Agenda - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20220223Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Revised Agenda
Date:February 23, 2022
Time:7 p.m.
Location:Video Conference
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meetings will be available to the public via live stream only on
the Town’s YouTube Channel. To participate electronically, please visit aurora.ca/participation.
Pages
1.Call to Order
Note: Additional items are marked with an asterisk (*).
1.1.Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair
That a Committee member be elected as Chair for Year 2022 of
the Environmental Advisory Committee (2018-2022 Term); and
1.
That a Committee member be elected as Vice Chair for Year
2022 of the Environmental Advisory Committee (2018-2022
Term).
2.
2.Approval of the Agenda
3.Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
4.Receipt of the Minutes
4.1.Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 24,
2021
1
That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
November 24, 2021, be received for information.
5.Delegations
6.Matters for Consideration
6.1.Memorandum from Senior Policy Planner; Re: Green Development
Standards Update - Phase 1 Planned Implementation
5
That the memorandum regarding Green Development Standards
Update – Phase 1 Planned Implementation be received; and
1.
That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments
regarding the Green Development Standards Update – Phase 1
Planned Implementation be received and referred to staff for
consideration and further action as appropriate.
2.
6.2.Memorandum from Energy and Climate Change Analyst; Re: Anti-Idling
Policy Update
73
That the memorandum regarding Anti-Idling Policy Update be
received; and
1.
That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments
regarding the Anti-Idling Policy Update be received and referred
to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
2.
7.Informational Items
7.1.Environmental Advisory Committee Update List 89
That the Environmental Advisory Committee Update List be
received for information.
1.
*7.2.Town of Aurora Report: The Economic Value of Natural Capital Assets
Associated With Ecosystem Protection (dated June 2013)
91
That the Town of Aurora Report: The Economic Value of Natural
Capital Assets Associated With Ecosystem Protection (dated
June 2013) be received for information.
1.
8.Adjournment
1
Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
7 p.m.
Video Conference
Committee Members: Councillor Rachel Gilliland (Chair)
Councillor Wendy Gaertner (Vice Chair)
Barry Bridgeford
Colin Brown
Sam Cunningham
Ashley Gatto Cassagrande
Sandy Hudson
Crystal Robertson
Members Absent: Margaret Baker
Ryan Hamid
Other Attendees: Mayor Tom Mrakas (ex-officio)
Lisa Hausz, Manager, Economic Development and Policy
Sara Tienkamp, Manager, Parks and Fleet
Matthew Volpintesta, Senior Policy Planner, Land Use & Real
Estate
Natalie Kehle, Analyst, Energy and Climate Change
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Procedural Notes
This meeting was held electronically as per Section 19. i) of the Town's
Procedure By-law No. 6228-19, as amended, due to the COVID-19 situation.
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
2. Approval of the Agenda
Page 1 of 142
2
Moved by Crystal Robertson
Seconded by Ashley Gatto Cassagrande
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
4. Receipt of the Minutes
4.1 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 22,
2021
Moved by Colin Brown
Seconded by Ashley Gatto Cassagrande
That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
September 22, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
5. Delegations
None.
6. Matters for Consideration
6.1 Memorandum from Senior Policy Planner; Re: Green Development
Standards Consultation
Matthew Volpintesta presented an overview of the memorandum and
presentation and sought the Committee’s input on the Green Development
Standards (GDS) program. The consultant Nadia Dowhaniuk, Head of
Research, PRIME Strategy & Planning, was also present.
The Committee made suggestions and discussed various aspects with
staff including: remaining greenfield development areas; future preparing
for infill development; construction demolition and recycling/disposal of
building materials; prioritization of window and insulation retrofits; GDS
program implementation timeline; stormwater management and climate
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3
change; low impact development and bioswales, rain and pollinator
gardens; and climate change adaptation.
Moved by Sam Cunningham
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
1. That the memorandum regarding Green Development Standards
Consultation be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding
Green Development Standards be received and referred to staff for
consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
6.2 Memorandum from Manager of Economic Development and Policy; Re:
Streetscape Needs Assessment
Lisa Hausz provided an overview of the memorandum and sought the
Committee’s input on the proposed improvements for the subject area on
Yonge Street from Wellington Street south to Church Street. Janine Cik,
Policy Student assisting on the project, was also present.
The Committee made suggestions and discussed various aspects with
staff including: tree plantings and benefits; challenges of the existing
underground infrastructure; Silva Cell technology for tree and stormwater
management; long-term planning and engineering to ensure tree longevity;
vertical sensory gardens; mix of trees and alternatives such as tall grasses
and bushes; more planters and hanging baskets; consideration of new
LED lighting that is not too bright; bike lanes; connection to active
transportation master plan; concept drawings; permeable surfaces; and
electric vehicle charging stations. Staff noted that further comments and
ideas can be submitted online at engageaurora.ca/downtownstreetscape.
Moved by Barry Bridgeford
Seconded by Crystal Robertson
1. That the memorandum regarding Streetscape Needs Assessment be
received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding
Streetscape Needs Assessment be received and referred to staff for
consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
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4
6.3 Memorandum from Manager, Parks and Fleet; Re: Lymantria Dispar Dispar
(LDD) Control Options
Sara Tienkamp provided an overview of the memorandum and sought the
Committee’s feedback on the LDD control options.
The Committee made suggestions and discussed various aspects with
staff including: Town-wide control options; concern about spraying impact
on other insect species, and resident perception; extensive cost of
treatments; smaller-scale, home approaches to controlling LDD; support
for the burlap method and need for increased communication and
educational opportunities for residents in advance; and partnership
opportunities in sourcing/repurposing burlap bags. Staff advised on the
provincial and regional approaches and monitoring of the LDD infestation
and defoliation, and provided an update on the nuclear polyhedrosis virus
(NPV).
Moved by Crystal Robertson
Seconded by Sandy Hudson
1. That the memorandum regarding Lymantria Dispar Dispar (LDD)
Control Options be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding LDD
control options be received and referred to staff for consideration and
further action as appropriate.
Carried
7. Informational Items
None.
8. Adjournment
Moved by Colin Brown
Seconded by Crystal Robertson
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
Carried
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100 John West Way
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 6J1
(905) 727-3123
aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Memorandum
Planning and Development
Re: Green Development Standards Update – Phase 1 Planned Implementation
To: Environmental Advisory Committee
From: Matthew Volpintesta, Senior Policy Planner
Date: February 23, 2022
Recommendation
1. That the memorandum regarding Green Development Standards Update – Phase 1
Planned Implementation be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding Green
Development Standards Update – Phase 1 Planned Implementation be received and
referred to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Executive Summary
The Town of Aurora has been undertaking the development of a Green Development
Standards (GDS) program to promote environmentally conscious development and
commit to a greener and more sustainable future. GDS represent an important policy
tool used by municipalities to support Official Plan goals, sustainability and climate
change objectives, and several other co-beneficial directives. Since updating the
Environmental Committee in November 2021, the GDS has evolved significantly, and,
pending Council approval, will see Phase 1 implementation beginning in Q2 2022. The
following report presents plan for Phase 1 implementation and highlights expected
outcomes of the GDS.
The GDS supports the Town of Aurora Official Plan policy goals of sustainability
and climate change objectives, informed by a comprehensive review and extensive
stakeholder consultation.
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Green Development Standards Update – Phase 1 Planned Implementation
February 23, 2022 Page 2 of 4
Phase 1 of the GDS is expected to be implemented in Q2 2022 following staff
training and testing of a newly developed web-based online form.
Background
The GDS supports the Town of Aurora Official Plan goals of sustainability and climate
change objectives, informed by a comprehensive review and extensive stakeholder
consultation
The Town of Aurora (the Town) retained Prime Strategy & Planning to undertake a
comprehensive review of green development standards (GDS) and to develop green
development standards applicable to the Town of Aurora context.
The GDS is a community-based approach that will apply across all forms of new
development and will also apply to municipal projects and buildings as the Town has
committed to lead by with sustainable design. The Town of Aurora GDS will support
Section 5.2 of the Official Plan on sustainable development. The GDS sets expectations
for high-performing buildings, community connectivity, and promotes access to low or
zero carbon transportation options. Having a comprehensive GDS that approaches
development at a community-wide scale encourages a compact built form that reduces
demands on infrastructure while creating healthy, complete, and sustainable
communities. As part of the initial stage of the GDS development, a comprehensive
review of GDS standards was undertaken and documented in a Discussion Paper.
