Minutes - Public Planning - 20251029
Town of Aurora
Special Council Public Planning
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Councillor Michael Thompson (Chair)
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Wendy Gaertner
Councillor John Gallo
Councillor Harold Kim
Members Absent: Mayor Tom Mrakas
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Other Attendees: Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Adam Robb, Manager, Policy Planning and Heritage
Dania Asahi Ogie, Policy Planner
Ishita Soneji, Deputy Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement
The Chair 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.
Special Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
October 29, 2025 2
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Weese
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Yeas (5): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor
Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Absent (2): Mayor Mrakas, and Councillor Gilliland
Carried (5 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 Chair outlined the procedures that would be followed in the conduct of the
public meeting. The Deputy Town Clerk confirmed that the appropriate notice
was given in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Planning Act.
5.1 PDS25-103 - Official Plan Amendment and Community Planning Permit
System, Downtown Community Planning Permit By-law, File Number: OPA-
2025-08
Planning Staff
Dania Asahi Ogie, Policy Planner, presented an overview of the staff report
regarding the proposed Community Planning Permit By-law and Town-
initiated Official Plan Amendment toward implementation of a Community
Permit Planning System (CPPS) to streamline the development application
process and set development standards for the historical downtown area.
Consultant
Warren Price, Urban Strategies Inc., presented an overview of the Urban
Design Study report including background and existing conditions of the
downtown area, opportunities, study objectives, framework for change, a
comparison of development concept options, and recommendations .
Special Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
October 29, 2025 3
Public Comments
Aurora residents, including Angela Daust, Shawn Deane, David Heard, and
Rocco Morsillo, expressed the following comments:
Support for:
o Proposed Community Planning Permit System (CPPS)
o Proposed Alternative Development Concept
o Protection of historical building facades
o Increased heights for the area, given greater stepbacks
o Needed increased density toward a safer and more vibrant
community
Concerns and questions regarding:
o Financial impacts and infrastructure funding responsibilities
o Current weaker buying market
o Availability of public parking and increases in traffic
o Soil conditions
o Impact of construction vibration on area historical homes
o Shadowing and tunnel effects of proposed development on
existing homes
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Kim
1. That Report No. PDS25-103 be received; and
2. That comments presented at the statutory Public Planning meeting be
addressed by Planning and Development Services in a report to a
future Committee of the Whole meeting.
Yeas (5): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Thompson,
Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Absent (2): Mayor Mrakas and Councillor Gilliland
Carried (5 to 0)
Special Council Public Planning Meeting Minutes
October 29, 2025
6. Confirming By-law
6.1 By-IawNumber6733-25-BeingaBy-lawtoconfirmactionsbyCouncil
resulting from a Special Council Public Planning meeting on October 29,
2025
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
7. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Kim
Carried
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:42 p.m.
Carried
Miplhompson, Councillor
l
Ishita Soneji, Deputy Town Clerk