Minutes - Public Planning - 20150422
TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING
MEETING MINUTES
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Dawe in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Gaertner,
Humfryes (arrived 8:22 p.m.), Kim, Mrakas, Pirri, Thom, and
Thompson
MEMBERS ABSENT None
OTHER ATTENDEES Director of Planning and Development Services, Planner,
Council & Committee Coordinator/Deputy Clerk, and
Council/Committee Secretary
Mayor Dawe called the meeting to order at 7:01 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 Abel
Seconded by Councillor Mrakas
THAT the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services be approved.
CARRIED
Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 22, 2015 Page 2 of 6
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. PL15-029 – Proposed Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law
Amendment, Brookfield Homes (Ontario) Limited, 155 Vandorf
Sideroad (Timberlane Athletic Club property)
Files: OPA-2014-01 and ZBA-2014-03
Planning Staff
The Planner, Mr. Marty Rokos, presented a brief overview of the application and
staff report, including background information related to the proposed Official
Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to permit the
development of 56 single detached residential units, including a parkette, access
via Vandorf Sideroad, emergency access via Falconwood Hollow, and a 7.5-
metre buffer next to the Falconwood Hollow residences. He noted that the
proposal had been updated following the first public meeting in January 2015
and reviewed the revised concept plan.
Consultant
Mr. Don Given, of Malone Given Parsons Ltd., on behalf of the applicant,
expressed his support of the staff report and recommendation. He presented a
comparison of the original and current concept plans and highlighted the
revisions.
Mr. Given referred to the potential for noise and vibration complaints from new
residents with respect to the Van-Rob facility and suggested that warning
clauses could be added to the purchase and sale agreements. He stated that
there was no evidence of a problem at this time.
Mr. Bill Gastmeier, of HGC Engineering, provided an overview of the Noise and
Vibration Feasibility Study prepared on behalf of Brookfield Homes respecting
the Van-Rob operation, including details on how the Study was conducted and
the relevant MOE guidelines. He noted that Van-Rob carried out significant
mitigation in response to the complaints and is in full compliance with all MOE
limits for noise and vibration.
Public Comments
Mr. Victor Saccucci, resident of 472 Beacon Hall Drive and board member of the
condominium corporation, noted that they are working in good faith with the
developer and expect their requirements to be satisfied.
Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 22, 2015 Page 3 of 6
Ms. Patricia Foran, Solicitor of Aird & Berlis LLP, on behalf of Van-Rob Inc., a
metal stamping and manufacturing facility at 200 Vandorf Sideroad, requested
that Council defer consideration of the staff recommendation and direct staff to
retain expert peer review consultants to consult with her client and their experts
regarding the issues including noise, vibration, and traffic concerns. She
expressed concerns regarding Van-Rob’s industry classification and the potential
for incompatibility, and stated that warning clauses were not sufficient.
Mr. John Greenhough, resident of Falconwood Hollow, representing the owners
of the Falconwood Estates condominium corporation, advised that they have
reached a compromise with the developer and now withdraw any and all
objections previously expressed. He extended appreciation to Council and the
staff of Brookfield Homes and also acknowledged that, through working with the
Town, Van-Rob Inc., and a team representing the residents of Beacon Hall,
Falconwood Estates, and Wycliffe Estates, the past issues had been mitigated
successfully.
Ms. Sherry Card, business owner on Industrial Parkway South, formerly on
Furbacher Lane, noted her experiences with vibrations and noise in the area.
Mr. Peter van Schaik, part owner of Van-Rob Inc., spoke about his experience
with residents’ complaints and the ways in which Van-Rob has mitigated the
issues. He expressed concern regarding the potential complaints that may come
later even though the facility is well within environmental guidelines.
Mr. Stefan Woyslaw, resident and realtor of Aurora, stated that truck and road
noise are more of an issue than noise or vibrations. He suggested that the
developer should introduce stronger clauses in their presentation to sale of new
properties so that potential buyers are aware of the issues up front.