To provide technical expertise and guidance throughout the GDS development, the
Town established a project steering committee inclusive of representation from the
several departments. External stakeholders include local Conservation Authorities, York
Region, applicable utility companies, and the development and building materials
industry. Since meeting with the EAC in November 2021, the GDS Steering committee
collected input from each of the Environmental Advisory Committee, Accessibility
Advisory Committee, and Business Improvement Association, and the Aurora Economic
Development Corporation. Feedback also includes comments from BILD and York
Region regarding Phase 1 deliverables and the update to the online web form model.
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Green Development Standards Update – Phase 1 Planned Implementation
February 23, 2022 Page 3 of 4
Analysis
Phase 1 of the GDS is expected to be implemented in Q2 2022 following staff training and
testing of a newly developed web-based online form.
Phase 1 of the GDS represents a set of mandatory requirements, which also include
optional expectations providing some flexibility. Over the last two months, staff have
considered options to ease in the implementation of the GDS and still achieve the
effectiveness and merit of assessment measures. In reviewing municipal best
practices, it was decided that an online web form would be most useful in submitting,
collecting, and assessing the GDS.
The concept of a form-based webpage allows for the GDS questionnaire to be
presented on a webpage, where development applicants can input their project
information, and have a score be automatically generated and then packaged for
submission alongside other complete application materials at the outset of a project.
The online form is the same series of questions and options as reviewed throughout the
consultation process, the only difference is that it will be submitted online. Once a file is
submitted, the applicant will have a real-time response on whether their project is in
alignment with the GDS goals. The response will be automatically forwarded to the
Planning clerk, and to the applicant for download, and will be required as part of a
complete application. In addition to an outreach campaign through the Town’s
communications platforms, Staff will advise the applicant of GDS implementation
during the initial pre-development meeting. Note, the Development industry has been
consulted throughout the GDS development and will have received a notice of
commencement, including guidance and instructions for submission. Once the GDS
web form questionnaire is submitted and received with an application, the Development
Planner will review the completed form and associated score, and then follow up with
the associated department if there are any discrepancies.
The comprehensive handbook has also been updated to include background
information on the merit of each question and how to present a response, including
timing of review and the department or individual responsible for review. The handbook
will be hyperlinked by section on the webpage, aligning with the online form, for ease in
submission by the applicant.
Staff are currently finalizing the transition of the GDS questionnaire and handbook
materials to an online format. Once the questionnaire is finalized, staff will test the GDS
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Green Development Standards Update – Phase 1 Planned Implementation
February 23, 2022 Page 4 of 4
and receive any final comments from York Region and BILD. The expectation is to
present this update to Council early in Q2 with Phase 1 implementation following
endorsement. Final operational staff training will be scheduled immediately following
Council endorsement. After a period of one calendar year, Staff will review and present
the outcomes of the Phase 1 implementation to Committee of Council.
In the interim, Staff will continue to explore potential incentives and any required
changes ahead of Phase 2, which is expected include elevated performance and
improved building and site expectations, as well as certification for net zero through
third party programs. Incremental costing analysis will be required for Phase 2. It is
expected that the Town will define incentives through a possible expedited development
approvals program, CIP or other options as part of the planned cost-benefit analysis.
Attachments
Green Development Standards Handbook Draft (Pending final comments)
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iPRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction.............................................................................. 1
2.0 Submission Requirements...................................................... 3
3.0 Development Review Process ................................................ 4
4.0 Overview of the Green Development Standard......................7
5.0 Phase 1 GDS Requirements.................................................... 8
6.0 Phase 2 GDS Requirements.................................................. 48
ATTACHMENTS
Appendix A – Description of G.D.S Themes
Appendix B – Third-Party Certification Programs
Appendix C – Letter of Intent Sample
Appendix D – Implementation
Appendix E – Future Updates to the GDS
Attachment 1 Page 9 of 142
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GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARD
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Glossary
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (E.V.S.E)
E.V.S.E is the technical name for an electric vehicle charging station or charging
point. The function of an E.V.S.E is to supply the electric energy to charge an
E.V.
Green Development Standards
Green Development Standards (G.D.S) are voluntary or mandatory measures
developed by municipalities to encourage developers and builders to create
thoughtful and innovative developments using sustainable design, which
considers the principles of economic, social, and ecological sustainability.
Letter of Intent
A letter of intent is a document declaring a commitment outlined in the letter.
Within the context of the G.D.S, it is an agreement between the Town and the
applicant/developer.
Major Transit Station Area (M.T.S.A)
Lands within an approximate 500-800 metre radius of a transit station or stop,
primarily along existing or planned transit corridors. M.T.S.As are intended to be
developed as high density, mixed-use, transit supportive neighbourhoods that
provide access to local amenities, jobs, housing, and recreation opportunities.
Net-zero Emissions
A target of completely negating the amount of greenhouse gases released, to be
achieved by reducing emissions, or employing technologies that can capture
carbon before it is released into the air.
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1PRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARD HANDBOOK
Town of Aurora
1.0 Introduction
The Town of Aurora Green Development Standard (G.D.S) is a tiered set of
performance measures with supporting guidelines for new development. The
standard promotes sustainable site and building designs that address energy
efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions, water quality and efficiency, ecological
health, connected communities, and building and waste objectives for new
developments in the Town of Aurora.
Sustainable initiatives, in all their forms, are one of the most significant influences
on the way we design and build our environments. The Town prioritizes reducing
emissions and increasing resiliency both within its operations and at the
community level as part of its commitment under the 2019 declaration of Climate
Emergency.
The G.D.S is a made-in-Aurora implementation and policy tool that can help the
Town to support local and regional official plan policy goals, sustainability and
climate change objectives, greenhouse gas (G.H.G) reduction targets, and
several other co-beneficial directives. The G.D.S is inspired by third-party
certification programs to encourage development that includes innovative and
progressive frameworks.
The G.D.S is a flexible, living document designed to respond to emerging
climate challenges and local environmental priorities.Informed by the
current legislative and regulatory framework, local building expectations, and
emerging trends in sustainable development, the Town will monitor
implementation to refine the G.D.S as needed.
This handbook will assist Town staff and development applicants understand and
implement the G.D.S when preparing all new development applications. It is a
supplemental document to the G.D.S Checklist and should be referred to
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when contemplating which requirements to pursue and compiling the Green
Development Report.
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GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARD HANDBOOK
Town of Aurora
2.0 Submission Requirements
As part of the development application submission, applicants are expected to
submit a Green Development Report.The Green Development Report is
required for all applications. If the GDR is not applicable for some outstanding
reason, this would have to be done through a rationale provided. Generally,
applications are not exempt.
The Green Development Report will support Town staff in addition to compliance
specification identified for each G.D.S performance metric. At a high level, the
Green Development Report should include the following components:
x Summary –Overview of the project and G.D.S initiatives included in the
development application.
x G.D.S Overview –Summary of how the project responds to policies within
Section 5.0 of the Official Plan.
x Tier 1 Performance Measures –List and briefly describe all mandatory Tier
1 performance measures and their related reference documents in an easy-
to-read format (e.g., bullet point list, table, etc.).
x Tier 2 Performances Measures –List and briefly describe all mandatory Tier
2 performance measures and their related reference documents in an easy-
to-read format. Confirm that the minimum number of performance measures
under Tier 2 have been met.
x Voluntary Performance Measures –Where a higher performance tier is
being pursued, list and briefly describe all voluntary performance measures
and their related documents in an easy-to-ready format.
Applicants will refer to the G.D.S requirement tables described in Sections 5.0
and 6.0 for a detailed description of the specific plans and additional files that
must be submitted to ensure compliance with the G.D.S.
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3.0 Development Review Process
The G.D.S will be integrated into the development review process. The following
describes how the G.D.S relates to current development review process at the
Town of Aurora.
Pre-Consultation
The applicant will fill out and submit the mandatory Pre-Application Consultation
Request Form. Staff will direct the applicant to the G.D.S handbook to
understand what requirements must be met. This is also an opportunity to
discuss raised performance objectives for the site.
Application Submission
The applicant submits all required G.D.S documentation and supporting materials
to the Town. This includes the Green Development report. The Town then
determines if the application is complete.
Technical Review
Staff responsible for circulation of applications circulate the G.D.S checklist and
Green Development Report to the applicable Town departments and main point
of contact within each department as part of the development review process.
Comments on the application and the G.D.S will be provided to the Development
Planner on file.
