Aurora councillors will reconvene Tuesday after their summer break, with cannabis retail, building permit security deposits and storm recovery among the issues on the agenda.

Here’s what AuroraToday is keeping an eye on at the Sept. 8 committee of the whole meeting:

Cannabis retail review

Council will consider the findings and recommendations of its cannabis retail review task force, which met regularly from February through August to examine the community’s experience with legal cannabis stores.

The task force reviewed public safety, land use, store clustering, signage, community perception and economic development. It also considered the town’s limited authority over the location and density of cannabis stores and potential advocacy opportunities.

A community survey conducted from July 14 to Aug. 9 received 154 completed responses from residents and businesses.

The results showed mixed feelings about cannabis retail. While some respondents viewed the stores as legitimate, regulated businesses that provide convenience and economic benefits, others expressed concern about the number and concentration of locations.

According to a report presented to the task force last week, 64 per cent of respondents said cannabis retail had a “somewhat or very negative” impact on the community, compared with 23 per cent who viewed its impact favourably.

About 71 per cent said Aurora has too many cannabis stores, while 20 per cent felt the number was about right. At the time of the survey, there were 13 retail locations in the community.

Youth exposure was the most frequently cited concern, identified by about 52 per cent of respondents. Other concerns included loitering and litter, traffic and parking, noise, odour, signage and the proximity of stores to schools and other sensitive locations.

Views were more divided on whether cannabis retail should operate in Aurora. Forty-two per cent supported it, 49 per cent opposed it and about 10 per cent were neutral.

The task force is recommending that its proposed local actions be implemented and that its final report be circulated to York Regional Police, the provincial government, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, local MPPs, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and municipalities across the province.

Security deposit concerns

Council will also hear from resident Adrian Travis, who is raising concerns about the town’s security deposit policy.

Travis says there is a procedural problem with how building permit security deposits are handled and will ask council to review the policy.

The delegation comes as the town continues to manage a backlog of recovery work following a severe storm on July 3.

Summer storm update

A staff report will update council on the storm’s impact on Aurora’s urban forest.

The storm damaged hundreds of trees on residential and private properties, municipal boulevards, parks and trails. Damage ranged from broken branches and major limbs to complete tree failure and uprooting.

The report, titled “Summer Storm Update – A Road to Recovery,” provides information on the town’s response and ongoing recovery efforts.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in council chambers at Town Hall, 100 John West Way, and will be livestreamed on the town’s YouTube channel. Residents can participate by requesting to speak as a delegation or by submitting written correspondence to [email protected].