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

This report recommends Official Plan and City-wide Zoning By-law amendments to protect and enhance the city's tree canopy while supporting infill housing development and to address the impacts on the tree canopy and water management associated with iceberg homes (houses which exhibit a larger below ground footprint than their above ground footprint or with multi-storey basements). Staff undertook extensive consultation on the amendments and have made revisions following feedback from the public and stakeholders. Recommended amendments to the Official Plan address objectives to protect and enhance the tree canopy and growing space for trees as part of both new and infill development in Neighbourhoods and Apartment Neighbourhoods. Recommended amendments to the City-wide Zoning By-law address landscaping and setback regulations, including requirements that apply minimum building setbacks below ground (consistent with existing setbacks above ground) for all low-rise residential buildings (e.g. detached houses, semi-detached houses, townhouses, and multiplexes), except for apartment buildings, in the Residential Zone category. This report also describes updates to conditions for Committee of Adjustment applications to require new trees and protect growing space, as well as five specific tree by-law amendment proposals that were consulted on in the fall that will be discussed in detail in a future report on the City's tree by-laws.