Application Revision and Resubmission
The applicant will revise and resubmit plans, reports, and other materials based
on comments through the overall evaluation of the development application. If
any revisions are proposed to the development plan, the revised checklist and
Green Development Report will be included in the resubmission.
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Report to Council
Town staff are encouraged to report on the G.D.S performance measures in
reports to Council . This would be focused on annual reporting on items such as
total EV installations, green roofs, and other metrics implemented through the
GDS. This may be coordinated with climate change reporting.
Draft Plan of Subdivision or Site Plan Agreements
Pending approval of the development application, development agreements or
final plans will contain specific conditions for meeting the G.D.S measures that
the applicant has committed to.
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4.0 Overview of the Green Development Standard
The G.D.S is organized under five themes with corresponding performance
metrics that promote sustainable site and building design.
Each theme contains at least two and up to four performance tiers. At a
minimum, all new development applications submitted to the Town of Aurora
must demonstrate compliance with Tier 1.
Tier 2 is also mandatory however applicants are provided with several options
from which they are required to achieve a specified number of performance
measures. This provides the applicant with flexibility and choice.
Tiers 3 and 4 are higher level voluntary standards that will be tied to financial and
non-financial incentives.
The G.D.S will be implemented in two phases:
x Phase 1 – Implementation in 2022.
x Phase 2 – Implementation at a date to be determined by the Town. The Town
will explore incentive options to support implementation of Phase 2, which will
include Tiers 3 and 4. The Town is also encouraged to further consult with
utility providers to facilitate incentive funding for implementation.
The following sections (Sections 5.0 and 6.0) provide comprehensive
requirement tables intended to support Town staff and applicants with
implementation, compliance, and review of the G.D.S.
Each G.D.S metric is assigned a unique letter and number value that reflects the
theme, phase, and tier specific to the metric. For example, metric ‘EN1.1.1’
should be read as:
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Theme Phase Tier Metric #
EN(Energy)111
5.0 Phase 1 G.D.S Requirements
Energy
Tier 1
Applicant is required to meet all criteria.
Metric EN1.1.1
Applicable to x Site Plan
x Subdivision
Requirement Appropriate electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure is provided
accordingly:
x Low-rise residential – For each dwelling unit with a
residential parking space, a minimum one (1) vehicle
space per unit is provided with an energized outlet
capable of providing Level 2 EV charging or higher to the
parking space.
x Multi-unit apartments/townhomes with shared, common
onsite residential parking spaces – Each residential
parking space (excluding visitor parking) is provided with
an adjacent energized outlet capable of providing Level 2
charging or higher to the parking space, either dedicated
to the parking space or using an Energy Management
System.
x All non-residential development – A minimum 20% of
required parking spaces are provided with electric
vehicle supply equipment (E.V.S.E) and the remainder
are of spaces are designed with rough in to
accommodate future installation energized outlets
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capable of providing Level 2 EV charging or higher to the
parking space.
Where barrier-free parking spaces are required (refer to
Town of Aurora Zoning by-law #600-17), ensure that at least
one (1) barrier free space incorporates the requirements for
appropriate EV infrastructure.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report
x Site Plan Drawings
x Building Permit Drawings
How
compliance is
demonstrated
x Green Development Report – Submit project parking
statistics in the Green Development Report that includes
number of E.V.S.E spaces.
x Site Plan Drawings– Notations identifying location of
E.V.S.E spaces and roughed-in spaces.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning file Planner
x Transportation Analyst where further support is required
x Building Department review for compliance
Other An “energized outlet” refers to a connected point in an
electrical wiring installation at which current is taken to
supply utilization equipment. Energized outlets are to be
labelled for the intended use for electric vehicle charging.
For additional information on EV infrastructure, please refer
to the Clean Air Partnership’s Electric Vehicle Charging
Infrastructure Costing Study.
Metric EN1.1.2
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
Requirement Ensure building(s) is designed to accommodate future
connections to solar PV or solar thermal technologies.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent
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How
compliance is
demonstrated
x Letter of Intent – Submit a Letter of Intent, signed by the
project’s architect and/or engineer, committing that all
new buildings will be designed for solar readiness.
Design considerations to ensure a building is “solar
ready” include: electrical conduit/plumbing riser built into
base building, roof capacity accounts for weight/lift of
renewable energy technologies, and delivery and space
allocation for fuel deliver/storage.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning File Planner
x Building Division/Chief Building Official
Other The applicant may refer to Natural Resources Canada’s
(NRCan) Solar Ready Guidelines Version 1.1 (2013) for
guidance on design considerations and modifications to
prepare a building for the installation of a future solar
system. These Guidelines are intended to be simple and
inexpensive to implement, while enabling significant savings
in installation costs should a homeowner choose to install a
complete solar system in the future.
Metric EN1.1.3
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
Requirement Develop an energy model for the building project using a
third-party building energy simulation software.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Energy Model File
How
compliance is
demonstrated
x Energy Model File – Provide file for the entire building
project produced by a third-party renewable energy
modelling tool. Submit the file as part of a complete
application package.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
x Building Division/Chief Building Official
Other N/A
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Metric EN1.1.4
Applicable to x Mixed use, Mid-rise residential and all non-residential
Site Plans and applications in Major Transit Station
Areas
Requirement Conduct a feasibility study to explore options to connect to
existing and/or develop on-site energy generation systems.
This may be done by Energy system provider feasibility
report.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Feasibility Study
How
compliance is
demonstrated
x Green Development Report – Describe in the Green
Development Report how the feasibility study will
conducted. This may describe third-party partners
consulted as part of the process (e.g., Enbridge).
x Feasibility Study – Provide proof of feasibility study in
addition to describing how the feasibility study will be
completed in the Green Development Report. This may
be subject to peer review.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning file Planner and engineering peer
review may be included
Other Applicants may choose to consult with an Energy Solutions
Advisor through the Enbridge Savings by Design program.
Tier 2
Applicant is required to meet 2 out of 5 criteria.
Metric EN1.2.1
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
Requirement Appropriate electric vehicle supply equipment (E.V.S.E) is
provided accordingly:
x Low-rise residential – A minimum of one (1) vehicle
space per unit is provided with the requirements
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identified in Tier 1 Energy 1.1 in addition to appropriate
E.V.S.E, such as an electric vehicle charging station.
x Multi-unit residential – Each residential parking space,
excluding visitor parking, shall include an adjacent
energized outlet capable of providing Level 2 charging or
higher to the parking space, either dedicated to the
parking space or using an Energy Management System.
x All non-residential – A minimum 50% of required parking
spaces are provided with electric vehicle supply
equipment (E.V.S.E) and the remainder are of spaces
are designed with energized outlets capable of providing
Level 2 EV charging or higher to the parking space.
Where barrier-free parking spaces are required (refer to
Town of Aurora Zoning by-law #600-17), ensure that at least
one (1) barrier free space incorporates the requirements for
appropriate E.V.S.E infrastructure.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report
x Site Plan Drawings
x Building permit drawings
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report – Submit project parking
statistics in the Green Development Report that includes
number of E.V.S.E spaces.
x Site Plan Drawings– Notations include location of
E.V.S.E spaces and roughed-in spaces.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning file Planner with Engineering
support
x Transportation Analyst where further support is required
Other For additional information on EV infrastructure, please refer
to the Clean Air Partnership’s Electric Vehicle Charging
Infrastructure Costing Study.
Metric EN1.2.2
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
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Requirement Appropriate solar technology is provided based on
connections to solar PV or solar thermal technologies
constructed as per E1.1.2 requirements.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent – Submit a Letter of Intent, signed by the
project’s architect and/or engineer, committing that all
new buildings will be designed for solar readiness.
Design considerations to ensure a building is “solar
ready” include: electrical conduit/plumbing riser built into
base building, roof capacity accounts for weight/lift of
renewable energy technologies, and delivery and space
allocation for fuel deliver/storage.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
x Building Division/Chief Building Official
Other The applicant may refer to Natural Resources Canada’s
(NRCan) Solar Ready Guidelines Version 1.1 (2013) for
guidance on design considerations and modifications to
prepare a building for the installation of a future solar
system. These Guidelines are intended to be simple and
inexpensive to implement, while enabling significant savings
in installation costs should a homeowner choose to install a
complete solar system in the future.
