AGENDA - Public Planning - 20190327
Council
Public Planning
Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
7 p.m.
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Public Release
March 20, 2019
Town of Aurora
Council Public Planning
Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
7 p.m., Council Chambers
1. Approval of the Agenda
Recommended:
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
3. Planning Applications
1. PDS19-025 – Stable Neighbourhood Study
Recommended:
1. That Report No. PDS19-025 be received; and
2. That comments presented at the Public Planning meeting be addressed by
Planning and Development Services in a comprehensive report outlining
recommendations and options at a future General Committee meeting.
4. Confirming By-law
Recommended:
That the following confirming by-law be enacted:
XXXX-19 Being a By-law to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting from a Council
Public Planning Meeting on March 27, 2019.
5. Adjournment
Town of Aurora
Public Planning Report No. PDS19-025
Subject: Stable Neighbourhood Study
Prepared by: Lawrence Kuk, Manager of Development Planning
Department: Planning and Development Services
Date: March 27, 2019
Recommendations
1. That Report No. PDS19-025 be received; and
2. That comments presented at the Public Planning meeting be addressed by
Planning and Development Services in a comprehensive report outlining
recommendations and options at a future General Committee meeting.
Executive Summary
Further to Council’s direction at the January 30, 2019 public planning meeting, the
purpose of this report is to provide Council with the Planning Consultant’s (The Planning
Partnership) recommendations to the Stable Neighbourhood Study.
• The Planning Partnership’s recommendation applies to the entire Study Area and
not neighbourhood specific.
• The Planning Partnership proposes seven new zoning by-law provisions within
the Stable Neighbourhood for Council’s considerations.
• The Planning Partnership proposes 28 infill design guidelines to help shape new
developments within the Stable Neighbourhood Study Area.
• The proposed maximum gross floor area (“GFA”) and building footprint is
determined by analyzing a combination of recent building permit information, GIS
and MPAC data.
• The proposed maximum GFA will discourage many recent developments within
the Study Area.
• The proposed maximum GFA could potentially decrease dwelling units by 16% to
30%.
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 1 of 30
March 27, 2019 Page 2 of 8 Report No. PDS19-025
Background
On January 30, 2019, Council received The Planning Partnership’s peer review of the
Stable Neighbourhood Study and directed Staff to propose amendments to the
Comprehensive Zoning By-law No. 6000-17 (the “Zoning By-law”) and develop a design
guideline for the March Public Planning meeting. At that meeting, Council passed the
following motion:
1. That Report No. PDS19-010 be received; and
2. That staff be directed to come back with a report on a Zoning By-law Amendment
that addresses Recommendations #1 and #2 of the consultant's report, being a
maximum floor area, 9-metre height, placement of garage doors, and a Council-
approved Design Guidelines, at the March Public Planning meeting; and
3. That staff be directed to undertake a substantive public outreach program to
ensure that all affected landowners have a chance to understand and respond to
the proposed changes.
Location (Study Area)
Further to the July 17, 2018 General Committee meeting, Council approved four study
areas as illustrated on pages 4 to 7 of the attached report prepared by The Planning
Partnership. In summary, the following are the four study areas:
• Regency Acres
• Aurora Heights
• Town Park Area (between Mosley Street to Dunning Avenue)
• Portions of Temperance Street (between Ransom Street and just north of
Reuben Street)
Subsequent to the July 17, 2018 meeting, staff did not receive directions from Council to
add or subtract properties from the Study Area.
Policy Context
Overview of the relevant provincial policies, Town Official Plan policies and existing
Zoning By-law standards within the Study Area were outlined in a Special Council
Report PDS18-040.
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 2 of 30
March 27, 2019 Page 3 of 8 Report No. PDS19-025
Recommendations to the Stable Neighbourhood Study
The Planning Partnership’s recommendation applies to the entire Study Area and
not neighbourhood specific.
On January 16, 2019, Council directed Staff to implement recommendations #1 and #2
from The Planning Partnership’s peer review report. Recommendation #1 suggested the
Town to proceed with an amendment to the Zoning By-law as proposed by Town Staff
in report PDS18-084 with considerations to establish a maximum floor area, maximum
building height and placement of garages. Recommendation #2 suggested the Town to
proceed with the preparation of a design guideline to better articulate the requirements
for the Site Plan Review.
Note: Council did not direct staff to implement recommendation #3 from The Planning
Partnership’s peer review report. Recommendation #3 suggested if the Town wishes to
go beyond Recommendations #1 and #2, each Stable Neighbourhood study area will
need to be individually studied to produce neighbourhood-specific design guidelines that
will in-form both the Zoning By-law and Site Plan Control processes.
The Planning Partnership proposes seven new Zoning By-law provisions within
the Stable Neighbourhood for Council’s considerations.
The following is a summary of The Planning Partnership’s recommendations:
1. A maximum building height of 9.0m (measure as per the existing Zoning By-law).
2. A maximum gross floor area (“GFA”) of 371 m2 (approx. 3,993 ft2).
3. A maximum building footprint of 236 m2 (approx. 2,540 ft2) or a lot coverage of
35% whichever is less.
4. Attached and detached garages shall be flush with or set back from the main
front wall of the dwelling.
5. A maximum GFA of 40m2 (431 ft2) for detached garage. (The GFA of the
detached garage is counted towards the maximum lot coverage for accessory
building)
6. A rear yard setback of 7.5m or 25% of the total lot depth, whichever is greater.
7. Minimum rear yard setback for a detached garage and any interior lot line shall
be 1.5m with a maximum height of 3.5m.
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 3 of 30
March 27, 2019 Page 4 of 8 Report No. PDS19-025
The Planning Partnership proposes 28 infill design guidelines to help shape new
developments within the Stable Neighbourhood Study Area.
To strengthen the existing Site Plan Review process for developments within the Study
Area, The Planning Partnership proposed “Infill Design Guidelines” to provide guidance
by outlining the following design principles regarding:
• Building Height and Massing
• Garage and Driveway Width Location
• Rear Yard Setbacks
• Front Entrance Treatment
• Building Materials
• Landscape/Streetscape Treatment
The above design principles are discussed on pages 9 to 18 of the attached report. A
summary of all 28 infill design guidelines are listed on pages19 to 20 of the attached
report.
Analysis
The proposed maximum GFA and building footprint is determined by analyzing a
combination of recent building permit information, GIS and MPAC data.
Assumptions and methodology used for the calculations of the maximum GFA and
building footprint are discussed on pages 10 to 11 of the attached report. In general, the
Planning Partnership obtained a combination of recent building permit information, GIS
and MPAC data from the Town to establish average GFA and building footprints within
each of the study areas. The final recommendation is an average of all four study areas.
