Minutes (Appointed) - Heritage Advisory Committee - 20250203
Town of Aurora
Heritage Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, February 3, 2025
7 p.m.
Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Wendy Gaertner (Chair)
Cynthia Bettio*
John Green, Aurora Historical Society Representative (Vice Chair)
Bob McRoberts, Honourary Member
Rocco Morsillo
Chris Polsinelli
Members Absent: Linda Duringer
Other Attendees: Councillor Ron Weese*
Jeremy Hood, Museum Collections Technician
Michelle Johnson, Collections and Exhibitions Coordinator
Adam Robb, Manager, Policy Planning and Heritage
Ishita Soneji, Deputy Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
1.1 Appointment of Committee Vice Chair
Moved by Bob McRoberts
Seconded by Rocco Morsillo
1. That John Green be appointed as Vice Chair of the Heritage Advisory
Committee for a one-year term (2025).
Carried
Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
February 3, 2025 2
2. Land Acknowledgement
The 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
Moved by Bob McRoberts
Seconded by Rocco Morsillo
That the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
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. Receipt of the Minutes
5.1 Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2024
Moved by Rocco Morsillo
Seconded by Bob McRoberts
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of December
9, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
6.1 Christopher Watts, The Aurora Heritage Authority; Re: The Aurora Armoury
Provincial Plaque
Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
February 3, 2025 3
Christopher Watts presented background on the Aurora Armoury
Provincial plaque erected in 2007, noting the outdated plaque wording
does not accurately reflect the current use of the Armoury, and requested
that consideration be given to ordering a replacement plaque, the
correction of any digital footprints, and communication of the results.
Staff confirmed this matter is being addressed through Ontario Heritage
Trust and updates would be reported back to the Committee.
Moved by Cynthia Bettio
Seconded by Bob McRoberts
That the comments of the delegation be received for information.
Carried
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Manager, Policy Planning and Heritage; Re: Heritage
Permit Application HPA-2025-01 - Happy Woodland Pet Cemetery (14314-
14378 Yonge Street)
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum and introductions.
Michelle Johnson, Collections and Exhibitions Coordinator, accompanied
by Jeremy Hood, Museum Collections Technician, presented a summary
of the application including a site overview and items requiring alteration
including pathways; monument relocation and restoration; problematic
monuments; and landscape maintenance and design enhancements.
The Committee and staff discussed the uniqueness of the inactive
Cemetery, requirements for starting an active cemetery, the proposed
permeable pathway and accessible options, and the handling of
inappropriate inscriptions on monuments. The Committee expressed
support for the work being done and the preference to retain the original
form of any monument to preserve historical accuracy, and suggested
that an understanding of why certain language is no longer used be
provided through a central interpretative/disclaimer plaque or QR codes.
Moved by John Green
Seconded by Cynthia Bettio
Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
February 3, 2025 4
1. That the memorandum regarding Heritage Permit Application HPA-
2025-01 - Happy Woodland Pet Cemetery (14314-14378 Yonge Street)
be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding Heritage
Permit Application HPA-2025-01 be received and referred to staff for
consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.2 Memorandum from Manager, Policy Planning and Heritage; Re: Heritage
Permit Application HPA-2025-02 - Aurora War Memorial and Cenotaph
(14659 Yonge Street)
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum and application for
the restoration and remedial work to be performed at the Aurora War
Memorial Peace Park and Cenotaph.
The Committee expressed appreciation for the research done and inquired
about whether the spelling of the Luxton Avenue street sign would also be
corrected to “Luxon”, which staff confirmed would be addressed. The
Committee further inquired about the status of the fence surrounding the
Park and staff provided clarification regarding the buffer requirements of
any adjacent development application.
Moved by Bob McRoberts
Seconded by John Green
1. That the memorandum regarding Heritage Permit Application HPA-
2025-02 - Aurora War Memorial and Cenotaph (14659 Yonge Street)
be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding Heritage
Permit Application HPA-2025-02 be received and referred to staff for
consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
None.
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February 3, 2025 5
9. New Business
As two new members were present for the 2025-2026 term of the Committee,
introductions were made around the table.
Staff provided an update on the student co-op pilot project now commencing and
the Committee provided background information.
The Committee inquired about the status of the Petch House upgrades and staff
agreed to provide an update at the next meeting. The Committee further inquired
about the viability of relocating the Petch House to the Hillary House property
and it was agreed to discuss this matter at a future meeting.
The Committee inquired about the viability of using a storage container to store
Salvage Program items, and staff provided a response noting the priority is to
salvage and re-use onsite.
Staff advised that a wooden plaque was recently presented to the Johnson
family and installed at 71 Connaught Avenue.
Staff advised that an additional screening of the Pet Cemetery documentary is
planned for Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 2 p.m. in the Performance Hall at Aurora
Town Square. It was noted that seats would be set aside for Heritage Advisory
Committee members and their families.
10. Adjournment
Moved by Rocco Morsillo
Seconded by Chris Polsinelli
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
Carried