Minutes - Public Planning - 20250617
Town of Aurora
Council Public Planning
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Ron Weese*
Councillor Rachel Gilliland*
Councillor Wendy Gaertner (arrived 7:02 p.m.)
Councillor Michael Thompson
Councillor John Gallo
Councillor Harold Kim
Other Attendees: Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Felix Chau, 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 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.
Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
June 17, 2025 2
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
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 Town Clerk confirmed that the appropriate notice was given
in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Planning Act.
5.1 PDS25-070 - Application for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law
Amendment, P.A.R.C.E.L. Inc., 14070 Yonge Street, Part Blocks A, B and G,
Plan M42, Part 3, 65R-5870 and Parts 3, 6, 7 and 8, 65R-33710, File Number:
OPA-2024-03; ZBA-2024-03
Planning Staff
Felix Chau, Planner, presented an overview of the staff report regarding
the proposed Official Plan Amendment (OPA) and Zoning By-law
Amendment (ZBA) application to facilitate the development of 92
townhouse units and an additional right-in right-out access off of Yonge
Street. Staff reviewed the application history of the subject lands and the
revised proposal further to comments at the November 12, 2024 Statutory
Public Planning meeting, noting that the proposed OPA seeks to amend
the provisions of Site-Specific Policy 41 and refine the limits of the Natural
Heritage System, and the proposed ZBA seeks to rezone the subject lands
from "Holding Provision Institutional Exception Zone (H) I (391)" to
Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
June 17, 2025 3
"Townhouse Dwelling Residential R8(XX) Exception Zone", "Environmental
Protection (EP) Zone", and "Private Open Space (O2) Zone" to address
land uses and setbacks.
Applicant
Reza Esmaeili, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Land Services Group,
presented an overview of the revised development proposal including a
comparison to the November 2024 proposed application, revised concept
plan and statistics full site summary, renderings and elevation, and a
summary of the proposed changes.
Public Comments
Aurora residents, including John Green, Evangelia Ifandis, Richard Jaekel,
Paul Langston, and Warren McClure, expressed the following comments:
Concerns regarding:
Density of proposed development too high for subject lands
Cyclist and pedestrian safety on Elderberry Trail
Speeding vehicles on Elderberry Trail, often used as a bypass
Increased traffic congestion
Lack of services and sidewalks on Yonge Street in south end of
Aurora, and lack of sidewalks on Elderberry Trail
Proposed development and design of buildings is incompatible
with south Aurora
Proposed number of visitor parking spaces
Space for snow clearing
No mention of townhome unit garages in proposed development
Proximity to Yonge Street and lack of screening
Environmental impact on diverse wildlife
Alignment with Oak Ridges Moraine guidelines
Suggestions regarding:
Installation of signalized intersection at Yonge Street and
Elderberry Trail
Installation of speed bumps on Elderberry Trail, at a minimum
Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
June 17, 2025
Question regarding:
* Regulations to maintain the consistent appearance of the
townhomes if they are to be freehold units
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. That Report No. PDS25-070 be received; and
2. That comments presented at the non-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-lawNumber671l-25-BeingaBy-lawtoconfirmactionsbyCouncil
resulting from a Council Public Planning meeting on June 17, 2025
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Carried
7. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:30 p.m,
Tom rakas ayor
Carried
Michael de ond Town Clerk