Metric EN1.2.3
Applicable to x Mid-rise residential and all non-residential Site Plan and
applications in Major Transit Station Areas
Requirement Provide the necessary infrastructure for connection to
district energy, where available.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report
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How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report – Describe where
connection to district energy has been provided and
necessary infrastructure to support district energy
system. Compliance with this metric will be reliant upon a
successful feasibility study submitted as per E1.1.4.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
x Building Division/Chief Building Official
Other Applicants, including the Town of Aurora, are encouraged to
explore third-party incentive programs to support planning
and implementation of district energy and/or community
energy systems. This includes the Enbridge Gas program or
the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Energy Recovery
or District Energy capital project funding.
If applicant can pursue E1.2.3, requirements for Tier 2 are
considered satisfied.
Metric EN1.2.4
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
x Subdivision
Requirement GHG reduction for Part 3 and Part 9 buildings are met
according to the following requirements:
x Part 9 buildings (low-rise residential) – Buildings are
designed to meet or exceed a minimum energy
performance of at least 10% better than that of the
Ontario Building Code’s 2017 Supplementary Standard
SB-12.
x Part 3 buildings (mid to high-rise residential, all non-
residential) – Demonstrate a minimum energy
performance level of at least 15% better than that of the
Ontario Building Code’s 2017 Supplementary Standard
SB-10 Divisions 1 and 3.
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15 PRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARD HANDBOOK
Town of Aurora
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Energy Report
x Energy Model File
x Envelope Design Brief
x Mechanical and Electrical Design Brief
How to
demonstrate
compliance
Compliance for Part 3 and Part 9 buildings is demonstrated
using an energy model for the entire building project, using
an approved third-party building energy simulation software.
Submit the following documentation:
x Energy report
x Energy model file
x Envelop design brief
x Mechanical and electrical design brief
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
x Building Division/Chief Building Official
Other N/A
Metric EN1.2.5
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
Requirement Utilize low emission mechanical systems, and/or install
onsite renewables, to achieve an incremental percent CO2e
reduction beyond the percent GHG reduction demonstrated
for E1.2.4.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Energy Report
x Energy Model File
x Envelope Design Brief
x Mechanical and Electrical Design Brief
How to
demonstrate
compliance
Energy performance report that includes summary of key
energy model inputs and building characteristics, annual
building energy usage broken down by end-uses and fuel
type, and explanation of any externally calculated energy
performance or modelling software limitations.
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Compliance
reviewed by
x Building Division/Chief Building Official
Other N/A
Water
Tier 1
Applicant is required to meet all criteria.
Metric W1.1.1
Applicable to x Site Plan
x Subdivision
Requirement Demonstrate post-development peak flow rates are equal to
or do not exceed pre-development peak flow rates for the 1
in 2 year, 1 in 5 year, 1 in 10 year, 1 in 25 year, 1 in 50 year,
and the 1 in 100 year storm events and a minimum volume
reduction of 5mm is achieved through low impact
development (LID) features.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report - Demonstrate that
post-development peak flow rates are equal to or do not
exceed pre-development peak flow rates. Include the
design measures used to retain stormwater runoff on site
and calculate the amount of runoff retained on site.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
Other For additional support, refer to the LSRCA Technical
Guidelines for Stormwater Management (SWM)
Submissions and the Town of Aurora Design Criteria
Manual for Engineering Plans.1.2
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17 PRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARD HANDBOOK
Town of Aurora
Metric W1.1.2
Applicable to x Site Plan
x Subdivision
Requirement Ensure post-development groundwater recharge rates meet
pre-development rates, as defined through the LSRCA
Source Protection Plan.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report – Demonstrate that
post-development groundwater recharge rates meet pre-
development rates. Submit a Thornthwaite-Mather water
balance assessment for pre-development and post-
development along with a hydrogeological report.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
Other For additional support, refer to the LSRCA Technical
Guidelines for Stormwater Management (SWM)
Submissions and/or the Sustainable Technologies
Evaluation Program Low Impact Development Stormwater
Management Planning and Design Guide and the Town of
Aurora Design Criteria Manual for Engineering Plans.
Metric W1.1.3
Applicable to x Site Plan
x Subdivision
Requirement Remove at least 85% total suspended solids (TSS) on an
annual loading basis from run-off leaving the site.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report
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How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report – In the report, list of
filtration measures proposed to suit the existing site
conditions, including but not limited to stormwater ponds,
oil-grit separators, filters, and/or bioswales. Calculate the
percentage of TSS removed from 25mm rainfall event
based on pre-existing condition.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
Other The individual TSS removal rate is dependent on the
specific parameters of the system, necessitating site-specific
design. The applicable strategy will require the relevant
calculations. The LSRCA has developed the LID Treatment
Train Tool to assist developers, consultants, and
landowners to better understand, plan, and implement
sustainable stormwater practices.
Metric W1.1.4
Applicable to x Site Plan
x Subdivision
Requirement 25% of new hard surfaces (e.g., parking areas and
walkways, not including buildings) are constructed using
permeable materials. For applicants developing from lot line
to lot line, this requirement may be met through E1.1.7
requirement for green roofs.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report – Calculate the
percentage of new hard surfaces that are constructed
using permeable materials and identify the types of
materials used.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
x Landscape Architect
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19 PRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARD HANDBOOK
Town of Aurora
Other This requirement is subject to land use. For example,
permeable surfaces should not infiltrate from
Industrial/Commercial or pollution hotspots. Where
infiltration is not feasible, a filtration system may be able to
be installed under the permeable pavement.
Metric W1.1.5
Applicable to x Site Plan
Requirement All water consuming fixtures are high-efficiency
WaterSense® or meet the following maximum flow
requirements, whichever is more restrictive:
x High efficiency toilets (max. flow of 4.0 L/flush OR 3/6
L/flush siphonic dual flush toilets).
x Low flow lavatory faucets (max. flow of 5.7 L/min).
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent – Commit that the project will include
water conserving fixtures with flow rates that satisfy the
requirements identified by the Town.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Building Division/Chief Building Official
Other N/A
Tier 2
Applicant is required to meet 2 out of 5 criteria.
Metric W1.2.1
Applicable to x Site Plan
x Subdivision
Requirement Best management practices (BMPs) replicating natural site
hydrology processes retain (e.g., infiltrate, evapotranspirate,
or collect and reuse) on-site the runoff from the developed
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site, reducing the local rainfall event runoff by an additional
10%, using low impact development (LID) and green
infrastructure practices.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report - List and describe
design measures used to retain or collect stormwater
runoff on site, highlight the location of design measures
(if any) on relevant Stormwater Management Plan(s),
and include calculations and signoff by a professional
engineer quantifying the amount of runoff reduced.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Landscape Architect
x Development Planning Engineer
Other This metric should be aligned with the LSRCA’s offsetting
policies.
Metric W1.2.2
Applicable to x Site Plan
x Subdivision
Requirement Remove at least 90% total suspended solids on an annual
loading basis from run-off leaving the site.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report – In the report, list of
filtration measures proposed to suit the existing site
conditions, including but not limited to stormwater ponds,
oil-grit separators, filters, and/or bioswales. Calculate the
percentage of TSS removed from 25mm rainfall event
based on pre-existing condition.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
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21 PRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARD HANDBOOK
Town of Aurora
Other The individual TSS removal rate is dependent on the
specific parameters of the system, necessitating site-specific
design. The applicable strategy will require the relevant
calculations. The LSRCA has developed the LID Treatment
Train Tool to assist developers, consultants, and
landowners to better understand, plan, and implement
sustainable stormwater practices.
Metric W1.2.3
Applicable to x Site Plan
x Subdivision
Requirement 50% of new hard surfaces (e.g., parking areas and
walkways, not including buildings) are constructed using
permeable materials. For applicants developing from lot line
to lot line, this requirement may be met through E1.1.7
requirement for green roofs.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report – Calculate the
percentage of new hard surfaces that are constructed
using permeable materials and identify the types of
materials used.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
x Landscape Architect
Other This requirement is subject to land use. For example,
permeable surfaces should not infiltrate from
Industrial/Commercial or pollution hotspots. Where
infiltration is not feasible, a filtration system may be able to
be installed under the permeable pavement.
