Official Plan Review

I’m surprised that maintaining and enhancing our green spaces has been given such low priority in the OPR. I recognize the importance of growth, but it needs to be balanced growth and, given the challenges that our green spaces have faced over the past years and the overbuild that has happened in the communities to our south, I would think that this is something that needs to be given special focus. Aurora’s green spaces have been heavily promoted and recognized, and conservation plays a prominent role in our current OP. We need to ensure that this stays the case and that urban growth does not come at the expense of our mature natural ecosystems.

Protecting what little forest, wetland and meadow areas we have remaining is critical now and for a healthier future for humans and wildlife. More measures need to be taken to prevent air and water pollution, especially concerning runoff that can contaminate ground water resources.

The green spaces and trails in Aurora is one of the biggest draws of this town, and a large reason why I continue to live here (and plan for my future here) instead of moving closer to work in the GTA.

Development doesn’t help protect our environment.

We must protect our natural environment and green spaces in Aurora. It is a critical part of what makes this a healthy, vibrant, and livable community.

We need to protect our natural environment (forests, woodlands, wetlands, species). It is part of what makes Aurora such an amazing and valuable town to live in and something that distinguishes it from many other towns.

Please protect our wetlands, moraine and wildlife.... we are big enough now

Very disappointed that I could not get a link from the town to join the WSP Canada online “Aurora Official Plan Review” session this evening. I trust you will post the webinar link so that everyone can see the event recording.

We do not have an acceptable Go Train operation in Aurora and the fact that the heavily subsidized Blue Bus running up Yonge St. doesn’t connect with the Aurora Go is an example of one of the issues here - transfers from the Blue Bus to the Wellington bus often run over 20 minutes (pre-pandemic). Much work to do on the Transportation front!

Any future growth in the town should keep in mind the need to preserve the environment and green spaces, reduce pollution, provide for a larger variety of more affordable housing options, and also make Aurora a more vibrant and attractive place to live. As it stands right now most of the new growth in town seems to be mostly large and expensive single-detached homes being built on the outskirts of the already built-up area. It's swallowing up what remaining land the Town does have while doing little or nothing to address traffic, the housing crisis, preserving the environment, and not contributing much to the town's character at all. If this state of affairs continues it's only a matter of time before the developers start trying to figure out how to get their hands into the Greenbelt area. Meanwhile there are plenty of undeveloped lots scattered throughout the built-up area that could be converted into residential, commercial, or parks/parkettes. Building more affordable units (i.e. townhomes, condos, apartments, etc) will inevitably mean increased density, which seems to be something that many in Aurora don't like the idea of. I think it would be a good idea for the town to consider relaxing its current policies on height and density going forward to encourage more upward instead of outward development. Surely it won't have to mean building 20+ storey towers everywhere, but rather find a happy medium somewhere. Embracing higher densities of residential, employment and services will help provide more affordable housing while being good for the local economy and fighting climate change through reduced car usage.

The transit situation in Aurora is also very much in need of attention, especially if we want to address existing and potential future traffic congestion within the town. The GO Train service from Aurora is excellent and is positioned to improve significantly once GO RER is fully implemented, but with the current situation you either need to hope there's a parking spot or take an Uber/Taxi to the station to catch a train. I'd personally like to see the Town work with YRT to improve transit links between Aurora GO, the VIVA, the residential areas, and major commercial/employment areas such as the Smartcentres near 404.

Whether it's popular opinion or not the world isn't exactly the same place it was 20 years ago, and Aurora isn't an exception.

York region has an unprecedented shortage of affordable/geared to income housing. I don't see projects coming to Council, and I've been watching for 8 years now. Ideally, I'd like to see a few approved each year. I want to see the town bartering with developers to add accessible units to developments, be it condo projects, town homes, row homes, etc. It feels like the topic is very taboo at the town. How can we make this happen? Subsides? Density trade ups? How do young people start out in Aurora, older folks come to Aurora?...the marketplace is only going to build luxury product if left alone. Modest rentals are so badly needed.

Agreed with fellow posters that conservation and preservation of green spaces, and ensuring new developments adhere to green space bilaws, is extremely important. We do not need large condo buildings with zero green space.

