Item - 2007.PG10.5

Tracking Status

  • This item will be considered by Planning and Growth Management Committee on November 1, 2007. It will be considered by City Council on November 19 and 20, 2007, subject to the actions of the Planning and Growth Management Committee.

PG10.5 - Design Guidelines for ‘Greening’ Surface Parking Lots

Consideration Type:
ACTION
Wards:
All

Origin

(November 1, 2007) Report from Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division

Recommendations

City Planning recommends that:

 

1.         City Council authorize the release of the draft Design Guidelines for ‘Greening’ Surface Parking Lots (Attachment No. 1) for consultation with stakeholders, including development industry representatives, affected Divisions, Agencies, Boards and Commissions of the City of Toronto, and other interested parties.

 

2.         During the consultation period, City Council authorize City Planning staff to apply and test the draft Guidelines in the review and approval of new developments containing surface parking and in the design and development of surface parking lots owned and/or operated by the City of Toronto or any Agency, Board or Commission of the City of Toronto.

 

3.         The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, report back to the Planning and Growth Management Committee at the conclusion of the consultation period if modifications to the Guidelines are required.

Summary

This report seeks Council approval to release the draft Design Guidelines for ‘Greening’ Surface Parking Lots (Attachment No.1) for stakeholder consultation. Council is also requested to grant interim authority, during the consultation period, for City staff to test and apply the draft Guidelines in the review and approval of new developments.

The Design Guidelines for ‘Greening’ Surface Parking Lots implement the Built Environment and Natural Environment policies of the City’s Official Plan (Chapters 3.1 and 3.4). The Guidelines also provide design options and strategies to implement many environmental performance targets of the Toronto Green Development Standard.

Typically, surface parking lot design focuses on accommodating vehicle movements, maximizing the number of parking spaces and ensuring ease of maintenance and servicing. Although these functional aspects are important, if applied alone, the urban design and environmental outcomes are often undesirable. Areas of concern include poor quality landscaping, unattractive streetscapes, minimum regard for pedestrian circulation, safety and comfort, excessive stormwater run-off, and an increase in the urban heat island effect.

‘Greening’ the surface parking lot involves planting trees, providing good quality soil and generous landscaped areas, enhancing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, managing stormwater on-site, reducing the urban heat island effect, and using sustainable materials and technologies.

The Design Guidelines for ‘Greening’ Surface Parking Lots provide specific strategies and measures which developers, designers and reviewers of surface parking lots can apply to help meet Official Plan policies and environmental performance targets of the Toronto Green Development Standard.

Financial Impact

There is no financial impact resulting from the recommendations of this report.

Background Information

(November 1, 2007) Report from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division - Design Guidelines for 'Greening' Surface Parking Lots
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-7554.pdf
Source: Toronto City Clerk at www.toronto.ca/council