MINUTES - Special Council - 20041215
TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING
MINUTES
NO. 04-38
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Jones in the Chair; Councillors Buck, Gaertner,
Hogg, Morris, Vrancic, Wallace and West.
MEMBERS ABSENT Councillors Kean and Hogg were away on other
business, and Councillor West was absent due to
illness.
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 Vrancic Seconded by Councillor Morris
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. 04-38 Page 2
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
1. PL04-133 - Official Plan & Zoning By-law Amendment
Applications Amourin Investments Limited & J-G
Cordone Investments Limited
Lots 123, 124, 125, 127 and Part of 122, Plan 246
15277, 15283, & 15291 Yonge Street and 10, 12 & 14
Centre Street File: D09-03-97, D14-16-97
Planning Staff
The Manager of Development and Planning 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. The Manager
advised that the application to amend the land use designation for the owner to
develop a building of six storeys in height along the Yonge Street façade and five
storeys along Centre Street. The Manager advised that the site is to be used as
a mixed-use development incorporating commercial use on the ground floor and
fifty-eight residential apartment units on the upper floors. The Manager that staff
and outside agencies are still evaluating certain aspects of the application, and
noted that various concerns have been expressed with regard to possible impact
on the existing traffic and parking issues in that area. The Manager of
Development and Planning also advised that staff have concerns regarding the
south elevation where there is a proposed blank wall, adding that staff would like
to see more design features used in this blank area to enhance the view for
neighbours and residents in the vicinity.
Applicant/Agent
Mr. Chris Tyrrell of Marshall Macklin Monaghan advised that he was before
Council as the representative of the applicant and advised that Mr. Stephen Mak
of M Architecture Inc., was available to answer any questions with respect to the
design of the project. Mr. Tyrell advised that the proposed type of mixed
useddevelopment is highly desirable for downtown municipalities and he added
that the location is prime for convenient shopping and access to all of the transit
options currently available in the Region of York. Mr. Tyrell advised that the
applicant wishes to ensure that the heritage and ambiance of the area is
reflected in the design and fine quality of the proposed development. Mr. Tyrell
advised that in response to the concerns raised with regard to parking and traffic,
a full traffic study has been submitted which concludes that this development
would have minimal impact on the existing traffic problems in the area. Further
to concerns pertaining to the south elevation where there is a proposed blank
wall, Mr. Tyrell advised that the design team will investigate the points raised and
work on revising the design to incorporate some attractive features into that
external section of the building.
Public Comments
The following residents commented on this application:
• Mr. Gordon Barnes, 11 Catherine Avenue
• Mr. Quinn Bingham, 77 Centre Street
• Mr. Don Stubbs, 58 Wellington Street East
• Ms. Valerie Fleck, 40 Spruce Street
• Mr. James Wood, 10 Spruce Street
• Mr. Glen Williams, 7 Catherine Avenue
• Mr. Don Greenham, 81 Centre Street.
• Mr. Robert Reese, 20 Catherine Avenue
• Mr. Rino Roncadin, 27 Catherine Avenue
• Mr. Mike Evans, 24 Catherine Avenue
Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 04-38 Page 3
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Concerns raised by the above residents, primarily pertained to the issue of
increased traffic and further aggravation of existing parking problems in the area,
as well as the height of the building and it’s proximity to the street and
neighbouring homes. Many of the residents who spoke urged Council to address
the traffic problems in that area, before allowing this application to be finalized.
Many of the residents advised that they are in support of the proposed use for
this location, apart from the traffic issues, however noted that the height is a bit
overpowering in relation to the other buildings in the vicinity, which may result in
a shadowing effect.
Some residents expressed concern with regard to the large external wall at the
south elevation of the site, as this will be an unattractive view from the homes
along Centre Street.
One resident requested that staff take into consideration garbage pick-up, snow
clearing, soil quality testing as a result from the former use of that location as a
dumping site, storm water management and the availability of handicapped
parking spaces for the proposed site.
The public portion of the meeting closed at 8:15 p.m. and Council’s deliberations
began.
Moved by Councillor Morris Seconded by Councillor Vrancic
THAT applications be brought back to a future Public Planning meeting
upon resolution of the major outstanding issues in report PL04-133 and
raised at this meeting including, but not limited to the following:
• Shadowing effect due to height;
• Establishment of appropriate setbacks;
• Landscaping and amenities on the subject property; and
• Parking reduction request feasibility;
• Review of the Traffic Impact Study;
• The entranceway off of Yonge Street;
• The daylight triangle issue as required by Public Works;
• Compatibility to the Historic Core area.
CARRIED
IV READING OF BY-LAWS
Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Vrancic
THAT the following listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd
readings, and enacted:
4626-04.C BEING A BY-LAW to Confirm
Actions by Council Resulting
From This Meeting – December
15, 2004.
CARRIED
Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 04-38 Page 4
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
V ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor West
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
CARRIED
______________________ _________________________________
T. JONES, MAYOR K. EWART, DEPUTY CLERK