MINUTES - Accessibility Advisory Committee - 20210310 1
Town of Aurora
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
7 p.m.
Video Conference
Committee Members: Rachelle Stinson (Chair)
Matthew Abas (Vice Chair)
Max Le Moine
Hailey Reiss (departed 9:01 p.m.)
Jo-anne Spitzer
Members Absent: Councillor John Gallo
John Lenchak
Other Attendees: Mayor Tom Mrakas (ex-officio)
Mateusz Zawada, Accessibility Advisor
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Procedural Notes
This meeting was held electronically as per Section 19. i) of the Town's
Procedure By-law No. 6228-19, as amended, due to the COVID-19 situation.
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
2. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Matthew Abas
Seconded by Max Le Moine
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
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3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
4. Receipt of the Minutes
4.1 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 10, 2021
Moved by Jo-anne Spitzer
Seconded by Matthew Abas
That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of February
10, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
5. Delegations
None.
6. Matters for Consideration
The Committee consented to consider items in the following order: 6.5, 6.2, 6.3,
6.4, 6.6, and 6.1.
6.1 Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor; Re: Engaged, Inclusive Project
Motion to defer
Moved by Matthew Abas
Seconded by Jo-anne Spitzer
1. That the memorandum regarding Engaged, Inclusive Project be
deferred to a future meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee.
Motion to defer
Carried
6.2 Memorandum from Senior Landscape Architect; Re: Hartwell Way
Neighbourhood Park Project
Staff provided an overview of the memorandum including the concept
master plan, proposed site features and accessible amenities for the
neighbourhood park. The Committee and staff discussed further
suggestions including consideration for: addition of way finding signage at
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the three park entrances; extension of the exterior path of travel to the
amphitheater; a circular amphitheater with accessible viewing platform;
addition of an accessible viewing platform at edge of central grass area;
partial replacement of playground mulch with accessible rubberized area;
concern regarding slippery wooden playground equipment when wet; and
accessible playground features including equipment and sensory features
at accessible heights for all.
Moved by Matthew Abas
Seconded by Max Le Moine
1. That the memorandum regarding Hartwell Way Neighbourhood Park
Project be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding
Hartwell Way Neighbourhood Park Project be received and referred to
staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
6.3 Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor; Re: Accessibility Advisory
Committee input and comments for site plan application OPA-2021-01
and ZBA-2021-01 (Submission #1), 101-103 Mosley Street and 120
Metcalfe Street
Staff provided an overview of the comments submitted to the Planner by
the Accessibility Advisor on behalf of the Committee. The Committee and
staff reviewed the site/floor plans and further suggestions were made
regarding consideration for: inclusion of automatic door operators for all
public access locations including the mail room, waste/recycling disposal
room, and any other amenities that may be added.
Moved by Matthew Abas
Seconded by Jo-anne Spitzer
1. That the memorandum regarding Accessibility Advisory Committee
input and comments for site plan application OPA-2021-01 and ZBA-
2021-01 (Submission #1), 101-103 Mosley Street and 120 Metcalfe
Street be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding
Accessibility Advisory Committee input and comments for site plan
application OPA-2021-01 and ZBA-2021-01 (Submission #1), 101-103
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Mosley Street and 120 Metcalfe Street, be received and referred to
staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
6.4 Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor; Re: Accessibility Advisory
Committee input and comments for site plan application SP-2017-07
(Submission #3), Proposed Hotel, 4 Don Hillock Drive
Staff noted that no further comments were provided to the Planner on this
third submission and provided an overview of the comments submitted by
the Committee on previous submissions. The Committee and staff
reviewed the site/floor plans and further suggestions were made
regarding consideration for: the addition of emergency evacuation chairs
to be provided at all staircase locations; and accessible equipment in the
fitness area.
Moved by Matthew Abas
Seconded by Max Le Moine
1. That the memorandum regarding Accessibility Advisory Committee
input and comments for site plan application SP-2017-07 (Submission
#3), Proposed Hotel, 4 Don Hillock Drive, be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding
Accessibility Advisory Committee input and comments for site plan
application SP-2017-07 (Submission #3), Proposed Hotel, 4 Don
Hillock Drive, be received and referred to staff for consideration and
further action as appropriate.
Carried
6.5 Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor; Re: Facility Accessibility
Design Standards
Staff introduced consultant Bob Topping, Architect and President of
DesignABLE Environments Inc., who provided an overview of the proposed
Facility Accessibility Design Standards (FADS) document, noting that
FADS was developed as a best practices document and goes above and
beyond what is required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities
Act, 2005 (AODA) and the Ontario Building Code.
There were inquiries and discussion about various aspects of the FADS
document including: provisions for rooftop amenities, recreational trails
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and playgrounds, and the COVID-19 pandemic; applicability to private
sector properties and potential implementation through the site plan
control process; how measurements (e.g., space and reach requirements)
were researched and developed; provisions for elevators and platform
lifts, call buttons, QR codes and beacons; and the design and format of the
FADS document. Staff noted that the Committee would have further
opportunities to review updates of the draft document.
Moved by Matthew Abas
Seconded by Jo-anne Spitzer
1. That the memorandum regarding Facility Accessibility Design
Standards be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding
Facility Accessibility Design Standards be received and referred to
staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
6.6 Round Table Discussion; Re: Town of Aurora Accessibility Plan 2018 to
2024
Staff provided a status update on capital and operating budget projects
including: the Victoria Hall ramp addition, noting the plan to review the
entire building toward making it more accessible and usable; the
Information and Communications Standard, noting that pre-bids have
been submitted for software and a remediator to assist with website
documents; installation of an automatic door operator and ramp at the
Aurora Seniors Centre west exit to the bocce courts; and grading of the
parking lot leading to the Aurora Seniors Centre.
The Committee and staff discussed various issues including: the frequent
shortage of parking spaces at the Aurora Seniors Centre; the potential for
a wider sidewalk along John West Way in the general area of the Seniors
Centre to accommodate students and seniors; the prevention of objects
(e.g., waste receptacles) obstructing automatic door operators; induction
loops; and the move to automatic door operator wave sensors.
Staff advised that details regarding the 2021 Community Recognition
Awards nomination process would be forwarded to the Committee and
members were encouraged to consider making submissions.
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Moved by Matthew Abas
Seconded by Jo-anne Spitzer
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding the
Town of Aurora Accessibility Plan 2018 to 2024 be received and
referred to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7. Informational Items
None.
8. Adjournment
Moved by Max Le Moine
Seconded by Matthew Abas
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:23 p.m.
Carried