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Staff Report
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Report To: Planning and Development Committee
Date of Meeting: October 4, 2021 Report Number: PDS-045-21
Submitted By: Ryan Windle, Director of Planning and Development Services Andrew C.
Reviewed By: Allison, CAO By-law Number:
File Number: PLN 39 Resolution#: PD-219-21, C-321-21
Report Subject: Clarington's Green Development Program
Recommendations:
1. That Report PDS-045-21 and any communications be received; and
2. That all interested parties listed in Report PDS-045-21 and any delegations be advised
of Council's decision.
Municipality of Clarington
Report PDS-045-21
Report Overview
Page 2
Municipalities across Ontario are implementing Green Development Standards (GDS) as a
tool to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, promote local economic development and
build community infrastructure that is more resilient to future climate and healthier for
residents.
This report includes: an overview of GDS; a summary of the benefits experienced by
municipalities in Ontario who have implemented GDS; an overview of the Whitby Green
Standard; background on the development and implementation of Clarington's Green
Development Program, which serves as Clarington GDS and; an overview of next steps for
implementation of Clarington's Green Development Program to achieve the benefits
demonstrated by GDS.
1. Background
1.1 On June 7, 2021, through Resolution #PD-188-21, Council directed staff to investigate
and report back on the potential for implementing the Whitby Green Standard within
Clarington's existing green initiatives, including options for more environmentally friendly
roofing.
1.2 Climate change is significantly impacting cities across the world, including those in
Canada. Municipalities are witnessing rising temperatures, increased severe weather
events, threats to agriculture, and impacts to health.
1.3 In August 2021, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued its 6th report
on the state of the climate. The report warns that "global warming of 1.5°C and 2°C will
be exceeded during the 21 st century unless deep reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2)
and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions occur". An increase of more than 20C will
have catastrophic impacts on the natural environment, human health and wellbeing,
agriculture and the economy.
1.4 The main sources of GHG emissions in most municipalities are buildings and
transportation. These sources of GHG emissions can be reduced through standards
that require high -performing new buildings, maintain and expand green spaces, and
enable residents to easily access low or zero carbon transportation options such as
electric vehicles, cycling and telecommuting.
1.5 Municipalities across Ontario are employing Green Development Standards (GDS) as a
tool to reduce GHG emissions, build community infrastructure that is more resilient to
future climate change, healthier for residents, and promotes local economic
development.
Municipality of Clarington
Report PDS-045-21
2. Green Development Standards
Page 3
2.1 GDS are policy measures developed by municipalities to encourage developers and
builders to create thoughtful and innovative developments using sustainable design,
which considers the principles of economic, social, and ecological sustainability.
2.2 GDS are comprehensive principles to guide development at a level of planning and
design that focuses on the community as a whole.
2.3 GDS provide direction in shaping and structuring community design to minimize GHG
emissions, preserve the natural environment, reduce infrastructure demands, and
create connected communities.
2.4 A full suite of standards included in a GDS addresses Official Plan goals by managing
growth and urbanization. In doing so, the built form of homes and public spaces reduce
demands on infrastructure and reflect high environmental performance while creating
healthy, complete, and sustainable communities.
2.5 Formalizing and implementing GDS can provide a basis for a municipality to review
development applications, with a focus on new development.
2.6 A comprehensive program for implementing GDS must be designed to guide applicants
through the program requirements and assist the municipalities in evaluating documents
and technical reports provided in support of development applications, such as Planning
Rationale Reports and/or Urban Design Briefs, that describe the sustainability aspects
of proposed developments and how sustainable development policies of the Official
Plan will be achieved.
Benefits of Green Development Standards
2.7 According to research compiled by the Clean Air Partnership, which reviewed GDS from
Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Brampton and Halton Hills, GDS function as a tool to
help municipalities achieve their priorities and goals to improve the economy and health
of communities.
2.8 Whitby's GDS replicates the Toronto Green Standard. Therefore, the focus of this
summary is on benefits of the Toronto Green Standard and GDSs more generally.
