained that with the new Provincial
policies there will be a need in the near future to update the services provided by
the existing home. He explained the background for the application and
expressed that the proposal was based on merit regarding the quality of service
provided. He explained that the design of the new building would meet the
standards and requirements which have changed dramatically and improvements
would be made for the residents by providing new lounge and dining areas and
recreational facilities. Mr. Binions expressed the need to keep Resthaven in the
downtown core in order to make it easier for the families of the residents to visit,
he related that the residents do not want to be isolated, that they enjoy watching
the children and the activity that the downtown core brings. Mr. Binions pointed
out that in the past twenty six years there have not been any complaints from the
surrounding residents regarding noise and that deliveries will not increase just
the amount they deliver. With the proposed addition delivery trucks will come in
from Mill Street and go out onto George Street instead of backing up as they do
now which is more of a concern. Mr. Binions pointed out that new jobs will be
created which will in turn provide a better standard of care to the residents. Mr.
Binions addressed the staffing ratio concerns by explaining that no new
management would be needed just incremental staff. As a result an extra 30
people would be needed to provide for the new addition. A diagram of the new
structure was presented showing how the building would look after completion.
Mr. Binions explained that the main entrance to the building would not change
and concerns regarding the landscaping were addressed by Mr. Binions assuring
council that he would do whatever possible to preserve the mature trees, as well
as extensive landscaping would be done to the grounds. Mr. Binions would like
the opportunity to work with the residents and council to resolve their concerns
and that this application is to the benefit of the seniors.
The public portion of the meeting closed at 9:10 p.m. and Council’s deliberations
began.
Moved by Councillor Timpson Seconded by Councillor Vrancic
THAT the application be denied.
CARRIED
2. PL01-009 - Zoning By-law Amendment and
Official Plan Amendment Applications
Westhill Redevelopment Company Limited
Part of Lots 11 and 12, Concession 3 and
Part of Lot 12, Concession 2
D14-12-00 and D09-04-00
Planning Staff
The Long Range Planner, gave a brief description of the application and briefly
summarized the contents of the Planning Report No. PL01-009. Mr. Kyle
indicated that with the many outstanding issues pertaining to the wetlands,
environmentally sensitive areas, Oak Ridges Moraine, servicing etc. that it is
suggested that the applications be received for information at this time.
Public Comments
Comments were made from the following people opposing the application:
Mr. Brian MacEachern, Resident
Ms Susan Walmer, Chair of RAISE and ACORN
Aurora Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 03-01 Page 4
Wednesday, January 31, 2001
Ms Kim Phillip, on behalf of the Howden family
Ms Michelle Banfield, Langly Consulting
Albert Halton, Resident of 14361 Leslie Streeet
Christine Sadler, Resident
Concerns were expressed regarding the official guidelines and that scattered
development is to be discouraged and that there must be a need for the
development. Issues were raised regarding buffer and spillways and that a golf
course would be detrimental to the environment. It was requested that council
refer the application to another Public Planning Meeting to allow for two way
communication between council and the residents and allow enough time to
receive all the information needed to make a decision. Concerns were raised
regarding wells and ponds in the area and their possible depletion should this
application be approved. Wastewater system and run off concerns were
presented as well as real estate values, privacy issues and possible damage
derived from the golf course.
Applicant/Agent
Mr. Glen Easton, the Planner representing Westhill Developments to provide
land use management. Mr. Easton advised that other consultants have been
retained to provide their expertise regarding the many concerns of this
development. Mr. Easton has reviewed the staff report and concurs with the
recommendations.
The public portion of the meeting closed at 10:40 p.m. and Council’s
deliberations began.
Moved by Councillor Vrancic Seconded by Councillor Wallace
In view of the outstanding issues pertaining to the peer review of the
Environmental Impact Study, the comments of the Toronto Region
Conservation Authority and review of the proposal in accordance with the
Implementation Guidelines for development on the Oak Ridges Moraine it
is suggested that the applications be received for information at this time.
Prior to the applications proceeding, staff recommend that the outstanding
issues be addressed at which time staff will report back to a Public
Planning Meeting taking into account issues raised by the public and
through the internal and external agency circulation of the applications.
CARRIED
IV ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor Timpson
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 10:41 p.m.
CARRIED
______________________ _________________________________
T. JONES, MAYOR K. SMYTH, DEPUTY CLERK
AGENDA ITEMS
1. PL01-008 - Zoning By-law Amendment Application (pg. 1)
Ceby Management Limited
Lots 1, 6, 7, 8 and 9, Registered Plan 30
32 Mill Street
File Number D14-21-00
RECOMMENDED:
While staff in principle have no objections to the application for a
zoning by-law amendment which would allow for the expansion of
the existing nursing home, we have some concerns with
neighbourhood impacts, many of which we feel can be addressed
through the site plan approval process. These concerns include
enforcement of speed limits, landscaping of the parking lot adjacent
to George Street, screening of the building and the proposed
building height. Should Council determine there is merit in the
subject application, it is recommended that the implementing by-law
be prepared in concert with a site plan agreement, and that further
discussions take place with the applicant respecting the building
height.
2. PL01-009 - Zoning By-law Amendment and (pg. 38)
Official Plan Amendment Applications
Westhill Redevelopment Company Limited
Part of Lots 11 and 12, Concession 3 and
Part of Lot 12, Concession 2
D14-12-00 and D09-04-00
RECOMMENDED:
In view of the outstanding issues pertaining to the peer review of the
Environmental Impact Study, the comments of the Toronto Region
Conservation Authority and review of the proposal in accordance
with the Implementation Guidelines for development on the Oak
Ridges Moraine it is suggested that the applications be received for
information at this time.
Prior to the applications proceeding, staff recommend that the
outstanding issues be addressed at which time staff will report back
to Council taking into account issues raised by the public and
through the internal and external agency circulation of the
applications.