MINUTES - Public Planning - 20230417
Town of Aurora
Special Council Public Planning
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, April 17, 2023
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor Wendy Gaertner
Councillor John Gallo
Members Absent: Councillor Michael Thompson
Councillor Harold Kim
Other Attendees: Marco Ramunno, Director of Planning and Development Services
Edward Terry, Senior Policy Planner
Jaclyn Grossi, Deputy Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7 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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Monday, April 17, 2023 2
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Weese
That the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo
Absent (2): Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Carried (5 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 PDS23-041 - Official Plan Review Second Draft
Consultant
David Riley, Principal, SGL Planning and Design Inc., presented an
overview of the Official Plan Review process and proposed revisions
including phases, engagement, summary of comments, vision, Town
structure and growth management, design excellence and green
community, housing, land use designations, cultural heritage, greenlands
and environmental designations, economy, site specific policy areas,
Aurora Promenade and Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) and
visualizations, Secondary Plans, and next steps.
Public Comments
Aurora residents and property owner representatives including Jennifer
Day, Joanna Fast, Wendy Kenyon, Adam Layton, George Skoulikas,
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Monday, April 17, 2023 3
Katarzyna Sliwa, and Klaus Wehrenberg expressed the following
comments:
Concerns regarding:
Proposed redesignation of lands at 1289 Wellington Street East and
larger Environmental Protection Area (EPA), and non-conformity with
the Regional Official Plan
Preservation and protection of natural heritage and decisions made
based on subjective argument
Dependence on environmental impact studies submitted as part of the
application process, usually by firms representing developers, instead
of an impartial environmental expert
Draft Official Plan (OP) contains contradictory policies regarding EPAs
Draft OP still leaves natural heritage areas open to inappropriate
development, loss of biodiversity, and increased climate change risks
Potential redevelopment of numerous properties on Yonge Street
south of Wellington Street and loss of heritage
Draft OP Section 6 - Building a Greener Community has no mention of
establishing policies toward shifting away from car dependency to
active transportation, and little mention of the transportation network’s
importance in greenhouse gas reduction efforts
Draft OP Section 15 - Connecting the Transportation Network mentions
the Town’s Active Transportation Network and Aurora Trail Network
Concept is shown on Schedule ‘K’, which is short of being the operative
planning tool that is suggested and needs much greater detail
Questions regarding:
Impact of provincial legislation, Bill 23 and Bill 97, on quality of
planning applications with significantly diminished input from
conservation authorities
Conflict of interest related to environmental impact studies compiled
by environmental firms hired by developers
Consideration for modest height increases above five storeys related
to future redevelopment applications for properties on Yonge Street
south of Wellington Street
Land use designation of Case Woodlot and Anne Bartley Smith Lands
Lot coverage in Aurora Promenade Major Transit Station Area (MTSA)
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Monday, April 17, 2023 4
Clarification on Town’s population growth projections
Suggestions regarding:
Unevaluated wetlands should be included in the EPA designation to
ensure they are not viewed as potential development areas
Opportunity to enforce policies that provide better protection for
natural areas while consistent with regional and provincial plans
Update the provisions of OPA 34 Yonge Street South Secondary Plan
concurrent with OP update to allow for more modern policy framework
to be enacted for area
Town should grow in a way that respects natural heritage
Need to connect the Town’s green spaces, which should be mapped,
and afford equal opportunities and funding for off-road walking/hiking
activities as for motorized traffic
Replace the words “the change will not have a net adverse effect” with
“the change will have no adverse effect” in Draft OP Section 12 -
Protecting the Greenlands System, subsection 12.3.3 Policies (b)
Planning Staff and Consultant
Staff, the consultant, and the Mayor addressed the questions and
concerns regarding lot coverage, population growth projections, land use
designations, Case Woodlot and Anne Bartley Smith Lands designations,
EPA and Parkland definitions, protection of designated heritage properties
in the downtown core, and the Section 12.3.3 Policies language.
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
1. That Report No. PDS23-041 be received; and
2. That comments presented at the Public Meeting be addressed by
Planning and Development Services for consideration in the FINAL
DRAFT Official Plan and in a report to a future General Committee
meeting.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, and Councillor Gallo
Absent (2): Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Carried (5 to 0)
Special Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Monday, April 17, 2023
6. Confirming By-law
6.1 By-law Number 6486-23 Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council
resulting from a Special Council Public Planning Meeting on April17,
2023
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Weese
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Carried
7. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Weese
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
Carried
Jac Grossi Deputy Town Clerk