Council parks pilot project for downtown Aurora
Yorkregion.com
May 24, 2016
By Teresa Latchford
Council has nixed a plan to put patios and planters on Yonge Street in downtown Aurora this summer.
Originally brought forward by Mayor Geoff Dawe, the Yonge Street pilot project called for a portion of Yonge on either side of Wellington Street to be reduced from four lanes to two to allow the installation of patios or bump-outs, planters and parking to create a space that would attract more people to the downtown core.
“A similar program has been implemented in other municipalities like Barrie and Markham,” Councillor Michael Thompson said.
In the other municipalities he examined, business owners who want to use the patios or bump-outs are required to enter into a lease agreement and have liability insurance. He questioned if that would also be the case in Aurora.
“This has been in front of us for a year and I continue to ask these questions,” Thompson said. “It seems to be a challenge to get these details on how this program will run and it’s crucial.”
Staff confirmed that the town’s patio policy would be applicable.
“We keep taking about revitalization and bringing people back to the core, but nothing has been done,” Councillor Sandra Humfryes said. “We have a lot of great ideas but nothing has been done. I’m looking forward to this so we can actually see it.”
At a recent public open house, there were residents who felt the changes would make traffic worse, as Yonge is a major thoroughfare, and that it would hinder all of the rapid transit work being done in neighbouring municipalities. Others thought it would be a great way to encourage people to stay downtown longer and support the local businesses.
Councillor Tom Mrakas questioned a line in the staff report saying the majority of people who attended were in favour of the pilot as he had attended the meeting and received feedback via email himself.
“I think to say the majority of them (email responses) were in favour is wrong,” he said. “I did a little survey of my own and 81 per cent weren’t in favour.”
He also pointed out that there isn’t a proper bypass and that traffic has to go somewhere, he added.
Councillor Wendy Gaertner was concerned that the town will do this pilot and continue the initiative for a couple of summers and then residents will be very disappointed when those lanes being used are needed for rapid transit.
“A lot of things that come to council, at first blush you don’t think are going to work,” Councillor Harold Kim said. “But I’ve learned sometimes it actually turns out to be a big success.”
For example, if your wall has always been beige it is difficult to imagine painting it green or red, but once it’s painted you are surprised that you like it, he added. He also pointed out that it melds well with the cultural precinct project.
He was open to the idea but with too many questions unanswered about traffic, he couldn’t support the proposal.
