‘Out of our hands’: Development at former Canadian Tire site in Aurora moves to OLT

Conceptual site plan proposed 5 apartment buildings and townhomes

Yorkregion.com
March 14, 2023
Melissa Wallace

SmartCentres REIT has appealed the development application for the old Canadian Tire site (14700-14760 Yonge St., Aurora) to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), according to a March 10 post on Mayor Tom Mrakas’ website.

At the end of a Feb. 14 planning meeting, council voted 5-2 in favour of sending the application back to another planning meeting, with Mrakas and Councillor Harold Kim voting against.

“During the meeting, I had stated that in the best interest of the Town and with a goal toward ensuring positive growth, we should continue moving forward and working with the applicant to achieve the best outcome for the town,” wrote Mrakas. “However, now that the appeal has been filed, an unelected and unaccountable provincial body will make the decision for us; we will not be able to work with the applicant in the same positive manner … The worst has happened, and this matter is now out of our hands.”

Residents at the meeting had expressed concerns about density, traffic, lack of parking, and a need for more green space, retail options and additional amenities.

Councillor Michael Thompson had requested more details to avoid further issues and was hesitant to “put all the eggs in one basket” in Phase 1.

“It concerns me that here in this unit that has 1500 people, perhaps, they have a small, small green space that needs to be addressed.” He also noted that with limited access points, one off Yonge and two onto Murray, it would create traffic problems.

“It’s gotta be well thought out, otherwise we’re just going to make a nightmare out of the southern end of Yonge Street,” said Thompson at the meeting.

In response to news that the development moved to the OLT, Councillor Wendy Gaertner defended her position, saying that another planning meeting to have the developer address the concerns was the appropriate next step, as it would set a precedent for the other three corners of the site and did not conform to the official plan requirements.

“Does the density proposed fit the community’s vision? Many residents don’t think so,” wrote Gaertner on a social media post. “Is the inclusion of rental units, especially affordable, guaranteed? It is not.

“Out of fear, that developers will go to the tribunal to fight a town decision, should we allow them to do what they want, to profit at our expense?”

SmartCentres REIT has not yet responded for comment. Story will be updated accordingly.