Minutes - Committee of the Whole - 20251111
Town of Aurora
Committee of the Whole
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor Wendy Gaertner
Councillor Michael Thompson
Councillor John Gallo
Councillor Harold Kim
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
Patricia De Sario, Director, Corporate Services/Town Solicitor
Robin McDougall, Director, Community Services
Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Sara Tienkamp, Director, Operational Services
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director, Finance
Carley Smith, Manager, Corporate Communications
Angela Haynes, Senior Economic Development Officer
Phillip Rose, Manager, Cultural Services
Alexander Wray, Manager, By-law Services
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement
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November 11, 2025 2
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
Committee of the Whole approved the revised agenda as circulated by
Legislative Services.
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. Community Presentations
5.1 Sean Slater, President and CEO, Excellence Canada; Re: Excellence Canada
Platinum Presentation
Sean Slater congratulated and recognized the Town of Aurora for its
organizational excellence at the Platinum level, being the first and only
municipality to achieve this level of recognition.
Committee of the Whole received the presentation for information.
6. Delegations
6.1 Matthew Romeo, Resident; Re: Pedestrian safety and accessibility
surrounding the new Dr. G. W. Williams Secondary School
Matthew Romeo expressed safety concerns regarding the crossing at Earl
Stewart Drive into the Shoppers Drug Mart plaza and access to the plazas
at Bayview Avenue and Pederson Drive, and made recommendations for
improved pedestrian accessibility.
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November 11, 2025 3
Committee of the Whole received the comments of the delegation for
information.
6.2 Shawn Deane, Resident; Re: Items 8.1 - Correspondence from Mayor
Elizabeth Roy, Town of Whitby; 11.1 - FIN25-053; 11.2 - FIN25-057; and 13.1
- OPS25-023
Shawn Deane expressed concerns regarding the new waste collection
program and the new development charge exemptions.
Committee of the Whole received and referred the comments of the
delegation to items 8.1, 11.1, 11.2, and 13.1.
6.3 David Heard, Resident; Re: Item 14.1 - PDS25-109 - 2026-2030 Town of
Aurora Visitor Growth Plan
David heard spoke to the strategies of leveraging core assets and
attractions, high potential tourism draws, and storytelling, and highlighted
the history and potential of roller skating in Aurora, Aurora’s Pet Cemetery,
and Dave’s Vinyl Party.
Committee of the Whole received and referred the comments of the
delegation to item 14.1.
7. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Committee of the Whole recommends:
That the Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, items 7.1 to 7.2 inclusive, be
received for information.
Carried
7.1 Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 6, 2025
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 6,
2025, be received for information.
Carried
7.2 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 20, 2025
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
October 20, 2025, be received for information.
Carried
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8. Consent Agenda
8.1 Correspondence from Mayor Elizabeth Roy, Town of Whitby; Re: Extended
Producer Responsibility for Blue Box Recycling Collection and Impacts to
Small Businesses Located in Mixed-Use Properties
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That the Correspondence from Mayor Elizabeth Roy, Town of Whitby,
regarding Extended Producer Responsibility for Blue Box Recycling
Collection and Impacts to Small Businesses Located in Mixed-Use
Properties be received; and
2. That Aurora Town Council supports the resolution adopted by the Town
of Whitby Council regarding Extended Producer Responsibility for Blue
Box Recycling Collection and Impacts to Small Businesses located in
Mixed-Use Properties; and
3. That this motion of support be sent to the Town of Whitby, Minister of
Environment, Conservation and Parks, Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM),
the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), and the Ontario
Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA).
Carried as amended
8.2 Memorandum from Councillor Thompson; Re: Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of September 26, 2025
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Board Meeting Highlights of September 26, 2025, be
received for information.
Carried
8.3 Agenda Items Approved on Consent
Committee of the Whole recommends:
That the Agenda items of sections 9 through 16 inclusive be approved,
with the exception of items 9.1, 10.1, 11.2, 13.1, 14.1, 15.1, 15.2, 15.4, and
15.5, which were discussed and voted on separately.