2.9 In 2008, a cost -benefit study of the Toronto Green Standard found that the marginal
premium invested in green development can significantly improve environmental, social
and economic outcomes, not only in Toronto, but the entire Greater Golden Horseshoe
Region.
2.10 GDS provide a range of benefits that impact community members over multiple
generations by reducing GHGs that are causing climate change, and creating healthy,
complete, and sustainable communities that offer residents a high -quality of life. Some
of the key benefits of GDS include:
Municipality of Clarington
Report PDS-045-21
Page 4
• Use municipal infrastructure more efficiently - The burden on municipal
infrastructure can be reduced with developments that conserve energy and
water, manage stormwater runoff, and maintain green spaces.
• Reduce GHG emissions from new buildings and transportation - Buildings and
transportation are large contributors to community GHG emissions in Ontario
municipalities. GDS can reduce these emissions by implementing standards for
energy efficiency and supporting community design that prioritizes low -carbon
transportation.
• Support local economic opportunities - Green development requires innovative
skills and products that can expand the green economy locally and regionally.
• Improve health and wellness for residents - Neighbourhoods with a compact,
walkable form and integrated greenspace can improve physical and mental
health.
• Enhance the local building stock - High quality buildings offer a more comfortable
living environment, are quieter, and are less susceptible to mould as a result of
air leaks.
• Increase resilience - Buildings that include resilience measures improve
occupant comfort and are more resilient to extreme weather events.
• Create diverse communities - GDS can shape communities to meet the needs of
seniors and an aging population, improve safety for vulnerable transportation
users, and provide opportunities for economic development where employment
space does not currently exist.
• Cost savings: Green buildings have lower operating costs compared to traditional
buildings.
3. Legislative and Policy Framework
The Planning Act
3.1 The Planning Act provides municipalities with authority to mandate sustainable urban
design through site plan approvals.
3.2 The Planning Act provides a framework and legislative authority for municipalities to
engage in land -use planning by creating Official Plans, Zoning By-laws, and Community
Improvement Plans. Municipalities, in carrying out their responsibilities under the
Planning Act, must have regard to matters of provincial interest.
3.3 These interests give a clear indication of the kinds of issues municipalities should
consider when creating policies and plans. These interests, coupled with the powers
provided to municipalities in the Act, support them in implementing GDS.
3.4 Section 2 of the Planning Act sets out these interests, which include:
Municipality of Clarington
Report PDS-045-21 Page 5
• The conservation of natural resources;
• The supply, efficient use and conservation of energy and water;
• The minimization of waste;
• The orderly development of safe and healthy communities; and
• The promotion of development that is designed to be sustainable, to support
public transit and to be oriented to pedestrians
The Municipal Act
3.5 The Municipal Act, 2001 is the primary piece of legislation applicable to municipalities
and sets out the roles and responsibilities of municipal governments in Ontario. The Act
is a legislative framework for municipalities that recognizes municipalities as responsible
local governments with a broad range of powers.
3.6 Recent changes added the ability for municipalities to pass a by-law respecting the
economic, social and environmental well-being of the municipality which includes
actions to address climate change. Section 97.1 addresses standards for the
construction of buildings, whereby a municipality may pass a by-law respecting the
protection or conservation of the environment that requires buildings to be constructed
in accordance with provisions of the Building Code under the Building Code Act, 1992.
3.7 Municipalities may provide for or participate in long-term energy planning for energy use
in the municipality.
3.8 Municipalities also have the power to require the construction of green roofs or
alternative roof surfaces that achieve similar levels of performance to green roofs.
3.9 Only Toronto has passed a bylaw mandating green roofs in certain new low slope
commercial applications, as green and similar inverted roofing systems are considerably
more expensive to construct, maintain and repair, and require more structural support
than conventional roofing systems.
The Ontario Building Code
3.10 The Building Code Act, 1992 is the legislative framework governing the construction,
renovation and change -of -use of a building in Ontario. The Ontario Building Code
(OBC) is a regulation under the Building Code Act, 1992 which establishes technical
requirements and minimum standards for building construction.
