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MINUTES - Special Council - 20040324 TOWN OF AURORA SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING MINUTES NO. 04-09 Council Chambers Aurora Town Hall Wednesday, March 24, 2004 ATTENDANCE COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Jones in the Chair; Councillors Buck, Gaertner, Morris, Vrancic, Wallace and West. MEMBERS ABSENT Councillors Hogg and Kean were absent. OTHER ATTENDEES Director of Planning, Acting Manager of Planning/ Development, Acting Planner, Administrative Coordinator/Deputy Clerk, and Council/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 Morris Seconded by Councillor Vrancic 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 Minutes No. 04-09 Page 2 Wednesday, March 24, 2004 1. PL04-032 - Official Plan Amendment Application 690346 Ontario Ltd. (MI Developments Inc.) Part of Lot 20, Concession II D09-01-04 Planning Staff The Planner provided a description of the application and reviewed the contents of the report, outlining the location of the property and current uses of subject and surrounding land and advised that the Town is currently processing a site plan application for the subject lands, which would allow for the construction of a medical facility with a storm water management pond located where the subject collector road is. The Planner advised that, as illustrated in Figure 3, the site plan does not include the designated collector road and, therefore, the subject application was filed in order to delete it. The Planner advised that staff have no objections to the application, and that a traffic study has been submitted along with an opinion letter from URS Cole Sherman, who are the applicant’s transportation consultants. The Planner advised that the letter states that the east-west collector road serves no purpose and is not required, and further states that the results and recommendations within the Traffic Impact Study are directly relevant to the subject application, as the study provided an assessment based on existing and future access via Wellington Street, without the reliance or need for the designated east-west collector road. The Planner informed Council that the deletion of this portion of the collector road reinforces the need for the designated north/south road link to Bayview Avenue. The Planner concluded by recommending that staff be directed to draft the Official Plan Amendment, subject to public comments received and receiving comments from the Region of York. Applicant/Agent Mr. Stan Stein, solicitor for the applicant, advised that the comments from the Region of York are still outstanding. He also advised that comments from the Regional Transportation Department have not been submitted in written form, but that they confirmed verbally with him that they have no concerns with this application. Mr. Stein requested that Council adjourn this item, and that it be reconvened at the Council Meeting to be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2004. Mr. Stein advised that it is expected that by this date the Region of York will have submitted their position and all relative comments pertaining to this application, therefore Council will be able to make a more confident and informed decision at that time. Public Comments There were no members of the public in attendance to comment on the application. The public portion of the meeting closed at 7:20 p.m. and Council’s deliberations began. Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Wallace THAT consideration of report PL04-032 - Official Plan Amendment Application MI Developments Inc., be adjourned at this time, and be reconvened at the Special Council – Public Planning Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 28, 2004; and THAT this item be listed as the first item for consideration on the agenda for that meeting. CARRIED Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 04-09 Page 3 Wednesday, March 24, 2004 2. PL04-033 – Cobblestone Lodge Retirement Home Lot 167, R.P. 246 15029 Yonge Street Zoning Amendment Application D14-18-03 Planning Staff The Acting Manager of Planning/Development provided a description of the application and reviewed the contents of the report, outlining the location of the property and current uses of the subject and surrounding lands. The Planner also outlined the background of this application and reminded Council that at the Council Meeting of May 13, 2003, Council agreed to a settlement with Cobblestone that would see the implementing zoning in the form of a Temporary Use By-law, followed by an application by Cobblestone for identical zoning, containing a Holding (“H”) provision. The Planner advised that this Temporary Use By-law for the subject lands will expire on May 26, 2006. The Acting Manager of Planning/Development concluded by advising that, should Council determine that there is merit in the subject application, it has the option of authorizing staff to work with the applicant toward the finalization of an Implementing Zoning By-law with holding provisions. Applicant/Agent Mr. John Gaspar, applicant and joint-owner of the Cobblestone Lodge, advised that the site has been operating successfully since May of 2003. Mr. Gaspar advised that there are currently 15 residents living at the facility, approximately half of them fall into the category of retirement and the other half are under residential care. Mr. Gaspar also advised that currently, none of his residents own cars, therefore no negative impact has been placed on traffic or parking in that area. Additionally, to date he has not received any complaints from residents or neighbours. Mr. Gaspar concluded by requesting that Council approve a permanent Zoning Amendment By-law without a Holding Prefix (H), or alternatively, that Council remove the current Holding Prefix (H) in January 2006 instead of May 2006. Public Comments There were no members of the public in attendance to comment on the application. The public portion of the meeting closed at 8:00 p.m. and Council’s deliberations began. Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Morris THAT Staff be authorized to work with the applicant toward the finalization of an Implementing Zoning By-law, with the Holding provisions to remain in place until May 2006. CARRIED 3. PL04-036 - McGrath-Hunter Properties Part of Lot 17, R.P. 68 and Lot 164 & Part of Lots 163 & 165, R.P. 246 15085 Yonge Street Official Plan and Zoning Amendment Applications D09-14-03 & D14-33-03 respectively Planning Staff Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 04-09 Page 4 Wednesday, March 24, 2004 The Acting Manager of Planning/Development provided a description of the application and reviewed the contents of the report, outlining the location of the property and current uses of subject and surrounding lands. The Planner outlined the applicant’s request to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to remove the commercial component and increase the number of residential units from 30 to 44 units. The Acting Manager of Planning/Development advised that, in addition, the applicant is requesting a reduction in the parking standard from 1.5 spaces per unit to 1.4 spaces per unit. The Acting Manager of Planning/Development concluded by advising that re- designation and rezoning of the property to permit 100% residential should have no negative impacts on the design, style, scale and function of the building as it relates to its surrounding area and that this proposal represents appropriate infill, consolidation and redevelopment of the subject lands, furthering Council’s goal of creating a strong, healthy, and viable central core. However, the Acting Manager of Planning/Development did advise that parking may be an issue and suggested that Council may wish to consider limiting the number of dwelling units to 41. Applicant/Agent Mr. Glen Wellings of MacNaughton Hermsen Britton Clarkson Planning addressed Council. Also in attendance were Mr. Larry McGrath, of McGrath – Hunter Properties, and Mr. Jan Rabbins, Project Planner. Mr. Wellings provided a brief history of a previous application for the same project, which was appealed at the Ontario Municipal Board. Mr. Wellings also advised that the removal of the commercial component of this project to allow for 100% residential would be appropriate and hopefully favourable for that area. Mr. Wellings suggested that the slight reduction of parking spaces shouldn’t be a concern due to the fact that there is a municipal parking lot located behind the site, and the GO station is within walking distance, potentially reducing the need for occupants to use a car. Mr. Wellings concluded by requesting that Council approve the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments and servicing allocation for this property. Public Comments Mr. Bruce Ewart, resident of 96 Gurnett Street, advised that he lives adjacent to the subject lands and indicated that he appealed the previous application, and is in opposition of the current application for various reasons including, but not limited to, the potential for additional strain on the existing traffic congestion in that area and lack of parking for occupants and visitors. Mr. Ewart requested that the size of this project be kept to a minimum. Mr. Michael Evans, owner of the property at 15086 Yonge Street, inquired as to the time frame for the completion of this project, if it is approved. The public portion of the meeting closed at 8:35 p.m. and Council’s deliberations began. Moved by Councillor Vrancic Seconded by Councillor West THAT Report PL04-036 be received and the Official Plan and Zoning By- law be amended to remove the commercial component and increase the number of residential units from 30 to 42 units; and THAT additional servicing allocation be granted to the subject property for the additional 12 units. CARRIED Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 04-09 Page 5 Wednesday, March 24, 2004 4. PL04-037 - Zoning By-law Amendment Application Suncor Energy Products Inc. Lot 2, Registered Plan 246 15612 Yonge Street D14-36-03 Planning Staff The Acting Planner provided a description of the application and reviewed the contents of the report, outlining the location of the property and current uses of subject and surrounding lands. The Planner outlined the applicant’s proposal to construct an 83 square metre convenience retail store on an existing gasoline bar and automobile washing establishment site. The Acting Planner advised that the applicant is proposing to remove the existing kiosk, provide a vacuum island and a new garbage enclosure. A reconfiguration of the car wash stacking lane is also proposed, and additional parking spaces are provided. The Acting Planner advised that this proposal is in keeping with the community commercial policies. The Director stated that a Record of Site Condition is normally required however, in this instance there has been an "alternative process" established through the “Technical Standards and Safety Authority” (TSSA) in consultation with the Ministry of the Environment for the petroleum industry. The Director explained that this process involves a peer review of the environmental site assessment by the TSSA and the keeping of an environmental registry of the site. The Planner advised that staff are satisfied that it meets the intent of the guidelines. Applicant/Agent Mr. Allan Lebon, of Trow Associates Inc. advised that he has consulted with staff and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority with regard to the “Technical Standards and Safety Authority” (TSSA) peer review in place of the normally required Environmental Site Assessment, and advised that this is acceptable to all parties and that the applicant will pay for the review. Mr. Lebon provided a summary of the improvements, which are expected to be taking place on the site, and requested that Council approve the Zoning by-law in order to allow him to obtain a building permit. Public Comments There were no members of the public in attendance to comment on the application. The public portion of the meeting closed at 8:55 p.m. and Council’s deliberations began. Moved by Councillor West Seconded by Councillor Wallace THAT Report PL04-037 be received as information and referred back to staff to resolve matters identified, and that Staff be authorized to work with the applicant toward the finalization of an implementing Zoning By-law, subject to approval from the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and site plan approval. CARRIED IV READING OF BY-LAWS Moved by Councillor Morris Seconded by Councillor Buck THAT the following listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings, and enacted: Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 04-09 Page 6 Wednesday, March 24, 2004 4517-04.C BEING A BY-LAW to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting From The Special Council Meeting of March 24, 2004. CARRIED V ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor West THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:00 p.m. CARRIED ______________________ _________________________________ T. JONES, MAYOR K. EWART, DEPUTY CLERK