Carried
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9. Community Services Committee Agenda
9.1 CMS25-032 - Aurora Town Square Business Plan Update
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS25-032 be received; and
2. That the Aurora Town Square Business Plan, 2026-2027 be approved.
Carried
10. Corporate Services Committee Agenda
10.1 CS25-022 - Fence By-law Variance Request - 18 Sirona's Lane
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CS25-022 be received; and
2. That Council approve the applicant’s request for a Fence variance at 18
Sirona’s Lane, until such time that the fence requires replacement.
Carried as amended
10.2 CS25-021 - Use of Corporate Resources for Election Campaign Purposes
Policy
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CS25-021 be received; and
2. That the Use of Corporate Resources for Election Campaign Purposes
policy (Attachment 1) be approved.
Carried
10.3 CS25-023 - Cannabis Retail Review Task Force Terms of Reference
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CS25-023 be received; and
2. That the Terms of Reference (Attachment 1) for the Cannabis Retail
Review Task Force be approved.
Carried
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11. Finance and Information Technology Committee Agenda
11.1 FIN25-053 - 2025 Interim Forecast Update - as of August 31, 2025
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN25-053 be received for information.
Carried
11.2 FIN25-057 - York Region Development Incentives Collaboration and Other
Development Charge Policies
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. FIN25-057 be received; and
2. That the York Region Development Incentives Collaboration Policy
(Attachment #1) be approved; and
3. That the Development Charges Credit and Reimbursement Policy
(Attachment #2) be approved; and
4. That the Development Charges Refund Policy (Attachment #3) be
approved.
Carried
12. Administration Committee Agenda
None.
13. Operational Services Committee Agenda
13.1 OPS25-023 - Waste Collection Downtown Core Businesses (former BIA)
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. OPS25-023 be received; and
2. That the December 2, 2024 Council direction to stop the collection of
recycling, solid waste, and compost from non-eligible source
Downtown Core businesses (former BIA) be rescinded; and
3. That the collection of solid waste and compost materials from non-
eligible source Downtown Core businesses (former BIA) continue as a
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November 11, 2025 7
temporary measure during the detailed design for the Yonge Street
Promenade; and
4. That the Town of Aurora (the "Town") provide the Downtown Core
businesses (former BIA) a location to dispose of recycling materials as
a temporary measure as of January 1, 2026, as they will not be eligible
for collection though the Blue Box Extended Producer Responsibility
Program.
Carried
14. Planning and Development Services Committee Agenda
14.1 PDS25-109 - 2026-2030 Town of Aurora Visitor Growth Plan
Angela Haynes, Senior Economic Development Officer, presented an
overview of the development of the Town’s Visitor Growth Plan, including
collaboration with Central Counties Tourism; input from the volunteer
Steering Committee; visitation statistics in Aurora; the strategic goals of
the Plan’s five pillars; and the mission and vision.
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-109 be received; and
2. That the 2026-2030 Town of Aurora Visitor Growth Plan be adopted;
and
3. That staff proceed with the development of a wayfinding strategy, in
accordance with the Town-wide Parking strategy and downtown
redevelopment priorities, and report back to Council.
Carried
14.2 PDS25-104 - Doors Open 2025 Summary
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-104 be received; and
2. That Council authorize staff to register and host another in-person
Doors Open event in 2026.
Carried
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14.3 PDS25-105 - Request to Remove a Listed Property from the Town’s
Heritage Register - 15 Tyler Street
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-105 be received; and
2. That the subject property be removed from the Aurora Register of
Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest on the basis that the
owner provides appropriate commemoration and/or a contribution to
the Heritage Reserve Fund, to the satisfaction of the Director of
Planning and Development Services.
Carried
14.4 PDS25-107 - 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
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-107 be received; and
2. That Official Plan Amendment application OPA-2024-03 be approved
to amend Schedule ‘B’ and Schedule ‘H’ of the Town of Aurora Official
Plan to expand the “Environmental Protection” designation and to add
Site Specific Policy Area #72 for the subject lands; and
3. That Zoning By-law Amendment application ZBA-2024-03 be approved
to rezone the subject lands to “Townhouse Dwelling Residential
Exception Zone with Holding Provision (H)R8-576” and “Environmental
Protection (EP)”; and
4. That the implementing By-laws for the Official Plan and Zoning By-law
Amendments be brought forward to a future Council meeting for
enactment.
