MINUTES - Economic Development Advisory Committee - 20151210
TOWN OF AURORA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Date: Thursday, December 10, 2015
Time and Location: 7 p.m., Leksand Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Paul Pirri (Chair) (arrived 7:11 p.m.), Councillor John
Abel (Vice Chair), Don Constable, Rosalyn Gonsalves, Marilee
Harris, Paul Smith, and Bruce Walkinshaw
Member(s) Absent: None
Other Attendees: Councillor Tom Mrakas, Marco Ramunno, Director of Planning
& Development Services, Anthony Ierullo, Manager of Long
Range and Strategic Planning, Afshin Bazar, Manager, Building
Services, and Samantha Yew, Council/Committee Secretary
The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Councillor Abel relinquished the Chair to Councillor Pirri at 7:18 p.m.
1. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Moved by Rosalyn Gonsalves
Seconded by Don Constable
THAT the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services be approved.
CARRIED
Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, December 10, 2015 Page 2 of 4
3. RECEIPT OF THE MINUTES
Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 12,
2015
Moved by Bruce Walkinshaw
Seconded by Marilee Harris
THAT the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting minutes of November
12, 2015, be received for information.
CARRIED
4. DELEGATIONS
(a) Marco Ramunno, Director of Planning & Development Services
Re: Update on Proposed Medical Building
Mr. Ramunno advised that the property owners in the 2C Business Area
committed to having the lands serviced within the next year. He mentioned that
the lands are currently zoned for office and medical building uses and noted that
one business owner has submitted an application for a business park.
The Committee inquired about interested parties and whether there is a plan in
place to advertise the medical building area. Staff responded that there has been
some interest in the area, and agreed that they will provide more information. The
Committee also inquired about guidelines around building medicinal marijuana
facilities and staff advised that these facilities are heavily regulated.
Moved by Marilee Harris
Seconded by Don Constable
THAT the delegation by Marco Ramunno be received for information.
CARRIED
(b) Dr. Brian Moore, Canadian Disc Institute
Re: Item 1 – Extract from Council Meeting of November 24, 2015; Re:
BBS15-013 - Request for Sign Variance to Sign By-law No. 4898-07.P
for the Canadian Disc Institute at 15000 Yonge Street
Dr. Moore gave a brief presentation, and spoke in support of the Sign Variance
Request.
Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, December 10, 2015 Page 3 of 4
Moved by Rosalyn Gonsalves
Seconded by Bruce Walkinshaw
THAT the delegation by Dr. Brian Moore be received and referred to Item 1.
CARRIED
5. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION
1. Extract from Council Meeting of November 24, 2015
Re: BBS15-013 - Request for Sign Variance to Sign By-law No. 4898-07.P
for the Canadian Disc Institute at 15000 Yonge Street
The Committee spoke in support of the Request for Sign Variance.
Moved by Don Constable
Seconded by Rosalyn Gonsalves
THAT the Economic Development Advisory Committee recommend to Council:
THAT the Request for Sign Variance to Sign By-law No. 4898-07.P for the
Canadian Disc Institute at 15000 Yonge Street be approved.
CARRIED
6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
2. Memorandum from Manager of Long Range and Strategic Planning
Re: Economic Development Action Plan Update
Staff provided an overview on the current programs listed in the Economic
Development Action Plan, including key programs such as the Business
Ambassadors Program, Business Visitations, Medical Uses in the 2C Planning
Area, Entertainment District and Community Square.
The Committee inquired about business retention surveys, the status of the action
plans and Business Ambassador Program, and the status of a hotel in Aurora.
Staff advised on various aspects of these inquiries.
Moved by Councillor Abel
Seconded by Don Constable
THAT the memorandum regarding Economic Development Action Plan Update
be received for information.
CARRIED
Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, December 10, 2015 Page 4 of 4
7. NEW BUSINESS
The Committee expressed interest in connecting with other municipal Economic
Development Advisory Committees to gather information on their goals, projects and
initiatives.
The Committee inquired as to whether the Building & Bylaw Services department will
be providing the Committee with an update and address questions asked regarding the
proposed Sign By-law update. The Chair indicated that he would speak with staff.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Bruce Walkinshaw
Seconded by Don Constable
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
CARRIED
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE TOWN UNLESS
ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT A LATER MEETING.