Minutes - Council - 20260127
Town of Aurora
Council
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
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,
Deputy Clerk
Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Sara Tienkamp, Director, Operational Services
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director, Finance
Carley Smith, Manager, Corporate Communications
Phillip Rose, Manager, Cultural Services
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
Council consented to consider items in the following order: 9.1, 8.8.1, 8.8.2, 8.9.1,
and 9.2.
2. Land Acknowledgement
Mayor Mrakas 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,
Council Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026 2
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
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 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. Community Presentations
5.1 Mary Ann McConkey, President, and Morry Patoka, Vice President, Aurora
Cultural Centre Board; Re: Aurora Cultural Centre 2026-2030 Strategic Plan
Mary Ann McConkey provided an introduction and expressed appreciation
for Morry Patoka's leadership. Morry Patoka presented an overview of the
Aurora Cultural Centre 2026-2030 Strategic Plan including their mission,
core values, and goals, and expressed appreciation for the Town’s
partnership and continued support and collaboration.
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the presentation be received for information.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
Council Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026 3
6. Delegations
None.
7. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Thompson
That the Consent Agenda, items 7.1 to 7.4 inclusive, be approved.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
7.1 Council Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2025
1. That the Council Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2025, be adopted as
circulated.
Carried
7.2 Council Closed Session Minutes of January 13, 2026
1. That the Council Closed Session Minutes of January 13, 2026, be
adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.3 Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of January 13, 2026
1. That the Council Closed Session Public Meeting Minutes of January
13, 2026, be adopted as circulated.
Carried
7.4 Memorandum from Councillor Thompson; Re: Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of December 19, 2025
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region Conservation
Authority Board Meeting Highlights of December 19, 2025, be received
for information.
Carried
Council Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026 4
8. Committee of the Whole Meeting Report of January 13, 2026
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
That the Committee of the Whole Meeting Report of January 13, 2026, be
received and the recommendations carried by the Committee approved, with the
exception of sub-items 8.8.1, 8.8.2, and 8.9.1, which were discussed and voted
on separately as recorded below.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
8.1 Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
8.1.1 Active Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes of November 26, 2025
1. That the Active Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory
Committee Meeting Minutes of November 26, 2025, be received
for information.
Carried
8.1.2 Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 8, 2025
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
December 8, 2025, 2025, be received for information.
Carried
8.1.3 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 10,
2025
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
December 10, 2025, be received for information.
Carried
8.2 Consent Agenda
8.2.1 Memorandum from Councillor Thompson; Re: Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of December 5,
2025
Council Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026 5
1. That the memorandum regarding Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority Board Meeting Highlights of December
5, 2025, be received for information.
Carried
8.3 Community Services Committee Agenda
8.3.1 CMS26-001 - York Region Food Charter Information Report
1. That Report No. CMS26-001 be received for information.
Carried
8.4 Corporate Services Committee Agenda
None.
8.5 Finance and Information Technology Committee Agenda
8.5.1 FIN26-001 - 2026 Final Budget Reconciliation to Full-Accrual
Accounting
1. That Report No. FIN26-001 be received; and
2. That the reconciliation of the 2026 operating budget to the full-
accrual basis of accounting, as required under Ontario
Regulation 284/09, as summarized in Attachment 1, be
endorsed.
Carried
8.6 Administration Committee Agenda
None.
8.7 Operational Services Committee Agenda
None.
8.8 Planning and Development Services Committee Agenda
8.8.1 PDS26-001 - Community Planning Permit System and Official Plan
Amendment, Downtown Community Planning Permit System, File
Number: OPA-2025-08
Council Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026 6
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Weese
1. That Report No. PDS26-001 be received; and
2. That Official Plan Amendment application OPA-2025-08 be
approved to enable the Downtown Community Planning Permit
System; and
3. That the draft Official Plan Amendment By-law (Attachment 1)
and the draft Downtown Community Planning Permit System
By-law (Attachment 2) be brought forward to a future Council
meeting for enactment.
Motion to defer
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
That Report No. PDS26-001 be deferred for two months to allow
further public communications.
