Minutes - Public Planning - 20150225
TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING
MEETING MINUTES
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Dawe in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Gaertner,
Humfryes, Kim, Mrakas, Pirri, Thom, and Thompson
MEMBERS ABSENT None
OTHER ATTENDEES Director of Planning and Development Services, Council &
Committee Coordinator/Deputy Clerk, Manager of
Development Planning, Planner, and Council/Committee
Secretary
Mayor Dawe called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
On a motion of Councillor Abel seconded by Councillor Thom, Council recessed at 8:45
p.m., and on a motion of Councillor Thom seconded by Councillor Pirri, Council reconvened
at 8:54 p.m.
1. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE THEREOF
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Moved by Councillor Pirri
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
THAT the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services be approved.
CARRIED
Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 Page 2 of 7
3. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Mayor Dawe outlined the procedures that would be followed in the conduct of the
public meeting. The Deputy Clerk confirmed that the appropriate notice had been
given in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Planning Act.
1. PL15-008 – Proposed Zoning By-law Amendment, The CAP Centre Inc.,
49 Wellington Street East, File: ZBA-2014-04
Planning Staff
The Planner, Mr. Jeff Healey, presented an overview of the application and staff
report, including background information and details related to the proposed
Zoning By-law Amendment application to permit Business and Professional
Offices and a Clinic on the subject lands at 49 Wellington Street East. He noted
that the applicant proposes to convert the existing residential building to allow
business and professional offices and clinic uses, vehicular parking in the rear
yard, and removal of the detached garage and accessory structures.
Consultant
Ms. Helen Lepek, of Lepek Consulting Inc. and on behalf of The CAP Centre
Inc., advised that the owners of the Centre, which currently operates in a rented
facility, have purchased the subject lands in order to continue providing their
services within the community. She noted that the subject property would allow
sufficient parking and that every requirement of the Zoning By-law had been met
with the exception of one side buffer that would need to be reduced to
accommodate access to the rear.
Public Comments
Aurora resident Phyllis Morris inquired about the possibility of making it a site
specific use for the clinic.
Planning Staff
The Director of Planning and Development Services, Mr. Marco Ramunno, noted
that the applicant is requesting to add two specific uses—Business and
Professional Offices and a Clinic—in addition to the existing residential uses
permitted, which would be a site specific amendment to the property.
Moved by Councillor Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
THAT Report No. PL15-008 be received; and
Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 Page 3 of 7
THAT comments presented at the Public Planning meeting be addressed by
Planning and Development Services in a comprehensive report outlining
recommendations and options at a future General Committee meeting.
CARRIED
2. PL15-009 – Proposed Zoning By-law Amendment, 2419059 Ontario Inc.,
497 Wellington Street West, File: ZBA-2014-07
Planning Staff
The Planner, Mr. Jeff Healey, presented an overview of the application and staff
report, including background information and details related to the proposed
Zoning By-law Amendment application to permit twenty-two (22) Block
Townhouse Units on the subject lands at 497 Wellington Street West. He noted
that the applicant proposes to rezone the subject lands to allow the proposed 22-
unit townhouse development including forty-eight (48) parking spaces,
conservation uses, and parkland areas.
Consultant
Mr. Jack Dougan, Planner, representing RS Homes, provided background
information on RS Homes and presented an overview of the proposed
development in the context of existing zoning, the Town’s Official Plan, and
Provincial Policy. He further noted details of the property’s vegetation
communities, the proposed tree management plan, site access and traffic
generation, storm water management, landscaping, and preliminary site plan.
Public Comments
Aurora residents, including Doug Bushey, Alan Coulthard, Judy Gilchrist, Phyllis
Morris, and Linda Therkildsen, raised their concerns on the following matters:
• Overdevelopment for lot size
• Lack of support from local residents
• Compliance of application with requirements
• Change in use from rural residential to higher density use
• Proximity to Tannery Creek
• Protection of open space land, ecological goods and services
• Spot zoning, no other similar properties in area
• Elevation of lot over surrounding area
• Loss of privacy
• Loss of trees
Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 Page 4 of 7
Aurora residents Stefan Woyslaw and Nick Kavoosi expressed their support of
the proposed development.
Consultant
Mr. Dougan addressed the concerns regarding development of the settlement
area, compatibility with the existing neighbourhood, and drainage. He noted that
the site plan application is under review and the applicant would be pleased to
meet with local residents to discuss their concerns.
