Item - 2017.PW24.6

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee:

1.  Requested the General Manager Toronto Water, the Acting Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the General Manager, Transportation Services to report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on November 28, 2017 after consulting with Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), on the cost implications for BIAs.

2.  Requested the General Manager, Toronto Water, the Acting Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the General Manager, Transportation Services to report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on July 10, 2018 with an implementation strategy for the Green Streets Technical Guidelines and on a consultation strategy for Business Improvement Areas and property owners.

A Green Street is a road or street that incorporates green infrastructure, which includes natural and human-made elements such as trees, green walls, and low impact development (LID) stormwater infrastructure that provide ecological and hydrological functions and processes.  Green Streets contribute to building climate change resilience and an improved quality of life in the city.  They also support the Official Plan policies and the environmental objectives of the Toronto Green Standard, the Wet Weather Flow Master Plan and other City strategic initiatives including Complete Streets Guidelines, and ResilientTO.

This report advises Council on the completion of the Green Streets Technical Guidelines (the Guidelines), provided in Attachments 1 to 4, which have been prepared collaboratively by Toronto Water and City Planning in consultation with Transportation Services, Parks Forestry and Recreation, other City divisions, and stakeholders.  The Guidelines provide guidance, standards, and selection tools for the planning, design, integration and maintenance of a range of green infrastructure by City divisions and private property owners. The Guidelines will facilitate the implementation of green infrastructure solutions in the city that provide environmental benefits including improved air quality, energy efficiency, stormwater management, and enhanced water quality, while ensuring that Toronto’s streets remain efficient conduits for vital infrastructure and are attractive, functional corridors for pedestrians, transportation and transit.

The report provides an overview of the Guidelines, the consultation undertaken in developing the Guidelines, and a brief discussion on the next steps for the Guidelines' implementation.