MINUTES - General Committee - 20220215 1
Town of Aurora
General Committee
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Councillor Rachel Gilliland (Chair)
Mayor Tom Mrakas
Councillor Wendy Gaertner*
Councillor John Gallo*
Councillor Sandra Humfryes
Councillor Harold Kim
Councillor Michael Thompson
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
Allan Downey, Director of Operations*
Robin McDougall, Director of Community Services*
Lisa Hausz, Acting Director, Planning and Development
Services*
Techa van Leeuwen, Director of Corporate Services*
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director of Finance*
Carley Smith, Manager, Corporate Communications*
Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor*
Anna Henriques, Manager, Development Planning*
Rosanna Punit, Planner*
Mat Zawada, Accessibility Advisor*
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Samantha Yew, Deputy Town Clerk
Ishita Soneji, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
2
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
General Committee consented to recess the meeting at 8:55 p.m. and
reconvened the meeting at 9:06 p.m.
General Committee consented to extend the hour past 10:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement
General Committee acknowledged that the meeting took place on the traditional
territory of the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat 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 on a two-thirds majority vote to further include Delegations 6.5, 6.6, and
6.7 on the agenda.
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
5.1 Brian North, representing Southlake Foundation; Re: 2022 Nature's
Emporium Run for Southlake
Brian North, on behalf of the Southlake Foundation, presented an overview
of the growth of Southlake Regional Health Centre and services provided
to the community, and invited everyone to participate in the 2022 Nature's
Emporium Run for Southlake to help raise funds to serve the community.
He reviewed details of the four-week virtual event to take place throughout
April and the in-person race/walk to be held on Sunday, April 24, 2022, and
noted that registration is open at runforsouthlake.ca. He further
3
encouraged Mayor Mrakas and Council members to form their team to
help raise funds for the hospital and keep the Mayor's Challenge Cup in
Aurora.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
6. Delegations
General Committee consented to consider Delegation 6.3 prior to Delegation 6.2.
6.1 George Popalis, Resident; Re: Municipal Tree Removal Request
George Popalis expressed concern regarding the municipal crab-apple
tree located in front of his property causing nuisance and damage to his
property and requested that the tree be removed. He further offered
support in the tree removal and replacement process if necessary.
General Committee received the comments of the delegation.
6.2 Wendy Kenyon, Resident; Re: Item 9.1 - PDS22-002 - Applications for Zoning
By-law Amendment and Site Plan Control, L&B Aurora Inc., North East
Quadrant of Wellington Street and John West Way
Wendy Kenyon expressed concerns regarding the proposed development
noting the impacts on the existing wildlife, natural habitats, woodlots, and
ecologically fragile portions of the subject land. She emphasized the need
to preserve the natural features and uphold the Official Plan policies and
the existing zoning of the subject land.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to Item 9.1.
6.3 George Skoulikas, Resident; Re: Item 9.1 - PDS22-002 - Applications for
Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Control, L&B Aurora Inc., North
East Quadrant of Wellington Street and John West Way
George Skoulikas expressed concerns regarding the proposed
development noting that the subject land is a flood plain with high risk of
flooding and soil erosion. He further expressed concerns regarding the
proposed cut and fill and emphasized the need to uphold and preserve the
existing zoning of the subject land and the Official Plan policies. He
4
requested that the comments and concerns expressed by residents at
previous Public Planning meetings be taken into consideration
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to Item 9.1.
6.4 Maricella Sauceda, Resident; Re: Item 9.1 - PDS22-002 - Applications for
Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Control, L&B Aurora Inc., North
East Quadrant of Wellington Street and John West Way
Maricella Sauceda expressed concerns regarding the proposed
development and inconsistencies in the Environment Impact Study
submitted by the applicant noting the lack of mention of snapping turtles
under species at risk. She further emphasized the need to thoroughly
evaluate the existing wildlife and endangered species habitats, and the
need to protect the natural environmental features of the subject land.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
9.1.