3.11 The OBC standards are adjusted to match industry adoption and best practices in
energy and water conservation. As such, any public or private guidelines that are basec
on, or reference, energy efficiency measures prescribed by the OBC should be seen as
living documents and should be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that changes to
the OBC are considered.
3.12 As noted above, recent changes to the Planning Act and Municipal Act, 2001
demonstrate that municipalities have authority beyond the OBC when it comes to
Municipality of Clarington
Report PDS-045-21
Page 6
shaping their communities. These pieces of legislation enable municipalities to address
a range of environmental and health priorities at a community design level.
The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe
3.13 The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2019 (Growth Plan) provides
strategic direction for growth management across Ontario, particularly how and where
to grow. The Growth Plan was adopted by the Province out of a desire to create
communities that support economic prosperity, protect the environment, and achieve a
high quality of life.
3.14 The Growth Plan advances policies related to human health and active living, equitable
housing opportunities, sense of place, access to parks and open space, sustainable
stormwater management, urban agriculture, active transportation, waste management,
and low -carbon communities.
3.15 The Growth Plan supports maximizing the use of efficient infrastructure. The Planning
Act provides a framework and legislative authority for municipalities to engage in land -
use planning. The Growth Plan highlights Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs), which
are areas around major transit stops that are to be planned to accommodate higher
intensity mixed -uses. Clarington currently has MTSAs proposed in Bowmanville and
Courtice which would benefit from the inclusion of GDS in their design.
4. Green Development Standards in Ontario Municipalities
4.1 In Ontario, local governments are the approval authority for new construction under the
Planning Act, where they implement section 41 of this legislation in their review and
approvals of applications.
4.2 With this authority and their Official Plans, municipalities have significant influence on
the quality and environmental performance of development. Many municipalities are
developing and implementing GDS for this purpose.
4.3 In Ontario, many municipalities are using a "menu" approach that gives developers the
option to pick from a list of measures and choose which they would like to implement.
This approach is non -prescriptive, and often includes performance -based measures,
such as Ener-guide ratings, rather than prescriptive measures that specify types of
products or materials.
4.4 Of the municipalities in Ontario with GDS fully implemented, the Toronto Green
Standard currently represents the most ambitious approach to requiring builders to
consider the energy performance of their buildings. It is aligned with the direction most
industry, sustainable professionals, and governments globally are heading — towards
net zero emissions buildings.
4.5 The municipalities of Vaughan, Brampton and Richmond Hill have taken a regional
approach to GDS that reduces complexity for developers who work across their
Municipality of Clarington
Report PDS-045-21
Page 7
jurisdictions. By working together, they were able to share resources, reduce
administrative complexity, and present a coordinated approach to engaging with their
stakeholders.
4.6 Table 1 presents an overview of three longer standing GDS programs implemented in
Ontario in addition to the program recently launched by Whitby. See Attachment 1 for
more detailed information about how GDS have been implemented in Toronto,
Vaughan, Brampton, Richmond Hill, Halton Hills and Whitby.
Table 1 Overview of the GDS Programs Currently in Place in Select Ontario
Municipalities
Toronto
Vaughan/Brampton/
Halton Hills
Whitby
Richmond Hill
Metrics Apply
All new
Brampton and
Low Rise
All new
To
development
Vaughan metrics
Residential,
development
subject to the
apply to Draft Plan of
Low Rise Non-
including
City's Site Plan
Subdivision, Site
Residential,
Draft Plan of
Control Bylaw
Plan, and Block Plan
Mid to High
Subdivision
Rise
and Site
Richmond Hill
Residential
Plan
metrics apply to Draft
Plan of Subdivision
and Site Plan
Requirements
Tier 1 of 4 tiers
Minimum number of
Minimum
Tier 1 of 4
is mandatory.
points must be
number of
tiers is
Tiers 2-4 are
achieved (these
points must be
mandatory.
