Minutes - Public Planning - 20241119
Town of Aurora
Special Council Public Planning
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
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*
Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Antonio Greco, Senior Planner
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:02 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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November 19, 2024 2
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
That the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 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 Town Clerk confirmed that the appropriate notice was given
in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Planning Act.
5.1 PDS24-131 - Application for Zoning By-law Amendment, Town of Aurora,
115 George Street, Part of Lots 1 and 2, Registered Plan 38, File Number:
ZBA-2024-07
Planning Staff
Antonio Greco, Senior Planner, presented an overview of the staff report
regarding the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA) to facilitate the
development of seven 61.5-foot residential lots fronting onto George
Street and backing onto a proposed open space block, which would serve
as a public park. Staff noted that the ZBA application seeks to rezone the
subject property from “Institutional (I) Zone” to “Detached Third Density
Residential (R3) Zone,” and “Public Open Space (O1) Zone” and the
existing “Environmental Protection (EP) Zone” boundary would remain
unchanged. Staff further noted the Town's Parks Division staff would be
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November 19, 2024 3
conducting their community engagement process regarding the proposed
public park in early 2025.
Public Comments
Aurora residents, including Brian Carpenter, Catherine Deplaedt, Amelia
Forest, Tom Hashem, Stephen Hunt, Ted Laks, Susan Shaw, and Tracy
Smith, expressed the following comments:
Support for the proposed development
Concerns regarding:
o Increased traffic flow and on-street parking
o Mature tree preservation and protection of the tree canopy
o Protection of the fabric of the mature neighbourhood
o Front yard setbacks to ensure development not projecting
forward and allow for mature tree planting
o Safety issue of George Street narrowing at Wellington Street
o Traffic speeding on George Street
o Depth of lots and protection of toboggan hill
Questions regarding:
o Town’s monetary definition of affordable housing
o Lot severance and prevention of change to development plan
o Location of backyard fences of proposed development
o Planned uses for proposed park
Suggestions regarding:
o Consider providing more affordable housing, especially for first-
time buyers and down-sizing buyers
o Install full traffic lights at George Street and Wellington Street
o Ensure building form is compatible with neighbouring streets
o Tree planting program and construction management program
o Quality and architectural control
o Need for mixed-use park and appropriate lighting
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Weese
1. That Report No. PDS24-131 be received; and
Special Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
November 19, 2024
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.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to O)
6. Confirming By-law
6.1 By-law Number 6652-24 - Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council
resulting from a Special Council Public Planning meeting on November 19,
2024
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Carried
7. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
Tom ak Mayor
Carried
Mich
Z
el de Rond, Town Clerk