MINUTES - Special Council - 20090506 TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT CHARGES
NO. 09-13
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Morris in the Chair; Councillors Buck, Collins-
Mrakas, Gaertner, Gallo, MacEachern, McRoberts
and Wilson.
MEMBERS ABSENT Councillor Granger was absent.
OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Corporate
Services/Town Clerk, Manager of Building and
Development, Director of Planning, Director of Public
Works, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer,
Town Solicitor and Council/Committee Secretary.
Mayor Morris called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
I DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
Councillor Gallo declared an interest in added item 3 - correspondence from Ms
Lynda J. Townsend, Townsend, Rogers LLP Barristers and Solicitors, due to an
employment relationship with a company represented by the firm, and did not
take part in any questions in this regard or attempt in any way to influence the
voting on such questions.
Councillor Collins-Mrakas declared an interest in added item 3 - correspondence
from Ms Lynda J. Townsend, Townsend, Rogers LLP Barristers and Solicitors,
due to an employment relationship of a direct family member with a company
represented by the firm, and did not take part in any questions in this regard or
attempt in any way to influence the voting on such questions.
Councillors Collins-Mrakas and Gallo, having previously declared an interest in added
item 3, did not take part in or vote on any questions in this regard or attempt in any way
to influence the voting on such questions.
II APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
THAT the agenda as circulated by the Corporate Services Department,
with the following additional items, be approved:
DELEGATIONS PERTAINING TO ITEM 1
FS09-025 - Update to Development Charges By-law
Delegation b) Mr. Stephen Dupuis
Delegation c) Mr. Ed Warankie, on behalf of Mr. Remo Agostino,
the Daniels Corporation
Minutes of Special Council - Development Charges Meeting
Tuesday, May 6, 2009
Page 2 of 5
NEW ITEMS - CORRESPONDENCE PERTAINING TO ITEM 1
FS09-025 - Update to Development Charges By-law
Item 2 Correspondence from Mr. Vince Santino, Manager of Land
Development, Minto Communities (Toronto) Inc.
Item 3 Correspondence from Ms Lynda J. Townsend, Partner
Townsend, Rogers LLP Barristers and Solicitors
Item 4 Correspondence from Mr. Claudio Maggioni, Vice-President,
Country Wide Homes
Item 5 Correspondence from Mr. Carlo Baldassarra, President
Greenpark Group of Companies c/o Santorio Holdings Inc.
Item 6 Correspondence from Mr. Savino Del Degan, President
Royalcliff Homes Inc. and Royalcliff Homes Bayview Inc.
Item 7 Correspondence from Mr. Nik Mracic, Vice-President
Metrus Development Inc. and A.S.O. of St. John’s Road
Development Corp.
Item 8 Correspondence from Mr. Nik Mracic, Vice-President
Metrus Development Inc. and A.S.O. of Preserve Homes
Corporation
Item 9 Correspondence from Mr. Patrick O’Hanlon, President
Kylemore (Bayview Meadows) Ltd.
Item 10 Correspondence from Mr. Andrew De Gasperis,
President Preserve Homes Corporation
CARRIED
III DELEGATIONS
a) Mr. Craig Binning of the Hemson Group
Re: Development Charges Background Study
Mr. Craig Binning of the Hemson Group provided an overview of the objectives of
the Development Charges Background Study and the methodology and policies
that were followed while conducting the study, resulting in the recommended
changes to the Development Charges By-law. Mr. Binning provided the
calculated charges in comparison with the existing charges and cautioned
Council, with regard to phasing or reducing development charges, to consider
that this could result in reducing development charge revenues. Mr. Binning
explained that this would leave the Town in a position where alternate sources of
revenue would need to be found to finance planned Capital Programs,
alternatively, this would require a Council approved reduction in the Capital
Programs and associated service levels. Mr. Binning summarized several major
factors contributing to the recommended increase to municipal development
charges and provided a timetable for the decision making process to be carried
out.
Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
THAT the comments of the delegate be received and referred to item 1.
CARRIED
Minutes of Special Council - Development Charges Meeting
Tuesday, May 6, 2009
Page 3 of 5
b) Mr. Stephen Dupuis
Re: Item 1 - FS09-025 - Update to Development Charges By-law
Mr. Stephen Dupuis, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Building
Industry and Land Development Association, provided a statistical history of the
increases in development charges in comparison with the decrease in home
sales and values over the last year in Ontario. Mr. Dupuis expressed concern
regarding Council’s consideration of raising the charges and he suggested that
the impact on developers, builders and home owners could result in further
decreased sales and fewer charges to be collected by the Town of Aurora. Mr.
Dupuis requested that Council consider reducing or freezing development
charges as a responsive approach to address the current economy.
Moved by Councillor Collins-Mrakas Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
THAT the comments of the delegate be received and referred to item 1.
CARRIED
c) Mr. Ed Warankie, on behalf of Mr. Remo Agostino of the Daniels Corporation
Re: Item 1 - FS09-025 - Update to Development Charges By-law
Mr. Warankie, of the Daniels Corporation, addressed Council to provide an
overview of a subdivision which has been proposed in Aurora, which is an infill
project directed at first time home buyers or the buy-down market consisting of
row-houses which are each separated into three single floor dwelling units. Mr.
