Is the Aurora Promenade Study a genuine attempt to define a downtown redevelopment plan, or simply a very expensive sleight-of-hand to divert attention away from the fact that Aurora seems to be in a constant battle with developers at the OMB for failure to meet Town commitments?
I just received the August 18, 2010 copy of
Novae Res Urbis, GTA Edition (roughly translated from Latin as “News of the City”). The purpose of this newsletter is to provide updates on issues affecting the Greater Toronto Area, including planning and development matters.
Quoted from this newsletter
“
Aurora appeals consolidated
In a prehearing decision issued August 12, board member
Reid Rossi provided an update on an appeal by
Aurora 2C West Landowners Group Inc. against failure of the
Town of Aurora to approve an official plan amendment to establish a secondary plan for the Bayview Northeast Area 2C West lands, located on Concession 2, east of Yonge Street, bringing the lands into the designated future urban expansion area. Rossi also provided an update on an appeal by
Elhara Investments Limited and
Aurora-Leslie Developments Limited (collectively known as
Aurora- Leslie Developments Inc.) against the town’s failure to approve an official plan amendment for lands bounded by Leslie Street, Highway 404, Wellington Street and St. John’s Sideroad to permit development of a new community.
The board consolidated the appeal of Aurora-Leslie Developments Inc. with that of Aurora 2C West Landowners Group. The board set aside November 15 for a further prehearing conference, noting that at that time the town’s position would be known and the parties would be able to engage in more substantive discussions. A full hearing is expected to be scheduled for 2011.
Solicitor
Ira Kagan (Kagan, Shastri) represents Aurora-Leslie Developments Inc. Solicitor
Christopher Cooper represents the Town of Aurora. Solicitor
Gabriel Szobel represents
York Region. Solicitors
Chris Barnett and
Alexis Alyea (Davis) represent Aurora 2C Landowners Group Inc.
Robert Hodgson acts as agent for
721312 Ontario Inc. Solicitor
Peter Williams (Shibley Righton) represents
York Catholic District School Board. Jessica Peake acts as agent for
York Region District School Board. (See OMB Case No. PL090606.)”
So, what does all this very technical verbiage mean?
It simply means that Aurora is not meeting its statutory obligations.
My Perspective
Hearings at the Ontario Municipal Board are expensive. Needless hearings even more so. These costs are coming directly out of your pocket. Which means these dollars cannot be used for other initiatives more important in this community
It is also costing Aurora the goodwill of the development community – the same development community that will be required if the Promenade Study is to become reality. Why would anyone want to work in a Municipality that continually fails to live up to its obligations?
This is a failure of Leadership (lack of execution) and Accountability (yet another waste of your tax dollars).
My Commitment
If elected Mayor, I commit to dealing with issues in a timely manner. In the event of a delay, we will work with the parties to effect a resolution that does not draw the Town into wasteful legal battles. I believe in collaboration -- not confrontation