I think we need to prioritize the creation and preservation of community green spaces, such as parks and walking or biking trails. The ability to engage with natural spaces, even just to look at them, is key to our residents' mental and physical health. We should also prioritize tree planting, which freshens the air and helps to combat climate change. In twenty years, our new subdivisions will have lovely green canopies thanks to the trees we plant today.

We’ve lived in Aurora for 25 years, and unfortunately, Aurora is loosing its small town charm. Now there is very little difference or demarcation between Aurora and Newmarket and that’s a shame. Do we really need to develop every square inch of land? Maybe residents would be willing to pay more in the way of property taxes to keep more of our greens paces and reduce over population. Let’s keep the charm, friendliness and beauty of Aurora and not succumb to over development.

Contaminated soils at Collis Leather and 2 other old tannery sites, one at 15085 Yonge, and the toxic dump site GFL Environmental at 14100 Bayview Ave. below Magna properties. When will discussion begin on cleaning up the water rinsing the toxins from Aurora into Lake Simcoe? Did you know that phosphorous from an old Aurora safety match company is now leeching into L. Simcoe?

1. There are two high schools on Bloomington, yet there are NO sidewalks down any of the streets to allow students to walk to school. 2. A new GO station will be opened at Bloomington/Leslie, yet the worst, most dangerous intersection of Vandorf/Leslie remains unchanged. It will only be significantly worse given larger traffic. 3. Ontario Heritage has all but ignored the Smith Lands (North of Train tracks, south of McClellan), the Town should work in partnership to allow better trail planning and community access (similar to Shepards Bush).

Planning matters involving environmental protection are of paramount importance to me, particularly with regard to protecting the health of our lakes and wetlands; retaining our green infrastructure and recognizing the responsibility we have towards species at risk within this town. Planning matters should place proper emphasis on strengthening urban biodiversity which will increase our resilience to the ongoing effects of climate change and pollution. This includes the need to retain and filter stormwater, filter air pollution and mitigate the increasingly extreme heat island effects. Our blue-green infrastructure, most importantly our mature woodlands and wetlands, already provide this service. They also enhance the mental and spiritual health of residents which, considering the current crisis in which we find ourselves, will be even more important in the coming months and even years.

Continued fragmentation of mature woodlands and wetlands has huge ecological impacts, including loss of biodiversity, edge effects and habitat loss. Loss of habitat is listed by the WWF as the main reason why over 50% of Canada’s species are in serious decline. Therefore, the practice of chipping away at Aurora’s remaining woodlands and encroachment into wetland areas should be strictly prohibited, as should the encroachment into the minimum vegetation protection zones. This will go a long way in demonstrating Aurora’s true commitment to environmental responsibility.

It’s likely too soon to gauge how the current pandemic will influence how this community will evolve in the next 20 years. However, protecting our blue-green infrastructure, our species at risk and mitigating the effects of climate change must be at the forefront of planning discussions. Post-pandemic economic recovery should include more diverse job creation in conservation, sustainability and greener energy.

Most importantly, responsible planning decisions should be made on the basis of achieving long-term environmental goals which will benefit the whole community as opposed to satisfying the short-term gains of a few.

I see an increase of diverse ethnic backgrounds and the need for housing, shopping, regilous worship should be reflected in the changes to our Town. Also, as the Town increases in size and perhaps the age groups, public transit within the subdivisions would be of assistance. I understand that costs can make that difficult but perhaps ie, shuttle buses on designated days so individuals can pre-plan their schedules.

A cap on the height of buildings within a certain radius of the Town should be examined. Our wide open skies are free, lets not clutter them up with buildings. The geese would not be impressed anyways. They seem to like our ponds.

As much as I do enjoy the "big box" stores, they do take away from the community feel - mom & pop shops. The intimacy that is Aurora. Our downtown core with its type of stores and heritage buildings is definitely on course.

Continued expansion and maintanance of our trails and bike paths are a necessity to keep our population healthy and have a pride in our Town. The "canopy" of trees does assist in keeping the air clean, even with the odd aircraft flying over.