Aurora to debate monster homes, anti-racism task force, rainbow crosswalk

Town approves ward system for 2022 municipal elections

Yorkregion.com
July 7, 2020
Lisa Queen

Aurora’s a busy place these days.

If you want an overview of some of the issues going on in town, here are five things to be aware of:

• Are you concerned about monster homes being built in established neighbourhoods? If so, you’ll want to pay attention to the stable neighbourhoods discussion at the town’s July 7 general committee meeting. Guidelines would govern infill development in the Aurora Heights, Regency Acres, Temperance Street and Town Park areas, where there is a growing trend to significantly enlarge existing houses or build new homes that are substantially larger and conflict with the existing character of the community, according to a report to council.

• Mayor Tom Mrakas and Coun. Harold Kim are co-sponsoring a motion at the July 14 council meeting to establish an anti-Black racism/anti-racism task force. Although the town has already endorsed a diversity and inclusion charter, they argue the town can do more to stamp out racism in all forms to achieve change.

• Mayor Tom Mrakas will introduce a motion at the July 14 council meeting to install a rainbow crosswalk in the downtown core at the south side of the Yonge and Wellington streets intersection.

• The town has implemented a mandatory water meter replacement program for all meters older than 10 years. A radio read box will be installed to replace existing external readers. If a property does not have an external reader, a wire may have to run from the inside meter to outside to accommodate the radio read box. To schedule an appointment, visit wamco.as.me or call 1-833-926-2626.

The next time voters head to the polls to decide who will represent them around the council table, they will find a new electoral system in place. After years of debate, the town is introducing a ward system, which takes effect for the municipal elections on Oct. 24, 2022. Instead of electing councillors at large, voters will choose their representative in one of six new wards. The mayor will continue to be elected at large. Aurora is the second largest municipality, after Sarnia, to still elect councillors at large. Town staff will undertake an education campaign before the election to ensure residents understand the new system and what ward they are in.