MINUTES - Public Planning - 20230214 1
Town of Aurora
Council Public Planning
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor Wendy Gaertner (arrived 7:06 p.m.)
Councillor Michael Thompson
Councillor John Gallo
Councillor Harold Kim (arrived 7:03 p.m.)
Other Attendees: Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Adam Robb, Senior Planner
Jaclyn Grossi, Deputy Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
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1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Council consented to recess the meeting at 9:06 p.m. and reconvened the
meeting at 9:21 p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement
Mayor Mrakas 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.
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3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Yeas (6): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Absent (1): Councillor Gaertner
Carried (6 to 0)
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. Planning Applications
The Mayor outlined the procedures that would be followed in the conduct of the
public meeting. The Deputy Town Clerk confirmed that the appropriate notice
was given in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Planning Act.
5.1 PDS23-015 - Zoning By-law Amendment Application, SmartCentres REIT
(Aurora 14700 Yonge) Limited Partnership X and Calloway Real Estate
Investment Trust Inc., 14700 and 14720-14760 Yonge Street, Con 1, Pt
Lots 76 and 77, Plan RS65R18443, File Number: ZBA-2021-04, Related
File Number: SP-2021-09
Planning Staff
Adam Robb, Senior Planner, Development/Heritage, presented an
overview of the staff report regarding the Zoning By-law Amendment
application, noting the applicant proposes to rezone the subject lands
from the existing “Community Commercial C4 (514) Exception Zone”
(14700 Yonge Street lands) and “Community Commercial C4 (221)
Exception Zone” (14720-14760 Yonge Street lands) to a uniform “Mixed
Residential Commercial C6 (XXX) Exception Zone” across the whole site
area to facilitate the future development of Phases 1 and 2.
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Applicant
Paula Bustard, Executive Vice President Development, SmartCentres, and
Donald Schmitt, Principal, Diamond Schmitt Architects, presented an
overview of the proposed development including the site plan, site context,
and architectural design. Traffic consultant Ismet Medic, Senior Project
Manager, WSP, and other members of the SmartCentres team were also
present.
Public Comments
Aurora residents, including Stephanie Allen, Chris Ballard, Nazar Bylen,
John Green, Michael Khalil, Diana Kosiuk, Tim Loewen, Kenneth Osso,
Evelyn Penninkhof, Tonya Sherry (ph), George Skoulikas, Peter Smith,
Steve Sutherland, and Klaus Wehrenberg expressed the following
comments:
Concerns regarding:
• Possible incongruity of future development of all four corners at Yonge
Street and Murray Drive respecting use, design, and density
• Density too high for proposed development
• Increased vehicular traffic and pedestrian safety issues
• Lack of green space and adequate parking, including convenient
parking to access onsite businesses
• Loss of local amenities/opportunities to shop and lack of medical
services; intensification of residential development at expense of
reduced commercial/retail space; imbalanced approach to planning
and service to community
• Potential decrease in local property values
• Potential increase in trespassing on local condominium property and
associated liability
• Collapsing retaining wall at south end needs repair before construction
• Impact of possible carcinogens in contaminated soil on property
• Setting precedent for other areas of intensification in Aurora
Suggestions regarding:
• Need for increased public awareness of the proposed development;
should present proposed features along with associated benefits for
residents and impact on businesses and facilities
• Need for mixed-income housing
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• Consider long-term planning and purpose for all four corners at Yonge
Street and Murray Drive as a whole; need plans and proposals that
serve and maintain the existing community
• Consider transit as part of decision-making process; consider
alternative modes of transportation
• Route pedestrian walkways diagonally to end at intersection of Yonge
and Murray to better access amenities, transit, schools, etc.
Questions regarding:
• Measurement of service levels respecting commercial/retail space and
justification for proposed lot coverage
• Construction management, including exterior and interior pre-
construction inspection, in-home vibration monitoring during
construction, direct line to site manager, process for reporting any
damage, air quality monitoring, and vibration controls to protect
residents
• Measures to ensure pedestrian safety during construction and beyond
• Town’s infrastructure preparedness to meet needs of planned
population increases, including transit and dedicated bus lane
locations
• Plan for proposed development’s adoption of green development
standards, including GHG reduction, disposal of water runoff, and
energy savings such as solar panels and heat pumps
• Plan to incorporate copse of trees above retaining wall
• Compliance of proposed development with Official Plan and definition
of complete community
• Demographic being targeted by proposed development
Planning Staff
Staff addressed the comments regarding the Town’s planning for the
Yonge Street corridor, various background studies including traffic impact,
soil contamination, vibration, and geotechnical work, amount of retail
space, lot coverage, density, urban park requirement, pre- and post-
construction surveys, vibration reports and monitoring during
construction, retaining wall, construction hotline between applicant, Town
staff and residents, measurement of service levels, and the definition of
complete community. The Mayor provided further clarification on lot
coverage and the Town’s planning for the Yonge/Wellington corridor.
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Applicant
The applicant addressed the comments regarding the retaining wall, green
development standards, and sustainability options.
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
1. That Report No. PDS23-015 be received; and
2. That the comments presented at the Public Planning meeting be
addressed by Planning and Development Services in a report to a
future Public Planning meeting.
Yeas (5): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner,
Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Gallo
Nays (2): Mayor Mrakas, and Councillor Kim
Carried (5 to 2)
6. Confirming By-law
6.1 By-law No. 6473-23 Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council
resulting from a Council Public Planning meeting on February 14, 2023
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Carried
7. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the meeting be adjourned at 10:12 p.m.
Carried
Tom Mrakas, Mayor Jaclyn Grossi, Deputy Town Clerk
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Applicant
The applicant addressed the comments regarding the retaining wall, green
development standards, and sustainability options.
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
1. That Report No. PDS23-015 be received; and
2. That the comments presented at the Public Planning meeting be
addressed by Planning and Development Services in a report to a
future Public Planning meeting.
Yeas (5): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner,
Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Gallo
Nays (2): Mayor Mrakas, and Councillor Kim
Carried (5 to 2)
6. Confirming By-law
6.1 By-law No. 6473-23 Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council
resulting from a Council Public Planning meeting on February 14, 2023
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Carried
7. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the meeting be adjourned at 10:12 p.m.
Carried
as;/Mayor Jaclyn rossi Deputy Town C erk