MINUTES - Special Council - 20081022
TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING
MINUTES
NO. 08-27
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS Deputy Mayor McRoberts in the Chair; Councillors
Buck (arrived at 7:30 p.m.), Collins-Mrakas, Gaertner
(arrived at 7:05 p.m.), Gallo, Granger, MacEachern,
and Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT Mayor Morris was absent.
OTHER ATTENDEES Director of Planning, Planner, Manager of
Administration/Deputy Clerk, Manager of Legislative
Services/Deputy Clerk and Council/Committee
Secretary
The Deputy Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:03 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 Wilson Seconded by Councillor MacEachern
THAT the agenda as circulated by the Corporate Services Department,
with the following additional item, be approved:
Petition in Support of Zoning By-law Amendment Application
Aurora Wellness House Inc. (Sormeh Spa & Inn)
32 & 34 Wellington Street East and 33 Centre Street
File D14-11-08
CARRIED
III PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Deputy Mayor McRoberts 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. 08-27
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Page 2 of 4
1. PL08-106 – Zoning By-law Amendment Application
Aurora Wellness House Inc. (Sormeh Spa & Inn)
32 & 34 Wellington Street East and 33 Centre Street
File D14-11-08
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 lands.
The Planner advised that the owner of the properties is requesting a Zoning By-
law Amendment to allow overnight accommodations in four rooms for spa
customers and that the parking spaces be reduced from 33 spaces to 26 spaces.
As well, the Planner advised that the owner has submitted a site plan application,
which would encompass 32 and 34 Wellington Street East and 33 Centre Street.
The proposal is: to expand the existing spa at 32 Wellington Street East to
include a restaurant, the addition of four rooms for overnight accommodation and
a reduction in parking spaces; to convert the existing residence at 34 Wellington
Street East to business and professional offices; and to demolish the existing
residential dwelling at 33 Centre Street and convert it to a parking area consisting
of nine parking spaces to be merged with 34 Wellington Street East.
The Planner indicated that a mutual driveway is proposed between 32 and 34
Wellington Street East and that the Town would prefer a narrow driveway for
ingress or egress, but not both, in order to reduce the possibility of creating a
thoroughfare from Wellington Street East to Centre Street.
The Planner advised that Official Plan Amendment #46 established a site specific
historic core community centre designation on these properties in 2003. At that
time, applications were submitted for an Official Plan Amendment and a Zoning
By-law Amendment to develop the property for a 4- storey, 36 unit condominium
building. The building at 32 Wellington Street East was to remain and the
residential condominium building was to take up a portion of the rear of that
property. Proposed for demolition at that time was 34 Wellington Street East and
33 Centre Street. The OPA was approved by Council with some conditions, such
as landscaping and screening, but the zoning component was never completed.
The Planner advised, therefore, that the OPA designation does stand on these
properties, and 34 Wellington Street East cannot be demolished. The Planner
indicated that the application does conform to the site specific OPA that was
placed on these properties.
Applicant/Agent
Mr. Gary Templeton of Templeton Planning Ltd. addressed Council to advise that
a good balance will be created through the proposed site plan. Mr. Templeton
indicated that the structures at 32 and 34 Wellington Street East would be
preserved and that the intent is to remove the neglected structure at 33 Centre
Street. Mr. Templeton advised that, based on a thorough analysis which was
completed, the provision of 26 parking spaces at 32 Wellington Street East would
be sufficient, and that 34 Wellington Street East will be professional offices with 9
parking spaces.
Public Comments
Mr. James Wood, 10 Spruce Street, addressed Council to advise that he is
opposed to the proposal. Mr. Wood suggested that overnight accommodation is
not required, as there is already a hotel in Aurora. Mr. Wood also raised
concerns pertaining to matters such as: weeds growing on the property, a
Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 08-27
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Page 3 of 4
container for garbage, the need for a catch basin with the introduction of a
parking lot, the possibility of a cedar hedge along the property on Centre Street,
light pollution from vehicles travelling through the property from Wellington Street
East to Centre Street, and resulting traffic on Centre Street.
The applicant, Mr. Gary Templeton, responded to Mr. Wood’s comments and
assured Council that each matter would be satisfactorily addressed at the
appropriate time in the process.
The public portion of the meeting closed at 7:52 p.m. and Council’s deliberations
began.
Moved by Councillor Granger Seconded by Councillor Gallo
THAT the terrace on the north side of the subject property not be utilized
as a bar area.
DEFEATED
Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Wilson
THAT the application be approved in principle, subject to any outstanding
issues and other comments received; and
THAT, in light of the late discovery of OPA #46 as it pertains to these
lands, staff review OPA46 and report to Council, outlining any and all
concerns that may arise resulting from the application; and
THAT access from Wellington Street East and Centre Street be reviewed
to ensure the proposed points are the most desirable, considering both
traffic and potential area residents’ concerns; and
THAT the outdoor garbage area be situated in a location which will ensure
no negative impacts on area residents, both from a site and odour
perspective; and
THAT the impact of outdoor lighting be considered, to avoid negative
impacts on area residents; and
THAT cedar hedging and plantings along Centre Street be considered, to
reduce potential impacts on area residents; and
THAT storm run-off be reviewed and that, in the interim, staff request the
applicant to maintain the property in accordance with the Town of Aurora’s
Property Standards By-law in order to address some concerns raised by a
resident; and
THAT the Zoning By-law definition specify the intended use of the
overnight stay accommodations; and
THAT staff ensure that any outdoor uses take into consideration noise and
other impacts to area residents; and
THAT protection of existing foliage be reviewed as part of the site plan
process.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Special Council – Public Planning Minutes No. 08-27
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Page 4 of 4
IV READING OF BY-LAWS
Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor MacEachern
THAT the following listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings, and
enacted:
5086-08.C BEING A BY-LAW to Confirm Actions by
Council Resulting From Meeting 08-27
on Wednesday, October 22, 2008
CARRIED
V ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor Collins-Mrakas
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:17 p.m.
CARRIED
_______________________________ ________________________________
BOB McROBERTS, DEPUTY MAYOR KAREN EWART, DEPUTY CLERK