MINUTES - General Committee - 20220419 1
Town of Aurora
General Committee
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Councillor Harold Kim (Chair)
Councillor Wendy Gaertner (arrived at 7:15 p.m.)
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor Sandra Humfryes
Mayor Tom Mrakas
Members Absent: Councillor Michael Thompson
Councillor John Gallo
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
Marco Ramunno, Director of Planning and Development Services
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director of Finance
Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor
Carley Smith, Manager, Corporate Communications*
Lisa Hausz, Manager, Economic Development and Policy*
Anca Mihail, Manager, Engineering Services*
Stephen Corr, Senior Development Planner*
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Ishita Soneji, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
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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 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
None.
7. Consent Agenda
None.
8. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
8.1 Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 4, 2022
General Committee recommends:
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 4,
2022, be received for information.
Carried
9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
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9.1 PDS22-050 - Downtown Aurora BIA 2021 Annual Report and 2022 Budget
Joanne Russo, Chair, Aurora Business Improvement Association (BIA)
Board, presented an overview of the 2022 Aurora BIA Budget and Plan
highlighting details on the 2021 accomplishments, recap of the 2021
budget, and the proposed 2022 budget and business plan. She further
provided details on the scheduled ongoing and upcoming events in 2022.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS22-050 be received; and
2. That the Aurora Business Improvement Association’s (BIA) 2021
audited financial statements, attached as Attachment 2 be received;
and
3. That the 2022 Business Plan and Budget attached as Attachment 4 for
the Aurora BIA be approved; and
4. That a special 2022 tax levy of BIA members of $37,269 be approved
in support of the 2022 Business Plan.
Carried
9.2 PDS22-033 - Applications for Official Plan Amendment, 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 Number:
OPA-2021-03, ZBA-2021-03 and SP-2021-07
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS22-033 be received; and
2. That Official Plan Amendment application OPA-2021-03 (2766872
Ontario Inc.) be approved to:
a. Amend Schedule ‘H’ (Site Specific Policy Areas) and section 16 of
the Official Plan to identify a new Site-Specific Policy Area with
policies to permit an apartment building containing residential uses
at or below grade and having a maximum height of 23.54 metres;
being 6-storeys along Yonge Street and 8-storeys at the building
rear; and
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b. Schedule ‘A’ of the Official Plan (Structure Plan) to redesignate a
portion of the subject lands from ‘Private Parkland’ to ‘The Aurora
Promenade’; and
3. That the Zoning By-law Amendment Application File: ZBA 2021-03
(2766872 Ontario Inc.) be approved, including the proposed increase in
height in exchange for the proposed community benefits as discussed
herein; and
4. 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
5. That Site Plan Application File: SP-2020-07 (2766872 Ontario Inc.) be
approved to permit the development of a six-storey residential
apartment building with 136 units; and
6. That servicing allocation be allocated to service the development with
136 apartment units (265 persons equivalent).
Carried
9.3 PDS22-020 - Train Whistle Cessation Program Update
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS22-020 be referred back to staff.
Motion to refer
Carried
9.4 OPS22-004 - Municipal Tree Removal Request for 152 Willis Drive, Aurora
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS22-004 be received; and
2. That the tree located at 152 Willis Drive remain in place.
Carried
9.5 FIN22-012 - Financial System Project Update
General Committee recommends:
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1. That Report No. FIN22-012 be received; and
2. That the capital budget authority for the Financial System
Replacement project 14012 be increased by $986,000 for a total
budget of $2,486,000 and the project funding be revised as shown in
Table 1 in this report be approved; and
3. That a transfer of $293,000 from the Tax Rate Stabilization reserve to
the Information Technology Repair and Replacement reserve be
approved.
Carried
9.6 OPS22-005 - Town Owned Light Standards for Displaying Banner Flags at
St. Andrew’s College
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS22-005 be received; and
2. That St. Andrew’s College be authorized to continue to display its
banner signs on the Town-owned light standards that abut 15800 &
15900 Yonge Street in accordance with section 3.5 of By-law No. 5840-
16 for two terms of five (5) years each.
