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MINUTES - Special Council - 20120627 THE TOWN OF AURORA SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING MINUTES Council Chambers Aurora Town Hall Wednesday, June 27, 2012 ATTENDANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mayor Dawe in the Chair; Councillors Ballard, Buck, Gaertner, Gallo, Humfryes, Pirri, and Thompson MEMBERS ABSENT Councillor Abel OTHER ATTENDEES Director of Planning and Development Services, Manager of Development Planning, Manager of Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk, and Council/ Committee Secretary Mayor Dawe called the meeting to order at 7:00 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 Ballard Seconded by Councillor Gallo THAT the agenda as circulated by the Customer and Legislative Services Department, with the following additions, be approved: Re: Item 1 – PL12-032 – Proposed Plans of Subdivisions and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications within the 2C Secondary Plan Area (West) • Correspondence from Rick Nethery, Director of Planning and Building Services, Town of Newmarket; Re: Mattamy (Aurora) Limited • Correspondence from Mike Duffy and Keith King, on behalf of The Wyndham Village Home Owners Association; Re: Mattamy (Aurora) Limited • Correspondence from W. Colin Empke, Resident of Newmarket; Re: Mattamy (Aurora) Limited • Correspondence from Erica Russell, on behalf of the Wildrush Homeowners Group; Re: Mattamy (Aurora) Limited • Correspondence from Lisa A. Prime, Resident of Aurora • Correspondence from Yash Bidani, Resident of Aurora CARRIED Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 27, 2012 Page 2 of 6 III PLANNING APPLICATIONS Mayor Dawe outlined the procedures that would be followed in the conduct of the public meeting. The Deputy Clerk confirmed that the 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. 1. PL12-032 – Proposed Plans of Subdivisions and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications within the 2C Secondary Plan Area (West) as follows: Mattamy (Aurora) Limited Part of Lot 26, Concession 2 E.Y.S. Files: D12-02-11 and D14-08-11 TACC Developments (Aurora) Limited Part of Lot 25, Concession 2 E.Y.S. Files: D12-03-11 and D14-09-11 St. John’s Road Development Corp. (Metrus Development Inc.) Part of Lots 24 and 25, Concession 2 E.Y.S. Files: D12-01-12 and D14-01-12 Brookfield Homes (Ontario) Limited Part of Lots 23, 24 and 25, Concession 2 E.Y.S. Files: D12-04-11 and D14-12-11 York Region Christian Seniors Home Inc. Part of Lot 23, Concession 2 E.Y.S. Files: D12-05-11 and D14-13-11 Shimvest Investments Limited Part of Lot 22, Concession 2 E.Y.S. Files: D12-02-12 and D14-02-12 Planning Staff The Director of Planning and Development Services noted that this meeting would be addressing six of the Plan of Subdivision and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications within the 2C Secondary Plan area west of Leslie Street. He advised that the consultant, Mr. Don Given, would be giving a presentation. The Director briefly reviewed the Secondary Plan approval process carried out for the 2C area in the northeast corner of Aurora which is the last greenfield development area in the Town. Applicant/Agent Mr. Don Given, President of Malone Given Parsons Ltd., advised they had requested this unusual opportunity to bring forward all six applications jointly at one time as they are tied together through various elements and would be better understood when viewed as a whole community. Mr. Given stated that about 40% of the land is green and, with the addition of the proposed parkland, well over 50% of the land would be green space, including a number of trails linking to the south. He noted that one of the key issues is the interface with the Newmarket residents to the north and there will be a great deal of effort to bring forward solutions that allow the interface to be finalized through the draft plan process and further opportunities for consultation. With respect to traffic, Mr. Given advised that the Region is completing two environmental assessments for the widening of Leslie Street and St. John’s Sideroad for completion in 2014-15 and is planning for a Highway 404 interchange at St. John’s Sideroad after 2021. Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 27, 2012 Page 3 of 6 He presented and reviewed elements of the proposed draft plans and renderings for each of the six applications and noted that over 500 of the 3,000 units would be adjacent to green space. Mr. Given indicated that the Community Park walkway would allow emergency services to access the block in the event that an alternative entrance is needed. He remarked that the organization of the space is quite green and sympathetic to the environment, and all plans and reports are now being reviewed by the local Conservation Authority, Town staff, and the Region. Public Comments The following residents addressed Council regarding the proposed block plan: Mr. Klaus Wehrenberg, resident of Cedar Crescent, Aurora; Mrs. Svetoslava Topouzova, resident of Tonner Crescent, Aurora; Mr. Colin Empke, resident of Schaeffer Outlook, Newmarket; Ms Angela Barbetta, resident of Reynolds Crescent, Aurora; Mr. Malcolm Watts, resident of Hollander Drive, Newmarket; Mr. Brian McColl, resident of Ivy Jay Crescent, Aurora; Mr. Lou Montana, resident of Wildrush Place, Newmarket; Mr. Gaspare Gucciardo, resident of Tonner Crescent, Aurora; Mr. Eric Liversidge, resident of Wellington Street East, Aurora; Mr. Keith King, resident of Comfort Lane, Newmarket; Mr. Enrico Palummieri, resident of Wildrush Place, Newmarket; Mrs. Janet McGowan, resident of Comfort Lane, Newmarket; Mr. Tom Vegh, Councillor and resident of Culler Mews, Newmarket; Ms Lisa Thomas, resident of Comfort Lane, Newmarket; Mr. Frank Spataro, resident of Comfort Lane, Newmarket; Mr. Andrew Rae, resident of Schaeffer Outlook, Newmarket; and Mrs. Claudia McKenna, resident of Lyman Boulevard, Newmarket. The following comments, questions and concerns were received: • Appreciated higher density and green space proposed in the Plan; • Suggested that schools should be accessible in the most direct way possible through off-road corridors for walking and cycling; • Suggested that Trails Master Plan should be respected in order to provide the best quality environment for walking and cycling; • Requested protection and integration of existing and mature trees and inquired whether any studies had been done to prevent removal of trees; • Concerned about infrastructure and impact of new development on community services, e.g., community centres, public transit, traffic, health, education, fire and ambulance services, and other residential services; • Requested public access to on-line information regarding studies and research with opportunity to provide feedback and suggestions; • Concerned about elevation, drainage, and shadowing related to adjacent Newmarket properties; • Noted a lack of plan details regarding the Residential Interface Overlay between Aurora and Newmarket; • Concerned about potential speeding and safety issues with the extension of Hartwell Way; • Concerned about loss of homeowner views on eastern side within 2B; • Inquired whether trees on Southdown Institute lands will be saved and appealed to developer to preserve as many trees as possible and build around them; • Noted large tree on hill (Mattamy lands) which is home to a Brown Eagle and another large tree which is a regular meeting place for crows; • Requested that the density be lowered; Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 27, 2012 Page 4 of 6 • Concerned about continued erosion of green space between Aurora and Newmarket and the loss of mature trees; • Inquired about the timing of the construction of new schools and strain on existing schools; • Concerned about the energy infrastructure; • Inquired about the maintenance of current wetland standards if a portion will be a roadway (Shimvest lands); • Inquired whether wildlife studies had been done and queried the impact on wildlife; • Concerned about setbacks, lot sizes, drainage, fencing and landscaping and noted that the Mattamy plan fails to address preservation of the sensitive fence line of trees along the north property boundary; • Concerned about possible noise, odours, visual aesthetics and environmental impact on surrounding wetland areas regarding location (Block 611, Mattamy lands) of the proposed storm water management pumping station; • Noted that the proposed development (Block 587, Mattamy lands) does not include a lot size and minimum setback similar to existing housing stock located on Wildrush Place and Lockwood Circle in Newmarket; • Requested continued opportunities to comment on the proposal and Residential Interface Overlay policy for the residents of the Town of Newmarket; • Concerned about the protection of planned green space from future development. Mr. Wehrenberg expressed concern regarding the preservation of a Silver Maple tree (Shimvest lands) that is 2 metres in diameter with a crown that is 40 metres wide. He reported that the tree is about 100 years old with a life expectancy of approximately 250 years. Mr. Wehrenberg stated that this type of tree should be considered a treasure in Town and is worthy of being salvaged. Mr. Given advised that the concerns of Mr. Wehrenberg would be addressed in a meeting