GFA is defined in the Zoning By-law as the means of the aggregate of the floor areas of
each Storey measured between the exterior faces of any exterior walls of the building or
structure. Within a building, basement or cellar are exempt from the calculation of GFA.
The proposed maximum GFA will discourage many recent developments within
the Study Area.
The following is a comparison of the proposed maximum GFA of 371m2 (3,993 ft2) with
some recent building permits from 2016 to 2018 within the Study Area. As illustrated
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 4 of 30
March 27, 2019 Page 5 of 8 Report No. PDS19-025
below, the proposed maximum GFA of 371m2 if enforced at the time, could have
reduced the size of some recent development within the study area.
Address Actual GFA Proposed Maximum GFA
46 Child Drive 400m2 (4,306 ft2)
371m2 (3,993 ft2)
58 Seaton Drive 430m2 (4,628 ft2)
36 Algonquin Crescent 554m2 (5,963 ft2)
80 Child Drive 454m2 (4,887 ft2)
75 Child Drive 433m2 (4,661 ft2)
The proposed maximum GFA could potentially decrease dwelling units by 16% to
30%.
By applying the existing zoning provisions to each of the Stable Neighbourhood areas,
the following table shows a potential GFA ranging from 442m2 (4,757 ft2) to 529m2
(5,698 ft2). The proposed maximum GFA could potentially decrease dwelling units by
16% to 30%.
Average lot
size
35% of
the
average
lot size
Approximate GFA
based on the 35%
of the avg. lot size
(2 storey building)
% difference
compared with
the proposed
maximum GFA
(371m2 (3,993 ft2)
Aurora Heights 631.31 m2
(6,795 ft2)
221 m2
(2,378 ft2)
442 m2 (4,757 ft2) 16%
Town Park 688.82 m2
(7,414 ft2)
241 m2
(2,595 ft2)
482 m2 (5,190 ft2) 23%
Regency Acres 704.41 m2
(7,582 ft2)
247 m2
(2,654 ft2)
493 m2 (5,307 ft2) 25%
Temperance
Street
756.26 m2
(8,140 ft2)
265 m2
(2,849 ft2)
529 m2 (5,698 ft2) 30%
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 5 of 30
March 27, 2019 Page 6 of 8 Report No. PDS19-025
Advisory Committee Review
N/A
Legal Considerations
Before an amendment to the Zoning By-law may be passed by Council, the public
should be provided with sufficient information and material to enable the public to
generally understand the proposed amendments. If Council accepts the
recommendations in this report, then this report will be sufficient for this purpose. If
Council requests further changes to the recommendations proposed in this report, then
depending upon how substantial the changes are, a further public meeting may be
required.
Financial Implications
There is no financial impact as a result of this report. Depending on how Council directs
staff to proceed, additional funding and resources maybe requested by Staff to
complete said studies.
Communications Considerations
On March 7, 2019, a Notice of Public Planning Meeting was published in the Aurora
Banner and Auroran newspaper and given by mail to all addressed property owners
within the Study Area. The attached report prepared by The Planning Partnership was
also published on the Town’s website and forwarded to the relevant Ratepayers
Association.
In response to Council’s direction on January 30, 2019 to undertake a substantive
public outreach program to encourage public participation, Communications Division
developed the following plan to go beyond the Planning Act requirements.
• Set up a separate online consultation and post relevant reports including FAQ
and discussion forum. (placespeak.com/stableneighbourhoods)
• Social media posts
• Lawn/bag signs posted in various locations within the study area
• Additional notices were given through “door hangers” which were individually
placed on each of the homes by Town Staff from various departments.
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 6 of 30
March 27, 2019 Page 7 of 8 Report No. PDS19-025
At the time of this report, the online consultation generated approximately 350 views
and 49 people completed the online survey. In general, 46% of people who completed
the survey believes that newly constructed homes are not compatible with the existing
dwelling. Whereas, 35% of people who completed the survey believes the new
development are compatible with the existing neighbourhood. The remainder 20% felt
that only in some cases new development are compatible with the existing
neighbourhood.
Additional discussion with regards to the results of the online consultation will be
presented to Council for consideration and direction at a future General Committee
meeting.
Link to Strategic Plan
Supporting an exceptional quality of life for all through its accomplishment in satisfying
requirements in the following key objective within this goal statement:
Objective 5: Strengthening the fabric of our community
• Collaborate with the development community to ensure future growth includes
housing opprotunities for everyone; and
• Prepare and regularly update the Town’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law
Alternative(s) to the Recommendation
1. That Council direct staff not to proceed further with the Stable Neighbourhood
Study and not pursue making amendments to the existing Zoning by-law and
develop an infill design guidelines.
Conclusions
As directed by Council, The Planning Partnership proposed amendments to the Town’s
current zoning standards and provided a draft infill design guideline to address the
redevelopment of homes within the Stable Neighbourhood study area. The
recommendations outlined in this report will be considered more closely together with
comments received from the Public and Council expressed at the Public Planning
Meeting or in writing/ online. Based on the findings from the Stable Neighbourhood
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 7 of 30
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda Wednesday, March 27, 2019Item 1 Page 8 of 30
Infill Design Guidelines
for Stable Neighbourhoods I Town of Aurora
Prepared by The Planning Partnership
March 8, 2019
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 9 of 30
iiiInfill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
Table of Contents
1 Introduction .......................................................1
2 Definitions ........................................................ 2
3 Neighbourhood Character/Context .............. 4
4 Guidelines for Infill Housing .......................... 8
Introduction ............................................................ 8
Building Height & Massing .................................... 9
Gross Floor Area & Building Footprint ........................10
Garage & Driveway Width & Location ..........................12
Rear Yard Setbacks .................................................... 13
Front Entrance Treatment .....................................14
Building Materials ....................................................16
Landscape/Streetscape Treatment .......................... 18
Summary ................................................................ 19
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 10 of 30
1
Introduction
Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
1
Throughout a number of Aurora’s stable and established residen-
tial neighbourhoods, there has been a growing trend of dwell-
ings being significantly renovated, enlarged, or replaced by new
dwellings, which are often quite large and very different from the
existing surrounding built form. While these neighbourhoods are
protected as Stable Neighbourhoods in the Town of Aurora Of-
ficial Plan, Town Council identified the need for further direction
in managing change in four neighbourhoods - Aurora Heights,
Regency Acres, Temperance Street and Town Park - leading to
the completion of a peer-reviewed Stable Neighbourhoods Study.