voluntary
thresholds are
achieved
Tiers 2-4 are
approved by council)
voluntary
Pathway
Council
None currently
None currently
Council
Towards Net
approved
approved
Zero
absolute
absolute
performance
performance
targets to
targets to
achieve zero
achieve zero
carbon
carbon
emissions by
emissions
2030
by 2050
Financial
Development
No
No
Planning to
Incentive
Charge Refund
develop
Program for
incentives to
applications that
promote for
Municipality of Clarington
Report PDS-045-21
Page 8
Toronto
Vaughan/Brampton/
Richmond Hill
Halton Hills
Whitby
meet Tier 2 or
applications
higher level of
that meet
voluntary
Tier 2 or
performance
higher level
standards
of voluntary
performance
standards
5. Whitby Green Standard
5.1 The Whitby Green Standard (WGS) was created to develop a more sustainable
community and support Whitby's goal to reduce GHG emissions. It has been designed
to make an appreciable difference in the quality of new development and the vibrancy of
new communities.
5.2 Implementation of the WGS is intended to be applied towards all new development
applications within the Town of Whitby. The standard was developed over 18 months,
working closely with staff from multiple departments as well as the development
community through multiple engagement opportunities.
5.3 The WGS is similar to the Toronto Green Standard; however, it incorporates specific
design criteria to suit the needs of the Whitby development landscape. It identifies two
tools - one for plan of subdivision applications and one for site plan applications.
5.4 The WGS highlights both required and voluntary measures of sustainability design,
setting a standard for all new development while also highlighting advanced
opportunities through these two application processes.
5.5 The implementation of the WGS is developed to help streamline and increase
transparency within the current development application process by bringing all
sustainability requirements from a cross -sector of departments into one streamlined
planning tool.
5.6 The WGS includes Site Plan and Plan of Subdivision Checklists organized into four tiers
of sustainability elements. Tier 1 represents existing Town standards, with the addition
of slightly advanced energy requirements, bringing all energy requirements to the same
level as the existing Brooklin Secondary Plan. Tier 1 is intended as a required standard
for all new development. The addition of energy efficiency requirements in Tier 1 allows
the community to work towards reducing GHG emissions by encouraging more
sustainable design.
5.7 Tiers 2 - 4 are voluntary and offer advanced sustainability criteria and serve as a road
map as to how the Town would like to see sustainable development considered in future
Municipality of Clarington
Report PDS-045-21
Page 9
years, with advanced sustainable features aligning with the Town's sustainability and
climate change goals.
5.8 To aid the uptake of the voluntary standards (Tiers 2 - 4), it is intended that an incentive
program will be developed after the initial program implementation for Tier 1. This time
provides an opportunity to work with the development community to better understand
the intent of the WGS so that any incentive program can be tailored to the needs of
Whitby development.
5.9 Supporting documents to aid the implementation of the WGS include a detailed
Reference Guide, a program brochure and a Training Guide.
5.10 Through the project's public consultation process, 152 respondents provided feedback.
From that feedback, trees, energy efficiency, water efficiency, green space and storm
water management were identified as being the most important features in a new home
and a new community and the public survey indicated that 76% support the proposed
WGS, whereas 16% are unsure and 8% do not support the standard.
5.11 The WGS is intended to be updated every four years through the advancement of the
tiers. Monitoring and progress reporting of the standard would be captured through the
key performance indicators used to measure the Town's progression towards
sustainability.
6. Clarington's Green Development Program
6.1 In line with other municipalities in Ontario, Clarington has taken steps, to meet the
needs of a quickly growing population in a sustainable manner. In January 2012 Council
passed a resolution and allocated funding to support the establishment of a framework
to promote the development of environmentally responsible, compact and complete new
neighbourhoods throughout the community.
6.2 With additional Provincial and Federal funding support secured, Priority Green
Clarington officially launched in 2013. Priority Green Clarington aimed to set a new
standard for residential development that prioritized sustainability, promoted innovation,
and continued to improve the community's quality of life.
