Item - 2015.PG6.4

This report presents revised environmental policies and the proposed designation of 68 new and the expansion of 14 existing Environmentally Significant Areas (ESA). The proposed changes to the environmental policies are the result of extensive consultation with various stakeholders including environmental groups, community associations, the general public, the development industry, City Divisions including Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Toronto Water, Public Health, Environment and Energy, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and with the Ministries of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH), and Environment and Climate Change (MOECC).  The proposed ESA designations are the result of detailed review of previous studies and extensive field surveys carried out between 2009 and 2012.

The proposed Official Plan amendment appended to this report as Attachment 1a is not an omnibus replacement of the Plan's policies related to the environment, but rather contains a series of specific, strategic policy revisions to strengthen, refine and clarify existing policies, address Council direction on Climate Change and bring the Official Plan into conformity with the 2014 Provincial Policy Statement.  The proposed amendments to the text, policies and mapping will enhance the policies related to energy, biodiversity, natural environment, environmentally significant areas, water, natural hazards, lake filling and green infrastructure and assist the City to address climate change.  Attachment 2 illustrates how the Official Plan would read if the amendments proposed in Attachment 1a were adopted.

Pursuant to Section 26 of the Planning Act, and in accordance with Council's direction at its June 10, 2015 meeting, this report and the proposed Official Plan Amendment is to be tabled at the September 16, 2015 meeting of the Planning and Growth Management Committee and considered at a statutory Public Meeting at the Planning and Growth Management Committee's October 8, 2015 meeting.  The Statutory Open House to consider the proposed policies was held on June 18, 2015.