Yeas (3): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gaertner, and Councillor
Gallo
Nays (4): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Thompson,
and Councillor Kim
Motion to defer
Defeated (3 to 4)
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland,
Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Nays (2): Councillor Gaertner and Councillor Gallo
Main motion
Carried (5 to 2)
8.8.2 PDS26-003 - Traffic Calming Requests on Limeridge Street and
Gateway Drive
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
Council Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026 7
1. That Report No. PDS26-003 be received; and
2. That this matter be referred back to the Active Transportation
and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee for further public
consultation and discussion of the traffic calming options, and
that staff report back to Council.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland,
Councillor Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and
Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
8.8.3 PDS26-004 - Application for Draft Plan of Condominium, 2815503
Ontario Inc., 32 Don Hillock Drive, Part Lot 2, Plan 65M-3974 being
Parts 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, Plan 65R-31631, File Number: CDM-2025-01,
Related File Number: SP-2021-14
1. That Report No. PDS26-004 be received; and
2. That the Draft Plan of Condominium (File Number CDM-2025-
01) to establish a standard condominium consisting of a total
of 7 industrial units within 1 building, be approved, subject to
the conditions attached hereto as Schedule ‘A’.
Carried
8.9 Member Motions
8.9.1 Councillor Gallo; Re: Alternative Development Charges (DC)
Collection Model
Moved by Councillor Kim
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
Whereas residential development charges (DCs) are currently
collected by the Town of Aurora from developers in full upon
occupancy; and
Whereas the cost of DCs is typically embedded into the purchase
price of new homes, effectively passing this cost directly to first-
time and other homebuyers through higher purchase prices; and
Council Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026 8
Whereas the current practice contributes to housing affordability
challenges for new homebuyers in Aurora; and
Whereas alternative models for the collection of development
charges may improve transparency, enhance affordability, and
provide more flexible options for new homeowners while ensuring
the Town maintains the necessary revenue to fund growth related
infrastructure; and
Whereas the Town does not have the capacity to issue bonds or
other financing instruments to secure the full amount of DC
revenues upfront, while amortizing repayment through the
municipal tax system;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to
investigate and report back to Council by the end of Q2 2026 on
the feasibility of implementing an alternative development
charges collection model whereby:
a. Developers would remove the cost of DCs from the
purchase price of new homes;
b. New homeowners would be given the option at the time of
purchase to either:
i. Pay the full DC amount upfront as part of their home
purchase price; or
ii. Opt into a DC repayment program, whereby the DC
amount would be amortized over 25 years and appear
as a separate line item on their annual property tax bill,
remaining with the property until fully paid
notwithstanding changes in ownership;
c. The Town of Aurora would obtain an appropriate financing
mechanism to collect the full DC revenue upfront;
d. The Town of Aurora would administer the collection of the
amortized DC repayments as part of the property tax
system; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That the Town of Aurora recommends to
the Province to amend Section 26 of the Development Charges
Council Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026 9
Act, 1997 (DCA) to allow municipalities to collect DCs through
property taxation mechanisms, tied to the property rather than
at building permit issuance; and/or add a new enabling
provision authorizing municipalities to pilot or adopt alternative
collection models (e.g., amortization over time, homeowner opt-
in) with provincial oversight; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That staff consult with legal, financial,
and housing policy experts, as well as the development industry,
to assess implementation requirements, risks, and potential
impacts on affordability, market competitiveness, and long-term
municipal financial sustainability; and
4. Be It Further Resolved That a copy of this motion be sent to the
Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, all MPP’s in Ontario, all
Ontario municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of
Ontario (AMO) and the Ontario Home Builders’ Association
(OHBA).
Yeas (2): Councillor Weese and Councillor Gallo
Nays (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner,
Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Defeated (2 to 5)
8.10 Regional Report
8.10.1 York Regional Council Highlights of December 11, 2025
1. That the York Regional Council Highlights of December 11,
2025, be received for information.
Carried
9. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Regular Agenda)
9.1 Councillor Thompson; Re: Interim Control By-law for Yonge Street South
Regional Corridor (OPA 34 Area)
Council consented to vote on the first clause separately from the second and
third clauses of the motion.