6.3 To achieve this vision, the Municipality undertook a collaborative process to encourage
"green" development from the initial stage of designing a neighbourhood, through to
infrastructure installation and building construction. This included:
Identification of best practices in residential green development, incentives and
standards being used in Ontario and beyond;
Review of Municipal planning policies to identify opportunities to strengthen
sustainable development practices in Clarington;
Establishment of criteria for what defines a "green" development in Clarington;
Municipality of Clarington
Report PDS-045-21
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• Examination of how prioritization could be used to fast track "green" development
applications;
• Identification and preliminary evaluation of other potential incentive options to
voluntarily encourage "green" development;
• Review of the development approvals process to identify an implementation
approach; and
• On -going engagement and consultation with stakeholders and the broader
community.
6.4 The process involved a comprehensive communication and engagement strategy. The
vision of Priority Green Clarington was broadly supported by the community. From the
perspective of builders and developers, a program needed to be flexible, easy to
understand, aligned with other municipal requirements, and be voluntary and include
incentives.
6.5 Consultation with key stakeholders examined the concept of program harmonization
across municipalities. It was recognized that there may be significant benefits to basing
Clarington's program on work that had already been implemented in other communities.
This provides consistency across jurisdictions to give designers and developers
continuity in the format of the standards used in various municipalities, allows sharing of
information and lessons learned between municipalities, and provides opportunities for
streamlining enhancements and refinements to the standards.
6.6 At the time, a practitioners group involving representatives from municipalities within the
Greater Golden Horseshoe were encouraging alignment with the program model
recently set out by Richmond Hill, Brampton, and Vaughan.
6.7 The Municipality facilitated workshops involving land development and building industry
representatives, and staff and agencies involved in the development review process to
examine the model adopted by Brampton, Richmond Hill and Vaughan and seek input
to determine if those criteria may be appropriate for use in the Clarington context.
6.8 On December 14, 2015, Council endorsed Report PDS-060-15, the Priority Green
Clarington: Green Development Framework and Implementation Plan (Framework),
providing a road map for the detailed design and implementation of a Green
Development Program for future residential development in Clarington (Resolution #C-
334-15). It includes Secondary Plan, Draft Plan of Subdivision and Site Plan checklists
organized into three tiers, mirroring the approach set out by Richmond Hill, Brampton
and Vaughan
6.9 Ultimately, the green development framework recommended for Clarington achieved
the objective of municipal program consistency, while reflecting local circumstances,
attributes, priorities and policies.
Municipality of Clarington
Report PDS-045-21
Page 11
6.10 Several actions have been completed or are underway that support implementation of
the Framework, including the following:
• Official Plan Amendment 107 adopted by Council in 2016 included strengthened
policies that enable the establishment and implementation of a Green
Development Program for Clarington.
• Implementation of the Framework components relating to Secondary Plans is
being addressed with the multiple Secondary Plan updates and new Secondary
Plans currently being developed by the Municipality.
• The project performance evaluation framework set out in the Courtice Main
Street Secondary Plan draws on the Framework criteria.
• The inclusion of the performance evaluation framework as the basis for the
grants and incentives in the Courtice Community Improvement Plan adopted by
Council in 2017.
• Land development applications are required to demonstrate how the
development contributes to the sustainability principles of the Official Plan and
prepare Sustainability Plans as part of a complete application.
• A draft program guidebook is also under development.
6.11 Staff recognized the need to integrate Clarington's Green Development Program into
ongoing municipal operations to achieve the benefits of GDS highlighted above.
6.12 The Clarington Corporate Climate Action Plan (CCCAP), which was approved by
council in March 2021, identifies three priority actions to integrate Clarington's Green
Development Program into ongoing municipal operations including:
CCCAP Action 1.26 - Update the Priority Green Clarington Green Development
Framework criteria checklists to include considerations for climate change
mitigation and adaptation;
CCCAP Action 1.27 - Update Clarington's Planning and Development Design
Standards and Guidelines to align with the Clarington Priority Green
Development Framework to support moving toward net zero communities and;
CCCAP Action 1.28 - Complete the implementation of Clarington's Green
Development Standards, including the development of a program guidebook,
application instructions, and terms of reference for sustainability reporting.