Metric W1.2.4
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
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Requirement Building(s) is designed for rainwater re-use readiness (e.g.,
plumbing infrastructure included in building). Provide a
rainwater harvesting and re-circulation/reuse system and is
used for low-grade functions, such as toilet/urinal flushing
and irrigation.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report – Include and identify
design features incorporated to facilitate rainwater
capture, harvest, and re-circulation/reuse. Identify these
features on Stormwater Management Plans and/or Floor
Plans.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
Other N/A
Metric W1.2.5
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
x Subdivision
Requirement Development incorporates design features that require less
salt application without increasing liability.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Salt Management Plan
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Salt Management Plan – Develop a Salt Management
Plan. Refer to the LSRCA’s Parking Lot Design
Guidelines to Promote Salt Reduction for reference to
design features that can be used to minimize the use of
excess salt. The applicant should also consult the South
Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe Source Protection Plan,
specifically the salt management policies.
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23 PRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARD HANDBOOK
Town of Aurora
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
Other Applicants are encouraged to incorporate design features
described in the LSRCA’s Parking Lot Design Guidelines to
Promote Salt Reduction.
Ecology
Tier 1
Applicant is required to meet all criteria.
Metric EC1.1.1
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
Requirement Use a combination of Bird Friendly Design strategies to treat
at least 85% of the exterior glazing located within the first 12
metres of the building above-grade (including interior
courtyards). Visual markers on the glass should have a
spacing no greater than 10 centimeters x 10 centimeters.
Where a green roof is constructed with adjacent glass
surfaces, ensure the glass is treated 12 metres above green
roof surface.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report
x Building Drawings
x Elevation Plans
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report – Confirm that the visual
markers on the glass have spacing no greater than 10cm
x 10cm and confirm that 85% of the building glass (12m
above grade) has been treated with bird friendly design
strategies. Identify in the report what bird friendly design
strategies have been included.
x Elevation Plans – Clearly highlight the bird friendly
design features adopted on the first 12 metres above
grade. Bird friendly design features can include but are
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GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARD
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not limited to visual patterns on glass, window films,
glass angled downwards, etc.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning file Planner
Other For more information on bird friendly design strategies,
applicants and Town staff may require use of the City of
Markham Bird Friendly Guidelines. (For additional support
and further information, the City of Toronto Bird Friendly
Guidelines, including Best Practices for Bird Friendly Glass
and Best Practices or Effective Lighting may also be useful
to applicants.)
Metric EC1.1.2
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
x Subdivision
Requirement Use native plant species for 50% of the landscaped area,
including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report
x Landscape Drawings
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report – Confirm that 50% of plant
species are native species.
x Landscape Drawings – List the plant species being
considered for the plan and quantify the percentage of
native species.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Landscape Architect
Other Species size and selection will vary by project. Refer to the
LSRCA list of Native Plant Species and/or the Town of
Aurora Tree Planting and Approved Plant List Policy. For
guidance on native species to replace invasive species,
refer to the Grow Me Instead (Southern Ontario) Guide, 3rd
Edition by the Ontario Invasive Plant Council.
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25 PRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARD HANDBOOK
Town of Aurora
Metric EC1.1.3
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
x Subdivision
Requirement Introduce no invasive species
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report
x Landscape Drawings
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report – Confirm that no invasive
species will be included in the project.
x Landscape Drawings – List the plant species being
considered for the plan.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Landscape Architect
Other Species size and selection will vary by project. Refer to the
LSRCA list of Native Plant Species and/or the Town of
Aurora Tree Planting and Approved Plant List Policy. For
guidance on native species to replace invasive species,
refer to the Grow Me Instead (Southern Ontario) Guide, 3rd
Edition by the Ontario Invasive Plant Council.
Metric EC1.1.4
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
x Subdivision
Requirement Protect healthy, mature trees that exist within the project
boundary. Where trees are removed, new trees are provided
to mitigate the lost canopy to the Town’s satisfaction.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Landscape Drawings
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Landscape Drawings – Clearly report the total number of
trees to be removed, protected, and/or moved. Where
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new trees are planted, identify the location on
appropriate landscape drawings.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Landscape Architect
Other Refer to the Town of Aurora Landscape Design Guidelines
and Vegetation Management Policies to determine the
appropriate measures for protection and/or relocation of
existing mature trees and guidance for new tree plantings.
Metric EC1.1.5
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
Requirement All exterior light fixtures are Dark Sky compliant.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Photometric Plan
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Photometric Plan – In alignment with the Town of Aurora
Design Criteria Manual for Engineering Plans, a detail
drawing and specification sheet of the selected
luminaires proposed for the site must ensure that all
fixtures will be designated as “Darky Sky Friendly” as
determined by the International Dark Sky Association.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
Other Dark Sky Compliant fixtures must have the Dark Sky Fixture
Seal of Approval which provides objective, third-party
certification for lighting that minimizes glare, reduces light
trespass and does not pollute the night sky. If a Dark Sky
Fixture Seal of Approval is not available, fixtures must be
full-cutoff and with a colour temperature rating of 3000K or
less.
Metric EC1.1.6
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
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27 PRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARD HANDBOOK
Town of Aurora
Requirement Create tree planting areas within the site and in the adjacent
public boulevard that meet the soil volume and other
requirements necessary to provide tree canopy. Determine
the amount of soil required by the following formula:
40% of the site area / 66 m2 x 30 m2 = total soil volume
required
Where possible, ensure that each separate tree planting
area has a minimum of 30 m3 soil and enough space to
accommodate mature tree trunk and root flare growth.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Landscape Drawings
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Landscape Drawings – Identify the location of new tree
planting areas and confirms that the appropriate amount
of soil is provided.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Landscape Architect
Other N/A
Metric EC1.1.7
Applicable to x Site Plan
Requirement Roof areas are provided with one or a combination of the
following covering 30% of available roof space (excludes
mechanical):
x Green Roof
x Solar PV or thermal
x Cool Roof
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent
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How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent – Submit a Letter of Intent, signed by the
project’s architect, committing that 30% of available roof
space will include identified covering.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
x Building Division/Chief Building Official
Other N/A
Tier 2
Applicant is required to meet 2 out of 5 criteria
Metric EC1.2.1
Applicable to x Site Plan
x Subdivision
Requirement Use native plant species for 100% of the landscaped area,
including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report
x Landscape Drawings
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report – Confirm that 75% of plant
species are native species.
x Landscape Drawings – List the plant species being
considered for the plan and quantify the percentage of
native species.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Landscape Architect
Other Species size and selection will vary by project. Refer to the
LSRCA list of Native Plant Species and/or the Town of
Aurora Tree Planting and Approved Plant List Policy. For
guidance on native species to replace invasive species,
refer to the Grow Me Instead (Southern Ontario) Guide, 3rd
Edition by the Ontario Invasive Plant Council.
Metric EC1.2.2
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29 PRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARD HANDBOOK
Town of Aurora
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
Requirement Where surface parking is provided, plant large growing
shade trees along street frontages that are spaced
appropriately having regard to site conditions and have
access to 30 m3 soil per tree.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Landscape Drawings
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Landscape Drawings – Identify the location of large
growing shade trees along street frontages, identifying
the spacing requirements.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Landscape Architect
Other N/A
Metric EC1.2.3
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
x Subdivision
Requirement All street trees are accompanied by the installation of
enhanced street tree planting technology to ensure/support
the long-term health of trees. This may include permanent
irrigation or watering systems that utilize non-potable water
sources only, soil cells, etc.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Landscape Drawings
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Landscape Drawings – Identify the enhanced street tree
planting technology included.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Landscape Architect
Other N/A
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Metric EC1.2.4
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
x Subdivision
Requirement Develop an operational and maintenance plan to support the
health and longevity of naturalized and landscaped areas.
The operational and maintenance plan should extend at
least five (5) years beyond the two (2) year municipal
landscape warranty period.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Operational Plan & Maintenance Manual
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Operational Plan & Maintenance Manual – Include in the
manual a description of maintenance procedures
including techniques for reducing salt use in landscaped
and naturalized areas. The manual should also include
tree monitoring plan designed to maximize the survival
rates of planted trees. Where appropriate, other
considerations identified by the applicant to care and
manage landscaped and naturalized areas should be
included.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Landscape Architect
Other Refer to the Town of Aurora Landscape Design Guidelines
for required warranty period work that may inform the
extended operational and maintenance plan.
Metric EC1.2.5
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
x Subdivision
Requirement Using Climate Positive Design’s Pathfinder: Landscape
Carbon Calculator, calculate the embodied carbon and the
carbon sequestration potential within landscape designs.
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31 PRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
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Town of Aurora
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Climate Positive Design Scorecard
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Climate Positive Design Scorecard – Submit the Climate
Positive Design Scorecard to the Town
Compliance
reviewed by
x Parks
Other The Town is encouraged to share this metric and Climate
Positive Design Scorecards with the LSRCA in support of
long-term efforts to increase carbon sequestration
opportunities within the watershed.
