Minutes - Public Planning - 20241112
Town of Aurora
Council Public Planning
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor Wendy Gaertner (arrived at 7:04 p.m.)
Councillor Michael Thompson
Councillor John Gallo
Councillor Harold Kim
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Felix Chau, Planner
Katherine Gatzos, Planner
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Emily Freitas, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 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
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Tuesday, November 12, 2024 2
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Weese
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 procedure that would be followed in the conduct of the
public meeting. The Town Clerk confirmed that the appropriate notice was given
in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Planning Act.
5.1 PDS24-124 - Application for Zoning By-law Amendment, 1000099397
Ontario Ltd., 36 Industry Street, Lot 9, Plan 535, File Number: ZBA-2024-04
Planning Staff
Katherine Gatzos, Planner, presented an overview of the staff report
regarding the Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA), noting the application
proposes to redevelop the subject lands to facilitate the future
development of a seven-storey residential building containing 97 units and
72 parking spaces including 2 levels of underground parking. It was
further noted that the applicant is proposing “Second Density Apartment
Residential (RA2-XX)” and the proposed ZBA seeks to amend the
development standards on the building height and surrounding lot area,
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Tuesday, November 12, 2024 3
yard setbacks, and adjusting the amenity area and parking requirements.
Staff also highlighted the comments made at the community information
meeting and next steps.
Applicant
Brad Rogers, Groundswell Urban Planners Inc., presented an overview of
the development proposal including site context, previously approved
zoning on the subject lands, the proposed development of a seven-storey
building, proposed zoning, renderings, interior and exterior site plans,
amenities, mixed uses, and next steps. Maggie Way, Associate Planner,
and Richard Ziegler, Architect, were also present to answer questions.
Public Comments
Aurora residents, including Cheryl Bain, Catherine W, Rick Armstrong, and
Keith Bennett, expressed the following comments:
Opposition to the proposed development
Concerns regarding:
o Environmental impacts on diverse wildlife and Sheppard's Bush
Conservation Area
o Traffic/parking overflow to other local streets including Mary Street
o Building structure and impact on other dwellings nearby due to
construction
Suggestions regarding:
o Conducting a traffic study in the vicinity of the subject lands
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Weese
1. That Report No. PDS24-124 be received; and
2. That comments presented at the statutory Public Planning meeting be
addressed by Planning and Development Services in a report to a
future Committee of the Whole meeting.
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Tuesday, November 12, 2024 4
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
5.2 PDS24-125 - Application for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By law
Amendment, P.A.R.C.E.L. Inc., 14070 Yonge Street, KING CON 1 PT LOT 72
PLAN M42 PT BLKS A B G RP 65R34432, PARTS 1 TO 5, File Number: OPA-
2024-03; ZBA-2024-03
Planning Staff
Felix Chau, Planner, presented an overview of the Official Plan
Amendment (OPA) and Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA) applications to
facilitate the development of 2 five-storey condominium buildings on the
subject lands; a residential condominium building with 180 units and a
senior's lifestyle apartment building with 120 units. Staff discussed the
previously approved applications and the current vacancy of the subject
lands. It was further noted that the proposed OPA seeks to amend several
site-specific policies from “Estate Residential” and “Major Institutional” to
“Cluster Residential”, and from “Cluster Residential” to “Environmental
Protection Area”, and the proposed ZBA seeks to rezone the subject lands
from “Holding Provision Institutional Exception Zone (H) I (391)” to
“Second Density Apartment Residential RA2 (XX) Exception Zone”,
“Second Density Apartment Residential RA2 (YY) Exception Zone”, and
“Environmental Protection (EP)”. Staff also highlighted the comments
made at the community information meeting and next steps for the
application.
Applicant
Joan McIntyre, Malone Given Parsons Ltd., presented an overview of the
proposed development including site context, elevations and landscape
plan, preservation of existing landscape, restoration of vegetation buffers,
underground parking, density and unit types, and transportation and site
access. It was further noted the existing Official Plan and zoning, and next
steps. Rowan Rivers, Transportation Consultant, GHD Engineering, was
also present to answer questions.
Public Comments
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Tuesday, November 12, 2024 5
Aurora residents John Green, Linda Ma, Conny Wong, Paul Langston, Nima
Osqueizadeh, Vivian Wu, Mauricio Barbone, Andrew Mestrinaro, Kathy
Andriopoulos, expressed the following comments:
Opposition to the proposed development
Concerns regarding:
o Traffic and pedestrian safety on Yonge Street and Elderberry Trail
o Parking overflow due to minimal parking spots
o Environmental impact on the Oak Ridges Marine Area and current
woodland
o Density too high and the proposal does not align with the Town
Official Plan
o Increased pollution
o Lack of privacy due to proposed elevation and noise concerns
o Proximity of the proposed development to the existing sewage
pumping station
Suggestions regarding:
o Installing sidewalks on Yonge Street and Elderberry Trail for
pedestrian safety
o Improving traffic signage and street lighting
o Relocating the proposed development
Questions regarding:
o Construction timeline
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Weese
1. That Report No. PDS24-125 be received; and
2. That comments presented at the statutory Public Planning meeting be
addressed by Planning and Development Services in a report to a
future Public Planning meeting.
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Tuesday, November 12, 2024 6
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
6. Confirming By-law
6.1 By-law Number 6650-24 - Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council
resulting from a Council Public Planning meeting on November 12, 2024
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Carried
7. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
Carried
Tom Mrakas, Mayor Michael de Rond, Town Clerk