5 things to know from Aurora council's July 11 meeting

Yorkregion.com
July 17, 2023

Council discussions touched on a range of topics at its July 11 meeting, including a new artificial turf field, property standards and vital services bylaws, a new sports dome, the possibility of new parkland and parking requirements for new developments.

1. The town has partnered with the Aurora Barbarians Rugby Football Club to construct a new artificial turf sports field at Sheppard’s Bush. The rugby club will pay for the construction of a new clubhouse that is set to include washrooms and dressing rooms, which will be available to other permit holders. The club will also contribute $1 million toward the cost of a new artificial turf sports field, and the town will pay for the rest. The total cost of an artificial turf field is estimated to be between $2.5 million and $2.8 million. The town’s contribution will be included as a capital project in the 2024 draft budget.

2. Council endorsed the modernization of the property standards bylaw and the creation of a vital services bylaw, which will be enacted at a future meeting. New provisions in the property standards bylaw include new regulations to address light pollution and the placement and maintenance of clothing drop boxes to mitigate illegal dumping concerns. The proposed vital services bylaw includes requirements that landlords need to meet, including maintaining a temperature of 20 C in rented residential dwellings between Sept. 15 and June 1 and ensuring that an adequate supply of hot water and potable water is available to tenants.

3. Staff will report back to council about the feasibility of developing a multi-gymnasium, air-supported sports dome. The motion notes that there is a need for more full-sized gymnasium space as the town grows, as local sports organizations have had to use training facilities outside of Aurora for residents. The report will include options for location, funding and operation.

4. Staff will look at potential properties in the Yonge Street South area for a new public park, as the area is underserviced by both parklands and playgrounds.

5. Council endorsed a motion that directs staff to evaluate options for getting rid of minimum parking requirements for new residential developments within Aurora’s GO Major Transit Station area, as well as make sure that any new residential developments within the area are required to have auto share and bike share programs.