MINUTES - General Committee - 20230307 1
Town of Aurora
General Committee
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, March 7, 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
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
Allan Downey, Director, Operational Services
Robin McDougall, Director, Community Services*
Techa van Leeuwen, Director, Corporate Services
Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director, Finance
Michelle Outar, Communications*
Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.
General Committee consented to recess the meeting at 9 p.m. and reconvened
the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
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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, including the following items requiring a two-thirds majority vote:
Delegation 6.5 - George Skoulikas, Resident; Re: Item 9.1 - PDS23-019 - OPA,
ZBA and DPS, Shining Hill Collections Inc., 162, 306, 370, 434 and 488 St.
John's Sideroad West
Delegation 6.6 - David Tomlinson, Former Resident; Re: Item 9.2 - OPS23-002
- David Tomlinson Nature Reserve Phase 2 Options
Delegation 6.7 - Don Given, Malone Given Parsons Ltd.; Re: Item 9.1 - PDS23-
019 - OPA, ZBA and DPS, Shining Hill Collections Inc., 162, 306, 370, 434 and
488 St. John's Sideroad West
Delegation 6.8 - Patti Scully and Renee McCammon, Residents; Re: Item 9.5 -
PDS23-008 - Request for a Parking By-law Amendment on Benville Crescent
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
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6.1 Wendy Kenyon, Vice President, Henderson Forest Aurora Ratepayer
Association; Re: Item 9.1 - PDS23-019 - OPA, ZBA and DPS, Shining Hill
Collections Inc., 162, 306, 370, 434 and 488 St. John's Sideroad West
Wendy Kenyon expressed concerns regarding the loss of wildlife habitat
including the impact on endangered species and species at risk, noting
that developers should be required to respect regulation at all levels and
demonstrate accountability.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.1.
6.2 Maricella Sauceda, Resident; Re: Item 9.1 - PDS23-019 - OPA, ZBA and DPS,
Shining Hill Collections Inc., 162, 306, 370, 434 and 488 St. John's Sideroad
West
Maricella Sauceda expressed concerns regarding the proposed removal of
more than 1,500 trees, the quality of information shared with Council and
the public, and the protection of trees, sensitive features, wildlife including
endangered and threatened species, and the environment.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.1.
6.3 Ashlea Brown, Director of Development Services, Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority; Re: Item 9.2 - OPS23-002 - David Tomlinson Nature
Reserve Phase 2 Options
Ashlea Brown responded to questions raised at the September 20, 2022
Council meeting regarding the position and rationale of the Lake Simcoe
Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) on installing a dam and re-
instating an online pond within the David Tomlinson Nature Reserve, and
the LSRCA’s position on approvals issued for ponds to the north.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.2.
6.4 Ryan Panet, Resident; Re: Item 9.7 - PDS23-018 - Heritage Permit
Application, 60 Fleury Street, File Number: HPA-2023-01
Ryan Panet provided background on the application and highlighted their
efforts to take every measure to replace their home with a design that
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honours the history of the neighbourhood and complies with the heritage
conservation district plan.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.7.
6.5 George Skoulikas, Resident; Re: Item 9.1 - PDS23-019 - OPA, ZBA and DPS,
Shining Hill Collections Inc., 162, 306, 370, 434 and 488 St. John's Sideroad
West
George Skoulikas expressed concerns regarding the lack of protection for
the natural heritage system and wildlife including encroachment into
natural heritage features, insufficient buffer zones, removal of wetlands,
building demolitions without permits, unauthorized removal of threatened
species habitat, removal of trees prior to approval from the Ministry of the
Environment, Conservation and Parks, and the approval process for the
access road to St. Anne’s School.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.1.
6.6 David Tomlinson, Former Resident; Re: Item 9.2 - OPS23-002 - David
Tomlinson Nature Reserve Phase 2 Options
David Tomlinson spoke in support of the staff report and expressed
concerns regarding the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority’s
comments on “the construction of a new in-stream or by-pass ponds”. He
provided clarification on the proposed construction of the shorebirds
scrape and background to the online ponds and breeding birds of Aurora.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.2.
6.7 Don Given, Malone Given Parsons Ltd.; Re: Item 9.1 - PDS23-019 - OPA, ZBA
and DPS, Shining Hill Collections Inc., 162, 306, 370, 434 and 488 St. John's
Sideroad West
Don Given, on behalf of Shining Hill, presented an overview of the updated
proposal including site context, phased development plan, conceptual
master plan, revisions to the draft plan of subdivision, and development
statistics.
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General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.1.