Warankie expressed concern that the current proposed development charges for
these units are calculated in the same way as townhouses resulting in equal
rates to those charged to townhouse owners who enjoy a significantly larger
living space. Mr. Warankie requested that Council revisit the definition of
“apartment” to include this type of multi-unit housing, or consider introducing
gross floor area (GFA) limits, to enable units which are below a certain threshold
to be charged appropriately.
Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Collins-Mrakas
THAT the comments of the delegate be received and referred to item 1.
CARRIED
Councillors Collins-Mrakas and Gallo, having previously declared an interest in added
item 3, did not take part in or vote on any questions in this regard or attempt in any way
to influence the voting on such questions.
d) Ms Lynda J. Townsend, Townsend, Rogers LLP Barristers and Solicitors
Re: Item 1 - FS09-025 - Update to Development Charges By-law
Ms Lynda J. Townsend, of Townsend, Rogers LLP Barristers and Solicitors,
advised that, upon reviewing the study it seems apparent that the bulk of the
current financial burdens have fallen on the developers and the building industry,
resulting in a huge impact on home owners and particularly new home buyers.
Ms Townsend requested that Council not make a decision at this time, but rather
work together with herself, on behalf of her clients, and Town staff to find a new
strategy for cost sharing and to address current fiscal challenges in a more
proactive and fair way. Ms Townsend advised that she would be happy to come
back to the General Committee meeting scheduled for May 19, 2009, however
she would not be available on May 26, 2009 when Council is scheduled to make
the final decision on this matter. Ms Townsend advised her firm has submitted a
letter outlining a list of questions and issues.
(refer to additional item 3)
Minutes of Special Council - Development Charges Meeting
Tuesday, May 6, 2009
Page 4 of 5
Moved by Councillor Gaertner Seconded by Councillor MacEachern
THAT the comments of the delegate be received and referred to item 1.
CARRIED
e) Mr. Larry Dekkema, Ballymore Homes
Re: Item 1 - FS09-025 - Update to Development Charges By-law
Mr. Larry Dekkema, of Ballymore Homes expressed concern with regard to the
current struggling economy and it’s impact on the development industry,
suggesting that this is an inappropriate time to increase development charges.
Mr. Dekkema requested that Council consider granting an exception and
maintain the current rates for existing lots which are serviced and registered, as
they are already part of the existing infrastructure.
Moved by Councillor Gallo Seconded by Councillor Buck
THAT the comments of the delegate be received and referred to item 1.
CARRIED
IV CONSIDERATION OF ITEM
1. FS09-025 - Update to Development Charges By-law
Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor McRoberts
THAT all comments, questions and suggestions arising from the statutory
Public Meeting be referred to staff for consideration, and that staff
continue to dialogue with concerned parties; and
THAT staff prepare an interim report to include alternatives, options and a
draft By-law for review, to be presented at the General Committee meeting
on May 19, 2009; and
THAT the final By-law be presented to Council on May 26, 2009, for
adoption pursuant to the requirements of the Development Charges Act,
1997.
CARRIED
Councillors Collins-Mrakas and Gallo, having previously declared an interest in added
item 3, did not take part in or vote on any questions in this regard or attempt in any way
to influence the voting on such questions.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS - CORRESPONDENCE PERTAINING TO ITEM 1
FS09-025 - Update to Development Charges By-law
2. Correspondence from Mr. Vince Santino, Manager of Land Development,
Minto Communities (Toronto) Inc. (Added Item)
3. Correspondence from Ms Lynda J. Townsend, Partner
Townsend, Rogers LLP Barristers and Solicitors (Added Item)
4. Correspondence from Mr. Claudio Maggioni, Vice-President, Country Wide
Homes (Added Item)
Minutes of Special Council - Development Charges Meeting
Tuesday, May 6, 2009
Page 5 of 5
5. Correspondence from Mr. Carlo Baldassarra, President
Greenpark Group of Companies c/o Santorio Holdings Inc. (Added Item)
6. Correspondence from Mr. Savino Del Degan, President
Royalcliff Homes Inc. and Royalcliff Homes Bayview Inc. (Added Item)
7. Correspondence from Mr. Nik Mracic, Vice-President
Metrus Development Inc. and A.S.O. of St. John’s Road Development Corp.
(Added Item)
8. Correspondence from Mr. Nik Mracic, Vice-President
Metrus Development Inc. and A.S.O. of Preserve Homes Corporation
(Added Item)
9. Correspondence from Mr. Patrick O’Hanlon, President
Kylemore (Bayview Meadows) Ltd. (Added Item)
10. Correspondence from Mr. Andrew De Gasperis,
President Preserve Homes Corporation (Added Item)
Moved by Councillor MacEachern Seconded by Councillor Buck
THAT the additional items of correspondence be referred to staff.
CARRIED
V READING OF BY-LAW
Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor MacEachern
THAT the following listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings, and
enacted:
5138-09 BEING A BY-LAW to confirm actions by Council Resulting
from Special Council Meeting 09-13 on May 6, 2009
CARRIED
VI ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor McRoberts
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:56 p.m.
CARRIED
_______________________________ ________________________________
PHYLLIS M. MORRIS, MAYOR LUCILLE KING, TOWN CLERK