6.13 Staff are currently developing action specific workplans to implement CCCAP Actions
1.26, 1.27 and 1.28 in 2022.
6.14 Metrics are also being developed for the actions that relate to Clarington's Green
Development Program as a means of tracking and measuring municipalities
effectiveness in implementing sustainability initiatives.
Municipality of Clarington
Report PDS-045-21 Page 12
7. Next Steps
7.1 As outlined in this report, Clarington is among the municipalities in Ontario leading the
development of standards to meet the needs of a quickly growing population in a
sustainable manner.
7.2 Redeveloping Clarington's Green Development Program to align with Whitby and
Toronto would divert significant resources and time that has been invested to establish
the Municipality's current Green Development Program.
7.3 Although Clarington's Green Development Program was approved by Council in 2015,
the features of the Program are still considered up to date; aligned with Brampton,
Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Halton Hills; and uniquely suited to Clarington.
7.4 Staff recognize the need to streamline the implementation of Clarington's Green
Development program within the current development application process to achieve
the full benefits that the Green Development Program has to offer.
7.5 For the Municipality to complete implementation of Clarington's Green Development
Program, staff will take the following actions as set out in the CCCAP:
• Request additional resources as part of the 2022 budget, as it will require
resources to update the Municipality's processes and policies for receiving and
reviewing development applications to include GDS and associated
requirements;
• Consult with development sector representatives on the integration of Clarington
of Clarington's Green Development Program into standard municipal
development application processes.
• As per action 1.27 of the CCCAP, update Clarington's Planning and
Development Design Standards and Guidelines to align with the Clarington
Priority Green Development Framework to support moving toward net zero
communities;
• Update the Municipality's processes and policies for receiving and reviewing
development applications to include the GDS and the new associated
requirements; clearly identifying the department(s) and position(s) responsible for
reviewing each GDS submission;
• As per action 1.26 of the CCCAP, update the Priority Green Clarington Green
Development Framework criteria checklists to include considerations for climate
change mitigation and adaptation;
• Integrate a GDS checklist tool into the development application process to guide
applicants to achieve the GDS and guide staff reviewing the GDS component of
development application submissions.
Municipality of Clarington
Report PDS-045-21
Page 13
• As per action 1.28 of the CCCAP, complete the implementation of Clarington's
Green Development Standards, including the development of a program
guidebook, application instructions, and terms of reference for sustainability
reporting.
• Update all public -facing development application documents and forms to reflect
the GDS new requirements, including the website and brochures.
• Develop and implement a communications plan to educate staff on updated GDS
development application components and review process.
• Develop and implement a public -facing communications plan to educate
stakeholders of the updated GDS components of the GDS development
application processes.
• Finalise a strategy to track and monitor the uptake and effectiveness of
implementing specific standards, best practices and lessons learned.
8. Concurrence
Not Applicable.
9. Conclusion
9.1 Clarington has taken significant steps to ensure the Municipality is growing in a
sustainable manner. By completing the integration of Clarington's Green Development
Program into the Municipality's development application processes, Clarington will be in
the best position to take advantage of the long term economic, environmental and social
benefits that have been experienced by other municipalities through the implementation
of GDS. By using the development approval process as a mechanism to promote the
reduction of energy consumption and GHG emissions in the building sector, the
Municipality will be doing its part to conserve resources, respond to climate change and
protect the wellbeing of residents.
