Minutes - Accessibility Advisory Committee - 20211027 1
Town of Aurora
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
7 p.m.
Video Conference
Committee Members: Rachelle Stinson (Chair)
Matthew Abas (Vice Chair)
Max Le Moine
John Lenchak
Jo-anne Spitzer
Members Absent: Hailey Reiss
Councillor John Gallo
Other Attendees: Lisa Hausz, Manager, Economic Development and Policy
Matthew Volpintesta, Senior Policy Planner, Land Use & Real
Estate
Mat Zawada, Accessibility Advisor
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Procedural Notes
This meeting was held electronically as per Section 19. i) of the Town's
Procedure By-law No. 6228-19, as amended, due to the COVID-19 situation.
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
2. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Matthew Abas
Seconded by Jo-anne Spitzer
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
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3. 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.
4. Receipt of the Minutes
4.1 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2021
Moved by Matthew Abas
Seconded by Max Le Moine
That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of September
8, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
5. Delegations
None.
6. Matters for Consideration
6.1 Memorandum from Senior Policy Planner; Re: Green Development
Standards – Consultation
Staff provided an overview of the Green Development Standards (GDS)
project toward the development and implementation of principles, within
five major themes, to be applied to new development projects in Town.
Staff briefly reviewed the economic, environmental and social benefits,
accessible and sustainable design, project timeline, best practice review,
and consultation. The consultant, Nadia Dowhaniuk, Head of Research,
PRIME Strategy and Planning, was also present to answer questions.
The Committee and staff provided feedback regarding noise and light
pollution, associating barrier-free parking with EV charging stations,
inclusion of the Town's own accessibility standards and guidelines to be
implemented in 2022, and integrating an accessible trail system that
exceeds the minimum AODA standards.
Moved by Matthew Abas
Seconded by Jo-anne Spitzer
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1. That the memorandum regarding Green Development Standards –
Consultation be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding Green
Development Standards – Consultation be received and referred to
staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
6.2 Memorandum from Manager, Economic Development and Policy; Re:
Streetscape Needs Assessment Consultation
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum and introduced the
project consultants: Donna Hinde, Principal, Communication and
Landscape Architecture; and Andrew Hooke, Project Manager; of The
Planning Partnership. The consultants sought input from the Committee
on streetscape elements and any concerns specifically related to the
downtown core area from Yonge and Wellington Streets south to Church
Street. The Committee and staff provided feedback and suggestions on
various issues including: barrier-free access to businesses; overhead
clearance guidelines; sidewalk barriers related to garbage, plowed snow
and ice; snow plowed into accessible parking spaces; access to/from
barrier-free parking spaces; traffic noise reduction; wayfinding signage;
raised crosswalks; paving materials and maintenance; enclosed/covered
moving walkway/ramp to parking lot; additional accessible parking on
Yonge Street; banning heavy-truck turning at Yonge and Wellington; rolling
curbs; sidewalk awnings for weather protection; service animal relief
spots; and technology-related enhancements. Staff advised the Town's
Facility Accessibility Design Standards (FADS) are being finalized and
would be shared with the consultant. Staff noted that engageaurora.ca/
downtownstreetscape is available for further feedback and input.
Moved by Jo-anne Spitzer
Seconded by John Lenchak
1. That the memorandum regarding Streetscape Needs Assessment
Consultation be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding
Streetscape Needs Assessment Consultation be received and referred
to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
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6.3 Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor; Re: Site Plan Application OPA-
2021-04, ZBA-2021-05, SP-2021-10 (Submission #1), 271 Holladay Drive
Staff provided an overview of the site plan and comments submitted to
the Planner on behalf of the Committee. The Committee and staff
discussed various aspects of the site plan and a further suggestion was
made regarding consideration for: the provision of at least three barrier-
free parking spaces on parking level 2.
Moved by Matthew Abas
Seconded by Max Le Moine
1. That the memorandum regarding Site Plan Application OPA-2021-04,
ZBA-2021-05, SP-2021-10 (Submission #1), 271 Holladay Drive be
received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding Site
Plan Application OPA-2021-04, ZBA-2021-05, SP-2021-10 (Submission
#1) be received and referred to staff for consideration and further
action as appropriate.
Carried
6.4 Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor; Re: Site Plan Application SP-
2021-11 (Submission #1), 25 and 29 George Street
Staff provided an overview of the site plan and comments submitted to
the Planner on behalf of the Committee. The Committee and staff
discussed various aspects of the site plan and further suggestions were
made regarding consideration for: the provision of barrier-free access to
the waste facilities; and a rear access to the elevator.
Moved by Matthew Abas
Seconded by John Lenchak
1. That the memorandum regarding Site Plan Application SP-2021-11
(Submission #1), 25 and 29 George Street be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding Site
Plan Application SP-2021-11 (Submission #1) be received and referred
to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
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6.5 Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor; Re: Site Plan Application ZBA
2021-04 and SP 2021-09 (Submission #1), 14700 and 14720-14760 Yonge
Street
Staff provided an overview of the site plan and comments submitted to
the Planner on behalf of the Committee. The Committee and staff
discussed various aspects of the site plan and further suggestions were
made regarding consideration for: the provision of additional barrier-free
parking spaces for external units; and improved connectivity between
buildings.
Moved by Jo-anne Spitzer
Seconded by Matthew Abas
1. That the memorandum regarding Site Plan Application ZBA 2021-04
and SP 2021-09 (Submission #1), 14700 and 14720-14760 Yonge
Street be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding Site
Plan Application ZBA 2021-04 and SP 2021-09 (Submission #1) be
received and referred to staff for consideration and further action as
appropriate.
Carried
6.6 Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor; Re: Site Plan Application SP-
2020-09 (Submission #2), 1588 St. John’s Sideroad (Block 1)
Staff provided an overview of the site plan and comments submitted to
the Planner on behalf of the Committee. The Committee and staff
discussed various aspects of the site plan and further suggestions were
made regarding consideration for: the relocation of the barrier-free parking
spaces closer to the main entrance; sidewalk connectivity with the plaza
network; and the addition of a four-way stop.
Moved by Jo-anne Spitzer
Seconded by Matthew Abas
1. That the memorandum regarding Site Plan Application SP-2020-09
(Submission #2), 1588 St. John’s Sideroad (Block 1) be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding Site
Plan Application SP-2020-09 (Submission #2) be received and referred
to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
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Carried
6.7 Round Table Discussion; Re: Town of Aurora Accessibility Plan 2018 to
2024
(Link to Accessibility Plan)
Staff gave an update on the draft Accessibility Plan 2022-2026 and future
reporting timelines, noting a public consultation would be held on
November 24, 2021, and requested that Committee members provide their
feedback by November 19, 2021.
Staff provided an update on the progress of the Information and
Communications Standard remediation project, noting that developers will
have the choice between submitting acceptable accessible plans or
submitting plans to the Town to be remediated for a fee.
Moved by Matthew Abas
Seconded by John Lenchak
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding the
Town of Aurora Accessibility Plan 2018 to 2024 be received and
referred to staff for consideration and action as appropriate.
Carried
7. Informational Items
None.
8. Adjournment
Moved by Matthew Abas
Seconded by Max Le Moine
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
Carried