Growing Space for Trees: Protecting and Enhancing the Tree Canopy While Supporting Infill Housing and Addressing Concerns with Iceberg Homes - Proposals Report

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The decision

2025-05-08 · Planning and Housing Committee · adopted

As filed

The Planning and Housing Committee: 1. Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to use the proposed amendments to Official Plan Neighbourhood and Apartment Neighbourhood Policies, attached as Attachment 1 to the report (April 17, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, as the basis for public and stakeholder consultation and to bring forward final recommendations in the fourth quarter of 2025.

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2. Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to use the proposed amendments to the City-wide Zoning By-law 569-2013, attached as Attachment 2 to the report (April 17, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, as the basis for public and stakeholder consultation and to bring forward final recommendations in the fourth quarter of 2025. 3. Requested the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, to report on amendments to Chapter 813 (Trees) of the Toronto Municipal Code, and any other relevant chapter of the Municipal Code, that may be required to implement the recommendations identified in Parts 1 and 2 above, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the City Solicitor.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

Trees are a critically important asset to address biodiversity loss and the climate crisis, and contribute to the development of attractive, livable and healthy neighbourhoods. New infill housing is important to help address Toronto's housing crisis and requires proactive solutions to ensure the city's existing tree canopy is supported and that there is growing space for trees as new housing is built. This report identifies proposed Official Plan and City-wide Zoning By-law amendments for consultation in response to Council direction to report on strategies to protect and enhance the city's tree canopy while also supporting infill housing.

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The report also responds to Council direction to report on strategies to address the impacts on the tree canopy and water management associated with iceberg homes - houses which exhibit a larger below grade footprint than their above grade footprint or with large multi-storey basements. This report also provides information on implementation of municipal tree protection by-laws, including application requirements and processes for Committee of Adjustment applications, and impacts to trees and growing space of the City's Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) initiative. The results of the stakeholder consultation on proposed directions are described, with the final report back with recommended policy and zoning changes proposed for the fourth quarter of 2025.

Staff recommended

The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry recommend that: 1. The Planning and Housing Committee request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to use the proposed amendments to Official Plan Neighbourhood and Apartment Neighbourhood Policies, attached as Attachment 1 to this report, as the basis for public and stakeholder consultation and to bring forward final recommendations in the fourth quarter of 2025.

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2. The Planning and Housing Committee request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to use the proposed amendments to the City-wide Zoning By-law 569-2013, attached as Attachment 2 to this report, as the basis for public and stakeholder consultation and to bring forward final recommendations in the fourth quarter of 2025. 3. The Planning and Housing Committee request the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, to report on amendments to Chapter 813 (Trees) of the Toronto Municipal Code, and any other relevant chapter of the Municipal Code, that may be required to implement the recommendations identified in Recommendations 1 and 2 above, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the City Solicitor.

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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