That study, and subsequent peer review, suggested a number
of recommendations for strengthening the protection of Stable
Neighbourhoods and providing the Town with more tools for
managing character, including the preparation of amendments
to the Zoning By-law and the preparation Design Guidelines that
would be adopted by Council. The peer review focused on the
concept of balance between development control, and the flex-
ibility to allow innovation and ongoing investment.
These Design Guidelines are intended to provide guidance for
homeowners, designers, architects and landscape architects by
outlining the framework and design principles for the physical
layout, massing and relationships of new and modified dwellings
in the four Stable Neighbourhoods. The construction of new
dwellings and additions (equal to or greater than 50 m2), as well
as new or replacement detached garages are required to be
compatible with the overall character of the community’s exist-
ing housing stock and contribute to the distinct character of the
surrounding neighbourhood.
These Design Guidelines provide direction on a number of char-
acter-giving elements of built form within the identified Stable
Neighbourhoods. Recommendations include amendments to the
Town’s Zoning By-law, as well as more flexible “Design Guide-
lines” that are expected to be considered through the Town’s
Site Plan Approval process. Again, the primary objective is to
achieve an acceptable balance between development control and
flexibility.
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 11 of 30
2 Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
2 Definitions
Guidelines vs. Zoning
An important element of this document is to ensure an under-
standing of the difference between a provision/regulation in-
cluded within the Town’s Zoning By-law, and statements that are
included within a Design Guideline.
The Town’s Zoning By-law is a statutory planning tool, given
authority under the Provincial Planning Act. The Zoning By-law in-
cludes specific provisions/regulations that are to be implemented
without interpretation. Development proposals are required to
conform to the Zoning By-law. The provisions/regulations of the
Zoning By-law can be adjusted only through the Minor Variance,
or Rezoning processes. Both of those processes are statutory,
given authority under the Planning Act, and both require public
notification.
Design Guidelines are non-statutory statements that have
inherent flexibility in interpretation and application. The Town
will interpret and implement Design Guidelines through the Site
Plan Approval process, where appropriate. The interpretation and
implementation of Design Guidelines is an exercise in common
sense that is focused on achieving stated objectives. They are
a tool that can be changed, or adjusted by staff, or Council, on a
case-by-case basis. Changes to the document itself should be
approved by Council, and may or may not include public notifica-
tion.
Compatible Development
The four Neighbourhoods that are the subject of these Design
Guidelines are identified as Stable Neighbourhoods in the Town
of Aurora Official Plan. This designation is intended to protect
these Neighbourhoods from incompatible forms of development,
while still permitting them to evolve and be enhanced over time.
This involves guiding new development to ensure that it is sym-
pathetic to the form and character of the area and appropriately
consider the scale and design of the surrounding neighbourhood
context.
It is therefore important to manage change such that the char-
acteristics of the Neighbourhoods that are valued as “positive”
are enhanced, and those characteristics that are considered
detrimental are eliminated, or at least, mitigated. To support this
objective, it is crucial to consider the definition of “compatible
development” in the Town’s Official Plan:
Refers to development that may not necessarily be the
same or similar to the existing buildings in the vicinity,
but, nonetheless, enhances an established community
and coexists with existing development without caus-
ing any undue adverse impact on surrounding proper-
ties.
“Existing buildings in the vicinity” – the concept of vicinity
can be flexible. Within the neighbourhood context, the definition
of vicinity can vary by the scale of development. There are three
key scales of development that should be considered, including:
• Major redevelopment, where land assembly and signifi-
cant development intensification are proposed – likely
in a townhouse or apartment form. The vicinity here
should be extensive, perhaps neighbourhood based;
• Minor redevelopment, where land assembly is not
necessarily required, but an existing dwelling is de-
molished and replaced by a new dwelling. The vicinity
here should include properties within 150 metres in all
directions; or,
• Renovations/additions to existing buildings. The vicinity
here should be more immediate, and include abutting
neighbours (two properties on either side), and a similar
group of properties across the street.
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 12 of 30
3Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
“Enhances an established community” – this is a general
phrase that needs to be articulated generally. In order to pass
this test, the nature and character of the defined vicinity needs
to be considered. Clear statements about those attributes that
define the character of that vicinity are required to assist in
the determination of what form of building can “enhance” that
character, and what form of building may be detrimental. These
Guidelines provide a foundation for articulating the character of
each neighbourhood.
Enhancing an established community can also mean a positive
contribution in terms of investment, and the impact that invest-
ment has on the value of adjacent properties, and/or the impact
that investment has on the appropriate evolution of the neigh-
bourhood.
“Coexists with existing development without causing any
undue adverse impact” – this is an onerous test, usually related
to easily identifiable/quantifiable impacts like shadow, privacy,
traffic and parking problems. In the context of these neighbour-
hoods, the concept of “visual impact” must be established as an
important development review criteria. Visual impact analysis will
need to be tied to the attributes that define the area’s character,
either on a neighbourhood-wide or defined vicinity basis.
Neighbourhood Character
Neighbourhood character refers to the “look and feel” and
considers the public and private realm components that define
the area, including topography, age, and style of housing, built
environment, land use patterns, landscaping, street patterns,
open space and streetscapes. Going beyond a categorization of
the private and public realm, the character of individual properties
and buildings cannot be viewed in isolation from the character of
the street and surrounding context. It is therefore the intent of
these Design Guidelines to identify the combination of specific
components that collectively contribute to the neighbourhood’s
character, quality and sense of place, and introduce a set of
regulations and Guidelines to ensure that future alterations and
redevelopment are compatible and enhance the Stable Neigh-
bourhoods.
Definitions for Guidelines/Zoning
Angular Plane: an imaginary flat surface projecting over a lot, at
an inclined angle measure up from the defined lot line.
Front-facing attached garage: a garage that is built into the
front structure of a dwelling, with a garage door that faces and is
accessed from the street.
Front building face width: the width of the main front wall of a
dwelling, including a front-facing attached garage.
Building Footprint: the footprint of a house is the dimensions
of the total covered area of the home including garages and
porches.
Main Front Wall: means a primary exterior front wall of a dwell-
ing, not including permitted projections or a front attached garage
door.
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 13 of 30
4 Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
3
Regency Acres
Neighbourhood feel: Regency Acres is characterized by large lots within a curvilinear street pattern. Houses are
generally well spaced with a low profile architectural style, and are relatively consistent along each street. With large
setbacks, limited landscaping and wide streets, there is a strong sense of openness.
