Minutes (Appointed) - Heritage Advisory Committee - 20251006
Town of Aurora
Heritage Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, October 6, 2025
7 p.m.
Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Wendy Gaertner (Chair)
Cynthia Bettio*
Linda Duringer
Bob McRoberts, Honourary Member
Rocco Morsillo
Members Absent: John Green, Aurora Historical Society Rep. (Vice Chair)
Chris Polsinelli
Other Attendees: Councillor Ron Weese*
Adam Robb, Manager, Policy Planning and Heritage
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
The Committee consented to recess the meeting at 8:30 p.m. and reconvened
the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
The Committee consented to extend the hour past 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
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
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October 6, 2025 2
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 Linda Duringer
Seconded by Bob McRoberts
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 June 9, 2025
Moved by Linda Duringer
Seconded by Rocco Morsillo
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of June 9,
2025, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
6.1 David Heard, Resident; Re: Item 7.4 - Memorandum from Manager of Policy
Planning and Heritage; Re: Downtown Community Planning Permit System
The Committee consented to consider Delegations item 6.1 following
consideration of item 7.4.
David Heard spoke about the challenges of advocating for heritage
building and culture preservation and expressed support for the proposed
Community Planning Permit System and increased density toward a more
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October 6, 2025 3
vibrant downtown core. David further expressed the need for continued
protection of the heritage building facades and suggested that the Fleury
Foundry property is worthy of designation and should be an anchor piece.
Moved by Linda Duringer
Seconded by Rocco Morsillo
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to item 7.4.
Carried
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Manager of Policy Planning and Heritage; Re: Heritage
Permit Application HPA-2025-05 - 49 Fleury Street
Staff provided an overview of the memorandum and proposed alterations
on the designated property at 49 Fleury Street located in the Northeast Old
Aurora Heritage Conservation District.
The Committee expressed support for the application and agreed that the
approval process should be streamlined for this type of improvement
project, and staff confirmed that delegated approval under the Director
would be appropriate.
Moved by Bob McRoberts
Seconded by Linda Duringer
1. That the memorandum regarding Heritage Permit Application HPA-
2025-05 - 49 Fleury Street be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding Heritage
Permit Application HPA-2025-05 be received and referred to staff for
consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.2 Memorandum from Manager of Policy Planning and Heritage; Re: Request
to Remove a Listed Property from the Heritage Register - 15 Tyler Street
Staff provided an overview of the memorandum and proposed five-storey
development on the listed, non-designated property at 15 Tyler Street
located in the Aurora Promenade area.
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October 6, 2025 4
Paul Oberst, Heritage Consultant and Architect, presented an overview of
the cultural heritage evaluation report and assessment of the subject
property, including property description and zoning, Town heritage
information, floor plans, photos, heritage criteria, and conclusions.
The Committee expressed no opposition to the proposed delisting of the
property and suggested that a plaque be installed on the property to
commemorate the historical significance of the builder John Bowser. The
Committee and staff discussed the need to establish a set of criteria and
metrics for the Committee to determine the commemorative value of a
property toward preserving and celebrating local history.
Moved by Bob McRoberts
Seconded by Linda Duringer
1. That the memorandum regarding Request to Remove a Listed Property
from the Heritage Register - 15 Tyler Street be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding Request to
Remove a Listed Property from the Heritage Register - 15 Tyler Street
be received and referred to staff for consideration and further action as
appropriate.
Carried
7.3 Memorandum from Manager of Policy Planning and Heritage; Re: Heritage
Permit Application HPA-2025-04 - 16003 Yonge Street
Staff provided an overview of the memorandum, including the proposed
relocation of the existing dwelling and alterations, and the proposed
development of a five-storey residential apartment building on the
designated heritage property at 16003 Yonge Street and adjacent lands.
Emma Cohlmeyer, Associate, ERA Architects, presented an overview of
the proposal, including site history, heritage status, conservation design
parameters, relocation of existing dwelling and rear addition, and
conservation strategy.
The Committee and staff discussed various aspects including the
prominence and street view of the proposed relocation site, the potential
to salvage any material and red bricks from the rear section, minimizing
tree removal, the possible installation of a plaque to honour the property's
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October 6, 2025 5
heritage as the "Red House," restoration and conservation management
plans for the Red House, Ministry requirements for a heritage property
archaeological assessment, and potential traffic lights. The Committee
was generally supportive of the proposal but agreed that the exterior of
the new rear addition should blend with the existing red brick and
character of the building, and have a pitched roof instead of a flat roof.
Moved by Linda Duringer
Seconded by Bob McRoberts
1. That the memorandum regarding Heritage Permit Application HPA-
2025-04 - 16003 Yonge Street be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding Heritage
Permit Application HPA-2025-04 be received and referred to staff for
consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.4 Memorandum from Manager of Policy Planning and Heritage;
Re: Downtown Community Planning Permit System
Staff provided an overview of the memorandum and proposed Community
Planning Permit System (CPPS), a land-use planning tool to streamline the
development application and approval process and pro-actively manage
growth in a sympathetic manner with a focus on the protection of heritage
buildings and facades in the downtown area.
The Committee and staff discussed various aspects including control over
design and materiality, open house feedback, the protection of heritage
buildings and facades, and implementation of the CPPS through a
Community Planning Permit By-law, effectively a zoning by-law for the
downtown area. The Committee expressed support for the CPPS and
proposed increased heights, and also suggested extending the subject
area to Mill Street to incorporate the Fleury Mill Works property. Staff
advised that more details will be provided at the Special Public Planning
meeting to be held on October 29, 2025.
Moved by Bob McRoberts
Seconded by Linda Duringer
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October 6, 2025 6
1. That the memorandum regarding Downtown Community Planning
Permit System be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding Downtown
Community Planning Permit System be received and referred to staff
for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
None.
9. New Business
The Committee provided an update on the planning of the Town’s first Heritage
Week event, starting with the kickoff at 10 a.m. on Family Day, February 16, 2026.
The Committee commented on the issues with signage and graffiti on heritage
buildings in the downtown core. Staff provided a response noting any concerns
and the enforcement of issues can continue to be addressed by By-law Services.
The Committee inquired about the possibility of a collaboration between the
Aurora Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) and the Heritage Advisory
Committee to attract more business to the downtown core area. Staff provided a
response noting that Planning and Economic Development staff work closely
together and can continue to relay future opportunities back to the Committee.
The Committee inquired about whether a plaque should be installed at 32
Wellington Street East (the “David W. Doan House”), and staff agreed to follow up.
The Committee observed that the Northeast Old Aurora Heritage Conservation
District currently has only a few sidewalk markers identifying the district and
inquired about the possibility of adding street signage. Staff agreed to follow up.
10. Adjournment
Moved by Bob McRoberts
Seconded by Linda Duringer
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:34 p.m.
Carried