Council Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026 10
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Kim
Whereas Council has established the Yonge Street Regional Corridor in the
Town’s updated Official Plan, permitting increased building heights along
Yonge Street but without defined density or unit permissions for this area;
and
Whereas OPA 34 is a highly unique part of Town, featuring environmental
and Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM) sensitivities, approved historically as a
low density, cluster residential neighbourhood; and
Whereas Council wishes to ensure that development in this area proceeds
in a planned, orderly, and community-appropriate manner that reflects the
intent of both the Official Plan and OPA 34;
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That staff be directed to prepare
and bring forward an Interim Control By-law for the Yonge Street
Regional Corridor within the OPA 34 Secondary Plan area (south of the
CN rail tracks) in order to temporarily prohibit or restrict new
development while further planning work is undertaken; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That staff be directed to undertake a focused
planning study of this portion of the Yonge Street Regional Corridor,
including its relationship to OPA 34, to clearly define:
Size of the corridor
Density and unit permissions;
Appropriate building heights;
Built form and massing;
Transitions to adjacent low-density neighbourhoods; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That the results of this study be brought back to
Council with recommendations to establish clear development
parameters and any required Official Plan Amendments for this area.
Yeas (3): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Nays (4): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, and
Councillor Gallo
First clause
Defeated (3 to 4)
Council Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026 11
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Second and third clauses
Carried (7 to 0)
9.2 Memorandum from Mayor Mrakas; Re: Committee Appointments 2026
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Weese
1. That Members of Council be appointed to the following Task Force
effective February 1, 2026:
Cannabis Retail Review Task Force - Councillors Ron Weese and
John Gallo
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
10. New Business
Councillor Weese requested an update on the issues involving Metrolinx and the
grade separation, and the St. John’s exchange. The Mayor provided a response.
Councillor Gilliland requested an update on the snowbanks downtown on Yonge
Street and any relief that can be provided to improve access for businesses and
the public. Staff provided a response.
Councillor Gilliland inquired about the expected timing of a report back to Council
on the former George Street School property, and staff provided a response.
Councillor Gaertner advised that January 27, 2026, is International Holocaust
Remembrance Day, and stated that antisemitism or any form of racism should
not be tolerated or ignored.
Councillor Gaertner inquired about the status of the former LCBO property, and
the Mayor advised that York Region owns the property, which is designated for a
paramedic services station.
Councillor Thompson inquired about the status of a servicing allocation update
report to Council, and staff provided a response.
Council Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026 12
11. By-laws
11.1 By-law Number 6756-26 - Being a By-law to assume highways on Plan 65M-
4614 for public use and maintenance by The Corporation of the Town of
Aurora.
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gilliland
That the By-laws item 11.1 be enacted.
Yeas (7): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Gaertner, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Gallo, and Councillor Kim
Carried (7 to 0)
11.2 By-law Number 6757-26 - Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 6000-17,
as amended, respecting the lands municipally known as 511, 521, 531 and
543 Wellington Street West (File No. ZBA-2024-05).
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Weese
That the By-laws item 11.2 be enacted.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Nays (2): Councillor Gaertner and Councillor Gallo
Carried (5 to 2)
11.3 By-law Number 6758-26 - Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 5285-10,
as amended, to adopt Official Plan Amendment No. 42 (File No. OPA-2025-
08).
11.4 By-law Number 6759-26 - Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 6579-24,
as amended, to adopt Official Plan Amendment No. 12 (File No. OPA-2025-
08).
11.5 By-law Number 6760-26 - Being a By-law to establish the Downtown
Community Planning Permit By-law for the Corporation of the Town of
Aurora.
Council Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026 13
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the By-laws,items 11.3 to 11.5 inclusive, be enacted.
Yeas (5): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor
Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Nays (2): Councillor Gaertner and Councillor Gallo
Carried (5 to 2)
12. Closed Session
None.
13. Confirming By-law
13.1 By-lawNumber6761-26-BeingaBy-IawtoconfirmactionsbyCouncil
resulting from a Council meeting on January 27, 2026
Moved by Councillor Thompson
Seconded by Councillor Weese
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Carried
14. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Kim
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:37 p.m.
Carried
TorMrakas, Mayor ':oesarioJoeputycierb