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MINUTES - Special Council - 20071024 TOWN OF AURORA SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING MINUTES NO. 07-27 Council Chambers Aurora Town Hall Wednesday, October 24, 2007 ATTENDANCE COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Morris in the Chair; Councillors Buck (left at 9:55 p.m.), Gaertner (arrived at 7:12 p.m.), Granger (arrived at 7:10 p.m.), MacEachern, Marsh and McRoberts MEMBERS ABSENT Councillors Collins-Mrakas and Wilson were absent. OTHER ATTENDEES Director of Planning, Planner, Administrative Co- ordinator/ Deputy Clerk and Council/Committee Secretary The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:05 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 MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Buck THAT the agenda as circulated by the Corporate Services Department be approved as presented. CARRIED III PLANNING APPLICATIONS Mayor Morris outlined the procedures that would be followed in the conduct of the public meeting. The Deputy Clerk confirmed that appropriate notice had been given in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Planning Act. Councillor Granger arrived at 7:10 p.m. Councillor Gaertner arrived at 7:12 p.m. Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 07-27 Page 2 Wednesday, October 24, 2007 1. PL07-133 – Zoning By-law Amendment Infill Housing By-law (Monster Homes) File D14—08-07 Planning Staff The Planner reviewed the contents of the report, outlining the issues associated with infill housing development, identifying some zoning options and reviewing the contents of a proposed draft by-law. The Planner indicated that the draft by- law covers matters relating to minimum distance separation between dwellings, front yard setbacks, maximum depth, building height, garages and driveways, maximum coverage of accessory buildings, and consideration of existing buildings. The Planner also advised that staff has identified two possible geographic locations for consideration that could be regulated by the proposed by-law. The first option consists of neighbourhoods in and around the heritage urban areas, with the exception of the Northeast Old Aurora Heritage Conservation District. The second option extends the geographical location to include all properties located within a subdivision which were registered prior to 1980. Public Comments Mr. Brian Carpenter, resident of 81 George Street, addressed Council to advise that the construction surrounding the building of monster homes affects residents in a wider area than just the immediate neighbours of the home being constructed. Mr. Carpenter indicated that he lives at the end of Hillview Road and is greatly affected by the truck traffic and noise resulting from the construction. Mr. Carpenter also raised concerns regarding: lack of tree preservation; homes being constructed that are too large for the lot size; these homes containing up to five bathrooms and how that relates to annual water bans; that advertising for this issue should be done in the Auroran rather than the Era Banner; that the streets are constantly dirty from the construction which also affects the exterior of his house; and whether his taxes would increase due to the monster homes being built in his neighbourhood. Mr. Dick Illingworth, resident of 1 Cousins Drive, addressed Council to advise that it used to be the case that dwellings could not exceed 35% of the property and that 4 foot and 6 foot side yard setbacks were in place. Mr. Illingworth advised that a large rear addition has been built on Cousins Drive, which seems to be covering as much as 70% of the lot. Ms Peggy Novak, resident of 129 Hillview Road, addressed Council to inquire whether there are building permits pending for Hillview Road. Ms Novak also expressed concerns regarding: builders working on Sundays; cutting down mature trees; and setbacks pertaining to adjoining homes. Mr. Dennis Reed, resident of 100 Tyler Street, addressed Council to request that house plans be provided to the neighbours of infill housing developments. Mr. Reed also expressed concerns regarding: the storage of building materials on roads; loss of daylight for houses next to monster homes; reduced value of existing houses in monster home areas. Ms Lori Barnes, resident of 149 Kennedy Street West, addressed Council to commend staff and Council on the initiative being taken regarding the matter of infill housing. Ms Barnes requested that the R1 Zone be included in the draft by- law, that a polling of residents include all residents, not just those residing on Hillview Road, and that Council address the Tree Cutting By-law. Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 07-27 Page 3 Wednesday, October 24, 2007 Ms Lisa Rife, resident of 80 Kennedy Street West, addressed Council to inquire as to why Hawthorne Lane was excluded from the proposed geographical location, to which the Director of Planning responded that it is in the R1 Zone. Mr. Ian West, resident of 125 Hillview Road, addressed Council to highlight the issue of the enforcement of by-laws that are in place. Mr. West reviewed the issue of contractors working on Sundays and treating the construction sites as industrial, giving little regard to neighbouring residents. Mr. West inquired as to whether the number of construction projects on one street could be scheduled in sequence rather than at the same time. As well, Mr. West expressed concern regarding garages on infill houses which extend out beyond the front of the neighbouring houses. Mr. Gordon Barnes, resident of 11 Catherine Avenue, addressed Council to commend them on the consideration of the matter of infill housing and expressed his support of the infill policy. Mr. John Green, resident of 5 Fox Point, addressed Council to request that the penalties for by-law violations be reviewed, in that they may be out of date and also may not be high enough to deter the violator from committing the offence. The public portion of the meeting closed at 8:50 p.m. and Council’s deliberations began. Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Gaertner THAT the draft by-law be approved in principle, using option 1 as a base for the identification of the geographical areas to be included; and THAT the draft by-law be referred back to staff for further consideration, taking into account the comments made by residents and members of Council; and THAT the draft by-law be brought back to a General Committee meeting ensuring that the matter is advertised in the broadest manner possible, including but not limited to the Town website and both local papers; and THAT specific consideration be given to minimum distance separation; and THAT further consideration be given to the R1 Zone areas that may be included in the draft by-law; and THAT the average setback with respect to new construction be considered in order to review options. CARRIED Moved by Councillor Marsh Seconded by Councillor Granger THAT staff bring back a report regarding existing by-laws relating to construction activity, including a review of the associated penalties to ensure they are a deterrent and reflect the current economy. CARRIED Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 07-27 Page 4 Wednesday, October 24, 2007 2. PL07-134 – Official Plan Amendment Bill 51 – Required Materials for Complete Planning Applications File D09-02-07 Planning Staff The Planner provided an overview of the contents of the report, outlining the provisions included in Bill 51, which allows Councils, in their Official Plan, to indicate the type of information that is required when submitting a planning application. The Planner proposed the implementation of these provisions, through an Official Plan Amendment, and identified a broad range of categories of materials that would be required. The Planner advised that there would be a further requirement for the applicant to meet with staff to identify and discuss the materials required. Public Comments There were no members of the public in attendance to comment on the application. Moved by Councillor McRoberts Seconded by Councillor Mac THAT the matter regarding Bill 51 be referred back to staff for finalization of the Official Plan Amendment. CARRIED IV READING OF BY-LAWS Moved by Councillor Marsh Seconded by Councillor Granger THAT the following listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings, and enacted: 4964-07.C BEING A BY-LAW to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting From This Meeting - Wednesday, October 24, 2007. CARRIED V ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor McRoberts THAT the meeting be adjourned at 10:00 p.m. CARRIED _______________________________ ________________________________ PHYLLIS M. MORRIS, MAYOR KAREN EWART, DEPUTY CLERK