AGENDA - Special Council - 20090422SPECIAL COUNCIL
PUBLIC PLANNING
AGENDA
NO.09-11
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009
7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
AURORA TOWN HALL
PUBLIC RELEASE
April 17, 2009
AURORA
TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL COUNCIL - PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING
AGENDA
NO. 09-11
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
I DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
11 APPROVAL OF AGENDA
RECOMMENDED:
THAT the agenda be approved as presented.
III PLANNING APPLICATIONS
1V READING OF BY-LAWS
RECOMMENDED:
THAT the following listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings, and
enacted:
5133-09 BEING A BY-LAW to Confirm Actions by Council pg. 19
Resulting from Special Council - Public Planning
Meeting 09-11 on April 22, 2009.
V ADJOURNMENT
Public Planning Meeting 09-11
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Page 2 of 2
AGENDA ITEMS
1. PL09-038 - Zoning By-law Amendment Application pg. I
Vinder Holdings Inc,
15195 Leslie Street
Part of Lot 20, Concession 3, E.Y.S.
File: D14-04-08
RECOMMENDED:
THAT report PL09-038 be received as information and that Council
determine its position with respect to Zoning By-law Amendment
Application file D14-04-08 (Vinder Holdings Inc.), subject to public
comments received.
PUBLIC PLANNING AGENDA
April 22, 2009
TOWN OF AURORA
AuRoRA PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING No. PL09-038
SUBJECT: Zoning By-law Amendment Application
Vinder Holdings Inc.
15195 Leslie Street
Part of Lot 20, Concession 3, E.Y.S.
File: D14-04-08
FROM: Marco Ramunno, Director of Planning and Development Services
DATE: April 22, 2009
RECOMMENDATIONS
THAT report PL09-038 be received as information and that Council determine their
position with respect to Zoning By-law Amendment Application File: D14-04.08
(Vinder Holdings Inc.), subject to public comments received.
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the revised Zoning By-law
Amendment application, provide the public with an additional (2n) opportunity to provide
comments, and for Council to determine their position with respect to the rezoning
application
The owner has submitted a Zoning By-law Amendment application to rezone the subject
lands from 'Rural General (RU) Zone" to a site specific "Business Park (BP-X) Exception
Zone' to facilitate the development of the lands with the uses described in the Chart on
page 4 of this report and in a manner shown on the conceptual site plan attached as Figure
5.
NOTIFICATION
On March 31, 2009 Notice of a second Public Planning Meeting respecting the subject
application was; advertised in the Aurora Banner; distributed by mail to all assessed
property owners within 120 metres (393 feet) of the subject property (Figure 2); distributed
by mail to all persons/bodies that requested interested party status, and a sign was erected
on the Leslie Street frontage of the subject lands.
BACKGROUND
Location
The subject lands are located southeast of the Leslie Street and Wellington Street East
intersection, directly south of the Shell gas station, and municipally described as 15195.
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PUBLIC PLANNING AGENDA
April 22, 2009
April 22 2009 - 2 - Report No. PL09-038
Leslie Street. (see Figure 1)
The property is approximately 1.14 hectares (2.82acres) in area and has 119m (390ft.) of
frontage along Leslie Street. There is an existing vacant residential dwelling on the
property, which is listed on the Town of Aurora Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage
Value or Interest. In addition, there is a shed and frame barn on the property; however,
these structures are not identified as having potential heritage interest and are proposed to
be demolished.
Surrounding Uses
North: Existing automobile service station (Shell)
South: Proposed hotel (Mainstay Suite, File: D11-06-08)
East: Vacant lands designated as Business Park
West: Leslie Street, beyond which exist vacant lands designated as Business Park
Official Plan
The subject lands are designated "Business Park" by Official Plan Amendment #30
(Bayview Northeast Area 2B Secondary Plan). The Business Park designation outlines
development policies that provide opportunities for a mix of high quality employment uses .
and supporting commercial uses that satisfy local and regional needs. Lands designated
as Business Park are intended to be developed, designed and landscaped in a high quality
and prestigious manner. In addition to these principle uses restaurants, limited retail -and
service commercial activities may also be allowed subject to strict control of an
implementing Zoning By -_law.