6.8 Patti Scully and Renee McCammon, Residents; Re: Item 9.5 - PDS23-008 -
Request for a Parking By-law Amendment on Benville Crescent
Patti Scully and Renee McCammon expressed concerns regarding the
request for a Parking By-law amendment and requested that Council
continue to ensure accessible parking at Evans Park and all Aurora
playgrounds, parks, trails, and trailheads, and that alternatives to this
amendment be considered.
General Committee received and referred the comments of the delegation
to item 9.5.
7. Consent Agenda
7.1 Memorandum from Councillor Thompson; Re: Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of January 27, 2023
General Committee recommends:
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Board Meeting Highlights of January 27, 2023, be received
for information.
Carried
8. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
None.
9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
Items were considered in the following order: 9.7, 9.5, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, and 9.6.
9.1 PDS23-019 - Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft
Plan of Subdivision, Shining Hill Collections Inc., 162, 306, 370, 434 and 488
St. John's Sideroad West, File Number: OPA-2021-02, ZBA-2021-02 and
SUB-2021-01
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS23-019 be received; and
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2. That Official Plan Amendment application OPA-2021-02 be approved
to amend the Official Plan Site Specific Policy #14 and OPA 37:
a. to re-designate the subject lands from "Existing Major
Institutional", "Suburban Residential (SR-1)", "Supporting Area
Open Space" and "Core Area Open Space" designations to
"Suburban Residential (SR-1)", "Stable Residential", “Environmental
Protection”, “Public Parkland”, and “Supporting Area Open Space”
designations; and
b. remove Official Plan Site Specific Policy #14 over a portion of the
subject lands and replace with a new site specific policy to permit
single detached dwellings up to a maximum height of three (3)
storeys or eleven (11) metres and street townhouses up to a
maximum height of thirteen (13) metres; and
3. That Zoning By-law Amendment application ZBA-2021-02 be approved
to rezone the subject lands from Oak Ridges Moraine - Rural (RU-
ORM), Rural (RU) and Institutional (I) to Detached Third Density
Exception X (R3-X), Detached Fourth Density Exception X (R4-X),
Townhouse Dwelling Residential Exception Zone (R8-X), Institutional
(I), Oak Ridges Moraine Environmental Protection Zone (EP-ORM),
Environmental Protection (EP), Public Open Space (O1) and Private
Open Space Zone (O2); and
4. That the Draft Plan of Subdivision application SUB-2021-01 consisting
of 108 dwelling units (87 singles and 21 towns), neighbourhood park,
school block, natural heritage/open space areas, public roads be
approved, subject to the conditions listed in Appendix ‘A’ to this report;
and
5. That Council grant allocation from the reserve to service the
development of 87 single-detached dwellings and 21 townhouses
units on the approved Draft Plan of Subdivision; and
6. That the implementing Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law
Amendment be brought forward to a future Council meeting for
enactment.
Carried
9.2 OPS23-002 - David Tomlinson Nature Reserve Phase 2 Options
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General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS23-002 be received; and
2. That staff be directed to implement Option 2, including the Phase 2
trail connections, boardwalks, and associated landscaping, and that
the offline wetlands and Marsh Creek realignment be deleted from the
Phase 2 scope of works.
Carried
9.3 FIN23-007 - Investment Policy Statement and Transition to Prudent
Investment Regime
General Committee consented to vote on the first clause separately.
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN23-007 be received.
Carried
General Committee recommends:
2. That the proposed Investment Policy Statement, attached as
Attachment 1 be approved; and
3. That the Director, Finance – Treasurer be authorized to execute the
ONE Joint Investment Board Agreement, substantially in the form
attached as Attachment 2, subject to the final form and content being
to the satisfaction of the Director, Finance – Treasurer and the Town
Solicitor; and
4. That the Draft Investment Plan attached as Attachment 3 be received
for information purposes; and
5. That a by-law be enacted to authorize the Town’s investments under
the Prudent Investor regime as required by Ontario Regulation 438/97
and authorize execution of the ONE Joint Investment Board
Agreement delegating control and management of the Town’s long-
term investments to the ONE Joint Investment Board.
Defeated
9.4 FIN23-006 - Statement of Remuneration and Expenses for Members of
Council, Committees and Local Boards
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General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN23-006 be received for information.
Carried
9.5 PDS23-008 - Request for a Parking By-law Amendment on Benville Crescent
General Committee recommends:
Motion to refer
That Report No. PDS23-008 - Request for a Parking By-law Amendment on
Benville Crescent be referred to the Active Transportation and Traffic
Safety Advisory Committee for review and comment.
