Item - 2020.PH16.11

The Planning and Housing Committee:  

1. Received the report (September 8, 2020) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation for information.

This report responds to a request by City Council on recommended policy changes that could support and expedite development applications seeking to meet high performance building standards associated with Passive House's, which are also tied to tree removal, injury and replacement requirements through a review of Chapter 813, Trees, of the Toronto Municipal Code.

City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 813, Trees gives the General Manager the authority to issue permits for injury, destruction and removal of trees in accordance with certain criteria. The General Manager may issue permits for removal of City owned trees following review and approval of a landscape plan satisfactory to the General Manager and the ward Councillor. As a result, a by-law amendment is not required to support development applications requiring tree injury or removal permits to pursue Passive House standards.

A specific procedure can be developed to allow the recommendation for removal of trees under certain circumstances based on criteria to be developed in consultation with City Planning and Environment and Energy Divisions. This change does not require approval by City Council.