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MINUTES - Special Council - 20030924 TOWN OF AURORA SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING MINUTES NO. 03-27 Council Chambers Aurora Town Hall Wednesday, September 24, 2003 ATTENDANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mayor Jones in the Chair; Councillors Griffith, MacEachern, Pedersen, Timpson, Vrancic, Wallace and West. MEMBERS ABSENT Councillor Kean was absent. OTHER ATTENDEES Administrative Co-ordinator/Deputy Clerk, Director of Planning, Acting Planner, Planner, Director of Leisure Services and Council/Committee Secretary. Mayor Jones 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 Pedersen Seconded by Councillor Griffith THAT the content of the Agenda as circulated by the Corporate Services Department be approved as presented. CARRIED III PLANNING APPLICATIONS Mayor Jones outlined the procedures that would be followed in the conduct of the public meeting. The Deputy 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. Special Council – Public Planning Meeting No. 03-27 Page 2 of 4 Wednesday, September 24, 2003 1. PL03-094 - Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications Town of Aurora (Burnett Lands) Part of Lot 21, Concession 2 1344 and 1396 Wellington Street East 15286 Leslie Street Files D09-08-03 and D14-25-03 Planning Staff The Planner reviewed the contents of the report, outlining the location of the property and the surrounding uses, advising that the proposed leisure facility and fire hall would be in keeping with the current uses proposed for that area and in keeping with the Official Plan. The Planner indicated that the Town is applying to amend the Official Plan from “Medium-High Density Residential” and “Community Commercial” to a site-specific policy area and amend the Zoning By-law from “Rural General (RU) Zone” to a site-specific zone. This would allow for the use of the lands for a fire hall, recreation centre and commercial uses, while maintaining the option to use the lands for residential purposes in the future. The portion of the subject lands designated “Linear and Other Open Space” and the portion outside of the Town’s urban boundary are not subject to the applications. The Planner advised that staff and agencies have no objection to this application, however indicated that more detail is required in terms of permitted uses in the Zoning By-law, which may include the definition of some of the uses, and that both the Provincially Significant Wetlands and Regional Storm Flood Plain should be zoned Environmental Protection or Open Space. The Planner advised that the landowners to the east of the subject lands expressed an interest in having the entrance road off of Wellington be situated close to their property for future access. The public has shown overall support for this proposal, however some concerns were raised regarding the location of the new facility, specifically, about the accessibility to youth and that there should be a transportation plan, which includes pedestrian and bike routes. In closing, the Planner advised that given the immediate need for these community facilities in order to serve the municipality as it grows, staff recommends that they be directed to continue working on the details of the proposed development and draft the Official Plan Amendment and Implementing Zoning By-law. This would be subject to the resolution of any comments received at the Public Planning Meeting. Public Comments Ms Mary Hill, resident of 15370 Leslie Street advised that her property is adjacent to the subject lands in the 2C area. Ms Hill indicated that there is a tributary of the Holland River currently running through the north/east corner of the Burnett Lands and that there are wild turkey and red winged blackbird nesting grounds within this area. Ms Hill expressed concern regarding the proposed baseball diamond to be constructed in this area and requested that Council initiate an environmental assessment of the 2C lands prior to the implementation of this project. Mr. Eric Liversidge, resident of 1426 Wellington Street East, advised that the comments listed in his letter, attached to the report PL03-094 as Appendix 1, regarding the positioning of the access road into the proposed leisure facility, are still valid and he requested that Council incorporate these comments into the consideration of the report. Mr. Tim Flemming, resident of 15482 Leslie Street advised that his property is situated very close to the 2C lands and he requested that a full environmental study be conducted for the 2C lands prior to finalization of this project. Special Council – Public Planning Meeting No. 03-27 Page 3 of 4 Wednesday, September 24, 2003 The Director of Planning advised that Council approved a report in the summer of 2003 permitting staff to work with the Region of York to compose a Terms of Reference for the environmental study that needs to be done on the east side of the tributary. The Director of Planning advised that the Terms of Reference would take into account the natural features of that area as well as potential incorporation of any features in that area into the Region’s Natural Green Land System. The Director advised that this partnership would be highly beneficial due to the expertise of staff at the Region in regard to this area of work. The public portion of the meeting closed at 7:20 p.m. and Council’s deliberations began. Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor MacEachern THAT report PL03-094 be received for information; and THAT staff be directed to continue working on the details of the proposed development, along with concerns from residents and staff, and draft the Official Plan Amendment and Implementing Zoning By-law; and THAT all points raised by staff and residents be incorporated into the Environmental Assessment Terms of Reference agreement, to be drafted between the Region of York and the Town of Aurora. CARRIED 2. PL03-095 - Zoning By-law Amendment Application Gus Protopapas (Petro Canada) Part of Lot 21, Concession 3 Northeast corner of Leslie Street and Wellington Street East File D14-17-03 Planning Staff The Acting Planner reviewed the contents of the report, outlining the location of the property and the proposal to amend the Zoning By-law to permit an automobile service station, convenience retail and car wash, with two entrances onto Wellington Street on the south side of the property, an entrance onto Leslie Street, seven parking spaces located in front of the carwash, one barrier free space and one parking space are proposed adjacent to the kiosk. The Acting Planner advised that there are several outstanding issues identified within the report, including the lack of support from the Region of York and Town staff to have two entrances onto Wellington Street, the need for an acoustical and traffic operational study, need for more parking spots and acceptable sanitary and water servicing, and that the site plan drawings will be reviewed by the Town’s urban design consultants to ensure their compliance with the Urban Design Guidelines. The Acting Planner concluded by advising that high standards of urban design need to be employed to integrate the proposed use into the Wellington Street streetscape, and that staff recommend that approval of the Implementing By-law be scheduled together with the approval of the Site Plan, in order to ensure the proposal is technically sound and complies with the Implementing By-law, and to ensure that the issue of urban design has been addressed to the satisfaction of the Town of Aurora. Special Council – Public Planning Meeting No. 03-27 Page 4 of 4 Wednesday, September 24, 2003 Applicant/Agent Mr. Claudio Brutto, of Brutto Consulting, advised that he and his client, Mr. Protopapas, are willing to work closely with the Town of Aurora and the Architect to provide a site plan which should meet all the standard within the Urban Design Standards and guidelines, resulting in a development of high quality, in keeping with the prestigious area in which it will stand. Public Comments Ms Mary Hill, resident of 15370 Leslie Street, expressed concern that this intersection could end up with an overabundance of gas stations in one concentrated area, creating an image which would not be in keeping with the surrounding urban design concept. The public portion of the meeting closed at 7:35 p.m. and Council’s deliberations began. Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor MacEachern THAT report PL03-095 be received as information; and THAT approval of the Implementing By-law be scheduled together with the approval of the Site Plan, in order to ensure that the proposal is technically sound and complies with the Implementing By-law, and to ensure that the issue of urban design has been addressed to the satisfaction of the Town of Aurora; and THAT all concerns raised by staff and the public be addressed within the Site Plan. CARRIED IV ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor Griffith THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:00 p.m. CARRIED ______________________ _________________________________ T. JONES, MAYOR K. EWART, DEPUTY CLERK