Carried
9.6 PDS23-011 - Extension of Approval to Draft Plan of Subdivision, Ambria
(Bloomington) Limited (formerly 2523059 Ontario Inc.), 132, 148, 166, 178,
186, 192, and 198 Old Bloomington Road, Lots 12 and 14 and Part of Lots
10, 11 and 13, Registered Plan 166, File Number: SUB-2017-03
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS23-011 be received; and
2. That the Draft Approval to Plan of Subdivision for 132-198 Old
Bloomington Road, File SUB-2017-03, be extended for one (1) year with
a lapsing date of May 26, 2024.
Carried
9.7 PDS23-018 - Heritage Permit Application, 60 Fleury Street, File Number:
HPA-2023-01
General Committee recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS23-018 be received; and
2. That the demolition permit for the property at 60 Fleury be approved;
and
3. That the proposed design be referred to the Heritage Advisory
Committee for review and comment.
Carried as amended
10. Notices of Motion
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None.
11. Regional Report
None.
12. New Business
Councillor Weese inquired about whether there would be a service level review
regarding the performance and standards expected of the Town’s snow removal
contractor, and staff provided a response.
Councillor Gilliland expressed appreciation to the Operations team for their snow
clearing efforts and inquired about whether special attention could be given to
sidewalks connected to schools, and staff provided a response.
Councillor Thompson requested that the internal communications process
between Council and staff be improved to better communicate and respond to
residents regarding the status of snow removal.
New Business Motion No. 1
General Committee recommends:
That the upcoming Pickleball report be reviewed by the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Committee before being placed on a General Committee agenda.
Defeated
Councillor Gallo expressed his disapproval of an additional expense item raised
at today’s Joint Council Committee meeting, to be funded from the reserve in the
amount of $129,000, to pay for a vacation day for firefighters on the annual
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Councillor Gallo inquired about the
Town’s staff observance of the National Day and staff provided a response.
Councillor Gaertner extended her best wishes to Allan Downey, Director of
Operations, on his upcoming retirement.
Councillor Gaertner expressed appreciation to Town staff for their snow removal
efforts.
Mayor Mrakas announced and congratulated the new citizen members appointed
to the following committees:
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Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee: Irene Clement, Michelle Dakin,
Jessie Fraser, David Gren, Adrian Martin, Shaheen Moledina, and Corrina Tai.
Committee of Adjustment: David Mhango, Chris Polsinelli, Jane Stevenson,
Michael Visconti, and Julian Yang.
Council Compensation Ad Hoc Committee: Farshid Ameryoun, Anita Evans
Boyle, Stephen Forsey, Chris Polsinelli, and Greg Smith.
Active Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee: Steve Fleck,
Owen Heritage, Lily Kim, Gino Martino, Giovanni Turla, and Klaus Wehrenberg.
13. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Gilliland announced the following activities and events:
The Aurora Cultural Centre will present live shows including “Dominique Fils-
Aime: Three Little Words” on March 24, 2023, and “John Sheard presents
Legends of Motown” on March 25, 2023; art classes will soon be announced.
The Diary of Anne Frank is currently playing at Theatre Aurora.
For Aurora Historical Society events being held at Hillary House through
March and April 2023, visit aurorahs.com for information.
The Aurora Legion is offering a St. Patrick's Day dinner event on March 17,
2023.
Councillor Weese noted his participation at a recent annual celebration held at
the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste Romanian Orthodox Church in Aurora, which
included a visit by Archbishop Nathaniel from Aurora, Illinois.
Councillor Gilliland encouraged the community to attend a Public Open House on
Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Town Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. to review and comment
on the Town’s updated draft Official Plan.
Mayor Mrakas announced the following activities and events:
Parking on residential streets continues to be prohibited between 2 a.m. and
6 a.m. until April 15, 2023, to facilitate snow clearing; visit
aurora.ca/winterparking for more information.
Drop-in events and activities will be available during the March break; visit
aurora.ca/holidayschedules for more details.
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Nominations are open until March 31, 2023, for the 2023 Community
Recognition Awards; visit aurora.ca/cra for more information.
The Town's annual Hello Spring event will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2023,
including spring-themed outdoor and interactive family activities; visit
aurora.ca/HelloSpring for more details.
Mayor Mrakas noted that the Aurora Tigers U13 team recently held a fundraiser
raffle and raised $43,000 for Campfire Circle, a charity that supports children with
cancer.
Mayor Mrakas advised there will be no access to Industrial Parkway South, from
Yonge Street to Vandorf Sideroad, from 7 a.m. on Wednesday, March 8, 2023,
until 7 a.m. the following morning.
Mayor Mrakas expressed appreciation to Town staff for their snow removal
efforts.
Mayor Mrakas extended best wishes to the community for a Happy Holi and a
Happy Purim.
Councillor Gaertner expressed appreciation to Councillor Gilliland for hosting a
crime prevention event with York Regional Police on March 5, 2023.
14. Closed Session
None.
15. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:11 p.m.