Worshippers at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church on Wellington Street West could soon have some new neighbours, as Aurora council mulls 29 townhouses for the plot.
The nearly three-acre plot at 7 Lacey Court, where the church currently sits, would be divided. About 70 per cent of the area, the portion closer to Wellington, would house the 29 townhouses.
The townhomes would be "standard units,” three storeys tall and ranging from 2,179 square feet to 2,561 sq. ft., according to the applicant, 200 Wellington Holding Corp.
Part of the property, near Wellington, would be designated an environmental protection zone, to guard a small tributary to Tannery Creek.
The Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church would remain standing on the remaining portion of the property.
Resident concerned about flooding and parking
Speaking during a public planning meeting May 14, Aurora resident Doug Bushey said he was “vehemently opposed” to the development. One of his main concerns was the risk of flooding.
“In my years of living in Aurora, I’ve seen numerous floods on Wellington just before Yonge,” he said, adding climate change would likely increase the risk.
Speaking for the applicant, planner Nick Pileggi said the developers would be required to maintain the current stormwater flow.
Pileggi added the conservation authority has no concerns with the plan.
Councillor Wendy Gaertner flagged some concerns about the number of visitor parking spots.
The townhouses are set to come with two spaces per unit — one on the driveway and one in the garage — for a total of 58, plus seven visitor spots, which is more than the 50 spots required by the town.
There will be no direct road access between the church and townhouses.
Other projects in the area
The applicant 200 Wellington Holding Corp. is also proposing to develop the neighbouring property with 27 townhouses at 200 Wellington St. West.
The proposal came before a public planning meeting in April 2022, although council does not make any decisions on proposals at these meetings.
The following month, the applicant went to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
In March 2023, the Ontario Land Tribunal approved the zoning bylaw amendments in principle, subject to a site plan agreement. That is currently under technical review.
Referencing this decision, Councillor John Gallo said he was supportive of the proposal, in part because “I don’t think we would have much success (in opposing), in my limited view of how OLT works.”
Ultimately, council unanimously voted in favour of staff preparing a new report addressing the issues raised.
The report will be brought forward to the committee of the whole at a future meeting.
