Minutes (Appointed) - Accessibility Advisory Committee - 20251210
Town of Aurora
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
7 p.m.
Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Wendy Gaertner*
Lois Davies*
Alison Hughes (Chair)*
John Lenchak* (departed 8:07 p.m.)
Elaine Martini*
Jo-anne Spitzer*
Marilyn Williams*
Other Attendees: Gregory Peri, Accessibility Advisor
Phillip Rose, Manager, Cultural Services*
Michelle Johnson, Collections and Exhibitions Coordinator*
Garry Anggawinata, Municipal Engineer*
Glen McArthur, Municipal Engineer*
Julia Shipcott, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Committee consented to extend the hour past 9:10 p.m. to 9:15 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
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
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December 10, 2025 2
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by John Lenchak
That the 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 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 12, 2025
Moved by Marilyn Williams
Seconded by John Lenchak
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
November 12, 2025, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
None.
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Exhibitions and Collections Coordinator; Re: Community
Reflection Space Concept Plan
Staff provided a brief update of the project's history and introduced Adam
Nordfors, Landscape Architect with Fotenn Planning and Design to
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December 10, 2025 3
present 30% designs of the proposed Community Reflection Space
located in the south-west quadrant of the Town Office main entrance.
Adam Nordfors outlined the symbolic and spiritual concepts incorporated
into the proposed fully accessible 'River Plaza' and 'Sky Ribbon Forest' as
a combined social gathering and contemplative/offerings space,
integrating natural elements, a wind phone, barrier-free surfaces, speaking
platform and seating with a 'Sky Ribbon' water feature flowing into a
private grieving space. Also noted was the plan to relocate barrier-free
parking to the north side of the main entrance adjacent to existing EV
parking.
The Committee provided feedback on the importance of suitable element
heights and ground surface materials for barrier-free access to the wind
phone and water feature, barrier-free seating requirements to include
seating both with and without arms, proper lighting and visual indicators
for safe navigation around the space.
Moved by Jo-anne Spitzer
Seconded by Marilyn Williams
1. That the memorandum regarding the Community Reflection Space
Concept Plan be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding the
Community Reflection Space Concept Plan be received and referred to
staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.2 Memorandum from Municipal Engineer; Re: Yonge Streetscape Promenade
Presentation
Staff briefly outlined the status of the Yonge Streetscape Promenade
project and introduced Ron Albright, Associate Partner/Director and Jenna
Rowland, Project Coordinator, CIMA+ to present 30% designs of the
project.
Jenna Rowland outlined the project's objectives including incorporating
Aurora Town Square design elements into the downtown business core,
enhancing pedestrian features, plantings, seating and accessibility,
rehabilitating underground infrastructure and improving lighting and
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December 10, 2025 4
wayfinding/signage. Also noted was a project schedule overview, with
90% design submission planned for a July 2026 Public Information Centre.
Ron Albright spoke to the accessible features of the design including two
meter wide unobstructed sidewalks on both sides of Yonge Street, audio
pedestrian signals, and high contrast pavings with dropped curbs and
tactile plates at crosswalks. Additional improvements will extend to minor
barrier eliminations at business exterior grade levels, with existing ramp
entries remaining. It was noted that on-street accessible parking will
incorporate the results of the Town-Wide Parking Study currently
underway.
The Committee discussed the importance of accessibility seating
requirements including seatbacks to provide stability, and providing
seating both with and without arms, in addition to signal timing
improvements and high-contrast treatments for crosswalk safety. Further
noted was the significance of selecting large slab surface materials over
small pavers for wheelchair safety, and high-contrast, legible wayfinding
signage to direct users to public buildings and barrier-free parking.
Moved by Lois Davies
Seconded by Marilyn Williams
1. That the memorandum regarding Yonge Streetscape Promenade
Presentation be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding Yonge
Streetscape Promenade Presentation be received and referred to staff
for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.3 Round Table Discussion; Re: Town of Aurora Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
2022 to 2026
Staff provided an update from Accessibility Standards Canada which is
currently reviewing Emergency Egress standards to develop best practices
in accessibility for the evacuation of people with disabilities.
Requirements of this standard will apply to the design and construction of
all new federal buildings, and renovations and alterations of existing
buildings.
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December 10, 2025 5
Moved by Lois Davies
Seconded by Marilyn Williams
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding the
Town of Aurora Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2022 to 2026 be received
and referred to staff for consideration and action as appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
None.
9. New Business
Staff advised that due to scheduling limitations in relation to the upcoming
holidays, January's meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee will be
cancelled.
10. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Lois Davies
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
Carried