MINUTES - Special Council - 20011024
TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL COUNCIL - PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING
MINUTES
NO. 32-01
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Wednesday, October 24, 2001
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Jones in the Chair, Councillors Griffith, Kean,
MacEachern, Pedersen, Timpson, Vrancic and
Wallace.
Councillor West was absent
STAFF MEMBERS Deputy Town Clerk, Director of Planning, Planner,
Committee Secretary.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
I DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
II APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Moved by Councillor Wallace Seconded by Councillor Griffith
THAT the content of the Agenda be approved as presented with the
following additions:
• Correspondence from Mr. Albert Attar, Property Manager of 14846
Yonge St. re: Request for the return of a letter of Credit intended for
replanting of trees
• Correspondence from Paul Tessier of 14924 Yonge St. re: Concerns
regarding the Proposed Zoning by-law amendment from ClubLink
Properties Ltd. & Verdiroc Construction Co. Ltd.
• Correspondence from the Highlands Community Ratepayers'
Association re: Concerns regarding the Proposed Zoning by-law
amendment from ClubLink Properties Ltd. & Verdiroc Construction Co.
Ltd.
CARRIED
Aurora Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 32-01 Page 2
Wednesday, October 24, 2001
III PLANNING APPLICATION
Mayor Jones 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.
1. PL01-078 - Official Plan and Zoning By-law
Amendment Applications
ClubLink Properties Ltd. & Verdiroc
Construction Co. Ltd.
Part of Block 60, Plan M-2034 and
Block 7, Plan 65M-2441
Golf Links Drive
File Numbers D09-02-01 & 14-02-01
Planning Staff
The Planner, gave a description of the application and summarized the contents
of the Planning Report No. PL01-078. Mr. Mallette indicated that while staff have
no objections in principle to the proposed development, issues such as Traffic,
Parking, buffering from residential, internal traffic/pedestrian flow and many
issues from public input still need to be addressed to the satisfaction of the Town
and should be thoroughly discussed and addressed within the site plan before it
is brought to Council. Mr. Mallette suggested to Council that they approve the
recommendations in order to continue to deal with the application.
Public Comments
Concerns were made from the following people regarding the application:
• Mr. Ken Molyneux, 14924 Yonge St.
• Mr. Sia Manzarpour, 16 Brookland Ave.
• Mr. Albert Attar, 5300 Yonge St.
• Ms. Roxanne Kozak, 14 Brookland Ave.
• Mr. Charles Wonder, 11 Banbury Court
• Mr. Paul Tessier, 14924 Yonge St.
• Annabel Manzarpour, 16 Brookland Ave.
• Mrs. Ann Digmar, 1 Banbury Court
• Ms. Faye Leo, 65 Golf Links Drive
• Mrs. Bonnie Kozak, 14 Brookland Ave.
• Mr. David Forster, 7 Banbury Court
• Mrs. Audrey Ballard, 53 Fairway Drive
• Mr. Hershall Weinberg, 46 Golf Links Drive
• Mr. John Nemo, 11 Ransom St.
Aurora Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 32-01 Page 3
Wednesday, October 24, 2001
Mr. Albert Attar, Owner of the Buttons restaurant at 14846 Yonge St. advised that
the Town is currently holding a letter of credit for $8,180 which was intended to
go towards the preservation of several mature blue spruce trees located between
the subject property and Mr. Attar's lands. Mr. Attar suggested that the trees
would most likely not survive the damage from construction of the proposed
seniors centre, and he requested that his letter of credit be returned to him. Mr.
Attar asked that the Town consider erecting a fence in place of the trees to act as
a screen between properties.
Concerns were raised by many residents with regards to insufficient buffers and
easements between residential properties and the proposed building, invasion of
privacy, the size and density of the proposed seniors centre being too large for
the property, possible noise and air pollution during construction, negative
shadow effects on the nearby condominium complex, parking deficiency, also
concerns were raised about the negative impact on vehicle traffic which is
already a problem as well as possible negative impact on nearby property
values.
Some residents were concerned about soil conditions, irrigation and the
environmental impact that this proposal would have on a nearby pond and creek,
as well as wildlife in the area.
Applicant/Agent
Mr. Peter Smith of Bousfield, Dale-Harris, Cutler & Smith Inc. introduced Mr.
Drummond Hassan, Architect for this project, Mr. Tim Arnette, Traffic Engineer
and Mr. Cary Green of Verdiroc Construction .
Mr. Hassan addressed concerns raised by the public, advising that the design of
the building has been thoroughly thought out with an aim to maximize the beauty
of the surrounding land and to be attractive as well as effective. Mr. Hassan
explained that the height is varied, the highest point being 7 storeys and stepping
down to 6 storeys, then to 5, creating a less obtrusive, more open view for
neighbouring residents. It was noted that the two points of entry, one main
entranceway and a separate hidden entrance for servicing vehicles, as well as
the depressed servicing area will significantly reduce the opportunity for
congestion and unsightly elements usually associated with these types of
facilities. In response to the issue of shadows encroaching on neighboring
residences, Mr. Hassan advised that the distance between the nearest
residences on the shaded side of the proposed structure would be too far away
to be effected by shadows through most of the day, if at all.
Mr. Peter Smith advised that in comparison with the previous proposals for
condominiums in this location there are advantages to this proposal, such as
parking needs will not be nearly as high due to the function of this structure. Mr.
Smith indicated that studies have shown that seniors in retirement residences
such as this one, rarely own or drive a car, therefore parking accommodation will
primarily be for staff and visitors. Mr. Smith indicated that the Lake Simcoe
Region Conservation Authority has already surveyed the proposed site and has
indicated that they are satisfied with the proposed application. Mr. Smith advised
that these concerns raised tonight including issues related to easements, soil
conditions and traffic are already being and will continue to be investigated and
hopefully resolved with the continued input and assistance from the public and
staff.
Aurora Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 32-01 Page 4
Wednesday, October 24, 2001
The public portion of the meeting closed at 8:25 p.m. and Council’s deliberations
began.
Moved by Councillor Wallace Seconded by Councillor Kean
THAT Council direct Staff to continue to work with the applicant to resolve
the issues and concerns, including any issues and concerns raised by the
public, such as but not limited to soil survey, minor realignment of
structure to increase buffers, reduction in density, traffic study and
investigation into appropriate parking provisions, environmental impact
study, explore the possibility of entering into an agreement with the
applicant prohibiting any future plans for a restaurant or liquor license on
the property etc., and report further on the resolution of these matters prior
to Council finalizing its position respecting the application.
CARRIED
IV ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor Timpson
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
______________________ _________________________________
T. JONES, MAYOR K. SMYTH, DEPUTY CLERK