Carried
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14.5 PDS25-108 - Applications for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law
Amendment, Aurora Mavrinac Retirement Developments Limited and
Aurora Mavrinac Retirement Developments Limited Partnership, 25
Mavrinac Boulevard, Block 38, Plan 65M-4731, File Numbers: OPA-2025-01
and ZBA-2025-02, Related File Numbers: OPA-2017-01, ZBA-2017-03, SP-
2022-07
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-108 be received; and
2. That Official Plan Amendment application OPA-2025-01 be approved
to amend the Site-Specific Policy Area (55) to increase the maximum
building height to 7 storeys; and
3. That Zoning By-law Amendment application ZBA-2025-02 be approved
to amend the “Second Density Apartment Residential Exception
RA2(540) Zone” to increase the maximum number of residential units
and height and reduce amenity area and parking requirements; and
4. That the implementing By-laws for the Official Plan and Zoning By-law
Amendments be brought forward to a future Council meeting for
enactment.
Carried
15. Member Motions
15.1 Councillor Weese; Re: Renoviction in the Town of Aurora
Committee of the Whole recommends:
Whereas the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25 authorizes
municipalities to pass by-laws for the protection of persons and the
regulation of residential property standards; and
Whereas the Town of Aurora recognizes the importance of protecting
tenants from unlawful or unnecessary evictions due to renovations,
repairs, or demolitions, while balancing the rights of landlords to maintain
safe, healthy, and habitable housing; and
Whereas affordable housing is of great concern to the residents of Aurora;
and
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November 11, 2025 10
Whereas rental housing is a major component of the affordable housing
stock; and
Whereas, based on the 2024 Aurora Affordable Housing Action Plan,
approximately 19% of private households are rented; and
Whereas eviction by renovation (sometimes termed “renoviction”) is used
by landlords to evict tenants under the guise of major renovations but, in
reality, are used to remove low-rent-paying tenants to be able to do some
cosmetic renovations with the goal of renting out the space at a higher
level; and
Whereas this process of “renoviction” has a negative effect on affordable
housing stock; and
Whereas the provincial government allows annual rent increases presently
at 2.1%; and
Whereas government regulations allow “Above Guideline Rent Increases”
(AGI’s) to be charged to tenants; and
Whereas AGI applications in Ontario have tripled since 2012; and
Whereas Aurora Town Council deems it desirable to establish
requirements for landlords undertaking renovations to ensure that tenants
are not unfairly displaced; and
Whereas several Ontario municipalities have approved a “Renovation
License and Relocation By-law” to bring greater oversight into this
practice;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Town staff be directed to
investigate the feasibility of implementing a renoviction or similar by-
law and provide this report to Council in Q1 of 2026.
Carried
15.2 Mayor Mrakas; Re: Implementation of a First-Time Leak Forgiveness
Program
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November 11, 2025 11
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Member Motions item 15.2 be deferred to the Council meeting of
November 25, 2025.