6.5 Joanna Fast, Evans Planning, representing L&B Aurora Inc.; Re: Items 9.1
and 9.2 - PDS22-002 and PDS22-026 - Applications for Zoning By-law
Amendment and Site Plan Control, L&B Aurora Inc., North East Quadrant of
Wellington Street and John West Way
Joanna Fast, Evans Planning, presented an overview of the proposed
development to facilitate the construction of a six storey, 150-unit
apartment building on the subject land. She further provided details of the
site plan and contextual plan, proposed land use designation, cut and fill
plan on the site, and environmental features preservation and
management plan. Jean-Christophe De Massaic, Amber Palmer, and John
Fracchioni were present to respond to any questions.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to Items 9.1 and 9.2.
6.6 Don Given, Allyssa Hrynyk, Sarah Kurtz, and Brian Henshaw, representing
Shining Hill Collections Inc.; Re: Item 9.3 - PDS22-032 - Zoning By-law
Amendment, Shining Hill Collections Inc., 306 St. Johns Sideroad West, File
Number: ZBA-2021-02
5
Don Given provided a brief overview of the zoning by-law amendment
application and along with Brian Henshaw, Allyssa Hrynyk, Sarah Kurtz
responded to any questions from the Committee.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to Item 9.3.
6.7 Yevheniya Pokhvalina, Resident; Re: Item 9.1 - PDS22-002 - Applications for
Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Control, L&B Aurora Inc., North
East Quadrant of Wellington Street and John West Way
Yevheniya Pokhvalina, on behalf of the residents on Amberhill Way,
expressed concerns regarding the proposed development noting the
overall impact to the surrounding community. She further expressed
concerns with the building height, possible traffic congestion on
Wellington Street West, and the overall increase in density in the area due
to the development.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to Item 9.1.
7. Consent Agenda
None.
8. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
None.
9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
General Committee consented to consider Items 9.1 and 9.2 together.
9.1 PDS22-002 - Applications for Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan
Control, L&B Aurora Inc., North East Quadrant of Wellington Street and John
West Way, Part Lot 81, Concession 1, Part 4 on Plan 65R-13645, File
Numbers: ZBA-2019-01 and SP-2020-05
9.2 PDS22-026 - Additional Information to Applications for Zoning By-law
Amendment and Site Plan Control, L&B Aurora Inc., North East Quadrant of
6
Wellington Street and John West Way, Part Lot 81, Concession 1, Part 4 on
Plan 65R-13645, File Number: ZBA-2019-01 and SP-2020-05
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report Nos. PDS22-002 and PDS22-026 be received; and
2. That the Zoning By-law Amendment Application File: ZBA 2019-01 be
endorsed in principle, including the proposed increase in height in
exchange for the proposed community benefits as discussed herein;
and
3. That the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment be brought forward to a
future Council meeting for enactment once an agreement has been
executed between the Town and the Owner to secure the proposed
Section 37 community benefits; and
4. That Site Plan Application File: SP-2020-05 be approved in principle to
permit the development of a six-storey residential apartment building
with 150 units; and
5. That servicing allocation be allocated to service the development with
150 apartment units.
Defeated
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report Nos. PDS22-002 and PDS22-026 be received for
information.
Carried
9.3 PDS22-032 - Zoning By-law Amendment, Shining Hill Collections Inc., 306
St. Johns Sideroad West, File Number: ZBA-2021-02
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS22-032 be received; and
2. That the Zoning By-law Amendment Application File: ZBA 2021-02
(Shining Hill Collections Inc.) be approved to rezone a portion of the
subject lands from “Oak Ridges Moraine Rural (RU-ORM)” to
“Institutional Exception Zone” [I (XX)]; and
7
3. That the Zoning By-law Amendment be brought forward to a future
Council meeting for enactment.