Complete Communities
Tier 1
Applicant is required to meet all criteria.
Metric CC1.1.1
Applicable to x Site Plan
x Subdivision
Requirement Develop a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan
that incorporates general requirements as outlined by York
Region in the Transportation Mobility Plan Guidelines.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Transportation Demand Management Plan
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Submit the completed Transportation Demand
Management Plan.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Transportation Analyst
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Other The Transportation Demand Management Plan must be
undertaken by transportation specialists and should align
with the active transportation in Section 14.2 of the Town of
Aurora Official Plan. Refer to York Region’s Transportation
Mobility Plan Guidelines Transportation Demand
Management Checklist (Table 13) to assist the
transportation specialist in the development of a
comprehensive Transportation Demand Management Plan.
Metric CC1.1.2
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
x Subdivision
Requirement Where possible, provide connections and/or access to a
variety of park and open space options in alignment with the
Town of Aurora’s Official Plan and in compliance with
operation and maintenance requirements.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report
x Landscape Plan and/or Urban Design Submission
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report – Describe how the
building/site is connected to park and open space
options.
x Landscape Plan and/or Urban Design Submission –
Identify the linkages that connect a building to park and
open spaces.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Transportation Analyst
x Development Planning file Planner
x Accessibility Advisor
Other The Transportation Demand Management Plan must be
undertaken by transportation specialists and should align
with the active transportation in Section 14.2 of the Town of
Aurora Official Plan. Refer to York Region’s Transportation
Mobility Plan Guidelines Transportation Demand
Management Checklist (Table 13) to assist the
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33 PRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARD HANDBOOK
Town of Aurora
transportation specialist in the development of a
comprehensive Transportation Demand Management Plan.
Metric CC1.1.3
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
x Subdivision
Requirement Accessibility measures and design features are provided in
accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with
Disabilities Act (AODA) per Aurora's Official Plan, and
Aurora's Accessibility Plan.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report – Identify how the
development, through design features, has met the
AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards, sections 80.16
to 80.31 inclusive, for pedestrian infrastructure.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Accessibility Advisor
x Transportation Analyst where necessary
Other N/A
Metric CC1.1.4
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
x Subdivision
Requirement Where required by Town staff and/or Council, complete a
Heritage Impact Assessment and Restoration/Conservation
Plan for development applications that may potentially affect
a designated or significant heritage resource, Heritage
Resource Area and/or Heritage Conservation District, as per
Aurora’s Official Plan.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Heritage Impact Assessment
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How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Heritage Impact Assessment – Submit a Heritage Impact
Assessment prepared by a qualified professional to the
satisfaction of the Town for any proposed alteration,
construction, or any development proposal involving or
adjacent to a designated heritage resource to
demonstrate that the heritage property and its heritage
attributes are not adversely affected.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Heritage Planner
Other Refer to the Town’s Register of Cultural Heritage Resources
and Heritage Resource Area for reference to which this
G.D.S requirement applies to.
Metric CC1.1.5
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
Requirement Strategize and develop an acoustical plan that identifies
sources of noise that can negatively impact interior spaces.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Floor Plan
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Floor Plan – Provide an annotated document submitted
and made available to occupants showing labeled zones
throughout the project floor plan or similar schematic
document as follows:
o Loud zones: Includes areas intended for loud
equipment or activities (e.g., mechanical
rooms, kitchens, fitness rooms, social spaces,
recreational rooms, music rooms)
o Quiet zones: Includes areas intended for
concentration, wellness, rest, study and/or
privacy (e.g., restorative spaces, lactation
rooms, nap rooms)
o Mixed zone: Includes areas intended for
learning, collaboration and/or presentation
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35 PRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
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Town of Aurora
(e.g., auditoriums, classrooms, breakout
spaces)
o Circulation zones: Includes occupiable areas
not intended for regular occupancy (e.g.,
hallways, egress, atria, stairs, lobbies)
o If loud zones directly boarder quiet zones,
project provides a plan for reprogramming or
mitigating sound transmission between these
areas.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Accessibility Advisor
x Development Planning Engineer
Other This metric is in alignment with the WELL building standard
(v2, Q4 2021) requirements for Sound Mapping (S01). Refer
to the WELL standard for Sound Mapping for further detail
on how to achieve this requirement.
Tier 2
Applicant is required to meet 2 out of 6 criteria.
Metric CC1.2.1
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
x Subdivision
Requirement Provide missing walkway connections between the site and
existing public routes for pedestrians. All new and existing
streets are designed with continuous sidewalks or
equivalent provisions in accordance with Aurora’s
Engineering Standards and Design Criteria and Aurora’s
Active Transportation Policies in section 14.2 of the Official
Plan.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Transportation Demand Management Plan
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How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Transportation Demand Management Plan – Identify in
the Transportation Demand Management Plan submitted
as per CC1.1.1 requirement:
o Existing or municipally approved pedestrian
routes within the project boundary
o Proposed connections from the site and
existing or municipally approved pedestrian
routes
o Verify that proposed pedestrian routes comply
with relevant Town standards and policies
Compliance
reviewed by
x Transportation Analyst
x Development Planning Engineer
Other The Transportation Demand Management Plan must be
undertaken by transportation specialists and should align
with the active transportation in Section 14.2 of the Town of
Aurora Official Plan. Refer to York Region’s Transportation
Mobility Plan Guidelines Transportation Demand
Management Checklist (Table 13) to assist the
transportation specialist in the development of a
comprehensive Transportation Demand Management Plan.
Metric CC1.2.2
Applicable to x Site Plan
x Subdivision
Requirement x Provide the physical infrastructure and site design
elements to support active transportation, including:
o Adequate space for residents to perform
repairs and maintenance of bicycles, including
space for a bike pump, bike repair stand(s)
and a bench
o End-of-trip facilities, such as changerooms and
shower facilities
o Bicycle parking spaces (minimum one space
or long-term bicycle parking spaces are
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equipped with a 120 V outlet located at a
maximum distance of 1100 mm from the bike
rack to accommodate the typical manufacture
supplied power cord) beyond the requirements
identified in the Town of Aurora Zoning By-law
#6000-17
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Transportation Demand Management Plan
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Transportation Demand Management Plan – Identify in
the Transportation Demand Management Plan submitted
as per CC1.1.1 requirement:
o Description of space for residents to perform
repairs and maintenance of bicycles
o End-of-trip facilities provided
o Bicycle parking spaces provided
Compliance
reviewed by
x Transportation Analyst
Other The Transportation Demand Management Plan must be
undertaken by transportation specialists and should align
with the active transportation in Section 14.2 of the Town of
Aurora Official Plan. Refer to York Region’s Transportation
Mobility Plan Guidelines Transportation Demand
Management Checklist (Table 13) to assist the
transportation specialist in the development of a
comprehensive Transportation Demand Management Plan.
Metric CC1.2.3
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
x Subdivision
Requirement Provide monthly York Region Transit passes to residents
and businesses at no cost for a minimum of one (1) year
after occupation, including:
x One (1) pass per household or residential unit; and
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x Passes for 10% of employees per business or non-
residential units
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Transportation Demand Management Plan
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Transportation Demand Management Plan – Identify in
the Transportation Demand Management Plan submitted
as per CC1.1.1 requirement the transit incentives
provided for the development, including type of transit
incentive, length of time the incentive will be provided,
and who the incentive will be provided to.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Transportation Analyst
Other The Transportation Demand Management Plan must be
undertaken by transportation specialists and should align
with the active transportation in Section 14.2 of the Town of
Aurora Official Plan. Refer to York Region’s Transportation
Mobility Plan Guidelines Transportation Demand
Management Checklist (Table 13) to assist the
transportation specialist in the development of a
comprehensive Transportation Demand Management Plan.
Metric CC1.2.4
Applicable to x Site Plan all development types
x Subdivision
Requirement Permanent and accessible urban agricultural space is
provided through one or more of the following:
x Community garden
x Edible landscaping with labeled plants and signage
containing harvesting guidelines
x Small farm or orchard
x Private garden
x Rooftop garden
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Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Landscape Plan and/or Urban Design Submission
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Landscape Plan and/or Urban Design Submission –
Identify the locations within the project dedicated for food
production and list the garden space elements
included/considered for the project.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Parks
Other N/A
Metric CC1.2.5
Applicable to x Site Plan (multi-unit residential and non-residential
development)
x Subdivision (multi-unit residential and non-residential
development)
Requirement Provide public and/or private outdoor amenity spaces, urban
square requirements where appropriate, particularly for
development within the Major Transit Station Area
(M.T.S.A).
