Item - 2025.PH21.6

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.

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.

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. 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.

The City Planning and the Environment, Climate and Forestry divisions confirm that there are no financial implications resulting from the recommendations included in this report in the current budget year or in future years. Staffing resources and expertise needed to advance the due diligence required, and to support enabling work of any of the proposed strategies outlined in the report will be accommodated within the existing approved budgets for relevant City Divisions.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial implications as identified in the Financial Impact section.