Planning Staff
The Director of Planning and Development Services, Mr. Marco Ramunno,
clarified that Van-Rob Inc. has been assessed as a Class II operation based on
information and previous noise and vibration studies from various engineers who
prepared background reports in accordance with MOE guidelines. He added
that staff have reviewed all background studies and earlier reports, the Noise
and Vibration Feasibility Study, and the methodology. Mr. Ramunno stated that
any noise and emission concerns under MOE guidelines must be mitigated at
source, and that it is standard practice with any residential development that
abuts a collector or regional road with higher volumes of traffic and truck traffic,
to impose warning clauses within the development agreement, and also to
require the builder to include similar clauses in their offers of purchase and sale.
Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 22, 2015 Page 4 of 6
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Mrakas
THAT Report No. PL15-029 be received; and
THAT Application to Amend the Official Plan File: OPA-2014-01 be approved,
to re-designate the subject lands from “Private Open Space” and “Cluster
Residential” to “Cluster Residential – Site Specific Policy” to facilitate the
development of the subject lands for a 56 detached residential unit
condominium development; and
THAT Application to Amend the Zoning By-law File: ZBA-2014-03 be
approved, to rezone the subject lands from “Major Open Space (O-4)
Exception Zone” to “Detached Dwelling Second Density (R2-X) Exception
Zone” and “Major Open Space (O-Y) Exception Zone”; and
THAT a total of 56 units of water and sewage capacity be allocated to the
subject lands; and
THAT the by-laws to adopt the Official Plan Amendment and implementing
zoning be presented at a future Council meeting for enactment.
Motion to defer
Moved by Councillor Abel
Seconded by Councillor Mrakas
THAT Item 1 – Report No. PL15-029 be deferred to a future Council meeting
pending the completion and report, within one month, of a peer review of the
Noise and Vibration Feasibility Study prepared by HGC Engineering, respecting
the Van-Rob Inc. facility at 200 Vandorf Sideroad.
CARRIED
2. PL15-030 – Proposed Zoning By-law Amendment, PMK Capital Inc.
95 Wellington Street East, Lot 14, South of Wellington
Street, Registered Plan 68, File: ZBA-2014-10
Planning Staff
The Planner, Mr. Marty Rokos, presented an overview of the applications and
staff report, including background information and details related to the proposed
Zoning By-law Amendment application to permit a two-storey business and
professional office, including a medical office, and 16 parking spaces. He noted
that the applicant proposes to redesignate the subject lands from “Special Mixed
Density Residential (R5) Zone” to “R5-X Exception Zone” along with site specific
exceptions related to parking, building setbacks, and buffer strips.
Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 22, 2015 Page 5 of 6
Applicant
Dr. Philip Kritzinger, owner of PMK Capital Inc., provided background information
regarding his business, which he is planning to relocate back to Aurora from
Newmarket.
Consultant
Mr. Chris Pretotto, Architect of Cspace Architecture, highlighted elements of the
proposed development’s integration into the Aurora Promenade’s downtown
shoulder area. He noted that the proposed building was designed to integrate
with the Town’s historical architectural style, have full, barrier-free access, and to
preserve as many trees as possible.
Public Comments
Mr. Stefan Woyslaw, resident and realtor of Aurora, expressed his support of the
proposed development.
Ms. Terry Smith, resident of Larmont Street, expressed her support of the
proposed development, as well as concerns regarding one large tree and
potential light pollution from the subject land.
Consultant
Mr. Pretotto addressed the concerns regarding the tree canopy and lighting.
Moved by Councillor Mrakas
Seconded by Councillor Abel
THAT Report No. PL15-030 be received; and
THAT comments presented at the Public Planning Meeting be addressed by
Planning & Development Services in a comprehensive report outlining
recommendations and options at a future General Committee Meeting.
CARRIED
4. READING OF BY-LAW
Moved by Councillor Pirri
Seconded by Councillor Thom
THAT the following confirming by-law be given first, second, and third readings and
enacted:
Special Council – Public Planning Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 22, 2015 Page 6 of 6
5723-15 BEING A BY-LAW to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting from Special
Council – Public Planning Meeting on April 22, 2015.
CARRIED
5. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
CARRIED
_________________________________ _________________________________
GEOFFREY DAWE, MAYOR PATTY THOMA, DEPUTY CLERK
THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL – PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING OF APRIL
22, 2015 RECEIVED FINAL APPROVAL BY COUNCIL ON MAY 11, 2015.