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MINUTES - Special Council - 20120328 TOWN OF AURORA SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING MINUTES Council Chambers Aurora Town Hall Wednesday, March 28, 2012 ATTENDANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mayor Dawe in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Ballard (arrived at 7:07 p.m.), Buck, Gaertner, Humfryes (arrived at 7:05 p.m.), Pirri, and Thompson MEMBERS ABSENT Councillor Gallo OTHER ATTENDEES Director of Planning and Development Services, Planner, Manager of Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk, and Council/Committee Secretary Mayor Dawe called the meeting to order at 7:04 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 Thompson THAT the agenda as circulated by the Customer and Legislative Services Department be approved as presented. III PLANNING APPLICATIONS 1. PL12-013 – Applications to Amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-Law 1623 Wellington Street Developments Limited 1623 Wellington Street East Files: D09-02-11 and D14-06-11 Planning Staff The Director of Planning and Development Services confirmed that the statutory public notice requirements were fulfilled when the subject applications were brought forward to the Public Planning meeting held on November 23, 2011. Notification of tonight’s meeting was sent to the same surrounding landowners and a notice was placed in The Banner. He advised that no comments had yet been received from members of the public but, should any comments be received, they would be addressed in a future report. Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Page 2 of 3 Applicant/Agent Ms Wendy Nott, Senior Principal of Walker, Nott, Dragicevic Associates Limited and planning consultant to the applicant, addressed Council and noted that the full consulting team was present and available to answer any questions. She referred to the November 23, 2011 Public Planning meeting where they heard from Council what they understood to be three key issues related to the application: (1) the amount of retail floor space being proposed; (2) the certainty of achieving the non- retail uses in the balance of the development; and (3) the Regional Official Plan criteria of 20% retail jobs within employment areas. Ms Nott presented the subsequent revisions to the application addressing the key issues. Mr. Josh Kaufman, of SmartCentres, addressed Council to provide comments regarding the promotion of the employment lands owned by SmartCentres within OPA 30. He discussed the potential for jobs, employment uses, assessment and investment, and noted that SmartCentres and Callaway have a significant investment in Aurora. Mr. Kaufman acknowledged that the subject lands is a prominent gateway location and would be a catalyst for further development in the gateway and an opportunity to showcase the Town. Mr. Kaufman reported that they have been working very hard to promote these lands, through a separate company with a strong web presence, and that Requests For Information are consistently being presented to them through various brokers. Public Comments Mr. Anthony Costantino, representing Mr. Singh, owner of 2.8 acres of property adjacent to the west side of the subject lands and directly south of the Shell station, inquired whether there would be a retaining wall between his client’s property and the subject lands and if there was any consideration of a pedestrian walkway. He said they hoped there would not be a retaining wall as it would be unattractive. Mr. Paul Husson, Civil Engineer of Pitura Husson Limited, advised that there is a significant grade differential from Leslie Street up to where First Commerce Drive and Goulding Avenue would intersect of about 15 meters. He explained that the slope would be 3:1 meaning three meters horizontal for every meter vertical. Mr. Husson stated there was no intent for a retaining wall but there would be a grade differential between the two properties. He suggested there could be a pedestrian walkway up the side of the embankment, which would require a staircase, and there would definitely be no automobile link between the two properties. Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Ballard THAT the Public Planning Meeting report PL12-013 for Official Plan and Zoning Amendment Applications, 1623 Wellington Street Developments Limited, Files D09-02-11 and D14-06-11 be received; and THAT comments presented at the Public Planning Meeting be addressed by the Planning & Development Services Department in a comprehensive report outlining recommendations and options at a future General Committee Meeting. CARRIED Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Page 3 of 3 IV READING OF BY-LAW Moved by Councillor Abel Seconded by Councillor Buck THAT the following listed by-law be given first, second, and third readings and enacted: 5415-12 BEING A BY-LAW to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting from Special Council – Public Planning meeting on March 28, 2012. CARRIED V ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Abel THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:15 p.m. CARRIED GEOFFREY DAWE, MAYOR CINDY JANZEN, DEPUTY CLERK THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING OF MARCH 28, 2012 RECEIVED FINAL APPROVAL AT COUNCIL ON APRIL 10, 2012.