MINUTES - General Committee - 20211116 1
Town of Aurora
General Committee
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Councillor Sandra Humfryes (Chair)
Mayor Tom Mrakas
Councillor Wendy Gaertner*
Councillor John Gallo* (departed 9:10 p.m.)
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor Harold Kim
Councillor Michael Thompson
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
Allan Downey, Director of Operations*
Robin McDougall, Director of Community Services*
Techa van Leeuwen, Director of Corporate Services*
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director of Finance*
David Waters, Director of Planning and Development Services*
Eliza Bennett, Acting Manager, Corporate Communications*
Erin Hamilton, Specialist, Sport and Community Development*
Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor*
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Samantha Yew, Deputy Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
General Committee consented to recess the meeting at 9:10 p.m. and
reconvened the meeting at 9:21 p.m.
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2. Land Acknowledgement
General Committee acknowledged that the meeting took place on the traditional
territory of the Wendat, the Haudenosaunee, and the Anishinaabe peoples whose
presence here continues to this day. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty
lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaties First Nations
and we thank them for sharing the land.
3. Approval of the Agenda
General Committee approved the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative
Services.
4. 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.
5. Community Presentations
None.
6. Delegations
6.1 Phiona Durrant, Rebekah Murdoch, Shaheen Moledina; Re: Aurora Black
Community
Rebekah Murdoch inquired about the availability of inclusive and
accessible Town meeting space to collaborate with the community until
the Library renovation is completed. Shaheen Moledina inquired about the
communication process for associations that work with the Town to
ensure efficient communication. Phiona Durrant provided a brief overview
of the one-year progress report and achievements of the Aurora Black
Community (ABC) Association, requested clarification on the roles,
accountability and leadership respecting the Town’s Anti-Black Racism
and Anti-Racism Task Force, and recommended that ABC collaborate with
the Task Force.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to staff.
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6.2 Steve Armes, Resident: Re: Item 9.1 - PDS21-105 - Heritage Permit
Application File: HPA-2020-04 - 74 Centre Street
Steve Armes expressed concerns regarding the proposed construction of
a two-storey triplex dwelling at 74 Centre Street and opposition to the
design, increased density, and excessive variances that would be involved,
noting that the neighborhood would be fully supportive of an appropriate
redevelopment of the property.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.1.
6.3 Hassan Faraji, Owner, and David Eqbal, Architect; Re: Item 9.1 - PDS21-105 -
Heritage Permit Application File: HPA-2020-04 - 74 Centre Street
David Eqbal presented conceptual drawings of the revised proposal for the
construction of a two-storey triplex dwelling at 74 Centre Street, noting the
revisions are based on comments and recommendations received from
the community and the Town’s design review panel. Hassan Faraji was
also present.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.1.
7. Consent Agenda
None.
8. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
General Committee recommends:
That the Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes items, 8.1 to 8.2 inclusive, be
received.
Carried
8.1 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2021
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
October 27, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
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8.2 Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 1, 2021
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of November
1, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
9.1 PDS21-105 - Heritage Permit Application File: HPA-2020-04 - 74 Centre
Street
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-105 be referred back to staff; and
2. That Council consents to a further extension of HPA-2020-04 from
December 13, 2021.
Motion to refer
Carried
9.2 PDS21-124 - Review of Aurora Register - Evaluation Methodology
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-124 be received; and
2. That Ontario Regulation 9/06 be approved to evaluate properties for
cultural heritage interest and discontinue the use of “Evaluation of
Heritage Resources in the Town of Aurora (2010).”
Carried
9.3 CMS21-038 - Disc Golf Opportunities in Aurora
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS21-038 be received; and
2. That Highland Gate property be identified as the potential location for a
future nine-hole disc golf course subject to additional consultation with
the community and Highland Gate Ratepayers Association.
Carried
9.4 PDS21-123 - Amendment to Heritage Designation By-law Number 6182-19,
De La Salle College and Pine Ridge Trail (Monk’s Walk), 50-100 Bloomington
Road West
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General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-123 be received; and
2. That Council direct staff to issue a Notice of Intent to amend Heritage
Designation By-law Number 6182-19 for 50-100 Bloomington Road
West, as discussed herein in accordance with the requirements of the
Ontario Heritage Act; and
3. That Council direct staff to bring forward the amending by-law should
there be no objections to the proposed amendment to By-law Number
6182-19.
Carried
9.5 PDS21-128 - Heritage Permit Application File: HPA-2021-14, 15356 Yonge
Street (Knowles-Readman House)
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-128 be received; and
2. That Heritage Permit Application HPA-2021-14 be approved for the
removal of the two-storey tail wing of the “Knowles-Readman House”.
Carried
9.6 PDS21-131 - Town-Initiated Zoning Amendment to Comprehensive Zoning
By-law Number 6000-17
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS21-131 be received; and
2. That staff be directed to proceed with a Statutory Public Meeting to
present a draft Zoning By-law amendment to the Town’s
Comprehensive Zoning By-law Number 6000-17 for general
housekeeping purposes, as described herein.
Carried
10. Notices of Motion
10.1 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Property Standards By-law Modernization and
Review
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Whereas the Town’s current Property Standards by-law was last written in
1999; and
Whereas the population growth and building landscape has changed
drastically in the last 22 years; and
Whereas the Town would benefit from a review of the Property Standards
By-law to reflect the growth and modernization experienced in Aurora;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff report back with a
modernized review of the Property Standards By-law.
11. Regional Report
11.1 York Regional Council Highlights of October 28, 2021
General Committee recommends:
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of October 28, 2021, be
received for information.
Carried
12. New Business
Councillor Gilliland inquired about whether the Town gives green stewardship
awards to businesses or residents, and the Mayor provided a response.
13. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Gaertner recognized that November 13-19, 2021, is Transgender
Awareness Week, followed by the Transgender Day of Remembrance on
November 20, 2021.
Mayor Mrakas announced the following activities and events in Aurora:
The Town's overnight winter parking restrictions are in effect from November
15, 2021 to April 15, 2022; visit aurora.ca/winterparking for more information.
Anyone who receives a parking ticket from now until December 13, 2021, can
pay their fine by donating new, unwrapped children's toys or gift cards.
Aurora's Santa Under the Stars Parade will be held on Yonge Street on
November 27, 2021; visit aurora.ca/santaparade for more details.
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The Town's Menorah Lighting Ceremony will take place on December 1, 2021,
and everyone is welcome to join the festivities.
Aurora's Accessibility Advisory Committee is seeking public input from
residents, employees, visitors, and local businesses on how to improve
accessibility in Aurora; visit engageaurora.ca/accessibleaurora.
Aurora is switching to a ward system in the municipal election of October
2022, noting that residents will be voting for a mayor and one ward councillor;
visit aurora.ca/wards for more information.
Councillor Humfryes announced that a Stuff the Bus Toy Drive will be held at
Machell's Alley in partnership with the Santa Under the Stars Parade from 11 a.m.
to 9 p.m. on November 27, 2021.
14. Closed Session
None.
15. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:41 p.m.