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Site Plan or Subdivision Plan Drawings
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Site Plan or Subdivision Plan Drawings – Identify the
amenities that are included or planned for the project
within the 500-800 metre radius of the site.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning file Planner
Other N/A
Metric CC1.2.6
Applicable to x Site Plan
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Requirement Residential dwelling unit(s) conforms with Building Code
requirements for secondary units to accommodate for
potential use as a secondary unit.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Floor Plan
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Floor Plan – Identify the provisions that have been
provided to accommodate for future secondary-unit use.
If a secondary unit is provided, identify the location of the
secondary unit.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Zoning
x Building Division/Chief Building Official
Other To successfully achieve this metric, the secondary dwelling
unit does not need to be used as a secondary dwelling unit
at the time of occupation. Conformity is achieved if/when the
secondary dwelling unit is built to the standards in the
Building Code and in accordance with the provision in the
Town of Aurora’s Zoning By-law no. 6000-17 and Section
3.2 of Aurora’s Official Plan. Refer to the province of
Ontario’s guide on adding a second unit to homes for further
guidance.
Buildings, Waste & Materials
Tier 1
Applicant is required to meet all criteria.
Metric BWM1.1.1
Applicable to x Site Plan
Requirement Develop a Waste Management Plan and Report that
describes how construction and demolition materials are
diverted from landfill, where possible. The following waste
diversion activities are prioritized accordingly:
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x Waste or source reduction (including prevention,
minimization and reuse)
x Recycling and material recovery
x Disposal
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Waste Management Report
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Waste Management Report – Submit a waste
management report describing the waste management
narrative.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Operations/ Waste Management Coordinator
Other N/A
Metric BWM1.1.2
Applicable to x Site Plan mult-residential, mixed and non-residential
application types
Requirement Provide waste collection and storage spaces accordingly:
x Mid-rise residential and all non-residential – Provide a
waste collection and sorting system for garbage,
recycling and organics using one of the following: a
single chute with a tri-sorter, two separate chutes with
one of the chutes equipped with a dual sorter, three
separate chutes for garbage, recycling and organics
collection on all floors, or a central waste collection and
waste diversion facility on the ground floor.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Site Plan
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Site Plan – Identify the location of waste storage
space(s) on site plan drawings in accordance with metric
requirement.
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Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning file Planner
x Building Division/Chief Building Official
Other N/A
Metric BWM1.1.3
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
x Subdivision
Requirement Maximize the amount of native topsoil reused on-site, where
appropriate, provided that the use does not have potential to
cause adverse effects to the environment, human heath, or
impair water quality.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report
x Landscape Plan
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report – Describe in the report how
native topsoil has been reused for general landscaping
purposes.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Landscape Architect
Other Refer to the Town of Aurora Landscape Design Guidelines
and Vegetation Management Policies. Management of
native topsoil must be in accordance with Section 3.7
Topsoil Requirements.
Tier 2
Applicant is required to meet 2 out of 7 criteria.
Metric BWM1.2.1
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
x Subdivision
Requirement A minimum 25% of recycled and/or reclaimed materials are
used for building, landscaping, and/or infrastructure
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Town of Aurora
materials including roadways, parking lots, sidewalks, unit
paving, etc.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent – Submit a Letter of Intent signed by
engineer committing that the project will use the
minimum percentage required of recycled and/or
reclaimed materials in the landscape and/or
infrastructure materials. Must meet standards
compliance required by Town. Identify the following
commitments:
o % of recycled content n building, landscaping
and/or infrastructure
o % of reused content n building, landscaping
and/or infrastructure
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning file Planner
x Engineering
Other N/A
Metric BWM1.2.2
Applicable to x Site Plan (mid-rise residential development and all non-
residential development)
Requirement Divert at least 75% of total construction and demolition
material. Diverted material must include at least four
material streams.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Waste Management Plan and Report
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Waste Management Plan and Report – Describe how at
least 75% of construction and demolition material will be
diverted from landfill.
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Compliance
reviewed by
x Operations/ Waste Management Coordinator
Other Refer to LEED® V4 BD+C: MR Credit: Construction and
Demolition Waste Management for further details on how to
achieve this requirement.
Metric BWM1.2.3
Applicable to x Site Plan mixed use, non-residential
Requirement Building is designed and built incorporate Portland-
limestone cement and/or tall wood.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent – Submit a Letter of Intent committing that
the project will use Portland-limestone cement and/or tall
wood. Identify the:
o % of Portland-limestone cement in building
materials
https://www.cement.org/sustainability/portland-
limestone-cement
o % of tall wood in building materials
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
Other Portland-limestone cement reflects the industry’s
commitment to innovation and sustainability. The use of
Portland-limestone cement in producing concrete decreases
CO2 emissions by 10% while still producing concrete with
the same level of strength and durability as concrete
produced with regular Portland cement. Portland-limestone
cement is referenced in the National Building Code through
the CSA A.23.1 standard. Following recent successful
sulphate testing programs, the new CSA A3001-13 and
A23.1-14 Standards now provide specifications for the use
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45 PRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
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Town of Aurora
of Portland-limestone cement in sulphate exposure
environments.
Metric BWM1.2.4
Applicable to x Site Plan mixed use, non-residential application types
Requirement Include at least five (5) of the seven (7) requirements listed
below in the project product specifications:
x Concrete Mix: minimum 25% supplementary Cementous
material
x Rebar/ Structural Steel/ Metal Decks: Minimum 50%
recycled content
x Flooring: meet FloorScore or USGBC equivalent
program
x Paints/ Coatings/ Adhesives/ Sealents: Meet SCAQMD
rule 1113 and 1168 Low VOC content thresholds
x Plywood: no added formaldehyde (NAF) or ultra-low-
emiting formaldehyde (ULEF)
x Red List Materials: Do not use any materials from the
International Living Future Institute’s Red List
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent – Submit a Letter of Intent, signed by the
project architect, committing that the project will include
at least 5 of the 7 products. Identify in the Green
Development Report the products that are included.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning file Planner
x Engineering
Other Flooring requirements are adopted from the LEED v4 rating
system. The Floorscore standard addresses the VOC
emissions from flooring materials, adhesives, and
underlayments. Eligible flooring products must have the
Floorscore certification.
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The South Coast Air Quality Management District
(SCAQMD) regulates the amount of VOCs that are allowed
in certain building products in California. The VOC content
of paints, adhesives, coatings and sealants must be
checked against Rule 1113 and Rule 1168 to verify the VOC
content in the product is lower than the requirement in the
SCAQMD rules.
Formaldehyde can be harmful or hazardous to the human
body. Selecting NAF and ULEF plywood products limits the
introduction of formaldehyde to the building interior.
The ILFI Red List contains the Worst-In-Class materials
prevalent in the building industry, which contribute to
polluting the environment, bio-accumulation of toxins in the
food chain and harming construction or factory workers.
Metric BWM1.2.5
Applicable to x Site Plan (mid-rise residential development and all non-
residential development)
Requirement Provide a dedicated collection area or room for household
hazardous waste and/or electronic waste.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Site building plan
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Site building plan – Identify the location of waste storage
space(s) on site plan drawings in accordance with metric
requirement.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Operations/ Waste Management Coordinator
x Building Division/Chief Building Official
Other N/A
Metric BWM1.2.6
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Applicable to x Site Plan (mid-rise residential development and all non-
residential development)
Requirement Provide dedicated areas accessible to waste haulers and
building occupants for the collection and storage of
recyclable and compostable materials for the entire building.
Collection and storage areas may be separate locations.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Site Plan
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Site Plan - Include in Site Plan drawings notations
indicating the location of waste storage space.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Operations/ Waste Management Coordinator
x Building Division/Chief Building Official
Other NOTES
N/A
Metric BWM1.2.7
Applicable to x Site Plan
Requirement For buildings at least two storeys, a minimum 4.5 metre
clear slab-to-slab height (to underside of second floor slab).
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Elevation Drawings
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Elevation Drawings – Demonstrate that the first storey is
at least 4.5 metres in height.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
x Building Division/Chief Building Official
Other This requirement encourages building characteristics that
allow for future changes in use without structural
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modifications. For further information on adaptation,
disassembly and reuse, please see the Waterfront Toronto
Green Building Requirements, Version 3.0 (January 2021).