Planning Staff
Mr. Ramunno addressed the concern regarding an exemption and noted that the
applicant was requesting an amendment to the Zoning By-law, not an exemption
to the Oak Ridges Moraine Act. He further addressed the concern regarding
compatibility and indicated that this would be discussed with the applicant.
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Pirri
THAT Report No. PL15-009 be received; and
THAT comments presented at the Public Planning meeting be addressed by
Planning and Development Services in a comprehensive report outlining
recommendations and options at a future General Committee meeting.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Pirri
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
THAT the second clause of the main motion be replaced with the following
clause:
“THAT staff be directed to report back to another Public Planning
meeting to address the issues raised at the Public Planning meeting
of February 25, 2015.”
CARRIED
Main motion as amended
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Pirri
THAT Report No. PL15-009 be received; and
Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 Page 5 of 7
THAT staff be directed to report back to another Public Planning meeting
to address the issues raised at the Public Planning meeting of February 25,
2015.
CARRIED
3. PL15-010 – Zoning By-law Amendment, Chafam Premiere Inc./Sterne
Motors Ltd., 300 Earl Stewart Drive, Lots 5-7, 65M-2873, File:
ZBA-2014-06
Planning Staff
Mr. Ramunno provided background information regarding the application to
amend the Zoning By-law, which he noted was originally presented at the Public
Planning meeting of September 24, 2014, and he added that the applicant has
submitted a site plan application related to Phase 1 of the subject lands.
Consultant
Mr. Michael Larkin, of Larkin Land Use Planners, advised that his firm had
assumed responsibility for the file, while Carson Woods remains as the Architect.
He stated that the application for site plan approval, which would implement the
proposed zoning by-law amendment, has been filed and he provided a brief
overview of the site plan including elements of the building, business operation,
and context plan. Mr. Larkin addressed the concerns regarding noise and light
pollution, traffic, hours of operation, intent for lots 6 and 7 (Phase 2) and potential
for dealership cluster, impact of view from the residential area and site
screening, number of access points, proximity to residents, servicing of vehicles,
smell, increased traffic and delivery trucks, parking spaces, staff numbers,
landscape strips along St. John’s Sideroad, and plantings.
Public Comments
Aurora residents, including Larry Abas, Tom Alberico, Sandi Castonguay, Alex
Douvinos, Jason Dodds, Judy Gilchrist, Mackenzie Ketchell, and Wendy Lyn,
raised concerns on the following matters:
• Notice of Public Planning meeting distribution
• Potential dealership cluster
• Noise pollution
• Light pollution
• Increased traffic and trucks
• Proximity to wellhead location
• Compatibility of business
• Additional access points
Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 Page 6 of 7
• Safety
• Water consumption, impact on pumping station and cost
• Corporate social responsibility, school co-op opportunities
• View from residential area
• Size and types of trees for screening
• Significance of traffic study
Planning Staff
Mr. Ramunno addressed the concerns regarding the Notice of Public Planning
meeting circulation process, dealership business hours, lighting plan, traffic
study, truck deliveries, wellhead protection, and impact on the water utility.
Consultant
Mr. Larkin further addressed the concerns regarding employment, wellhead
location, drainage, light pollution, site traffic, and the potential for a dealership
cluster.
Moved by Councillor Abel
Seconded by Councillor Kim
THAT Report No. PL15-010 be received; and
THAT Application to Amend the Zoning By-law File: ZBA-2014-06 (Chafam
Premiere Inc./Sterne Motors Ltd.) be approved, to add a “Motor Vehicle Sales
Establishment” and accessory uses within the Industrial Commercial (C5-6)
Exception Zone; and
THAT the implementing zoning by-law amendment be presented at a future
Council meeting for enactment.
CARRIED
4. READING OF BY-LAW
Moved by Councillor Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Pirri
THAT the following confirming by-law be given first, second, and third readings and
enacted:
5693-15 BEING A BY-LAW to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting from Special
Council – Public Planning Meeting on February 25, 2015.
CARRIED
Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 Page 7 of 7
5. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor Thom
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
CARRIED
_________________________________ _________________________________
GEOFFREY DAWE, MAYOR PATTY THOMA, DEPUTY CLERK
THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING OF
FEBRUARY 25, 2015 RECEIVED FINAL APPROVAL BY COUNCIL ON MARCH 10,
2015.