HENDERSON DRIVE YONGE STREETHenderson Drive
Murray Drive
Seaton DriveYonge StreetChild Drive
GlassDrive NisbetDriveFairway Drive
R i c h a r d s o n DriveCranberry Lane
D a v isR oadStoddartDriveTrillium D r i v e
Cossar Drive
PatrickDriveC
or
b
ettCrescent
Broo k l a n d Ave n u e
W
illi
s
D
rive
Glenview Drive
HolmanCrescent William C r o s s le y C o u r t
J o hnsonRoadBaileyCrescentBaldwin RoadJones CourtMorningCrescentDevli
n
P
l
a
c
e
Spri ngburn C rescentWallace Merchant Court
John Bradbury Co u rtWatts
MeadowCaruso Gardens
INDUSTRI
A
L
P
A
R
K WAY SOUTH
Map created by the Town of Aurora Planning and Building Services Department, February 20, 2019.
Study Area: Regency Acres ¯0 50 100 150 200
Meters
Sidewalks with a grassed boulevard are
provided on one side of most streets,
with the more prominent streets having
a treed boulevard. Other streets have a
more rural character with swales and no
sidewalks. The street widths are signifi-
cant, which when combined with the
large setbacks of the houses, contribute
to a sense of openness. There is a sig-
nificant amount of green space and trees
tend to be mid-age;
Lot features: Lots in the neighbourhood
tend to be large and spacious, permitting
significant front and side yard setbacks.
Landscaping tends to be dominated by
grassy front lawns with some mid-age
trees and access to the lots is exclusively
via the driveway; and,
Housing/building types: The built form
is primarily characterized by well-spaced,
modest 1 to 2 storey houses with shallow
pitched roofs with a range of shapes/dir-
ections, low profile front entrances with
little or no front porch and use a variety of
brick, stucco, siding and stone. The built-
form is very homogenous throughout this
Neighbourhood.
Properties have a mixture of small
attached garages, carports, detached gar-
ages in the backyard or driveway parking.
The architectural style and colour palette
of the houses are relatively consistent
along each street.
Houses in Regency Acres with well spaced houses and large setbacks.
Neighbourhood Character/Context
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 14 of 30
5Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
Aurora Heights
Neighbourhood feel: Aurora Heights is characterized by large lots within a curvilinear street pattern with some variation in topography.
Houses are generally well spaced with low profile rooflines and front doors. A strong sense of space is created with large setbacks
and wide streets and boulevards.
Map created by the Town of Aurora Planning and Building Services Department, February 20, 2019.
Study Area: Aurora Heights
WELLINGTON STREET WEST
Devins Drive
Hill Drive
Aurora Heights Drive
Wellington Street West Haida DriveKemano Road
Orchard Heights Boulevard
JasperDriveBanff DriveT ecum sehDriveMcDonald Drive
Machell AvenueJ a m e s HenryDrive Laurentide AvenueColli ns CrescentBoulding
D
ri
veForehtCrescentKitimatCres c e n t
Apri l G a r d e nsC o p l a nd Trail
HuronCourt
Hammo n d Drive
Navan Crescent
A l go n qu i nCrescentSioux GateStAndr
e
wsCourtCypress CourtSenator CourtO
t
t
aw
a
C
o
u
r
t Cabot CourtBell Drive
¯0 50 100 150 200
Meters
Sidewalks with a grassed and/or treed boulevard
are provided on one side of most streets, with the
more prominent streets having a sidewalk on both
sides. The street widths are significant, especially at
curves and turning circles in cul-de-sacs. The width
of the streets and the large setbacks of the houses
contribute to a strong sense of openness. There is a
significant amount of greenery and shrubs with trees
tending to be mid-age;
Lot features: Lots in the neighbourhood tend to be
large and spacious, permitting significant front and
side yard setbacks. Landscaping tends to include
significant grassy front lawns with shrubbery and
some mid-age trees; access to the lots is exclusively
via the driveway; and,
Housing/building types: The built form is primarily
characterized by well-spaced, modest 1 to 2 storey
houses, with many split-level houses. The built-form
is very homogenous throughout this Neighbourhood.
The shallow pitched roofs general have the peak to-
wards the centre of the house, or extending parallel
to the street, creating a less visibly striking feature.
Front entrances are low profile, often flush with the
front façade or set back to create a small porch.
Some front entrances are also located to the side of
the house.
The houses use a combination of brick, stucco and
siding.
The housing generally has a mixture of small at-
tached garages, carports, detached garages in the
backyard or driveway parking.
The architectural style and colour palette of the hous-
es are relatively consistent along each street.
Houses in Aurora Heights with large building setbacks and wide boulevards
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 15 of 30
6 Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
Town Park
Neighbourhood feel: Town Park is a distinctive urban neighbourhood with an eclectic mix of architectural styles set within a modified
grid street network. This neighbourhood demonstrates the evolution of housing from the historic houses to the north to the late 20th
century houses in the south and is well integrated with its surroundings.Yonge StreetEdward StreetWells StreetRoyal Road
Cousins Drive
I
ndustrialPa
rk
w
a
y
S
o
uth
Mosley Street
Temperance StreetDunning Avenue
Wellington Street East
Metcalfe Street Berczy StreetGurnett StreetVictoria StreetLarmont StreetTyler Street
Connaught Avenue
Harrison AvenueMill StreetMary Street
Reuben Street
WenderlyDriveKennedy Street East
Cousins Drive East
Wellington Street West
GolfLinks
Drive
Church Street
R a n som Street
Kennedy Street West
Map created by the Town of Aurora Planning and Building Services Department, February 20, 2019.
Study Area: Town Park ¯0 50 100 150 200
Meters
The neighbourhood is structured around a modified
grid street network, interrupted by a watercourse
corridor which crosses Town Park from north-west to
south-east. Sidewalks are provided on at least one
side of almost all streets, some with a boulevard. The
streets and intersections are narrower that in the newer
neighbourhoods, helping to create a more comfortable
pedestrian environment. This neighbourhood is located
between a traditional main street and an older indus-
trial area and therefore there are a mix of adjacent land
uses, adding to the diverse building forms;
Lot features: Lots are relatively large, and contain
significant mature trees and landscaping. Houses have
variable side yard setbacks and are either accessed via
a driveway or walkway and,
Housing/building types: The housing in this neigh-
bourhood is eclectic, with a significant number of older
houses to the north, including semi-detached houses,
and newer construction further south. There are a var-
iety of front yard setbacks, although most of the older
housing stock is located relatively close to the street.
This smaller setback combined with a large concentra-
tion of 1.5 to 2.5 storey houses creates a strong sense
of enclosure to the streetscape.
