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MINUTES - Public Planning - 20131127 TOWN OF AURORA SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING MINUTES Council Chambers Aurora Town Hall Wednesday, November 27, 2013 ATTENDANCE COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Dawe in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Ballard, Buck, Gaertner, Gallo, Humfryes (arrived 7:21 p.m.), Pirri (arrived 7:04 p.m.), and Thompson MEMBERS ABSENT None OTHER ATTENDEES Director of Planning and Development Services, Deputy Clerk/Manager of Administration, Planner, and Council/Committee Secretary Mayor Dawe called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 1. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE THEREOF There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Moved by Councillor Gaertner Seconded by Councillor Abel THAT the agenda as circulated by the Customer and Legislative Services Department, with the following additions, be approved:  Additional Information to Item 1 – PL13-067 Attachment – Appendix 1 – Joint meeting minutes of January 24, 2013 (Environmental Advisory Committee, Trails and Active Transportation Committee, and Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee)  Additional Information to Item 2 – PL13-087 and Item 3 – PL13-088 Memorandum from the Director of Planning and Development Services Re: Public Planning Meeting Staff Reports, November 27, 2013 Revision to Report Numbers PL13-087 and PL13-088 CARRIED 3. PLANNING APPLICATIONS 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. Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 27, 2013 Page 2 of 6 1. PL13-067 – Application to Amend the Zoning By-law The Alpen House Holdings Limited 14695-14875 Bayview Avenue File: D14-10-12 Planning Staff Mr. Marco Ramunno, the Director of Planning and Development Services, noted that a statutory Public Planning meeting was held on November 28, 2012 regarding this item and the direction from Council was to report back with a comprehensive report and recommendation. He introduced Mr. Mark Schollen to provide the presentation. Applicant/Agent Mr. Mark Schollen, Principal of Schollen & Company Inc., presented a status update of the Stronach ‘Legacy’ Eco-Park proposal including changes that have been made in response to comments heard from Council, various committees of Council, and the public. He presented the revised master plan, elements of the design refinement, key modifications, the design process toward generating the final site plan, and the next steps of the implementation program. Public Comments Ms. Judy Gilchrist, resident of 70 Milloy Place, expressed concerns with the proposal regarding the minimal attention paid to the intent of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan toward maintaining and enhancing ecological integrity. She noted other concerns regarding the inclusion of an education facility and its impact on other school outreach facilities, the lack of imagination and foresight in protecting natural areas for future generations, the mono-culture of the soccer fields, species at risk, and the diversity of species. Ms. Gilchrist urged Council to think past the immediate application and consider the future. Applicant/Agent Mr. Schollen stated that they are committed to continue working with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Ministry of Natural Resources to ensure that the ecological integrity of the site is maintained and enhanced, and with Town staff regarding the recreational components. Moved by Councillor Pirri Seconded by Councillor Abel THAT report PL13-067 be received; and THAT Zoning By-law Amendment file D14-10-12 (The Alpen House Holdings Limited) be approved, to zone the subject lands from Oak Ridges Moraine Rural Exception Zone 3 “RU-3-ORM” to “O”- Major Open Space Exception Zone and “EP” – Environmental Protection Exception Zone (subject to a Holding symbol “H”) to permit a private park with passive and active educational and recreational opportunities; and THAT The Holding Symbol “H” shall be lifted upon the approval of a site plan for the development of the lands, a permit obtained from LSRCA and the requirements of the Endangered Species Act being fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Ministry of Natural Resources. On a recorded vote the motion CARRIED. YEAS: 6 NAYS: 3 VOTING YEAS: Councillors Abel, Buck, Humfryes, Pirri, Thompson and Mayor Dawe VOTING NAYS: Councillors Ballard, Gaertner, and Gallo Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 27, 2013 Page 3 of 6 2. PL13-087 – Zoning By-law Amendment Application Farid Ameryoun 118 Wellington Street East Lot 2, Registered Plan 107 File: D14-19-08 Planning Staff The Planner, Mr. Drew MacMartin, provided a brief overview of the application and staff report, stating that the applicant is proposing to rezone the subject lands from “Special Mixed Density (R5) Zone” to a site specific “Special Mixed Density Residential (R5-xx) Exception Zone” which would permit business and professional office and personal service shop uses with appropriate exceptions to the development standards on the subject lands. He noted that the existing designated heritage building will be maintained on the lands and five parking spaces are proposed in the rear yard accessing Centre Street. Mr. MacMartin reviewed the surrounding land uses and the current designations and zoning of the subject lands. He noted that staff will undertake a technical review of the application to address the matters outlined in the staff report, as well as any comments received from the public and Council at the Public Planning meeting. Mr. MacMartin stated that a comprehensive staff report with recommendations will be presented to Council for consideration and direction at a future General Committee meeting. Applicant/Agent Mr. Bruce Hall, agent for the applicant, noted that the property, including a modest 1-1/2 storey designated heritage structure originally proposed for demolition by the previous owner, was purchased by Mr. Ameryoun with the intent of restoring the original heritage character, for which he has received a heritage award from the Town, and creating a functional, revenue-generating property. Mr. Hall stated that the rezoning proposal to permit a broader range of commercial uses is consistent with the previous and current policy framework and suggested possible uses that would enhance and add to the vitality of the area. He advised they are in the process of preparing a full site plan, including landscape and grading plans, to be submitted within the next month, noting that Mr. Ameryoun is in agreement with providing a fence on the property as suggested, subject to the consent of the adjacent landowner. Public Comments No members of the public came forward. Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Ballard THAT report PL13-087 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 General Committee Meeting. CARRIED 3. PL13-088 – Official Plan Amendment, Draft Plan of Subdivision, and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications Pandolfo et al. 14070 Yonge Street Lot 8 & Pt. Lots 20 & 21, Plan 132, Pt. of Lot 73, Con. 1 Files: D09-03-12, D12-03-2A, D14-21-03 Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 27, 2013 Page 4 of 6 Planning Staff The Planner, Mr. Drew MacMartin, noted that the subject applications were first heard on February 27, 2013 and are being brought back with additional information and revisions in accordance with the comments from the previous Public Planning meeting. He provided a brief overview of the revised applications and staff report, and reviewed the surrounding land uses and current designations and zoning of the subject lands. Mr. MacMartin noted that staff will undertake a technical review of the application to address the matters outlined in the staff report, as well as any comments received from the public and Council at the Public Planning meeting. He stated that a comprehensive staff report with recommendations will be presented to Council for consideration and direction at a future General Committee meeting. Applicant/Agent Mr. Gary Templeton, of Templeton Planning Ltd., referred to the Summary of Resident Comments contained on pages 7-8 of staff report PL13-088 and addressed each of the concerns. Public Comments Area residents, including Ron Prieur, Graham Constantine, Clair Prieur, Larry Dekkema, Jennifer Day, Richard Berman, and Tom Vagenas, raised the following concerns regarding: • Amount of foliage and trees, including large white pines, removed • Safety issues regarding proposed stop signs on Ridge Road, stopping distances on grade, especially in wet or winter conditions • Low visibility and sightlines • Ridge Road being narrow, steep, dead-end with ditches on both sides • Traffic Study and different weather conditions • Comments and pressure from York Region to not allow Yonge Street access • Visibility from Ridge Road at Yonge Street • Signage for Ridge Road on Yonge Street • Timing of traffic light installation, if planned • Drainage and flow pattern • Possible widening of Ridge Road and whether the present terrain could support this modification • Design of Street A and how it will intersect with Ridge Road • Definition of “Estate Residential with Special Policy Exception” designation • Close proximity of two Ridge Road driveways to proposed intersection • Notification and presentation of material and up-to-date information • Integrity of the Traffic Study regarding methodology and calculations, and availability of Study attachments • Removal of the Championship Circle Place access option • Emergency access in case of concurrent accident and/or health incidents Applicant/Agent Mr. David Angelakis, Senior Project Manager of R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited, addressed the concerns regarding the access, appropriateness, and control of the proposed intersection, the timing, conditions, and methodology of the Traffic Study, the Region’s comments regarding Yonge Street access, the width of Ridge Road, historical accident reporting, and emergency access. Mr. Steve Schaefer, Principal of SCS Consulting Group Ltd., addressed the drainage concerns. Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 27, 2013 Page 5 of 6 Public Comments Area residents, including Graham Constantine, Jennifer Day, Richard Berman, Ron Prieur, and Tom Vagenas, advised of their concerns regarding: • Stopping distances under wet and winter conditions on Ridge Road • Definition of “Estate Residential with Special Policy Exception” designation • Traffic Study and lack of “P.Eng.” stamp on report • Street A access and how to ascend Ridge Road from that point • Sightlines and driveway distance to proposed intersection • Drainage • Reduction of buffer from 35 meters to 20 meters Applicant/Agent Mr. Schaefer further addressed the drainage concerns, noting they are doing on-site infiltration measures throughout the subdivision in order to maintain the current natural infiltration rate and conditions, which will be incorporated through the design, approved by the Town, and reviewed by the Conservation Authority. Mr. Templeton addressed the concerns regarding the buffer width. Main Motion Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Gallo THAT report PL13-088 be received; and THAT comments presented at the Public Planning Meeting be addressed by the Planning and Development Services in a comprehensive report outlining recommendations and options at a future General Committee Meeting. Moved by Councillor Pirri Seconded by Councillor Abel THAT the Procedural By-law be waived to extend the hour. CARRIED Amendment Moved by Councillor Ballard Seconded by Councillor Gallo THAT staff be requested to report back to a future Public Planning meeting on the feasibility of a westbound turning lane on Ridge Road into the development and on further discussions with York Region regarding right-in/right-out access on Yonge Street; and THAT staff report back on the possibility of access to Champion Circle Place; and THAT comments presented at the Public Planning Meeting be addressed by the Planning and Development Services in a comprehensive report outlining recommendations and options at a future Public Planning Meeting. DEFEATED Amendment Moved by Councillor Humfryes Seconded by Councillor Gaertner THAT comments presented at the Public Planning Meeting be addressed by the Planning and Development Services in a comprehensive report outlining recommendations and options at a future Public Planning Meeting. CARRIED Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 27, 2013 Page 6 of 6 Main Motion as Amended Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Gallo THAT report PL13-088 be received; and THAT comments presented at the Public Planning Meeting be addressed by the Planning and Development Services in a comprehensive report outlining recommendations and options at a future Public Planning Meeting. CARRIED 4. READING OF BY-LAW Moved by Councillor Buck Seconded by Councillor Abel THAT the following confirming by-law be given first, second, and third readings and enacted: 5563-13 BEING A BY-LAW to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting from Special Council – Public Planning Meeting on November 27, 2013 CARRIED 5. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor Pirri Seconded by Councillor Gaertner THAT the meeting be adjourned at 10:50 p.m. CARRIED ________________________________ ________________________________ GEOFFREY DAWE, MAYOR CINDY MAHER, DEPUTY CLERK THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING OF NOVEMBER 27, 2013 RECEIVED FINAL APPROVAL BY COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 10, 2013.