Carried
9.4 CMS22-008 - Pet Cemetery – Project Update and Fencing Options
Robin McDougall, Director, Community Services, presented an overview of
the Pet Cemetery Project highlighting the focus of the on-site work for the
next few years including site restoration involving debris removal, stone
restoration, entrance design, and restoring internal pathways. She further
provided details regarding the temporary and permanent perimeter
fencing options, security of the site, future heritage designation options,
and future programming initiatives to obtain archival and historical
context of the existing stones. A video outlining details of the overall
project and work conducted on site was presented.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS22-008 be received; and
2. That staff be directed to pursue historic recognition options for the Pet
Cemetery site; and
3. That staff be directed to include a new capital project in the 2023
budget for Council’s consideration for the construction of permanent
fencing around the Pet Cemetery lands.
Carried
9.5 CS22-007 -Town of Aurora Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2022 – 2026
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CS22-007 be received; and
2. That Council endorse the new Town of Aurora Multi-Year Accessibility
Plan 2022 – 2026.
Carried
10. Notices of Motion
None.
8
11. Regional Report
11.1 York Regional Council Highlights of January 27, 2022
General Committee recommends:
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of January 27, 2022, be
received for information.
Carried
12. New Business
New Business Motion No. 1
General Committee recommends:
That the comments from Delegation 6.1, by George Popalis, regarding municipal
tree removal request, be referred to staff to report back to Council.
Carried
Councillor Gallo referred to the Province’s recently announced changes in the
COVID-19 vaccination proof mandate and inquired if the Town intends to
implement similar regulations at Town facilities, and staff provided a response.
Councillor Gaertner referred to residents' concerns regarding the lack of notice
given to residents regarding a recent appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT)
and emphasized the need for notices to all registered interested parties.
13. Public Service Announcements
Mayor Mrakas announced the following updates and activities in Aurora:
The Town is celebrating Black History Month throughout February noting that
various activities will be held throughout the month such as Paint and Writing
Night hosted by the Aurora Black Community Association on Friday, February
18, 2022, and an all-day screening of Ninth Floor documentary directed by
Mina Shum on Sunday, February 20, 2022; visit aurora.ca/blackhistorymonth
for more details.
9
Aurora's Arctic Adventure will be held from Friday, February 18, 2022, to
Monday, February 21, 2022; visit aurora.ca/arcticadventure for further details
on activities and pre-registration
The Aurora Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) is seeking additional
board members and deadline to apply is Friday, March 4, 2022, at 4:30 p.m.;
visit aurora.ca/aedc for more information
The Town is accepting nominations for the 2022 Community Recognition
Awards and the deadline for nominations is Friday, April 4, 2022; visit
aurora.ca/cra for more information
Councillor Gaertner extended appreciation to Phiona Durrant, representing Aurora
Black Community Association, and Loba Fallah, owner of Bookworms and
Company, who were featured on the CBC radio show hosted by Jill Dempsey.
Councillor Gallo announced that the Diversity on the Ice event as part of the
Black History Month celebrations will be held at Queen's Diamond Jubilee Park
on Sunday, February 20, 2022, at 1:30 p.m.
Councillor Gilliland announced that the Aurora Optimist Club, in partnership with
the Aurora Food Pantry and Joe and Val's No Frills, will be hosting the "Fill the
Freezer" campaign kick-off event in front of the store on Saturday, February 19,
2022, at 11 a.m. She further announced that Joe and Val's No Frills store will be
celebrating their one-year anniversary on this day and will be making a
contribution to the pantry and accepting donations at the register in store for a
week.
Councillor Gilliland announced that the Aurora Optimist Club will be hosting a
mobile food truck for patrons at the 2022 Aurora Arctic Adventure event to raise
funds for the community and encouraged everyone to contribute.
Mayor Mrakas extended a reminder that the Aurora Tigers Jr. A team will be
playing at the Aurora Community Centre on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at 2:30
p.m. and will be the featured game of the week on CHCH-TV. He further noted
that all Aurora Minor Hockey Association players who wear their jerseys will be
granted free entry into the arena and a best sign contest will be conducted at the
game.
10
Mayor Mrakas announced that the Central York Girls Hockey Association "She
Shoots She Saves" fundraising campaign kick-off event will be held on Sunday,
February 20, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Newmarket Lions Hall
outdoor rink.
14. Closed Session
None.
15. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:02 p.m.