MINUTES - Special Council - 20020924
TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL COUNCIL - PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING
MINUTES
NO. 02-21
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Tuesday, September 24, 2002
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Jones in the Chair; Councillors Griffith,
MacEachern, Pedersen, Timpson, Vrancic, Wallace
and West.
Councillor Kean was absent.
STAFF MEMBERS Director of Corporate Services/Town Clerk, Planner,
Solicitor and Council/Committee Secretary.
I DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
II APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Moved by Councillor Pedersen Seconded by Councillor Wallace
THAT the content of the Agenda be approved as presented with the
following addition:
• Correspondence from Dawn Irwin, re: Rezoning of Land at Yonge &
Murray Drive.
CARRIED
III PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Mayor Jones outlined the procedures that would be followed in the conduct of the
public meeting. The Town Clerk confirmed that appropriate notice had been
given and that signs had been posted on the subject property in accordance with
the relevant provisions of the Planning Act.
1. PL02-082 – Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law
Amendment Applications
Town of Aurora (Habitat for Humanity)
Murray Drive
Block I and Part of Block J, Registered Plan No. 514,
and Part of Block A, Registered Plan M-64
D09-03-02 and D14-10-02
Aurora Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 02-21 Page 2
Tuesday, September 24, 2002
Planning Staff
Sue Seibert, the Director of Planning presented details on the proposed
application that had been initiated by the Town. The Director gave a review of a
previous report from which Council determined that the location on Murray Drive
would be the most suitable property for this project because of its proximity to the
services on Yonge Street and the existing community. The Director stated that
the Official Plan and Zoning would require modification to accommodate a
residential lot and provided details on the proposed lot and surrounding lands.
As a result of earlier meeting concerns that were expressed by residents, the
Director responded to these issues by advising the residents that sufficient land
would still remain to the east of the lands to be conveyed and would permit the
relocation of one park bench and tree. The Director advised that the lot is about
4 acres and after the conveyance there would be 3.8 acres still available for the
public’s use. The Director advised that internal or external commenting
departments have raised no concerns and that the addition of one residence to
the neighbourhood is not expected to cause any negative impacts on the
neighbourhood.
Applicant
Mayor Jones informed the residents that advertisements were placed in the Era
Banner on the Town’s Notice Board to inform the residents of the informal
meeting that was recently held, and that the circulation was done in accordance
to the requirements of The Planning Act. Mayor Jones also advised that this
Public Planning Meeting is being held for the purpose of receiving public input
and that all Council Meetings are televised on local cable, therefore the Town
has done it’s best to keep the public informed in this regard.
Public Comments
Concerns were raised from the following people regarding the application:
• Rebecca Beaton, resident of 6 Holman Crescent
• Glen Sharp, resident of 6 Wiles Court
• Rosemary Ozols, resident of 58 Murray Drive
• Ms Camenzuli, resident of 64 Murray Drive
• Jennifer Clipston, resident of 56 Murray Drive
• Mrs. Pattens, resident of 55 Murray Drive
• Mr. Keeble, resident of 65 Murray Drive
• Diana Kashtelyan, resident of 24 Wiles Court
The residents raised concerns regarding Councils choice of location and inquired
why they chose a park, who declared it surplus land, who determined that the
two properties were suitable and not other surplus lands and what the market
value is of this particular property. Many were concerned about how the
resolution was passed at Council without some of the Council members who sit
on LSAC present, and that the residents were only informed of Council’s decision
three weeks prior to this meeting.
The residents also expressed concerns about traffic safety in this area, which
was not addressed within the staff report. Some residents felt the lot was an
inappropriate area for a home and that when the Hydro building was removed it
was determined at that time it was unsuitable lot for a house. Many residents
indicated that the area has already experienced significant growth and this would
only add to the congestion.
Many residents stated that their children use the area for more than passive
activities and felt that the neighbourhood does not have enough. Also, funds
were raised in the past for the park benches and trees for the enjoyment of the
seniors who use this parkland, and the residents are concerned about loosing
these amenities.
Aurora Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 02-21 Page 3
Tuesday, September 24, 2002
The public portion of the meeting closed at 7:10 p.m. and Council’s deliberations began.
Moved by Councillor Timpson Seconded by Councillor Pedersen
THAT the application be denied and that the Town seek a lot within a new
development in Town.
CARRIED
IV ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor Griffith
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
CARRIED
______________________ _________________________________
T. JONES, MAYOR B. PANIZZA, TOWN CLERK