MINUTES - General Committee - 20230606
Town of Aurora
General Committee
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas*
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor Wendy Gaertner
Councillor Michael Thompson
Councillor John Gallo
Councillor Harold Kim (Chair)
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
Robin McDougall, Director, Community Services
Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director, Finance
Sara Tienkamp, Director, Operational Services
Patricia De Sario, Director, Corporate Services/Town Solicitor
Daniel Bitonti, Acting Manager, Corporate Communications*
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Palak Mehta, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
General Committee consented to recess the meeting at 9:28 p.m. and
reconvened the meeting at 9:40 p.m.
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June 6, 2023 2
2. Land Acknowledgement
General Committee acknowledged that the meeting took place on Anishinaabe
lands, the traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island,
recognizing the many other Nations whose presence here continues to this day,
the special relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this
territory, and that Aurora has shared responsibility for the stewardship of these
lands and waters. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
General Committee approved the revised 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
5.1 Javed S. Khan, President and Chair, and Wendy Browne, Chair, Induction
Committee, Aurora Sports Hall of Fame; Re: Aurora Sports Hall of Fame -
Introducing the 2023 Class of Inductees
General Committee consented to allow fifteen minutes for the
presentation.
Javed S. Khan and Wendy Browne announced the 2023 Class of Inductees
to the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame: Laurie Buckland, Builder/Contributor
(Golf), Charles Leeming, Athlete (Hockey), Frank "Pete" Machell, Athlete
(Lacrosse), Jim Thomson, Athlete (Hockey). An invitation was extended to
all to attend the Induction Celebration Dinner on November 2, 2023, at the
Royal Venetian Mansion.
The Aurora Sports Hall of Fame Celebrity Golf Classic will be held on
Wednesday June 21, 2023 at the Pheasant Run Golf Club; visit
auroraashof.ca for more information.
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June 6, 2023 3
General Committee received the presentation for information.
5.2 Koren Kim and Sumaya Chaudary, Aurora's Youth Engagement Committee;
Re: Youth Engagement Committee 2022-2023 - End of Term Update
Koren Kim and Sumaya Chaudary, representing Aurora's Youth
Engagement Committee, provided an update including how the committee
promotes volunteerism, community initiatives, creates youth engagement
opportunities, builds connections, and how youth can get involved.
General Committee received the presentation for information.
6. Delegations
6.1 Paul Oberst, Heritage Consultant; Re: Item 9.3 - PDS23-079 - Request to
Remove 28 Wells Street from the Aurora Register of Properties of Cultural
Heritage Value or Interest
Paul Oberst expressed concerns regarding a possible Heritage
designation of 28 Wells Street and provided information regarding its
historical value with respect to Ontario Regulation 9/06, noting its
architectural changes, additions, and renovations.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.3.
6.2 Maria Ceresino, Resident (written delegation); Re: Item 9.3 - PDS23-079 -
Request to Remove 28 Wells Street from the Aurora Register of Properties
of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
Maria Ceresino requested Council’s support for the de-listing of 28 Wells
Street and indicated that the property does not possess the
characteristics required for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.3.
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June 6, 2023 4
6.3 Javed S. Khan, President and Chair, Aurora Sports Hall of Fame; Re: Item
9.2 - CMS23-024 - SARC Gymnasium Addition - Capital Project Award
Javed S. Khan spoke in support of the staff report and expressed the
immense value the project could bring to the sport and recreation
community, including the well-being and health of residents, offering
additional opportunities and space for various sports and recreational
activities.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.2.
6.4 Mark Yarranton, KLM Planning Partners; Re: Item 9.6 - PDS23-080 -
Application for Zoning By-law Amendment, 2351528 Ontario Limited and
Aurora Leslie Developments Limited, 20-85 Monarch Park Gate, 25-455
Addison Hall Circle (w/o 355 Addison Hall Circle)
Mark Yarranton, KLM Planning Partners, agent on behalf of the Applicant,
spoke in support of the staff report.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.6.
7. Consent Agenda
7.1 Memorandum from Councillor Thompson; Re: Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of April 28, 2023
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Board Meeting Highlights of April 28, 2023, be received for
information.
Carried
8. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
General Committee recommends:
That the Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, items 8.1 to 8.4 inclusive, be
received for information.
Carried
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June 6, 2023 5
8.1 Council Compensation Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Minutes of May 8, 2023
1. That the Council Compensation Ad Hoc Committee meeting minutes
of May 8, 2023, be received for information.
Carried
8.2 Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 9, 2023
1. That the Finance Advisory Committee meeting minutes of May 9,
2023, be received for information.