Motion to defer
Carried
15.3 Councillor Gallo; Re: Review of Vehicular Hazards for Daycare Facilities and
Playgrounds Adjacent to Roads
Committee of the Whole recommends:
Whereas the safety of children attending daycare facilities and using
playgrounds is a matter of utmost importance to the Town of Aurora; and
Whereas several daycare facilities and playgrounds in Aurora are located
adjacent to or in close proximity to public roads, parking lots, and vehicle
driveways; and
Whereas vehicular collisions involving buildings and outdoor spaces can
have severe and tragic consequences, particularly where vulnerable users
such as children are present; and
Whereas the Town currently reviews site plans and development
applications for traffic circulation and pedestrian safety, but there is no
dedicated process to evaluate the potential risks of vehicular intrusion
(such as cars accidentally entering play areas or building perimeters); and
Whereas other municipalities have begun implementing protective design
features such as bollards, raised planters, fencing, and setbacks to reduce
risks of vehicle-structure collisions near childcare facilities and
playgrounds; and
Whereas the Town recognizes that many daycare facilities are small,
privately operated businesses with limited financial capacity to absorb
additional regulatory or capital costs;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to review
existing and new daycare facilities and playgrounds located adjacent
to or near public roads, parking areas, or driveways to assess potential
vehicular hazards and risks of vehicle intrusion into outdoor play areas
or building spaces; and
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November 11, 2025 12
2. Be It Further Resolved That staff be requested to prepare a report to
Council outlining:
a. A summary of existing Town policies, by-laws, and site plan
standards related to traffic safety and physical protection
measures around daycare and playground sites;
b. Best practices and design standards from other municipalities for
mitigating vehicular hazards near child-oriented facilities;
c. Potential measures or amendments to Town policies, design
standards, or the site plan review process to improve child safety;
and
3. Be It Further Resolved That staff consult with York Regional Police,
York Region Public Health, and York Region’s Transportation Services
Department, as appropriate, in the preparation of the report; and
4. Be It Further Resolved That the findings of the report be presented to
Council for consideration at the June 2026 Committee of the Whole.
Carried
15.4 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Update By-law Number 4752-05.P (Parks and Public
Places)
Committee of the Whole recommends:
Whereas By-law Number 4752-05.P, which regulates the use of Aurora’s
parks, trails, and public spaces, was enacted in 2005 and has not been
substantively updated since; and
Whereas the by-law predates modern mobility technologies such as
electric bicycles, pedal-assist systems, and powered mobility devices; and
Whereas provincial regulations now distinguish between three classes of
e-bikes—Class 1 (pedal-assist), Class 2 (throttle-assist), and Class 3
(speed-limited pedal-assist)—and municipalities are encouraged to align
local by-laws accordingly; and
Whereas clarity is needed to differentiate between recreational motorized
devices and mobility-assistive devices to ensure consistent and fair
enforcement;
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November 11, 2025 13
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to review
By-law Number 4752-05.P and report back to Council with
recommendations on whether or not to permit various classes of e-
bikes on Aurora’s trail system, and to update the by-law as necessary
to align with current provincial e-bike classifications and standards.
Carried
15.5 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Budget Cost Transparency and Public Trust
Committee of the Whole recommends:
Whereas the Town of Aurora is committed to fostering public trust
through transparent budget practices; and
Whereas transparency in presenting cost estimates helps residents make
informed judgments about the necessity and priority of proposed
expenditures; and
Whereas municipalities such as the Town of Newmarket publicly release
detailed draft budget documents, including project cost estimates,
departmental allocations, and funding sources, within their Council
agendas, presentations, and staff reports; and
Whereas this practice promotes transparency and accountability in the
budgeting process, while maintaining procurement integrity, as the figures
presented represent preliminary budget estimates rather than formal
tender values; and
Whereas the public disclosure of these estimates provides residents with
meaningful context to engage in informed discussions and contribute to
an open, democratic budget process; and
Whereas staff have historically provided Council and the public with
estimated maximum budgets for items under consideration, with the
exception of the presented 2025 and 2026 Operating and Capital Budget
cycles;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the confidential cost
estimates for the Town’s 2025 and 2026 Operating and Capital
budgets be released online once provided to Council; and
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November 11, 2025 14
2. Be it Further Resolved That Council recommends to the Mayor that
future budgets revert to the previous standard of fully disclosing all
budget figures, ensuring ongoing transparency for our community.
Carried
16. Regional Report
16.1 York Regional Council Highlights of October 23, 2025
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of October 23, 2025, be
received for information.
Carried
17. New Business
Councillor Thompson requested that reports on development issues put forward
by York Region be circulated to Council, and the Mayor agreed to do so.
Mayor Mrakas provided an update on the recent N6 Mayors meeting regarding
the upcoming new recycling collection program for residents and waste
collection services for business properties.
18. Public Service Announcements
None.
19. Closed Session
None.
20. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:04 p.m.