Front doors are generally prominent and the front
façade is frequently softened with significant front
porches.
Garages are not prominent. Where they are provided,
they are generally set back from the front façade or
are detached and to the rear of the property, with the
exception of many of the newer houses.
There is a wide range of roof lines and pitches, with
a steeper pitch dominating older built forms, located
generally to the north of the Neighbourhood.
Neighbourhood of Town Park with an eclectic mix of housing.
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 16 of 30
7Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
Temperance Street
Neighbourhood feel: Temperance Street is an older urban neighbourhood with an eclectic mix of building forms and architectural
styles largely extending north-south along Temperance Street. This neighbourhood is dominated by older historic houses, with some
late 20th century houses in the south and is well linked to the Yonge Street commercial corridor.
Map created by the Town of Aurora Planning and Building Services Department, February 20, 2019.
Study Area: Temperance Street YONGE STREETYonge StreetTemperance StreetReuben Street
Kennedy Street West
Ransom Street
Cousins Drive
Kennedy Street East
Church Street
¯0 25 50 75 100
Meters
The neighbourhood encompasses the southern end
of Temperance Street and acts as a transition area
along westernmost edge of the modified grid street
network along Yonge Street. Sidewalks are provid-
ed on at least one side of almost all streets, some
with a boulevard. The streets and intersections are
narrower that in the newer neighbourhoods, helping
to create a more comfortable pedestrian environ-
ment. This neighbourhood is located adjacent to a
traditional main street and therefore there are a mix
of adjacent land uses, adding to the diverse building
forms;
Lot features: Lots are relatively large, and contain
significant mature trees and landscaping. Houses
have variable side yard setbacks and are either
accessed via a driveway or walkway and,
Housing/building types: The housing in this neigh-
bourhood is eclectic, with a significant number of
older houses, and some newer construction further
south. There are a variety of front yard setbacks,
although most of the older housing stock is located
relatively close to the street. This smaller setback
combined with a large concentration of 1.5 to 2.5
storey houses creates a strong sense of enclosure
to the streetscape.
Front doors are generally prominent and the front
façade is frequently softened with significant front
porches.
Garages are not prominent. Where they are provid-
ed, they are generally set back from the front façade
or are detached and to the rear of the property, with
the exception of the newer houses.
There is a wide range of roof lines and pitches, with
a steeper pitch dominating older built forms.
Temperance Street Neighbourhood with older historic houses.
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 17 of 30
8 Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
4
Introduction
The following Design Guidelines have been developed to en-
sure that new development, redevelopment and alterations are
compatible with the existing character of Aurora’s Stable Neigh-
bourhoods. Together, these Guidelines provide a framework to
guide the design, location and configuration of new buildings
and additions, ensuring that they strengthen the overall character
and positively contribute to these neighbourhoods, while also
providing opportunities for appropriate flexibility and encouraging
investment. It is intended that these Design Guidelines guide
property owners and development professionals in the design of
new dwellings. These Design Guidelines will be implemented by
the Town of Aurora in the form of amendments to the Zoning By-
law, and/or through the Site Plan Approval process within the four
identified Stable Neighbourhoods.
View along Temperance Street
View from Aurora Heights
Guidelines for Infill Housing
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 18 of 30
9Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
Building Height & Massing
The height of buildings in the four neighbourhoods range from 1
to 2.5 storeys with an eclectic mix of architectural styles ranging
from historic to 21st century homes. The overall objective of the
Town is to ensure that new houses are compatible with existing
built-form and that a transition from one building to the next is
appropriate. New homes should be neither too tall nor too small.
On blocks where single storey or 1.5 storey homes are predomin-
ant, second storey additions or new 2 storey homes may require
particular attention to ensure sensitive transitions to adjacent
properties.
The objectives of the Design Guidelines in directing the relation-
ship of the building scale along the street are to:
• Ensure a scale, massing, roof line and building orienta-
tion that is commonly found in the neighbourhood; and,
• Ensure a sensitive transition to adjacent residential
dwellings.
Design Guidelines
1 Where possible, maintain the existing lot grading and the
neighbourhood’s characteristic first floor height.
2 Rooflines should reflect those of the existing neighbourhood:
a) Steeper pitches and more complex rooflines in Town Park
and Temperance Street Neighbourhoods.
b) Shallower pitch roofs in Aurora Heights and Regency Acres.
3 Slope the new roof back from adjacent houses. One approach
for promoting a smooth transition is the use of an angular
plane. Where appropriate the Town may consider applying
an angular plane of 45 degrees, measured from 3.0 metres
above any interior side yard. Where an angular plane is util-
ized, no development shall be permitted to encroach within
the defined angular plane. This Guideline should be applied
where taller dwellings are proposed abutting single storey
built forms.
Zoning By-law Amendments
1 The maximum building height is 9.0 metres (measured as per
the existing Zoning By-law).
Proposed
Not Appropriate
Proposed
Not Appropriate
Appropriate
Proposed 45° Appropriate
Proposed 45° Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 19 of 30
10 Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
Zoning By-law Amendments
2 The maximum Gross Floor Area for any dwelling shall be 371
square metres (approximately 3,993 square feet).
3 The maximum Building Footprint shall be 236 square metres
(approximately 2,540 square feet), or a lot coverage of 35
percent, whichever is less.
Assumptions/Methodology
• Where appropriate, measures for Gross Floor Area and
Building Footprint were based on the Town’s GIS data.
• Numbers utilized in this analysis are an estimate of ex-
isting conditions. The base data provided by the Town
omitted much of the recent development activity and
provided only the building footprint and an inexact num-
ber of full and partial storeys. Except when determin-
Gross Floor Area & Building Footprint
50% of Range +50% of Average Outcome
Regency Acres
Gross Floor Area 370m2 307m2 338m2
Building Footprint 266m2 237m2 252m2
Aurora Heights
Gross Floor Area 378m2 303m2 340m2
Building Footprint 246m2 231m2 238m2
Town Park
Gross Floor Area 404m2 354m2 379m2
Building Footprint 251m2 201m2 226m2
Temperance Street
Gross Floor Area 394m2 460m2 427m2
Building Footprint 234m2 219m2 226m2
Recommended Maximum
Gross Floor Area 371m2 (3,993 sq ft)
Recommended Maximum
Building Footprint 236m2 (2,540 sq ft)
ing the smallest and largest dwellings per neighbour-
hood, where number of storeys was estimated using
Google Maps, GFA was determined by multiplying the
building footprint by the number of storeys included in
the Town’s data.