Carried
8.3 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 10, 2023
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of May
10, 2023, be received for information.
Carried
8.4 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 15, 2023
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of May
15, 2023, be received for information.
Carried
9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
9.1 CMS23-021 - Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2023 - Final Plan
Presentation
Steve Langlois, Monteith Brown Planning Consultants, presented an
overview of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan including key themes,
public engagement opportunities, and community survey insights.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS23-021 be received; and
2. That Council endorse the recommendations contained in the attached
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2023-2027.
Carried
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June 6, 2023 6
9.2 CMS23-024 - SARC Gymnasium Addition - Capital Project Award
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS23-024 be received; and
2. That total capital budget authority for capital project No. 72410 –
SARC Gymnasium of $14,101,400 be approved, representing an
increase of $2,976,400 to be funded from $2,828,900 in additional
Parks & Recreation DCs and $147,500 from the Facility Asset
Management reserve; and
3. That in accordance with the Town of Aurora’s Official Plan, a further
$27,000 be contributed to the Public Art reserve fund, to maintain the
required one percent of the total revised project cost be approved; and
4. That staff be authorized to proceed to award the project contract in
accordance with procurement procedures; and
5. That Council delegate authority to the CAO to approve contract
amendments, which require Council approval under the Procurement
Policy, for the consulting services related to the SARC addition project.
Defeated
1. That Report No. CMS23-024 be received for information.
Carried
9.3 PDS23-079 - Request to Remove 28 Wells Street from the Aurora Register
of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS23-079 be received; and
2. That, due to limitations on properties remaining “listed” on municipal
Heritage Registers as a result of Provincial Bill 23, Council direct staff
to remove 28 Wells Street from the Aurora Register of Properties of
Cultural Heritage Value or Interest.
Carried
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June 6, 2023 7
9.4 PDS23-078 - Heritage Permit Application HPA-2023-04 - 19 Catherine
Avenue
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS23-078 be received; and
2. That Heritage Permit Application HPA-2023-04 be approved to permit
a rear addition at 19 Catherine Avenue.
Carried
9.5 FIN23-023 - 2024 Budget Timeline and Process
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN23-023 be received; and
2. That the proposed budget timeline as detailed in Table 2 be approved.
Carried
9.6 PDS23-080 - Application for Zoning By-law Amendment, 2351528 Ontario
Limited and Aurora Leslie Developments Limited, 20-85 Monarch Park Gate,
25-455 Addison Hall Circle (w/o 355 Addison Hall Circle) Blocks 1-32,
Registered Plan of Subdivision 65M-4650, File Number: ZBA-2022-03
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS23-080 be received; and
2. That Zoning By-law Amendment application ZBA-2022-03 be approved
to permit warehouse as a principal use within 200 metres of Highway
404 and to permit accessory uses for all principal uses subject to size
provisions on the subject lands; and
3. That the implementing Zoning By-law Amendment be brought forward
to a future Council meeting for enactment.
Carried
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June 6, 2023 8
9.7 OPS23-011 - Blue Box Transition Update
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS23-011 be received; and
2. That the Town of Aurora does not pursue Circular Materials Ontario’s
(CMO) Requests for Proposals (RFP) for residence and facility
collection of Blue Box materials on behalf of Producers post-transition;
and
3. That staff be authorized to negotiate and execute Agreement(s) with
CMO and Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs), for scopes of
work related to Blue Box services, if required, to ensure continuity of
services to residents, within existing budget and at full cost recovery,
in each case; and
4. That staff be authorized to negotiate and execute an amendment to
Waste Contract CRFP2016-02 with GFL Environmental Inc. (GFL), to
reflect the removal of Blue Box collection services on terms
acceptable to the Director of Operations; and
5. That staff be authorized to negotiate and execute an amendment to
Waste Contract CRFP2016-02 with GFL Environmental Inc. (GFL) to
maintain recycling collection services to select locations (i.e., BIAs,
municipal facilities, etc.) that will not be serviced by PROs post-
transition; and
6. That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give
effect to this resolution.
