Minutes - Committee of the Whole - 20251202
Town of Aurora
Committee of the Whole
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
7 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor Michael Thompson
Councillor John Gallo
Councillor Harold Kim (arrived at 7:04 p.m.)
Members Absent: Councillor Wendy Gaertner
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
John Firman, Manager, Business Support Services
Kyle Stitt, Manager, Facilities
Ishita Soneji, Deputy Clerk
Julia Shipcott, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 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,
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December 12 2025 2
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
None.
6. Delegations
6.1 Nan Huang, Resident; Re: Item 14.1-PDS25-114 - Application for Zoning By-
law Amendment, 511, 521, 531 and 543 Wellington Street West
Nan Huang shared concerns of the application regarding potential
environmental impacts, density, traffic congestion along Wellington Street
West, and affordability.
Committee of the Whole received and referred the comments of the
presentation to item 14.1.
6.2 Shawn Deane, Resident; Re: Item 7.2-Finance Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of November 18, 2025
Shawn Deane shared concerns regarding the reporting structure of items
brought forward to Finance Advisory Committee meetings.
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December 12 2025 3
Committee of the Whole received and referred the comments of the
presentation to item 7.2.
7. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Committee of the Whole recommends:
That the Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, items 7.1 to 7.4 inclusive, be
received for information.
Carried
7.1 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 12, 2025
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
November 12, 2025, be received for information.
Carried
7.2 Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 18, 2025
1. That the Finance Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November
18, 2025, be received for information.
Carried
7.3 Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
November 12, 2025
1. That the Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of November 12, 2025, be received for information.
Carried
7.4 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November
20, 2025
1. That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
of November 20, 2025, be received for information.
Carried
8. Consent Agenda
Committee of the Whole recommends:
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December 12 2025 4
1. That the Agenda items of sections 9 through 16 inclusive be approved, with
the exception of items 9.2, 9.3, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 14.1, 14.3, 14.4 and 15.1
which were discussed and voted on separately.
Carried
9. Community Services Committee Agenda
9.1 CMS25-034 - Municipal Alcohol Policy - 2025 Update
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS25-034 be received; and
2. That the updated Municipal Alcohol Policy be approved.
Carried
9.2 CMS25-035 - Third Party Events Policy Update
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS25-035 be received; and
2. That the Third Party Events Policy be approved.
Carried
9.3 CMS25-037 - Town Hall Accommodation Plan - Funding Increase
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CMS25-037 be received; and
2. That Capital Project No. SO0077- Town Hall Accommodation Plan
budget authority of $80,000 be increased by $16,400 to a total of
$96,400; and
3. That this project’s total revised budget authority of $96,400 be funded
from the Studies & Other Reserve.
Carried
10. Corporate Services Committee Agenda
10.1 CS25-026 - Procedure By-law Update
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December 12 2025 5
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CS25-027 be received for information.
Carried
10.2 CS25-027 - 2025 Pending List Review
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CS25-027 be received; and
2. That the items marked “Complete” be removed from the Pending List.
Carried
10.3 CS25-029 - Council Compensation Committee
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. CS25-029 be received for information.
Carried
11. Finance and Information Technology Committee Agenda
None.
12. Administration Committee Agenda
None.
13. Operational Services Committee Agenda
None.
14. Planning and Development Services Committee Agenda
14.1 PDS25-114 - Application for Zoning By-law Amendment, Armis Holding Inc.,
511, 521, 531 and 543 Wellington Street West, Part Lot 1 and Part 40 Acres,
Plan 102, King, File Number ZBA-2024-05, Related File Number SP-2024-07
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-114 be received; and
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December 12 2025 6
2. That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA-2024-05 be approved
to rezone the subject lands to “Townhouse Dwelling Residential
Exception Zone R8-579” and “Environmental Protection (EP)”; and
3. That the implementing By-law for the Zoning By-law Amendment be
brought forward to a future Council meeting for enactment.
Carried
14.2 PDS25-115 - Extension of Approval to Draft Plan of Subdivision, Charlieville
Developments Limited, 45 Tyler Street, Lot 26 and Part Lots 24, 25 and 27,
Plan 9, File Number SUB-2015-03, Related File Number SP-2022-03
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-115 be received; and
2. That the Draft Approval to Plan of Subdivision for 45 Tyler Street, File
SUB-2015-03, be extended for one year, with a lapsing date of
December 17, 2026.