Zoning By-law
The subject property is currently zoned 'Rural General (RU) Zone", which permits
agricultural type uses such as farming, livestock rearing, breeding and training of farm
animals, one single detached dwelling and an accessory dwelling unit occupied by a
farmhand. Non-agricultural permitted uses include a horseback riding club as well as
places of worship.
The subject application proposes to rezone the subject lands from 'Rural General (RU)
Zone" to a site specific 'Business Park (BP-X) Exception Zone", the specifics of this
application as noted in the Proposal section of this report.
APPLICATION HISTORY
Pre -submission Consultation and Review of Zoning Application
Pre -submission meetings were held between Planning staff and the applicant. These
meetings were centred on discussions relating to the intent and purpose of Business Park
policies contained within the Bayview Northeast Secondary Plan (OPA 30) as well as the
incorporation the existing building of heritage interest into a development proposal.
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PUBLIC PLANNING AGENDA ITEM # 1 - 3
April 22, 2009
April 22, 2009 - 3 - Report No. PL69-038
The applicant submitted a formal Zoning By-law Amendment Application on February 29,
2008. After review of the submission Town staff provided comments to the applicant.
Consequently, the applicant made a series of revisions to the Zoning By-law Amendment
application, and on December 17, 2009 a Public Planning Meeting was held by Council.
December 17, 2008 Public Planning Meeting
Summary of Staff Comments per staff report PL08-131:
Staff had no objection in principal to the higher order employment uses proposed by the
applicant;..however, concerns were raised with regard to the variety of supporting and
service commercial uses, inclusive of a stand alone drive-thru restaurant: In addition,
concerns were also expressed with respect to the urban design standard and the
landscaping of the proposed development as submitted with the applicant's original
conceptual site plan and building elevation renderings.
Appendix 1 of this report summarizes .public and .Council comments heard at the
December 17, 2008 Public Meeting. The, proposed uses considered at the Public Meeting
are noted on page four (4) of this report with the original conceptual site plan attached
hereto as Figure 4.
At the conclusion of the December 17, 2008 Public Planning Meeting Council resolved as
follows:
"THAT the application be brought back to a further Public Planning Meeting,
THAT staff work with the applicant to address concerns raised in the staff
report, by Council, by the applicant and by the public; and
THAT the matter regarding the existing heritage building be referred to the
Heritage Advisory Committee for Input"
On February 5, 2009, pursuant to Council's resolution, the. Heritage Advisory Committee
assessed the heritage matters related to the existing dwelling on the subject lands and
recommended the following:
"THAT it be recommended to Council that the applicant be requested to
investigate options for relocation of the building; and
THAT, failing any options for relocation, the Heritage Advisory Committee has
no objection to the demolition of the Petchville House; on the condition that it be
internally and externally documented and inventoried, and that any significant.
heritage features be salvaged, prior to its destruction; and
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PUBLIC PLANNING AGENDA ITEM # " `I
April 22, 2009
April 22, 2009 - 4 - Report No..PL09-038
THAT it be recommended to Council that staff be requested to investigate the
whereabouts of an existing commemorative plaque for the Community of
Petchville".
PROPOSAL AND COMMENTS .
The following chart outlines the Business Park permitted uses identified in Official Plan
Amendment No. 30 (Bayview Northeast Area 2B Secondary Plan), the permitted uses
as identified in the Business Park category of the Zoning Bylaw, and the proposed uses
as currently submitted by applicant.
