At the February 22nd, 2022 Council meeting, Aurora Council UNANIMOUSLY (7-0) voted to refuse a 6-storey, 150 unit residential apartment building application on the North East Quadrant of Wellington Street / John West Way because it does not conform to the Town’s Official Plan for reasons including but not limited to the following:
(i) It encroaches on environmental lands as well as the established flood plain (approximately 85% of the subject property is on floodplain);
(ii) The proposed density is not appropriate for the site;
(iii) There is a significant adverse impact to species of special concern currently inhabiting the site;
(iv) The outstanding conditions required by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority create concern for the long-term effects to the surrounding areas; and
(v) No ground floor retail units are proposed for the subject site.
On March 14th, 2022 the developer issued a Notice of Appeal on 2 counts: (i) the municipality’s refusal of the Rezoning and (ii) Council’s failure to approve the plans or drawings within 30 days of submission.
Given Council’s unanimous vote to refuse the rezoning and site plan control application, it is critical for the community to engage with Council by writing letters and emails to reinforce Council’s obligation to defend its decision to protect Aurora’s Environmental Protection Areas and protect Species at Risk habitat, by engaging the services of an OLT/OMB experienced defence team comprised of a lawyer, planner and environmental consultant.
Furthermore, Aurora’s community can assist to strengthen Council’s decision by participating in the hearing (hearing date & details TBA) by way of writing letters and emails to submit to OLT.
Please address your request to: Mayor Mrakas, Cllr Gaertner, Cllr Gallo, Cllr Gilliland, Cllr Humfryes, Cllr Kim and Cllr Thompson. Send this message to all councillors at allcouncillors@aurora.ca.
NOTE: As of June 1, 2021, the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, Environmental Review Tribunal, Board of Negotiation, Conservation Review Board and the Mining and Lands Tribunal were merged into a new single tribunal called the “Ontario Land Tribunal” (OLT).
Anna Lozyk Romeo
Aurora, Ontario
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