MINUTES - Public Planning - 20211012 1
Town of Aurora
Council Public Planning
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Wendy Gaertner*
Councillor John Gallo*
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor Sandra Humfryes* (arrived 7:03 p.m.)
Councillor Harold Kim
Councillor Michael Thompson
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer*
David Waters, Director of Planning and Development Services*
Stephen Corr, Senior Development Planner
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Samantha Yew, Deputy Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Land Acknowledgement
Mayor Mrakas 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. He further noted that Aurora is part of the
treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaties First
Nations and thanked them for sharing the land.
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Council consented to recess the meeting at 7:22 p.m. and reconvened the
meeting at 7:29 p.m.
2. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor
Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Absent (1): Councillor Humfryes
Carried (6 to 0)
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. Planning Applications
The Mayor outlined the procedures that would be followed in the conduct of the
public meeting. The Town Clerk confirmed that the appropriate notice was given
in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Planning Act.
4.1 PDS21-117 - Applications for Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment
and Site Plan Control, 2766872 Ontario Inc., 15296, 15306 and 15314 Yonge
Street
Lots B and C and Part of Lot D, registered Plan 36 and Part of Lots 15 and
16, Registered Plan 246, Town of Aurora, File Numbers: OPA-2021-03,
ZBA-2021-03 and SP-2021-07
Planning Staff
Stephen Corr, Senior Development Planner, presented an overview of the
staff report regarding the Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law
Amendment and Site Plan Control applications, noting the applicant
proposes to permit residential uses/units at grade, increase the building
height to 23.54 metres, increase the number of storeys from six to eight
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(eight storeys at rear only), redesignate the northwest portion of the site
from ‘Private Parkland’ to ‘Upper Downtown’, decrease the amenity space,
and apply site-specific zone standards to permit the proposed apartment
built form.
Applicant/Agent/Consultant
David Farrow, Project Manager for the applicant, Alive Developments Inc.,
noted he was accompanied by his consulting team, including an engineer
and traffic consultant, who were present to answer any questions. Mr.
Farrow presented a brief overview of the proposed development including
location, demolition of the former buildings on the site, surrounding uses,
consultation with neighbourhood residents, and background on the site
plan application. Hoordad Ghandehari, Principal, ICON Architects Inc.,
presented further details including the site plan, landscape design,
building elevations and cross-section, streetscape views and artist
renderings. Naama Blonder, Architect, Urban Designer, Urban Planner,
Smart Density Inc., was also present to answer questions.
Public Comments
Aurora residents Brandon Monti, Elizabeth Keith, and Marcel Gagnier
expressed the following comments:
Concerns regarding:
Water flooding into basements through foundation and floor following
a significant rainfall event
Believes that current grading of excavated site and abandoned
stormwater drainage pipe related to flooding
Town and developer oversight regarding identification of potential
hazards resulting from demolition/excavation of subject property
Capacity of Irwin Avenue stormwater management system to avoid
mass flooding
Proper management of subject property to avoid further issues
Lack of appropriate parking allowance on subject property and
potential negative impact on parking and traffic on surrounding streets
Increased traffic if Irwin Avenue is only access point to subject
property
Construction parking and traffic
Questions regarding:
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Town's solution to water pooling on subject property and basement
flooding on adjacent properties
Whether there is sufficient infrastructure in place to support the
proposed development
Responsibility for compensation of foundation repairs needed and
flood damage
Building step-backs and building height
Whether a light study has been completed
Use of caissons in construction and possible damaging effects
(vibration, water issues) on nearby older structures
Consideration of pre- and post-construction inspections of adjacent
properties and nearby structures
Access to inspection reports
Light mitigation and shrouding during construction period on all sides
abutting residential housing
Town's Noise By-law and option for white noise generation for vehicles
backing up
Degree of public consultation between developer and local area
residents
Whether there are by-law exemptions for construction vehicles
Request for north and west streetscape views of proposed
development and an angular plane analysis for the north elevation
Request for improved parking proposal, driveway access point(s) and
additional traffic calming measures prior to any proposal approval
Planning Staff
Staff addressed the concerns and questions regarding: flooding and
damages, mitigation and water maintenance; light study, light mitigation
and shrouding; impact of construction vibrations; pre- and post-
construction inspections on adjacent properties; construction parking and
transportation plan; Noise By-law; building setbacks, step-backs and
angular plane; construction parking and traffic; and construction
management plan. The Mayor committed to following up with the resident
and Town staff to address and resolve the flooding and water issues.
Applicant/Agent/Consultant
Mr. Ghandehari displayed the requested north and west streetscape and
elevations views of the proposed development.
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Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. That Report No. PDS21-117 be received; and
2. That comments presented at the Public Meeting be addressed by
Planning and Development Services in a report to a future Public
Planning meeting.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor
Humfryes, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Carried (7 to 0)
5. Confirming By-law
5.1 By-law No. 6376-21 Being a By-law to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting
from a Council Public Planning Meeting on October 12, 2021
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Kim, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor
Humfryes, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Carried (7 to 0)
6. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
Carried
Tom Mrakas, Mayor Michael de Rond, Town Clerk