Business. Park OPA 30
Business Park Zone
Proposed Uses as submitted by
Permitted Uses
Permitted Uses
applicant
Principal uses
Business and professional
Office (excludes
Office and office/clinic medical
offices
office/clinic medical)
(max size of clinic = 700m' GFA)
Research, development,
Research and training
training facilities and
facility
Research and training facility
laboratory uses
Industrial and other
Printing, media and
Printing, media and
employment uses
communication
communication establishment
establishment
Hospitality - Hotels and
Hotels and Motels
Motels
Daycare Centres
Day nursery
Day nursery
Secondary uses
(subject to specific review
by Council
Health and Fitness
Fitness centre
Fitness centre
Recreational Uses
Private and commercial
Private and commercial schools
schools
Banks or other financial
Banks and financial institutions
institutions
Accessory uses
(associated with principle
or secondary use
Limited retail and service
Accessory Uses within
Accessory Uses within an Office
commercial uses subject
an Office:
or Office/Medical Clinic:
section 3.5.2.c
- Convenience retail store
- Convenience retail
- Dry cleaning distribution depot
store
- Motor vehicle rental
- Dry cleaning distribution
establishment
depot
- Personal service shop
- Motor vehicle rental
- Private club
establishment
- drive-thru restaurant (max
- Personal service ship.
290m2GFA)
- Private club
- restaurant
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PUBLIC PLANNING AGENDA ITEM # 1 - 5
April 22, 2009
April 22, 2009 - 5 - Report No. PL09-038
Changes to Proposed Uses:
Following the December 17, 2008 Public Planning Meeting and in response to the
concerns expressed at the Public Meeting regarding the scope of the proposed uses, in
particular the retail and service commercial uses, the applicant has made the following
changes to the Zoning By-law Amendment application:
• Removed stand alone restaurant use
• Included a provision that a restaurant is permitted to a maximum gross floor area of
290m2 conditional upon it being accessory to an office building
• Removed Places of Worship use
t Removed hotel and motel use
• Inserted a maximum gross floor area for an office/clinic medical use to 700m2.
Planning Considerations Regarding Proposed Uses as Submitted by the Applicant
The Business Park lands are intended to be developed in a manner that achieves a high
standard of urban design togetherwith quality and striking architecture within an integrated
campus -like setting. Lands designated as Business Park by OPA 30 are also intended to
provide a "mixture of high quality employment and a variety of supporting commercial and
community services". Quality employment uses should comprise the majority of this overall
mixture within the greater Business Park. Based on the Official Plan policies the following
uses proposed by subject application are considered to be principle uses:
- Business and professional offices
- Research and training facility
- Printing, media and communication establishment
- Daycare Centre
Secondary uses may be considered by Council subject to. a review of a specific
development proposal and in consideration of Official Plan policies. Secondary uses
proposed by the applicant are as follows:
- Banks or Financial Institutions
- Commercial Schools
- Fitness Centre
- Dry cleaning Distribution Depot (proposed as accessory use by the applicant)
Since the approval of OPA 30, the Whitwell/Smart Centres development located to the
north and stretching to Highway 404 has been approved. This development functions as a
regional service commercial centre that serves both the business park and the greater
community. As. such, staff are of the opinion that the objectives of OPA 30 to provide
sufficient supporting commercial and secondary uses have been appropriately
accommodated in the Regional Commercial Centre. Given that the primary objective of the
Official Plan is to develop high quality employment uses within the Business Park, staff do
not consider the proposed secondary uses as being appropriate within this designation.
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PUBLIC PLANNING AGENDA
April 22i 2009
ITEM# 1-s
April 22 2009 - 6 - Report No. PI-09-038
In regard to the. proposed accessory uses to a principal office use, staff are of the
opinion that the following uses would be compatible and conform to the Official Plan
provided they are located within a building which is a principle use, such as an office
building.
- Convenience retail;
- Personal Service Shop;
- Private.Club;
- Restaurant
A dry cleaning distribution depot and a motor vehicle rental establishment are also not
considered to be appropriate at this location. With respect to the accessory restaurant,
it is noted that the restaurant use is now proposed to be integrated within the primary
office use and represents approximately 25% of building GFA of Building A. In addition
the proposed drive-thru component of the restaurant and its impact on the ability to
achieve the objective of a high quality Business Park will need to be considered.
Revised elevation renderings have been submitted and are attached as Figures 6-8
inclusive. Staff are of the opinion that the proposed elevations represent an improvement
to earlier conceptual plans; however, will not undertake an architectural review until a
formal site plan application has been submitted by the applicant.
