Park Construction Update June 2023

Highland Gate Central Park is now open!


Construction of the new Highland Gate subdivision is being done in phases. Phase 1 is close to completion of 44 units. Currently, Phases 2A, 2B, 3 and 4 subdivision agreements have been registered with construction underway. 

Below is a colour map showing the Phasing Plan for the entire subdivision.

Vegetation Management Plans:

Vegetation Management Plan have been submitted to the Town for the following phases:

 

2018

Update on March 14, 2018

2017
Update on October 20, 2017

Servicing and Road Construction for Phase 1 will be commencing by the week of October 23, 2017.

Update on September 21, 2017

On September 21, 2017, Town of Aurora staff met with Highland Gate Developments Inc. ("HGDI"), Highland Gate Rate Payers Group ("HGRPG") and the Ad-Hoc Park Committee.  This meeting was an opportunity for all attendees to provide comment on the detailed design which incorporated ideas and concepts from the initial meeting.

Both the HGRPG and the Ad-Hoc Park Committee were pleased with the progress on the parkland drawings and detailed features.


Construction will start on the anticipated park/open space block in spring 2018.  Hazardous tree removal will occur in fall of 2017

Update on August 1, 2017

On July 24, 2017, Town of Aurora staff met with Highland Gate Developments Inc. ("HGDI"), Highland Gate Rate Payers Group ("HGRPG") and the Ad-Hoc Park Committee. The meeting was an opportunity for all parties to provide comment, share ideas and relay concerns. It was agreed that HGDI direct the landscape design consultant to start the detailed design stage of this project. This will allow all parties to continue to work together. 

This meeting was highly productive and the group will meet again in early September to review the drawings.

Update on June 26, 2017

HGDI will commence topsoil stripping and earthworks construction for Phase 1 by the end of June as per the Topsoil Removal Permit. HGDI delivered Notices to residents as attached informing them on the works. A copy of the Construction Impact Mitigation Plan is posted for reference.

Update on May 5, 2017
 
Update on April 18, 2017

Proposed Highland Gate Community Park

Update on April 3, 2017
Update on March 16, 2017
HGDI will commence tree clearing works for Phase 1 on March 20, 2017 as per the Vegetation Management Agreement approved by the Town and in accordance with the Conditions of Subdivision approval. HGDI delivered Notices to residents on March 2, 2017 informing them of tree clearing works for Phase 1 was to commence in March 2017. See below notice posted on March 2, 201
Update on March 2, 2017
Update on February 22, 2017
Update on February 21, 2017
2016
Update on December 1, 2016

Update on Highland Gate  - Minutes of Settlement Released

Minutes of Settlement regarding the redevelopment of the Highland Gate Golf Course were presented to the Ontario Municipal Board and verbally approved on Thursday, December 1, 2016. In addition, the proposed zoning by-law and Official Plan amendment, arising out of the Minutes of Settlement were also approved.


On November 17, 2016, the Minutes of Settlement were signed by the Town of Aurora, Highland Gate Developments Inc. and the Highland Gate Ratepayer's Association.
The full Minutes of Settlement can be viewed by clicking below:

 There will be no further hearing dates as the matter has now concluded

Update for November 18, 2016

Update on Highland Gate Minutes of Settlement Signed by all Parties 


Aurora, ON - Following extensive mediation with the Ontario Municipal Board, Minutes of Settlement regarding the redevelopment of the Highland Gate Golf Course have now been signed by the Town of Aurora, Highland Gate Developments Inc. and the Highland Gate Ratepayer’s Association.


The key elements of the settlement include:

  • A reduction in the number of new single detached homes from 184 to 159. 
  • A reduction in the height of the condominium building from 10 storeys to seven storeys.
  • A reduction in the number of condominium dwelling units from 144 to 114. 
  • Removal of the proposed commercial use at the ground floor of the condominium building.
  • A 10-metre buffer throughout the plan between existing rear yards and adjacent new streets, with the exception of three minor pinch-points, where alternate buffering will be provided.
  • An increase in the length of off-road trails, from 4.4 km to 7.5 km.
  • One hundred per cent of the spine trail within the Highland Gate lands is off-road.
  • Additional trail connections added to the plan, making the green space more accessible.
  • Additional open space blocks provided throughout the plan.
  • Preservation of the existing underpasses along Murray Drive and the underpass on Golf Links Drive near   the proposed condominium building.
  • A major new park, 21 acres in area, to be constructed in conjunction with the first phase of development in the western portion of the Highland Gate property.
  • Larger transition lots at ends of view corridors, looking south from Highland Court (minimum 25 metre lot frontages) and Dodie/George Street (minimum 20 lot frontages).
  • Zoning standards for the new development that more closely mirror those of the existing development.
  • Where new development occurs on existing streets, the zoning standards are the same as for the existing homes. This includes, for example, front yard setbacks, interior side yard setbacks, rear yards, and building height.
  • Removal of many originally proposed retaining walls by making design adjustments to the plan.
  • Where retaining walls are to be installed, the height has been reduced and they will be constructed with armour stone.
  • Commitment by the developer to provide an opportunity for neighbouring homeowners to meet with the   Developer’s landscape team regarding proposed landscape plans and buffering.
  • Commitment by the developer to contribute up to $30,000 over three years to help pay the cost of the Highland Gate Ratepayer’s Association ongoing professional fees.
  • Commitment by the developer to contribute up to $45,000 over three years for community services and events supported by the Highland Gate Ratepayer’s Association.