Carried
9.7 PDS22-053 - Application for Draft Plan of Condominium, Sixfive (ETS) GP
Inc. on behalf of 45 ETS Limited Partnership, 45 Eric T Smith Way, PT BLK
11, PL 65M-4324, PART 3 PLAN 65R35964, File Number: CDM-2021-01,
Related File Number: SP-2021-01
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS22-053 be received; and
2. That the Draft Plan of Condominium File Number CDM-2021-01 to
establish a Standard Condominium tenure for 20 industrial units, be
approved, subject to the conditions attached hereto as Schedule “A” of
this report.
Carried
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9.8 PDS22-040 - Heritage Permit Application, File: HPA-2022-02, 85 Catherine
Avenue
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS22-040 be received; and
2. That Heritage Permit Application HPA-2022-02 be approved to permit
a two-storey addition with an integral tandem garage to the existing
dwelling at 85 Catherine Avenue.
Carried
10. Notices of Motion
10.1 Councillor Gaertner; Re: Black History Month 2023
Whereas Canada has designated February as Black History Month; and
Whereas the Town of Aurora endorsed York Region’s Inclusion Charter
and supports its’ goal of diversity, equity, and inclusion; and
Whereas the Town of Aurora approved a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Strategic Plan;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Council directs all of the
applicable departments to come together in consultation with local
community organizations to support and promote a program for
February 2023.
10.2 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Phragmites Remediation
Whereas phragmites has been recognized as one of Canada’s worst
invasive plants that threaten the existence of meaningful wetlands and
ecosystems; and
Whereas wetlands are vital ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity,
purifying water, reducing flooding, and are an identified asset to help fight
against climate change; and
Whereas phragmites is known to thrive in our wetlands causing all other
life to be choked out by outcompeting native wetland plants, leaving frogs
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and turtles without vital habitat, and blocking shoreline views and access;
and
Whereas phragmites has been identified as a known threat in Aurora such
as the Arboretum, Mackenzie Marsh, Salamander Pond, and the Dave
Tomlinson Nature Reserve;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff report back to Council
with an information report identifying phragmites areas of concern and
recommendations on remediation.
11. Regional Report
11.1 York Region Council Highlights of March 24, 2022
General Committee recommends:
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of March 24, 2022, be
received for information.
Carried
12. New Business
Councillor Gaertner requested an update on the Pending List and staff advised
that it will be brought to a future meeting before the end of the Council term.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about the status of the retaining wall maintenance
between Rachewood Court and Underhill Crescent, and staff noted a report is
forthcoming.
Mayor Mrakas inquired about the availability of supply kits for the upcoming
Aurora Community Cleanup Day, and staff advised that cleanup kits will be
available for pick up at the Joint Operations Centre on Wednesday, April 20, 2022
from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and at Town Park on Saturday, April 23, 2022 from 8 a.m.
to 10 a.m.
13. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Gilliland announced that the Toronto Region Conservation Authority is
hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. regarding LDD
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Moth Ecology and Management Options, and noted that more information
regarding LDD species is available at aurora.ca/ldd.
Councillor Gilliland extended a reminder that the Aurora Community Cleanup Day
will take place on Saturday, April 23, 2022 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. noting more
information on registration is available at aurora.ca/cleanup.
Councillor Gilliland encouraged everyone to visit the Aurora Cultural Centre
events page for information on various programs and events.
Councillor Humfryes announced that the Wine & Cheese Night - Aurora's Hope
Boutique pop up shop event will be held at the Royal Rose Gallery on Thursday,
April 28, 2022, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. noting that all proceeds will go to the Abuse
Hurts organization.
Mayor Mrakas announced the following updates and activities in Aurora:
Aurora's Art Show & Sale, in partnership with the Society of York Region
Artists will be held on April 30 and May 1, 2022 at the Aurora Town Hall; visit
aurora.ca/artshow for more details.
The Electronic Vehicle Showcase will be held at the Stronach Aurora
Recreation Complex on Sunday, May 1, 2022; visit aurora.ca/evshowcase for
more details.
The annual Aurora Chamber Home & Living Show will be held on Saturday,
April 23, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday April 24, 2022, from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex, noting that admission
is free.
14. Closed Session
None.
15. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m.