Carried
10. Notices of Motion
10.1 Mayor Mrakas; Re: Eliminating Minimum Parking Requirements for New
Residential Developments
Whereas the Aurora Promenade is recognized as the downtown of Aurora,
and is planned to accommodate growth in a vibrant and mixed-use
manner that emphasizes walkability and local access to services and
amenities; and
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June 6, 2023 9
Whereas the Aurora GO Station MTSA is planned to accommodate a
proposed minimum density of 150 people and jobs per hectare as part of
creating housing opportunities in close proximity to higher order transit;
and
Whereas the Town of Aurora Official Plan already contains policies that
encourage the use of alternative and reduced parking requirements
specifically for along Yonge Street and Wellington Street; and
Whereas according to the Residential Construction Council of Ontario
(RESCON) the cost of constructing below-grade parking in residential
condominiums and apartments has increased significantly over the past
decade, with these costs being passed onto unit owners and in turn
negatively impacting housing affordability; and
Whereas the construction of underground parking adds more time to the
already lengthy and complex process of constructing higher density
buildings; and
Whereas an emerging trend across the Greater Toronto Area is that new
condo projects are being left with parking spaces being unsold, and that
there is a pattern of overbuilding parking in new higher density residential
developments due to outdated zoning requirements; and
Whereas reducing parking requirements will improve the livability of the
Town overall by creating healthier communities, reducing greenhouse gas
emissions, and creating space to improve conditions for transit, walking
and cycling; and
Whereas the sustainability and complete community policies of the
Provincial Policy Statement, Growth Plan, York Region Official Plan and
the Town are strengthened by being able to reduce parking requirements;
and
Whereas the Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force recommends
removing minimum parking requirements as they are outdated municipal
requirements that increase the cost of housing and are increasingly less
relevant with public transit and ride share services;
1. Now Therefore Be it Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to
evaluate options for eliminating minimum parking requirements for
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June 6, 2023 10
new residential developments within the Aurora Promenade and GO
Major Transit Station Area; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That any new residential development within
the Aurora Promenade and GO Major Transit Station Area require auto
share and bike share programs; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That staff report back to Council with the
appropriate actions to implement these directions, including the
necessary updates to the Town’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law 6000-
17.
11. Regional Report
11.1 York Regional Council Highlights of May 18, 2023
General Committee recommends:
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of May 18, 2023, be received
for information.
Carried
12. New Business
Councillor Weese inquired about the Zoning By-law Amendment Application (File
Number: ZBA-2022-04) regarding the proposed Men's Emergency and
Transitional Housing facility at 14452 Yonge Street previously discussed at the
Public Planning meeting on January 24, 2023 and whether a second Public
Planning meeting would be scheduled.
Councillor Gilliland recognized that May 20, 2023 was World Bee Day and the
Environmental Advisory Committee had inquired about future opportunities to
provide seeds for pollinators and education initiatives at upcoming farmers
markets in the community.
Councillor Gilliland also inquired about parking on Yonge Street in front of
residential homes and the delineating of parking spots. Staff advised that an
update would be provided at a future meeting.
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June 6, 2023 11
Councillor Gilliland inquired about the crosswalk analysis at Aurora Heights and
associated data. Staff advised that the study is ongoing and would be brought to
a future meeting.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about whether the proposed shelter was intended to
be "transitional" as opposed to "emergency" or both and asked that staff provide
clarification.
Councillor Kim inquired about public garbage bins being used for household
garbage and whether there are any deterrents.
Councillor Thompson thanked Sara Tienkamp, Director, Operations, regarding the
removal of oil drums on Wellington Street and appreciated the efforts of staff.
Councillor Gallo inquired about the rationale for the frequency of meetings with
respect to the Heritage Advisory Committee.
13. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Gaertner acknowledged flag raising events in the community to
celebrate Pride Month and Seniors.
Councillor Gilliland announced the following activities and events:
Concerts in the Park will be held Wednesday nights on June 21, July 5, 12, 19,
and 26, and August 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; visit
aurora.ca/summerconcerts for more details.
A Community Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at the
Aurora Community Centre from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; visit
aurora.ca/garbage for more details.
The Aurora Cultural Centre will present "Pre-Concert Talk with Rick Phillips" a
performing arts event on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at the Trinity Anglican
Church; visit aurora.culturalcentre.ca/events for more details.
The Royal Rose Art Gallery will present a "York Regional High School Teacher
Art Exhibit" from May 25 to June 30; visit royralroseart.ca/events for more
details.
The Aurora Historical Society is fundraising in support of Hillary House
National Historic Site at Westview Golf Club on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 2
p.m. visit aurorahs.com/ahs-golf-tournament for more details.
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June 6, 2023 12
June is National Indigenous History month; visit aurora.ca/indigenouspeople
for more details.
Councillor Weese thanked the Chamber of Commerce for hosting its 27th Annual
Street Festival.
Councillor Weese also advised that Council took part in the grand opening
celebration of Highland Gate Central Park.
Councillor Kim congratulated Patricia De Sario on her new position as Director,
Corporate Services/Town Solicitor.
14. Closed Session
None.
15. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:33 p.m.