A settlement hearing is scheduled for December 1, 2016 in the Council Chambers at Aurora Town Hall to present the settlement to the Ontario Municipal Board. A full copy of the Minutes of Settlement will be released following that hearing.

Update November 2, 2016

Update on Highland Gate Settlement

 

Aurora, ON - On Wednesday, October 26, 2016, Aurora Town Council endorsed a settlement mediated by the Ontario Municipal Board on the appeal of the proposed redevelopment of the Highland Gate Golf Course, subject to the signing of Minutes of Settlement by all other parties.


The endorsement came following extensive mediation with the Ontario Municipal Board, Highland Gate Developments Inc. and the Highland Gate Ratepayer’s Association regarding the proposed development of the Highland Gate Golf Course.


Minutes of Settlement are being worked on and if signed on November 17, 2016, details are expected to be released on November 18, 2016.


If Minutes of Settlement are signed, a settlement hearing is scheduled for December 1, 2016 in the Council Chambers to present the settlement to the Ontario Municipal Board.


Video of the Special Council Meeting held on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 regarding this matter.


No other details can be disclosed until the Minutes of Settlement are executed by all parties.

Update October 26, 2016

Statement from The Town of Aurora 
Update on Highland Gate Redevelopment

 

Aurora, ON – Aurora Town Council has endorsed a settlement mediated by the Ontario Municipal Board on the appeal of the proposed redevelopment of the Highland Gate golf course, subject to the execution of Minutes of Settlement by all other parties.


In 2015, Highland Gate Developments Inc. proposed a development of 184 individual lots and a 10-storey condominium on the site of the existing Highland Gate Golf Course. Aurora Town Council did not support the Highland Gate Development in its initial form and believed there were better options, in terms of design and density, for the site.


No other details can be disclosed until the Minutes of Settlement are executed by all parties.

Update September 16, 2016

Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) update on Highland Gate
Prehearing conference September 19, 2016 CANCELLED

 

The Town of Aurora would like to provide residents with an update regarding the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) case No. PL151160 regarding Highland Gate Developments Inc. at 21 Golf Links Drive.


The Town received notice on September 15, 2016 that the OMB has cancelled a pre-hearing conference scheduled for Monday, September 19. The Board has tentatively rescheduled this pre-hearing conference for Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Aurora Town Hall, Council Chambers - 100 John West Way, Aurora, ON, L4G 6J1.


The Town will communicate the confirmed date and time as soon as notice is provided by the OMB.

Update July 14, 2016

The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) has rescheduled the upcoming pre-hearing conference from August 22 and 23, 2016 to September 19, 2016.


A new date is set for: Monday, September 19, 2016 for one day at 10 a.m. at Aurora Town Hall, Council Chambers - 100 John West Way, Aurora, ON, L4G 6J1

Update May 25, 2016
2015

On November 17, 2015, the Applicant led an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) on the proposed Planning Act applications for Highland Gate.

As directed by Council on December 8, 2015, the Town retained external legal counsel to represent the Town at the OMB regarding the appeal by Highland Gate Developments Inc.

An OMB pre-hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 10 a.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers, Town of Aurora. 

The pre-hearing will deal with preliminary and procedural matters including the following:

  • Identification of parties
  • Identification of participants
  • Identification of issues
  • Possibility of settlement of any or all of the issues
  • Start date of the hearing
  • Duration of the hearing
  • The hearing of motions
  • Such further matters as the Board considers appropriate

On December 8, 2015, Council adopted the following resolutions regarding the o􀀁er to sell by Highland Gate Developments Inc. and the related Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) appeal on this matter.


Please find the related Council extract from December 8, 2015 below.