Item - 2014.PG35.18
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Planning and Growth Management Committee on August 7, 2014 and was adopted without amendment.
PG35.18 - Environmentally Significant Areas - Proposed Official Plan Amendment
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Committee Decision
The Planning and Growth Management Committee:
1. Authorized the Chief Planner and Executive Director of City Planning to conduct an open house and community meeting in each community council area of the City in November 2014 and meet with key stakeholders including Toronto Regional Conservation Authority (TRCA), Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and other key environmental stakeholders to obtain comments and feedback regarding the proposed amendment contained in Attachment Two of the report (July 10, 2014) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.
2. Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director of City Planning to report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee on the outcome of the public consultation by mid 2015.
3. Directed City Planning, Toronto Water, Transportation Services and Parks, Forestry and Recreation to continue to work together to develop best management practices to minimize negative impacts from infrastructure projects within or adjacent to Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs).
Origin
Summary
Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs) are critical areas within the City's natural heritage system. They contain habitats of large size or unusually high diversity, provide habitats for rare species; contain rare landforms, and serve as stop over locations or concentration points for migratory wildlife. These natural treasures are particularly significant and sensitive and are given the highest level of protection in the Official Plan. Development is not permitted in ESAs and activities are limited to those that are compatible with the preservation of their natural features and ecological functions.
At the time of approval of the Official Plan, the City agreed to identify ESAs on Map 12 using information that was available at the time and committed to identify additional ESAs across the City, using criteria in the Official Plan, and to designate these areas on Map 12. This report proposes an amendment to designate sixty-eight (68) new ESAs on Map 12 and amend the boundaries of fourteen (14) existing ESAs. Each area proposed for designation or boundary revision has been studied in detail to verify that it meets Official Plan criteria and to determine appropriate boundaries. Documentation and maps for each area proposed for designation will be made available on the City Planning website in advance of public consultation.
It is recommended that four (4) combined open house/community meetings be held during November 2014 to review the proposed amendment. A report on the outcome of the consultation and a final proposed amendment will be submitted to Planning and Growth Management Committee in the first half of 2015.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-71931.pdf