Staff Contact: Doran Hoge, Energy and Climate Change Response Coordinator, 905-623-
3379 ext. 2429 or dhoge@clarington.net
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Review of Green Development Standards in Ontario
Interested Parties:
The Durham Region Homebuilders' Association
BILD — Durham Chapter
Attachment 1 to
Report PDS-045-21
Review of Green Development Standards in Ontario
Municipalities
Table 1 - Overview of The Standards Currently in Place in Ontario Municipalities
Toronto
Vaughan/Brampton/Richmond
Halton
Whitby
Hill
Hills
Metrics Apply
All new
Brampton and Vaughan metrics
Low Rise
All new
to
development
apply to Draft Plan of
Residential,
development
subject to
Subdivision, Site Plan, and
Low Rise
subject to
the City's
Block plan Richmond Hill
Non-
the City's
Site Plan
metrics apply to Draft Plan of
Residential,
Site Plan
Control
Subdivision and Site Plan.
Mid to High
Control
Bylaw.
Rise
Bylaw
Residential.
Requirements
Tier 1 is
Minimum number of points must
Minimum
Tier 1 of 4
mandatory.
be achieved (these thresholds
number of
tiers is
All tiers 2-4
are approved by council).
points must
mandatory.
are voluntary
be
All tiers 2-4
achieved.
are
voluntary
Pathway
Council
None Currently
None
Council
towards Net
approved
Currently
approved
Zero
absolute
absolute
performance
performance
targets to
targets to
zero
achieve zero
emissions by
carbon
2030.
emissions
by 2050
Financial
Development
No
No
Planning to
Incentive
Charge
develop
Refund
incentives to
Program for
promote for
applications
applications
that meet
that meet
Tier 2 or
Tier 2 or
higher level
higher level
of voluntary
of voluntary
performance
performance
standards.
standards.
Attachment 1 to
Report PDS-045-21
The Toronto Green Standard
Context and Rationale:
The Toronto Green Standard (TGS) is a full set of environmental performance
measures for sustainable site and building design. The TGS is considered a leading
municipal green building policy in North America. The performance standards have
been in effect since 2010 and include mandatory and voluntary performance levels or
tiers implemented through development review, approvals and verification processes.
Main Policy Features:
The latest version 3 of the Toronto Green Standard sets out a four -tiered or stepped
approach towards low impact, high performing sites and buildings. The TGS energy
performance measures increase every four years. By 2030, today's Tier 4 level will be
Tier 1 mandatory near zero emissions.
Targets and Requirements:
The TGS includes 4 tiers or levels of environmental performance across the five
categories: air quality, energy efficiency/ GHG reductions/resilience, water efficiency/
quality, ecological design and solid waste reductions. As of 2010, Tier 1 performance
measures were a mandatory requirement of the planning approval process. Achieving
the requirements of the higher tiers is voluntary. To demonstrate compliance, applicants
are expected to submit a TGS Checklist, green project statistics, plans, drawings or
reports at either or both the design stage and the construction stage. Tier 2 and above
projects are third -party verified and certified in order to qualify for the Development
Charge Refund where a portion of development charges are returned to the developer
in exchange for a high-performance site and building.
Key components of the TGS include its focus on sustainable design, landscapes, green
infrastructure and bird -friendly design practices, high storm water retention, and energy
performance requirements. To demonstrate energy performance, large buildings are
required to submit a Design Development Stage Energy Modelling Report as proof of
compliance. The policy basis for this requirement comes from Section 114 of the City of
Toronto Act and s. 41 of the Planning Act, which provide authorities related to approval
of drawings that show exterior building design.
Tools and Incentives:
Applications have the option of pursuing the voluntary Development Charge Refund
Program, which offers a partial development charge refund to projects that have
demonstrated higher levels of sustainable design by achieving Tier 2, 3 or 4 (Tier 1 is
the required level of environmental performance) — beyond the required Tier 1 level of
environmental performance.
Results:
The Toronto Green Standard has proven to be an effective tool to ensure new
development is more sustainable and resilient and on target to achieve the City's
greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. Over 1,300 developments have
been required to meet Tier 1 and 20 projects have been certified to Tier 2. Collectively
2
Attachment 1 to
Report PDS-045-21
these projects are set to achieve annual GHG emission reductions of an estimated
115,205 tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) compared to projects constructed
to the Ontario Building Code.