• The GFA and lot coverage for most newly constructed
houses was provided by the Town as separate files, and
was used to enhance the existing data for each neigh-
bourhood.
• In calculating the average GFA for the neighbourhoods,
new additions were not included as a result of antici-
pated high level of error in estimating how much of the
addition area should be added to the existing building.
• Overall, the average GFAs are considered a reasonable
estimate and are relatively conservative. Actual condi-
tions may, in fact be slightly higher than those included
here.
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 20 of 30
11Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
• To establish the “50% of range” maximum GFA and
Building Footprint for new dwellings, the midway point
between the ‘average’ GFA and building footprint and
the highest values was identified.
• To establish the “+ 50% of average” maximum GFA
and Building Footprint for new dwellings, 50% of the
‘average’ was added to the ‘average’ value.
• The maximum permitted GFA proposed in the Zoning
By-law Amendment was established by taking the aver-
age maximum GFA among the four neighbourhoods,
using the average of both methodologies.
• The maximum permitted building footprint proposed
in the Zoning By-law Amendment was established by
taking the average maximum building footprint among
the four neighbourhoods, using the average of both
methodologies.
Data Analysis
Regency Acres
Lot size range: 307.68 to 1,710.84 m2
Average lot size: 704.41 m2
Existing GFA range: 73 to 534 m2
Average GFA: 205 m2
Existing building footprint range: 69 to 374 m2
Average building footprint: 158 m2
50% of range method
Maximum GFA for new dwellings: 370 m2
Maximum building footprint for new dwellings: 266 m2
+ 50% of average method
Maximum GFA for new dwellings: 307 m2
Maximum building footprint for new dwellings: 237 m2
Aurora Heights
Lot size range: 449.94 to 1,336.77 m2
Average lot size: 631.31m2
Existing GFA range: 56 to 554 m2
Average GFA: 202 m2
Existing building footprint range: 56 to 337 m2
Average building footprint: 154 m2
50% of range method
Maximum GFA for new dwellings: 378 m2
Maximum building footprint for new dwellings: 246 m2
+ 50% of average method
Maximum GFA for new dwellings: 303 m2
Maximum building footprint for new dwellings: 231 m2
Town Park
Lot size range: 229.82 to 1,800.41 m2
Average lot size: 688.82 m2
Existing GFA range: 52 to 571 m2
Average GFA: 236 m2
Existing building footprint range: 52 to 368 m2
Average building footprint: 134 m2
50% of range method
Maximum GFA for new dwellings: 404 m2
Maximum building footprint for new dwellings: 251 m2
+ 50% of average method
Maximum GFA for new dwellings: 354 m2
Maximum building footprint for new dwellings: 201 m2
Temperance Street
Lot size range: 326.77 to 2,064.35 m2
Average lot size: 756.26 m2
Existing GFA range: 63 to 480 m2
Average GFA: 307 m2
Existing building footprint range: 57 to 322 m2
Average building footprint: 146 m2
50% of range method
Maximum GFA for new dwellings: 394 m2
Maximum building footprint for new dwellings: 234 m2
+ 50% of average method
Maximum GFA for new dwellings: 460 m2
Maximum building footprint for new dwellings: 219 m2
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 21 of 30
12 Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
6 The design and placement of garage/carport should minimize
its visual impact on the street.
7 The garage of a new dwelling should not extend beyond the
main front wall of an adjacent dwelling.
8 Where detached garages are considered, they should be simi-
lar in material and character to the dwelling.
9 Where front-facing attached garages or carports are con-
sidered:
a) The attached garage/carport is integrated into the massing
and design of the dwelling.
b) The attached garages may include a second storey over the
garage, where height limitations permit.
c) The roofline of the attached garage/carport is designed to
be compatible with the roofline of the dwelling.
10 The size of the garage is compatible with the size of the lot.
a) Front-facing attached garages shall not take up more than
50% of the width of the main front wall of the dwelling.
b) No more than a 2 car garage is permitted on any lot.
Garage & Driveway Width and
Location
Garages and driveways should be located and sized based on the
established pattern of the neighbourhood. In Regency Acres and
Aurora Heights, properties have a mix of small attached garages,
carports, detached garages in the backyard or driveway parking.
Town Park and Temperance Street garages are generally not a
prominent feature of the streetscape. Typically they are set back
from the front facade or are detached and located to the rear of
the property.
The objectives of the Design Guidelines in directing the width
and location of garages and driveways along the street are to:
• Ensure that garage doors do not dominate the front
facade of the house; and,
• Maintain a consistent garage type and driveway width
along the street.
Design Guidelines
4 Driveway widths should not substantially exceed the garage/
carport width. Where no garage/carport is provided, the width
of the driveway should not exceed 3.0m.
5 Maintain consistent garage type and location as the surround-
ing neighbourhood (i.e. at the front or rear of the lot), where
possible:
a) Detached garages to the rear are encouraged in Town Park
and Temperance Street Neighbourhoods.
b) Detached garages to the rear, carports or front facing
attached garages set back from the main front wall of the
dwelling are encouraged in the Regency Acres and Aurora
Heights Neighbourhoods.
Appropriate loca-
tions for garages
and vary based on
each Neighbour-
hood.
Zoning By-law Amendments
4 Attached and detached garages shall be flush with, or set back
from the main front wall of the dwelling.
5 Detached garages shall have a maximum Gross Floor Area of
40 square metres and be counted towards the maximum lot
coverage permitted for accessory buildings.
max. 50% of main front wall
for garage
garage is flush or
recessed with wall
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 22 of 30
13Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
Design Guidelines
11 Rear yard setbacks shall address rear yard privacy and sunlight
issues when extending a home towards the rear property line.
Rear Yard Setbacks
The relationship between buildings through placement on the
lot is important to ensure a consistent neighbourhood ‘feel’ and
impacts the sense of openness and enclosure. There is signifi-
cant diversity in the positioning of houses on their lots as well as
in the sizes of lots throughout all four Stable Neighbourhoods,
contributing to their different characteristics. The Neighbourhoods
also differ in the positioning of houses in relation to the streets.
The Zoning By-law establishes clear regulations for front yard set-
backs and interior/exterior side yard setbacks. The objectives of
the Design Guidelines in directing the relationship of the building
to the rear lot line are to:
• Maintain the traditional range of building to lot relation-
ship;
• Ensure that dwellings are in proportion to their lot sizes;
• Maintain the level of openness in the rear yard; and,
• Allow a measure of privacy between neighbours by
providing space for light, landscaping and recreational
uses.
