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MINUTES - Special Council - 20121128 THE TOWN OF AURORA SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING MINUTES Council Chambers Aurora Town Hall Wednesday, November 28, 2012 ATTENDANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mayor Dawe in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Buck, Gaertner (arrived 7:01 p.m.), Gallo, Humfryes, Pirri, and Thompson MEMBERS ABSENT Councillor Ballard 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 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 Abel Seconded by Councillor Gallo THAT the agenda as circulated by the Customer and Legislative Services Department, with the following addition, be approved:  Item 2 – HAC12-11 – Heritage Advisory Committee Report November 26, 2012 CARRIED 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. PL12-057 – Application to Amend the Zoning By-law The Alpen House Holdings Limited 14695-14875 Bayview Avenue File: D14-10-12 Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 28, 2012 Page 2 of 4 Planning Staff The Manager of Development Planning, Mr. Glen Letman, provided a brief overview of the application and staff report, and noted that the application also includes lands owned by Her Majesty the Queen being the hydro corridor traversing the property. He advised that the applicant has applied for a Zoning By- law Amendment to allow the development of a private park including soccer fields, wildlife park, habitat pond, education centre, and accessory uses to include a café/restaurant/banquet centre and 419 parking spaces. Mr. Letman reviewed the surrounding land uses and the current designations and zoning of the subject lands located on the east side of Bayview Avenue, approximately mid-way between Vandorf Sideroad and Wellington Street East. He noted that staff will undertake a technical review of the applications to address the matters outlined in the staff report, as well as any comments received from the public and Council raised at the Public Planning meeting. Mr. Letman stated that a staff report with recommendations will be presented to Council for consideration and direction at a future General Committee meeting. Applicant/Agent Ms Debra Kakaria, Associate, and Mr. Ryan Moore, Planner, of MHBC Planning, addressed Council to present further details of the application and discuss the proposed concept. Ms Kakaria advised that representatives of Stronach Group were also present. She presented Mr. Stronach’s vision: to give back to the community and provide a state-of-the-art environmental and sports facility for the enjoyment of the community; reviewed the three guiding principles: Environment/Education, Community/Partnerships, and Healthy Living; and discussed the concept plan and objectives of the three components. Ms Kakaria noted the synergies between Mr. Stronach’s vision and the Town’s Strategic Plan, Trails Master Plan, and Parks & Recreation Master Plan, and concluded with a brief summary of the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment. Public Comments Ms Judy Gilchrist, resident of 70 Milloy Place, expressed her opposition to the application and questioned the need for three soccer fields, a year-round banquet facility, and the concept of the wildlife park. She voiced concerns regarding the parking lot size and number of parking spaces, impact of run-off, lighted soccer fields, the network of trails, non-native grass species on the soccer fields and possible pesticide use, increased traffic and safety issues including safe passage of animals across Bayview Avenue, possible tax dollars being spent on infrastructure, multiple classrooms, fencing that would act as a barrier to wildlife movement, and the Oak Ridges Moraine settlement and natural linkage areas. Mr. Alex Gabrini, resident of 22 Rickard Street, expressed concerns regarding light and sound pollution, parking lot size, and increased traffic on Bayview Avenue. He indicated he was not opposed to the park and the protection of wetlands, but questioned the need for recreational facilities in that specific zone. Applicant/Agent Ms Kakaria responded to the concerns regarding the need for soccer fields, parking lot size and run-off, light and sound pollution, non-native species and pesticides, traffic, infrastructure, fencing, limiting linkages, and conformity with the Oak Ridges Moraine plan. She noted that these issues would be investigated further and many would be addressed through the site plan application process. Ms Kakaria added that the premise of the proposed design is to provide an example of an area that respects and works with nature and it is meant to be a collaborative effort with the community. Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 28, 2012 Page 3 of 4 Main Motion Moved by Councillor Thompson Seconded by Councillor Pirri THAT report PL12-057 be received; and THAT comments presented at the Public Planning meeting be addressed by the Planning and Development Services department in a comprehensive report outlining recommendations and options at a future General Committee meeting. CARRIED Amendment Moved by Councillor Gallo Seconded by Councillor Abel THAT the subject report and presentation be sent to the Environmental Advisory Committee and the Trails and Active Transportation Committee; and THAT the applicant be encouraged to host an open forum or public meeting; and THAT comments presented at the Public Planning meeting be addressed by the Planning and Development Services department in a comprehensive report outlining recommendations and options at a future Public Planning meeting. CARRIED Main Motion as Amended Moved by Councillor Thompson Seconded by Councillor Pirri THAT report PL12-057 be received; and THAT the subject report and presentation be sent to the Environmental Advisory Committee and the Trails and Active Transportation Committee; and THAT the applicant be encouraged to host an open forum or public meeting; and THAT comments presented at the Public Planning meeting be addressed by the Planning and Development Services department in a comprehensive report outlining recommendations and options at a future Public Planning meeting. CARRIED 2. HAC12-11 – Heritage Advisory Committee Report, November 26, 2012 (added item) Moved by Councillor Gallo Seconded by Councillor Humfryes THAT this item be deferred to a Special Council meeting to be held on December 4, 2012. CARRIED Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 28, 2012 Page 4 of 4 IV READING OF BY-LAW Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Abel THAT the following listed by-law be given first, second, and third readings and enacted: 5472-12 BEING A BY-LAW to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting from Special Council – Public Planning meeting on November 28, 2012 CARRIED V ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor Abel Seconded by Councillor Pirri THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:37 p.m. CARRIED GEOFFREY DAWE, MAYOR CINDY JANZEN, DEPUTY CLERK THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING OF NOVEMBER 28, 2012 RECEIVED FINAL APPROVAL AT COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 18, 2012.