It is recommended that a site plan application be submitted and reviewed prior to the.
approval of the related zoning bylaw amendment to ensure comprehensive review of.the
architectural, urban design and landscaping requirements are addressed. The primary
objective is to ensure that the.development of the site is in keeping with the achievement of
a high quality Business Park. A site plan application for the proposed development will be
required to.be submitted at a future date and reviewed for consideration at a future General
Committee meeting.
In summary staff support the revisions that have been made by the applicant and
recommend eliminating additional proposed service commercial uses. However, it is
further recommended that a site plan. application be submitted, reviewed and approved
prior to the approval of the related zoning bylaw amendment. Such review will ensure that
the development standards for the site are appropriate and that a comprehensive review of
the architectural, urban design and landscaping requirements are addressed.
Landscaping and Parking Requirements
As Illustrated by the revised conceptual site plan attached as Figure 5, the applicant is
proposing to comply with the standard Business Park zone landscape buffer requirements
by providing a minimum 3m (10ft) unoccupied landscape strip along the north, east and
southerly property boundaries. In addition, a 6m (20ft) uninterrupted landscape buffer is
proposed along westerly property boundary abutting Leslie Street, which is in compliance
with theparent BP zone standards.
One exception is being proposed to the standard parent Business Park zone, which is the
setback Building B noted on Figure 5 to Leslie Street, The applicant proposes a 6m (20ft)
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PUBLIC PLANNING AGENDA
April 22, 2009
April 22, 2009 - 7 - Report No. PL09-038
setback whereas the BP zone required 9m (30ft)..
Based on the proposed floor area of development the proposed 161 parking spaces would
comply with the minimum parking standard of the Zoning Bylaw.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
At the Public Planning Meeting, taking into consideration comments from staff and
residents, Council has the following options:
1. Approving the application in principle, subject to the resolution of outstanding
issues;
2. Resolving that the application be brought back to General Committee or a further.
Public Meeting upon resolution of the major outstanding issues;
3. Refusal of the application with an explanation for the refusal.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
SERVICING ALLOCATION
Not applicable.
CONCLUSION
The Planning Department has reviewed the revised zoning bylaw amendment application
and the requested uses in the three buildings proposed forthe subject lands. The Owner's
revised the application following the comments raised at the initial Public Meeting, in
particular by the removal of the free standing restaurant use. As identified in this report,
additional commercial. uses such as banks, commercial schools, fitness centres, dry
cleaning and motor vehicle rental establishment have been identified as not meeting the
intent of the Official Plan and are not considered appropriate for the site.
The Ownerwill need to continue to work with the Planning Department and other interested
stakeholders to ensure that the proposed uses and the future site plan meets the goals and
objectives of the Official Plan. In particular, it is important that the objectives of protecting
these lands for high order employment uses is maintained as well as ensuring that the
lands are developed in a manner that achieves a high standard of urban design for this
site.
Should Council find merit in the above, it is recommended that Council approve the
applications in principal, as modified by Staff and subject to the submission of a site plan
application to ensure development provisions are satisfactory, -that an appropriate
maximum GFA is implemented for accessory uses and that the form of development is in
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PUBLIC PLANNING AGENDA ITEM # r - 8
April 22, 2009
April 22, 2009 - 8 - Report No. PL09-038 n
keeping with the Business Park design objectives. It is also recommended that the drive-
thru be reviewed at the site plan review stage to assess whether it is appropriate to
approve a drive-thru for the proposed accessory restaurant.
ATTACHMENTS
Figures
Figure 1 — Location and Zoning Plan
Figure 2 — Circulation Map
Figure 3 — Official Plan Designation Map
Figure 4 — December 17, 2008 Conceptual Site Plan
Figure 5 — Current Conceptual Site Plan
Figure 6 — Conceptual Building.A Elevations
Figure 7 — Conceptual Building B North Elevation
Figure 8 — Conceptual Building C North Elevation
Appendix
Appendix 1 — Summary of December 17, 2008 Planning Public Meeting comments
Prepared by. Andrew Harper, MCIP RPP
Planner
Extension 4349
Marco Ram unno, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Director of Planning and Development
Services
Neil Garbe
Chief Administrative Officer
IF:I
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