REAR YARD SETBACK
FRONT YARD
SIDEWALK
BOULEVARD
STREET STREETBOULEVARDSIDEWALKSIDE YARD SETBACKCONSISTENT BUILDING
BUILDING FOOTPRINT
Zoning By-law Amendments
6 The rear yard setback shall be a minimum of 7.5 metres or 25
percent of the total lot depth, whichever is greater.
7 Notwithstanding the provision above, a detached garage
building may be located within the rear yard. The minimum
setback from the rear lot line and any interior lot line shall be
1.5 metres. The maximum height of a detached garage shall
be 3.5 metres.
7.5M
SIDEWALK
BOULEVARD
STREET STREETBOULEVARDSIDEWALK25% REAR YARD SETBACK
SIDEWALK
BOULEVARD
STREET STREETBOULEVARDSIDEWALK1.5M REAR YARD SETBACK
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 23 of 30
14 Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
Design Guidelines
12 Avoid a large number of steps leading to the front entry.
Where entries do require steps, they should be limited to a
maximum of 5 steps and lead to a significant porch.
13 Where the entry is located above grade, it should be con-
sistent with the height and relationship to the street of adja-
cent dwellings.
14 The front door should be clearly visible and approachable
from the street via the driveway, or walkway. For any side of
the building facing the street, a porch, prominent entrance or
other architectural gesture should provide a “public face”.
15 The provision of weather protection at the main entrance is
encouraged.
16 Where there is a dominant pattern of existing front porches,
new homes or additions to homes should consider a front
porch that is consistent in size and style with the surrounding
neighbourhood.
Front Entrance Treatment
The four Stable Neighbourhoods demonstrate a wide range of
approaches to the design and location of the front entrance.
Regency Acres and Aurora Heights neighbourhoods tend to
have low profile front entrances close to grade, with some small
porches which generally lead to a driveway. The older neighbour-
hoods of Town Park and Temperance Street have more prominent
entries with significant front porches which generally step down
to a front walkway and/or driveway.
The relationship between the front entry and the street is an
important one; it symbolizes a connection between the private
and public realm and the neighbourhood ties that develop social
relationships between residents.
The objectives of the Design Guidelines in directing the relation-
ship of the building entrance to the street are to:
• Ensure that the prominence of front entries are con-
sistent with the surrounding neighbourhood; and,
• Ensure that front entries are oriented to the street.
Example of a prominent street oriented front entrance.Example of a modest street oriented front entrance.
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 24 of 30
15Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
Regency Acres Neighbourhood
1 Entrances are at grade.
2 Low Profile front entrances with little or no front
porch.
Aurora Heights Neighbourhood
1 Many split level houses.
2 Low profile entrance that are flush or set back
from the front facade to create a small porch.
3 Some raised porches.
Town Park Neighbourhood
1 Front doors are prominent.
2 Front facade is softened with significant front
porches.
Temparance Street Neighbourhood
1 Front doors are prominent.
2 Front facade is softened with significant front
porches.
Entrances are at grade.Some full front porches.
Split level house with entrance at grade.Raised porch.
Entries are prominent with large porches.
Significant porches along front facades.
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 25 of 30
16 Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
Design Guidelines
17 Colour palettes are expected to take their cues from the sur-
rounding streets with only high quality materials being used.
The following are appropriate building materials:
a) Brick;
b) Stucco or its equivalent;
c) Wood clapboard or wood batten; and/or,
d) Stone.
18 Use painted wood for porches, porch railings, bay window sur-
rounds and shutters. Use cedar and asphalt shingles on roofs.
19 Colours and materials should be selected from a heritage pal-
ette in the Town Park and Temperance Street neighbourhoods.
20 Contemporary designs should include traditional materials
used in the surrounding neighbourhood.
21 Additions or renovations to an existing building should use ma-
terials and colours that are consistent with the main building
facade.
Building Materials
The building materials of individual buildings vary considerably
throughout the four neighbourhoods. It is this variety that con-
tributes to the interest along the street and to a more ecclectic
range of buildings.
There should be no strict imposition of material palettes. How-
ever, several broad categories of building appearances are iden-
tified and described which provide sufficient flexibility to accom-
modate variety, but ensure that no jarring interventions will be
inserted to interrupt the visual harmony of a neighbourhood.
The objectives of the Design Guidelines for renovations, addi-
tions and new construction are to:
• Ensure a high quality of materials is used;
• Preserve the variety of design, colour and building
materials within a range that enhances the character of
the neighbourood; and,
• Ensure that while buildings will inevitably change over
time, they will still maintain the cohesive visual charac-
ter of the street.
Contemporary infill house design with materials and colours that complement the surrounding traditional material palettes.
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 26 of 30
17Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
Regency Acres Neighbourhood
1 Use of a variety of brick, stucco, siding, stone,
wood clapboard and wood board and batten.
2 Wood often used for architectural details such as
bay windows.
3 Darker coloured bricks, siding and stucco. The
dominant brick colours are red, brown and light
greys.
Aurora Heights Neighbourhood
1 Houses are a combination of brick, stucco and
siding.
2 Brick and siding is predominant on some streets.
3 A variety of siding colours used with some bright
colour palettes.
4 Brick colours range from traditional reds to light
greys.
Town Park Neighbourhood
1 Houses use predominately brick, stone and
siding.
2 Colour palettes are more traditional with dark
buff bricks, and a variety of colours and tones
for siding.
3 Homes often have full stone front facades.
Temparance Street Neighbourhood
1 Houses use predominately brick, stone and
siding.
2 Colour palettes are more traditional with dark
and yellow buff bricks, and a variety of colours
and tones for siding.
3 Wood cedar siding is also used as main mass-
ing materials.
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 27 of 30
18 Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
Landscape/Streetscape Treatment
Much of the landscape character in all four neighbourhoods is
determined by the treatment of the front yards. Many of them
feature lawns and extensive gardens with mature trees to pro-
vide a continuous canopy over the street.
The objectives of the Guidelines with respect to landscape are
to:
• Maintain the green landscape character of the neigh-
bourhood;
• Screen views to rear yard parking; and,
• Preserve mature trees.
Design Guidelines
22 Protect mature trees and encourage planting new trees.
23 Where possible, maintain existing slopes.
24 Permeable paving for new walkways and driveways is encour-
aged to reduce run-off to storm sewers and soften the street-
scape appearance. Limit hard surface landscaping in front
yards to walkways and driveways only.
25 A walkway from the front door to the sidewalk is encouraged
where they are predominant in a neighbourhood.
26 Front yard hedges should be a maximum of 1.2m high to
ensure “eyes to the street” and avoid blocked views from the
house to the sidewalk.