Carried
14.3 PDS25-116 - Application for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law
Amendment, Aurora-Leslie Developments Ltd., 25 and 55 Addison Hall
Circle, Blocks 29 and 30, Plan 65M-4650, File Number OPA-2025-06, ZBA-
2025-06
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-116 be received; and
2. That Official Plan Amendment application OPA-2025-06 be approved
to redesignate the subject lands from “Business Park” to “Medium-
High Urban Residential” and implement a Site-Specific Policy Area (73);
and
3. That Zoning By-law Amendment application ZBA-2025-06, as amended
to remove the requirement of a Holding (H) Symbol, be approved to
rezone the subject lands from “Business Park (BP) Exception Zone
(443)” and “Business Park (BP) Exception Zone (445)” to “Townhouse
Dwelling Residential (R8) Exception Zone (577)”; and
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December 12 2025 7
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 as amended
14.4 PDS25-117 - Application for Zoning By-law Amendment, Town of Aurora,
115 George Street, Part of Lots 1 and 2, Registered Plan 38, File Number
ZBA-2024-07
Committee of the Whole recommends:
1. That Report No. PDS25-117 be received; and
2. That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA-2024-07 be amended
to approve the zoning for the subject lands to a maximum of six lots
instead of seven lots; and
3. That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA-2024-07, as
amended, be approved to rezone the subject lands from “Institutional
(I) Zone” and “Environmental Protection Zone” to “Detached Third
Density Residential (R3) Exception Zone (578),” and “Public Open
Space (O1) Zone”, and maintain the existing Environmental Protection
Zone boundaries; and
4. That the implementing By-law for the Zoning By-law Amendment be
brought forward to a future Council meeting for enactment.
Carried as amended
15. Member Motions
15.1 Councillor Gilliland; Re: Establish an Ultimate Grilled Cheese Challenge in
Aurora
Committee of the Whole recommends:
Whereas community-based culinary events have proven successful in
engaging residents and supporting local businesses in other
municipalities; and
Whereas an Ultimate Grilled Cheese Challenge in Aurora would provide a
creative and enjoyable platform for local restaurants, regardless of their
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December 12 2025 8
usual specialties, to showcase unique and inventive takes on a classic
comfort food; and
Whereas such an event can stimulate economic development by
encouraging residents and visitors alike to explore Aurora’s dining scene,
thus supporting local businesses and fostering a sense of community
pride; and
Whereas the proposed Ultimate Grilled Cheese Challenge is a relatively
low-cost event to organize, requiring only minimal resources such as the
printing of tasting passports and the coordination of participating
restaurants, making it an accessible and financially feasible initiative for
the town; and
Whereas collaboration with key stakeholders, including local businesses,
the Aurora Economic Development Board, and the Aurora Chamber of
Commerce, would strengthen the event’s reach, support participation, and
help ensure its success;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Town staff, in collaboration
with stakeholders, explore the establishment of an Ultimate Grilled
Cheese Challenge and report back to Council with recommendations.
Carried
16. Regional Report
None.
17. New Business
None.
18. Public Service Announcements
Councillor Weese expressed appreciation and congratulations to Dianne and
Brian Harrison who successfully gathered 12,000 Christmas cards for
distribution among Canadian military serving abroad.
Mayor Mrakas announced the following activities and events:
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December 12 2025 9
The Salvation Army Kettle Drive is welcoming volunteers, and now provides a
tap feature to receive donations.
Winter parking restrictions are now in effect for overnight street parking, and
on-street parking when it is snowing, and more information is available at
aurora.ca/WinterParking.
By-law Services is teaming up with York Regional Police to support the Toys
for Tickets campaign, whereby parking fine recipients may donate a new,
unwrapped toy or non-perishable food item of equal or greater value instead.
Aurora's Christmas Market is on again this coming Friday, Saturday and
Sunday from 5-8:30 p.m. at the Town Square with different vendors daily,
festive workshops and crafts, buskers and live music. For more information
visit aurora.ca/ChristmasMarket.
The self-guided Deck the Halls tour to view festively decorated homes and
businesses runs from December 9 to 23, 2025. Visit aurora.ca/DeckTheHalls
for details and the tour map.
The 9th annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony will take place on Sunday,
December 14, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. at Town Square, lead by Chabad Aurora.
19. Closed Session
None.
20. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.