MINUTES - Special Council - 20070328
TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING
MINUTES
NO. 07-09
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Morris in the Chair; Councillors McRoberts,
MacEachern, Gaertner, Granger, Marsh, Collins-
Mrakas, Buck, Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT None
OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Planning,
Planner, Acting Planner, Director of Corporate
Services/Town Clerk, and Council/Committee
Secretary.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:02 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 Buck Seconded by Councillor Collins-Mrakas
THAT the agenda as circulated by the Corporate Services Department,
with the following additions, be approved:
Correspondence from Mr. John Chambers
Re: Item 1 – PL07-022
Zoning By-law Amendment Application
100 Old Yonge Street
Correspondence from Mr. Christopher Ballard
Re: Item 2 – PL07-023
Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications
York Catholic District School Board
CARRIED
III PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Mayor Morris 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 properties in accordance
with the relevant provisions of the Planning Act.
Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 07-09 Page 2
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
1. PL07-022 - Zoning By-law Amendment Application
Antonios & Sylvia Petratos
100 Old Yonge Street
Part Lot 84, Concession 1 E.Y.S.
File D14-16-06
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
the subject and surrounding lands. The Acting Planner advised that an
amendment to the Zoning By-law is required in order to rezone the subject lands
as “Detached Dwelling Second Density (R2-X) Exception”, in order to permit the
development of the lands for two new residential infill building lots on either side
of the existing dwelling. The Acting Planner explained that the applicant intends
to retain and restore the existing 2-storey dwelling, which is listed on the Town of
Aurora Register of Properties and Cultural Heritage Value or Interest. The Acting
Planner also advised that staff has suggested to relocate the building addition,
located on the east side of the existing dwelling, to the south side of the lot along
Hollingshead Drive and that driveway access for all 3 lots will be provided off of
Hollingshead Drive.
Applicant/Agent
Mr. Tony Voutsinos, realtor for Homelife, representing Mr. Nick Lagani, who has
conditionally purchased the property pending the outcome of the rezoning matter,
addressed the committee to review the application. Mr. Voutsinos advised that
the intent is to respect the heritage design of the existing dwelling when building
the two additional dwellings and that the existing mature trees will not be
indiscriminately removed.
Public Comments
Several members of the public provided comments in opposition to the proposal,
as follows:
Eric McCartney, 1 Buchanan Crescent
- removal of vegetation
- parking on the property
- size of proposed properties
- view of heritage property may be blocked
- traffic flow
- noise
- consideration of alternate uses
- suggestions that zoning be reinstated if construction does not begin within
three years
Linda Buchholz, 12 Hollingshead Drive
- removal of trees
- parking
- current fence and its condition
Eugenio Colin, 26 Hollingshead Drive
- size and style of proposed dwellings
John Chambers, 1 Raiford Street
- heritage value of current dwelling and whether the entire site should be
considered
- impact of the development on his property
Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 07-09 Page 3
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
The public portion of the meeting closed at 7:47 p.m. and Council’s deliberations
began.
Councillor Wilson arrived at 7:55 p.m.
Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor McRoberts
THAT the application be approved in principle, subject to the front of the
existing house being established to face Old Yonge Street without visual
obstruction; and
THAT the applicant agrees to designate the house as a heritage home;
and
THAT the applicant enter into a Tree Preservation Agreement with the
Town of Aurora; and
THAT the applicant enter into an Engineering Agreement with the Town of
Aurora; and
THAT the applicant retains an arborist to prepare a tree preservation and
landscape plan; and
THAT consideration be given to the concerns raised by the residents; and
THAT consideration be given to the concerns raised in the staff report;
and
THAT the matter be brought back to a future Council meeting.
On a recorded vote the resolution was CARRIED.
YEAS: 6 NAYS: 3
VOTING YEAS: Councillors Gaertner, Granger, MacEachern, Marsh, McRoberts
and Mayor Morris
VOTING NAYS: Councillors Buck, Collins-Mrakas and Wilson
Councillor Wilson abstained from voting as he arrived late and did not hear the
entire presentation.
Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Marsh
THAT the committee recess at 8:25 p.m.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor McRoberts
THAT the committee reconvene at 8:35 p.m.
CARRIED
Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 07-09 Page 4
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
2. PL07-023 - Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Applications
York Catholic District School Board
59 Industrial Parkway North, 250, 260, 270, 280,
282, 286, 290, 294 & 298 Wellington Street East
Northeast area of Wellington Street East and
Industrial Parkway North
Files D09-05-06 and D14-14-06
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 the subject
and surrounding land. The Planner advised that the applicant has requested to
redesignate the General Industrial and Service Commercial lands to a site
specific “Institutional” designation in order to incorporate site specific policies
which reflect the subject development. The Planner also advised that the use of
the lands as institutional use is not permitted and that a rezoning is required.
The Planner explained that the applicant intends to develop the lands for a 3-
storey Catholic High School with an anticipated ultimate population of 1,400
students, including playing fields, 271 parking spaces, bus lanes and provisions
for port-a-pak classrooms to be located in the existing parking area. The Planner
also outlined that access to the school is proposed from two locations – full
access from the Industrial Parkway North frontage, with signalized control, and a
right-in, right-out access from Wellington Street East.
Applicant/Agent
Mr. Dan McCowell, Senior Manager of Administrative Services for the York
Catholic District School Board and Ms Elizabeth Crowe, Chair of the York
Catholic District School Board, addressed the committee to outline the reasons
for the application at the proposed site. The representatives advised that, due to
significant population growth within the Region, and therefore overcrowding at
the current Catholic high schools in Aurora, a need has arisen to construct an
additional school. The representatives also advised that site identification was
thoroughly reviewed, resulting in the selection of the proposed site as the best
alternative due to its close proximity to public transit, restaurants, the Aurora
Family Leisure Complex and the fact that it is within walking distance for a vast
majority of those who would be attending the school.
Public Comments
Ms Rebecca Beaton addressed the committee to obtain responses to issues
such as, but not limited to, the following:
- student capacity and their residence
- height of the school
- port-a-paks
- school buses
- parking
- site layout
Ms Beaton also expressed concern that Aurora is deficient in employment lands
and that no tax revenue will be received by the town should this application go
forward.
Responses to Ms Beaton’s concerns were given by staff and representatives
from the York Catholic District School Board.
The public portion of the meeting closed at 9:30 p.m. and Council’s deliberations
began.
Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 07-09 Page 5
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
THAT the meeting be extended past 10:30 p.m. in order to continue
discussion on the remaining agenda item.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor Granger Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
THAT the application be denied.
DEFEATED
Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Marsh
THAT the application be brought back to a future Council meeting upon
resolution of the major outstanding issues, such as: traffic, parking, a peer
review of the applicant’s comments regarding the OPA issues, YRT
upgrades, playing fields, community theatre, and easements.
CARRIED
IV READING OF BY-LAWS
Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Wilson
THAT the following listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings, and
enacted:
4906-07.C BEING A BY-LAW to confirm actions
by Council resulting from meeting 07-
09 on Wednesday, March 28, 2007.
CARRIED
V ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor Marsh
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 11:30 p.m.
CARRIED
_______________________________ ________________________________
PHYLLIS M. MORRIS, MAYOR BOB PANIZZA, TOWN CLERK