27 Avoid privacy fencing at the front of the house.
a) Maximum height for corner lot fencing is 1.8m;
b) Materials for corner lot fencing should be consistent with
the surrounding neighbourhood; and,
c) Side yard fencing should be avoided unless set back from
the front wall of the dwelling.
28 Use natural stone finishes for retaining walls.
Low front yard fencing.
Mature trees are retained..
Hard surface landscaping limited to walkway and driveway.
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 28 of 30
19Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
Summary
Design Guidelines
1 Where possible, maintain the existing lot grading and the
neighbourhood’s characteristic first floor height.
2 Rooflines should reflect those of the existing neighbourhood:
a) Steeper pitches and more complex rooflines in Town Park
and Temperance Street Neighbourhoods.
b) Shallower pitch roofs in Aurora Heights and Regency Acres.
3 Slope the new roof back from adjacent houses. One approach
for promoting a smooth transition is the use of an angular
plane. Where appropriate the Town may consider applying
an angular plane of 45 degrees, measured from 3.0 metres
above any interior side yard. Where an angular plane is util-
ized, no development shall be permitted to encroach within
the defined angular plane. This Guideline should be applied
where taller dwellings are proposed abutting single storey
built forms.
4 Driveway widths should not substantially exceed the garage/
carport width. Where no garage/carport is provided, the width
of the driveway should not exceed 3.0m.
5 Maintain consistent garage type and location as the surround-
ing neighbourhood. (i.e. at the front or rear of the lot), where
possible:
a) Detached garages to the rear are encouraged in Town Park
and Temperance Street Neighbourhoods.
b) Detached garages to the rear, carports or front facing
attached garages set back from the main front wall of the
dwelling are encouraged in the Regency Acres and Aurora
Heights Neighbourhoods.
6 The design and placement of garage/carport should minimize
its visual impact on the street.
7 The garage of a new dwelling should not extend beyond the
main front wall of an adjacent dwelling.
8 Where detached garages are considered, they should be simi-
lar in material and character to the dwelling.
9 Where front-facing attached garages or carports are con-
sidered:
a) The attached garage/carport is integrated into the massing
and design of the dwelling.
b) The attached garages may include a second storey over the
garage, where height limitations permit.
c) The roofline of the attached garage/carport is designed to
be compatible with the roofline of the dwelling.
10 The size of the garage is compatible with the size of the lot.
a) Front-facing attached garages shall not take up more than
50% of the width of the main front wall of the dwelling.
b) No more than a 2 car garage is permitted on any lot.
11 Rear yard setbacks shall address rear yard privacy and sunlight
issues when extending a home towards the rear property line.
12 Avoid a large number of steps leading to the front entry.
Where entries do require steps, they should be limited to a
maximum of 5 steps and lead to a significant porch.
13 Where the entry is located above grade, it should be con-
sistent with the height and relationship to the street of adja-
cent dwellings.
14 The front door should be clearly visible and approachable
from the street via the driveway, or walkway. For any side of
the building facing the street, a porch, prominent entrance or
other architectural gesture should provide a “public face”.
15 The provision of weather protection at the main entrance is
encouraged.
16 Where there is a dominant pattern of existing front porches,
new homes or additions to homes should consider a front
porch that is consistent in size and style with the surrounding
neighbourhood.
17 Colour palettes are expected to take their cues from the sur-
rounding streets with only high quality materials being used.
The following are appropriate building materials:
a) Brick;
b) Stucco or its equivalent;
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 29 of 30
20 Infill Development Guidelines for Stable Neighbourhoods
Zoning By-law Amendments
1 The maximum building height is 9.0 metres.
2 The maximum Gross Floor Area for any dwelling shall be 371
square metres (approximately 3,993 square feet).
3 The maximum Building Footprint shall be 236 square metres
(approximately 2,540 square feet), or a lot coverage of 35
percent, whichever is less.
4 Attached and detached garages shall be flush with, or set back
from the main front wall of the dwelling.
5 Detached garages shall have a maximum Gross Floor Area of
40 square metres.
6 The rear yard setback shall be a minimum of 7.5 metres or 25
percent of the total lot depth, whichever is greater.
7 Notwithstanding the provision above, a detached garage
building may be located within the rear yard. The minimum
setback from the rear lot line and any interior lot line shall be
1.5 metres. The maximum height of a detached garage shall
be 3.5m.
c) Wood clapboard or wood batten; and/or,
d) Stone.
18 Use painted wood for porches, porch railings, bay window sur-
rounds and shutters. Use cedar and asphalt shingles on roofs.
19 Colours and materials should be selected from a heritage pal-
ette in the Town Park and Temperance Street neighbourhoods.
20 Contemporary designs should include traditional materials
used in the surrounding nighbourhood.
21 Additions or renovations to an existing building should use ma-
terials and colours that are consistent with the main building
facade.
22 Protect mature trees and encourage planting new trees.
23 Where possible, maintain existing slopes.
24 Permeable paving for new walkways and driveways is encour-
aged to reduce run-off to storm sewers and soften the street-
scape appearance. Limit hard surface landscaping in front
yards to walkways and driveways only.
25 A walkway from the front door to the sidewalk is encouraged
where they are predominant in a neighbourhood.
26 Front yard hedges should be a maximum of 1.2m high to
ensure “eyes to the street” and avoid blocked views from the
house to the sidewalk.
27 Avoid privacy fencing at the front of the house.
a) Maximum height for corner lot fencing is 1.8m;
b) Materials for corner lot fencing should be consistent with
the surrounding neighbourhood; and,
c) Side yard fencing should be avoided unless set back from
the front wall of the dwelling.
28 Use natural stone finishes for retaining walls.
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Item 1
Page 30 of 30
The Corporation of The Town of Aurora By-law Number XXXX-19 Being a By-law to Confirm Actions by Council Resulting from a Council Public Planning Meeting on March 27, 2019.
The Council of the Corporation of The Town of Aurora hereby enacts as follows:
1. That the actions by Council at its Council Public Planning meeting held on March
27, 2019, in respect of each motion, resolution and other action passed and taken
by the Council at the said meeting is hereby adopted, ratified and confirmed.
2. That the Mayor and the proper officers of the Town are hereby authorized and
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to the said action or to obtain
approvals where required and to execute all documents as may be necessary in
that behalf and the Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to affix the corporate
seal to all such documents.
Enacted by Town of Aurora Council this 27th day of March, 2019.
Tom Mrakas, Mayor
Samantha Yew, Deputy Town Clerk
Council Public Planning Meeting Agenda Wednesday, March 27, 2019 Confirming By-law Page 1 of 1