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MINUTES - Special Council - 20111123 TOWN OF AURORA SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING MINUTES Council Chambers Aurora Town Hall Wednesday, November 23, 2011 ATTENDANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mayor Dawe in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Ballard, Buck (arrived at 7:09 p.m.), Gaertner, Gallo, Humfryes (arrived at 7:20 p.m.), Pirri, and Thompson MEMBERS ABSENT None OTHER ATTENDEES Director of Planning and Development Services, Planner, Manager of Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk, and Council/Committee Secretary Mayor Dawe called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. I DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. II APPROVAL OF AGENDA Moved by Councillor Ballard Seconded by Councillor Abel THAT the agenda as circulated by the Customer and Legislative Services Department, with the following addition, be approved as amended:  Item 2 – Correspondence from Heather Konefat, Director, Community Planning, York Region Re: Item 1 – PL11-057 – Applications to Amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law, 1623 Wellington Street Developments Limited, 1623 Wellington Street East, Files: D09-02-11 and D14-06-11 CARRIED III PLANNING APPLICATION Mayor Dawe outlined the procedures that would be followed in the conduct of the public meeting. The Deputy Clerk confirmed that the appropriate notice had been given in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Planning Act. 1. PL11-057 – Applications to Amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law 1623 Wellington Street Developments Limited 1623 Wellington Street East Files: D09-02-11 and D14-06-11 Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 23, 2011 Page 2 of 4 Planning Staff Ms Deborah Giannetta, Planner, provided a description of the applications and reviewed the contents of the staff report. She advised that the applicant proposes development of the subject lands, located on the south side of Wellington Street East between Highway 404 and Leslie Street, to include four mid-rise office buildings and nine one-storey retail commercial buildings. Ms Giannetta provided background details of the applications, including surrounding land uses, Official Plan designations and zoning of the subject property, and the proposed site development. She reported that a preliminary review of the proposed amendment applications by staff identified issues that would be addressed in greater detail, and that staff would undertake a technical review of the subject applications to address the issues and any comments received at this meeting. Ms Giannetta advised that a comprehensive report with recommendations and options would be presented for Council’s consideration and direction at a future General Committee meeting. Applicant/Agent Mr. Russell Fleischer, Principal of Turner Fleischer Architects Inc., architects for the design and site planning, and representing SmartCentres, introduced the team members who were present to answer questions if needed: Josh Kaufman and Elaine Sui of SmartCentres; Wendy Nott of Walker, Nott, Dragicevic Associates Limited respecting planning issues; Paul Husson of Pitura Husson Limited respecting site servicing and engineering; Lee Parsons of Malone Given Parsons Ltd. respecting the market sector; Peter Ilias of Transtech respecting traffic; and John Alati of Davies Howe Partners LLP as the legal representative. Mr. Fleischer explained the vision for the site, which includes responding to both the opportunity and importance of the location, and is believed to be consistent with Aurora’s goal of establishing a sustainable economic gateway to the Town. He presented illustrations of various approaches to the site and the overall site plan, which he said would mimic the theme of the north side of Wellington Street East, with a mix of office and retail spaces, pedestrian walkways and landscaping. Ms Wendy Nott, Senior Principal of Walker, Nott, Dragicevic Associates Limited, presented an overview of the planning background to the application, which seeks to increase the amount of permitted retail uses within the “Business Park” designation. She reviewed the proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments and, noting there would be no ‘big box’ users on the site, said that limitations on store sizes and total gross floor area would be included in the by-law. Ms Nott remarked on the strategic importance of the subject lands and suggested that providing a higher intensity employment area by combining commercial retail and office jobs would be an appropriate form of development for this area. She noted the estimated employment density of the proposed office and retail development is 100 jobs per gross hectare, double the minimum target set for the OPA 30 lands, and that approximately 400 commercial retail jobs could be generated by this development. Ms Nott said the proposed development would contribute to the Town’s short- and long-term assessment base and the commercial uses would significantly serve the employment area, offer convenience for residents, and perhaps reduce their travel for shopping needs. She referred to the findings of their consultant’s retail market study, which confirmed the demand for retail space and showed that the proposed retail component would fill a retail gap, stop the outflow of commercial shopping dollars to other areas of the region, add to the marketability of office uses as a convenience factor for employees, and would not negatively impact other commercial retail areas in Aurora. Public Comments No members of the public came forward. Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 23, 2011 Page 3 of 4 Moved by Councillor Pirri Seconded by Councillor Abel THAT the Public Planning Meeting report PL11-057 for Official Plan and Zoning Amendment Applications, 1623 Wellington Street Developments Limited, Files D09-02-11 and D14-06-11 be received; and THAT comments presented at the Public Planning Meeting be addressed by the Planning and Development Services Department in a comprehensive report outlining recommendations and options at a future Special Council Meeting. DEFEATED Moved by Councillor Ballard Seconded by Councillor Gallo THAT the Public Planning Meeting report PL11-057 for Official Plan and Zoning Amendment Applications, 1623 Wellington Street Developments Limited, Files D09-02-11 and D14-06-11 be received; and THAT comments presented at the Public Planning Meeting be addressed by the Planning and Development Services Department in a comprehensive report outlining options at a future Public Planning Meeting. CARRIED 2. Correspondence from Heather Konefat, Director, Community Planning, York Region Re: Item 1 – PL11-057 – Applications to Amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law 1623 Wellington Street Developments Limited 1623 Wellington Street East Files: D09-02-11 and D14-06-11 Moved by Councillor Abel Seconded by Councillor Gallo THAT the correspondence from Heather Konefat Director, Community Planning, York Region, regarding Item 1 – PL11-057 be received for information. CARRIED IV READING OF BY-LAW Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Abel THAT the following listed by-law be given first, second, and third readings and enacted: 5386-11 BEING A BY-LAW to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting from Special Council – Public Planning Meeting 11-34 held on November 23, 2011 CARRIED Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 23, 2011 Page 4 of 4 V ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Ballard THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:48 p.m. CARRIED GEOFFREY DAWE, MAYOR CINDY JANZEN, DEPUTY CLERK THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING OF NOVEMBER 23, 2011 RECEIVED FINAL APPROVAL AT COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 13, 2011.