tomorrow. He noted that the tree is in an area that requires extensive grading and there is not much opportunity to preserve a tree of this type. Mr. Given addressed other issues raised including drainage, the Residential Interface Overlay, density, preservation of green space, timing of new schools, trails and bikeway systems, storm water management pond and pumping station in easterly block, protection of birds, and tree protection. He further addressed the concerns regarding the Hartwell Way extension and traffic, pedestrian underpasses, arterial roads, recreation facilities and services, and the population impact on health and emergency services. The Director of Planning and Development Services added that, as part of the planning approval process for the subject block, an environmental assessment was completed and approved which dealt with all of the infrastructure that would be required and road crossings through the valley. He advised that traffic studies were undertaken by the landowners group and submitted in support of the Secondary Plan, which were approved by the Region. The Director reported that some additional studies related to the individual applications are currently before the Region for final review. Further comments, questions and concerns were received from the residents of Aurora and Newmarket, as follows: • Inquired about how obligation of developer is being addressed in relation to compensating the Town for tree removal with an equal amount of trees; • Observed that proposed parkland seems quite small compared to square footage of development; • Inquired whether public has access to developers’ tree removal permits in advance; Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 27, 2012 Page 5 of 6 • Inquired about how the energy infrastructure is being addressed; • Inquired about rationale for area (Mattamy lands) marked as “future development”; • Inquired about why there is no provision in place to control the timing of when developers cut down trees; • Suggested need for Council to preserve future heritage trees and opportunity to create a legacy for the Town; • Inquired about the rights and input of Newmarket residents and whether an ad hoc committee could be formed with representatives from Aurora, Newmarket, and The Wyndham Village Home Owners Association; • Inquired about where the Brown Eagle will land if trees are removed; • Concerned about the close proximity, and potential odours and noise, of the proposed pumping station (Block 611, Mattamy lands) to homeowners in the Wildrush Homeowners Group. The Director of Planning and Development Services addressed the concerns regarding tree removal and timing, parkland, blocks identified as “future development”, electrical power infrastructure and other infrastructure beyond the Town’s control, protection of green space from future development, the proposed pumping station, and storm water management. The Director assured that all of the concerns and issues raised would be noted and addressed. Councillor Gallo departed the meeting at 8:48 p.m. The meeting was recessed at 8:50 p.m. and reconvened at 8:56 p.m. Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Pirri THAT the Public Planning Meeting report PL12-032 for the following Proposed Plans of Subdivision and Rezoning applications within the 2C Secondary Plan Area be received: Mattamy (Aurora) Limited, Files: D12- 02-11 and D14-08-11; TACC Developments (Aurora) Limited, Files: D12- 03-11 and D14-09-11; St. John’s Road Development Corp. (Metrus Development Inc.), Files: D12-01-12 and D14-01-12; Brookfield Homes (Ontario) Limited, Files: D12-04-11 and D14-12-11; York Region Christian Seniors Home Inc., Files: D12-05-11 and D14-13-11 and Shimvest Investments Limited, Files: D12-02-12 and D14-02-12; and THAT comments presented at the Public Planning Meeting be addressed by Planning & Development Services in a comprehensive report outlining recommendations and options at a future General Committee Meeting. CARRIED IV READING OF BY-LAW Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Humfryes THAT the following listed by-law be given first, second, and third readings and enacted: 5444-12 BEING A BY-LAW to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting from Special Council – Public Planning meeting on June 27, 2012 CARRIED Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 27, 2012 Page 6 of 6 V ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Thompson THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:44 p.m. CARRIED GEOFFREY DAWE, MAYOR CINDY JANZEN, DEPUTY CLERK THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING OF JUNE 27, 2012 RECEIVED FINAL APPROVAL AT COUNCIL ON JULY 17, 2012.