Vaughan, Brampton, Richmond Hill, Sustainability Metrics
Context and Rationale:
The municipalities of Vaughan, Brampton, and Richmond Hill worked collaboratively to
develop the Sustainability Metrics Program, with consistent metrics across their
municipalities. The program was developed to create cities with a sustainable built form
and implemented as part of the review of development applications. Since the program
was developed, the municipality of Markham has recently joined their partnership. The
partnership offered the following benefits:
• Flexibility in developing municipal -specific threshold scores and point allocations.
• Consistency across partner municipalities.
• Efficient and effective use of resources.
• Assistance with communicating with council and staff.
Main Policy Features:
The Sustainability Metrics Program includes a menu of metrics that applicants can
select from in order to make their development more sustainable, with each metric
worth a certain number of points. The Sustainability Metrics are organized into four
categories that represent major elements of sustainable community development: Built
Environment, Mobility, Natural Environment and Open Space, and Infrastructure and
Buildings.
Targets and Requirements:
Applicants are required to achieve a minimum points threshold for their application. In
Vaughan, council has an expectation that the minimum is achieved outside of the
Vaughan Metropolitan centre area, and a higher score achieved within the centre.
Applicants are expected to submit a sustainability score and summary letter with
submissions.
Brampton, Richmond Hill, and Vaughan have all instituted three levels of sustainability
related to the sustainability score achieved. Brampton and Vaughan have defined these
levels as bronze, silver, and gold, whereas Richmond Hill defines them as good, very
good, and excellent. Brampton and Vaughan use the metrics program for draft Plan of
Subdivision, Site Plan, and block plan applications, whereas Richmond Hill only uses it
for Draft Plan of Subdivision and Site Plan applications. In all three municipalities,
applicants are expected to achieve the base level performance, however defined, for
their application to be considered.
Tools and Incentives:
There are no financial incentives currently being used in any of these municipalities.
However, applicants are encouraged to explore incentives offered by other entities,
such as the Savings by Design Green Building Initiative offered by Enbridge Gas
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Attachment 1 to
Report PDS-045-21
Distribution. Both Richmond Hill and Vaughan are using servicing allocation as an
incentive for sustainability metrics.
Halton Hills
Context and Rationale:
The Halton Hills Thinking Green Development Standards (TGDS) apply within the
Town's urban boundaries to applications for new low-rise residential, low- rise non-
residential, and mid to high-rise development of all types. The Green Development
Standards utilize a checklist approach (similar to Vaughan, Brampton, and Richmond
Hill) whereby applicants can choose the most appropriate criteria for the project, so long
as a minimum point threshold is achieved. The Halton Hills Official Plan contains policy
requiring compliance with the Green Development Standards; policy C19.1 notes that a
development application will only be deemed to have met the Town's sustainability
goals if it meets the requirements of the Green Development Standards adopted by
Council, and as amended from time to time, to provide detailed direction for the
implementation of this policy. It is expected that applicants will engage with staff early in
the pre -application process to maximize green benefits.
Main Policy Features:
The checklists criteria are organized into seven categories: energy conservation, water
conservation and quality, community design, air quality, innovation and other green
features, waste management, and communication.
Targets and Requirements:
The Green Development Standards comprise required and voluntary points, depending
on the criteria. Proponents must meet a minimum required point threshold (around 40%
of the total points available). Using a LEED-like approach, the criteria are rated on both
the significance of the environmental benefits and the difficulty or cost associated with
implementation. The checklists criteria are organized into seven categories: energy
conservation, water conservation and quality, community design, air quality, innovation
and other green features, waste management, and communication.
Tools and Incentives:
The Town has produced checklists for low-rise residential, low-rise non- residential, and
mid to high-rise any use) projects. While the Town does not directly offer incentives for
achieving higher performance, it does encourage applicants to contact Halton Hills
Hydro, Union Gas and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) regarding
current energy incentive programs.
Information Source:
Clean Air Partnership (2021). Towards Low Carbon Communities: Creating Municipal
Green Development Standards. An Implementation Toolkit for Municipal Staff
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