6.0 Phase 2 G.D.S Requirements
Energy
Tier 3
Metric EN2.3.1
Applicable to x Site Plan
Requirement Design and construct the building to include high
performance components addressing air tightness, glazing,
HRV and heat pumps.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent
x Airtightness Test
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent – Applicants are required to conform with
Passive House Institute’s Low Energy Building Standard
(see Section 2.1). Requirements for window glazing,
HRV and heat pumps are committed in the Letter of
Intent. The applicant also commits to performing an air
tightness test to measure air tightness.
x Airtightness Test – Once complete, the applicant submits
proof of air tightness test results. The applicant is
required to confirm that requirements as identified in the
Passive House Institute’s Low Energy Building Standard
have been achieved.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
x Building Division/Chief Building Official
Other The Airtightness Test is completed through the construction
process.
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Staff training
required and/or
third-party
support
N/A
Tier 4
Metric EN2.4.1
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
Requirement Design, construct, and certify the building in accordance
with net zero standard program (third-party compliance). All
new municipally-owned facilities will achieve at least LEED
Silver certification, or equivalent standard.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent – Applicant submits a Letter of Intent
including the following information:
o Confirm that building(s) will be certified to a
recognized third-party green rating system
o If LEED is pursued, submit a draft LEED
scorecard documenting targeting points
o Once verification is achieved from third-party
certification body, the applicant must submit
certification to the Town
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
x Development Planning file Planner
Other N/A
Staff training
required and/or
third-party
support
The certification process requires third-party compliance.
Additional staff training is not required.
Metric EN2.4.2
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
x Subdivision
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Requirement District energy or other community energy system or
combined heat and power system is constructed for heating
and/or cooling. Design for future fuel switching to ensure low
carbon solutions.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x District Energy Plan
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x District Energy Plan – Submit the District Energy Plan to
the Town.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
x Building Division/Chief Building Officer
Other Applicants, including the Town of Aurora, are encouraged to
explore third-party incentive programs to support planning
and implementation of district energy and/or community
energy systems. This includes the Enbridge Gas Savings by
Design program or the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities Energy Recovery or District Energy capital
project funding.
Staff training
required and/or
third-party
support
N/A
Water
Tier 3
Metric W2.3.1
Applicable to x Site Plan
x Subdivision
Requirement Best management practices (BMPs) replicating natural site
hydrology processes retain (e.g., infiltrate, evapotranspirate,
or collect and reuse) on-site the runoff from the developed
site, reducing the local rainfall event runoff by an additional
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15%, using low impact development (LID) and green
infrastructure practices.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report - List and describe
design measures used to retain or collect stormwater
runoff on site, highlight the location of design measures
(if any) on relevant Stormwater Management Plan(s),
and include calculations and signoff by a professional
engineer quantifying the amount of runoff reduced.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Landscape Architect
Other This metric should be aligned with the LSRCA’s offsetting
policies.
Staff training
required and/or
third-party
support
N/A
Metric W2.3.2
Applicable to x Site Plan
x Subdivision
Requirement At least 75% of new hard surfaces (e.g., parking areas and
walkways, not including buildings) are constructed using
permeable materials.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Stormwater Management Report – Calculate the
percentage of new hard surfaces that are constructed
using permeable materials and identify the types of
materials used.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
x Landscape Architect
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Other This requirement is subject to land use. For example,
permeable surfaces should not infiltrate from
Industrial/Commercial or pollution hotspots. Where
infiltration is not feasible, a filtration system may be able to
be installed under the permeable pavement.
Staff training
required and/or
third-party
support
N/A
Ecology
Tier 3
Metric E2.3.1
Applicable to x Site Plan
Requirement Roof areas are provided with one or a combination of the
following covering 50% of available roof space:
x Green Roof
x Solar PV or thermal
x Cool Roof
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent – Submit a Letter of Intent, signed by the
project’s architect, committing that 30% of available roof
space will include identified covering.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
x Building Division/Chief Building Official
Other N/A
Staff training
required and/or
third-party
support
N/A
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Town of Aurora
Metric E2.3.2
Applicable to x Site Plan
x Subdivision
Requirement Use native plant species for 100% of the landscaped area,
including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report
x Landscape Drawings
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Green Development Report – Confirm that 50% of plant
species are native species.
x Landscape Drawings – List the plant species being
considered for the plan and quantify the percentage of
native species.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Landscape Architect
Other Species size and selection will vary by project. Refer to the
LSRCA list of Native Plant Species and/or the Town of
Aurora Tree Planting and Approved Plant List Policy. For
guidance on native species to replace invasive species,
refer to the Grow Me Instead (Southern Ontario) Guide, 3rd
Edition by the Ontario Invasive Plant Council.
Staff training
required and/or
third-party
support
N/A
Metric E2.3.3
Applicable to x Site Plan
x Subdivision
Requirement Where surface parking is provided, plant larger growing
shade trees (increasing caliper more than those required in
E1.2.2) along street frontages that are spaced appropriately
having regard to site conditions and have access to 30 m3
soil per tree.
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Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Landscape Drawings
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Landscape Drawings – Identify the location of large
growing shade trees along street frontages, identifying
the spacing requirements.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Landscape Architect
Other N/A
Staff training
required and/or
third-party
support
N/A
Complete Communities
Tier 3
Metric CC2.3.1
Applicable to x Site Plan
x Subdivision
Requirement Implement enhanced infrastructure for all elements, where
possible, identified in the Transportation Demand
Management (TDM) plan.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Transportation Demand Management Plan
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Transportation Demand Management Plan – Submit the
completed TDM plan.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Transportation Analyst
x Development Planning file Planner
x Development Planning Engineer
Other The Transportation Demand Management Plan must be
undertaken by transportation specialists and should align
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55 PRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
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Town of Aurora
with the active transportation in Section 14.2 of the Town of
Aurora Official Plan. Refer to York Region’s Transportation
Mobility Plan Guidelines Transportation Demand
Management Checklist (Table 13) to assist the
transportation specialist in the development of a
comprehensive Transportation Demand Management Plan.
Staff training
required and/or
third-party
support
N/A
Metric CC2.3.2
Applicable to x Site Plan (mid-rise residential and all non-residential in
Major Transit Station Areas)
x Subdivision (mid-rise residential and all non-residential in
Major Transit Station Areas)
Requirement Provide a community hub where people come together to
receive services or meet one another, for a range of health
and social services, cultural, recreational, and/or community
needs.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Site Plan and/or Subdivision Plan
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Site Plan and/or Subdivision Pan – Identify the proposed
location of new community hub.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning file Planner
Other N/A
Staff training
required and/or
third-party
support
N/A
Metric CC2.3.3
Applicable to x Site Plan
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Requirement Ensure community centers and institutional buildings, where
developed, are designed to accommodate a refuge area
with heating, cooling, lighting, potable water, and power
available and 72 hours of back-up power to the refuge area
and essential building systems.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Site Plan/Subdivision Plan
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Site Plan/Subdivision Plan – Identify the location of
refuge area and associated requirements.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
Other N/A
Staff training
required and/or
third-party
support
N/A
Buildings, Waste & Materials
Tier 3
Metric BWM2.3.1
Applicable to x Site Plan
x Subdivision
Requirement A minimum 50% of recycled/reclaimed materials are used
for building, landscaping, and/or infrastructure materials
including roadways, parking lots, sidewalks, unit paving, etc.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent – Submit a Letter of Intent committing that
the project will use the minimum percentage required of
recycled and/or reclaimed materials in the landscape
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57 PRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
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Town of Aurora
and/or infrastructure materials. Identify the following
commitments:
o % of recycled content n building, landscaping
and/or infrastructure
o % of reused content n building, landscaping
and/or infrastructure
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning file Planner
Other N/A
Staff training
required and/or
third-party
support
N/A
Metric BWM2.3.2
Applicable to x Site Plan (mid-rise residential development and all non-
residential development)
Requirement Divert at least 95% of total construction and demolition
material. Diverted material must include at least four
material streams.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Waste Management Plan and Report
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Waste Management Plan and Report – Describe how at
least 95% of construction and demolition material will be
diverted from landfill.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning file Planner
Other Refer to LEED® V4 BD+C: MR Credit: Construction and
Demolition Waste Management for further details on how to
achieve this requirement.
Staff training
required and/or
third-party
support
N/A
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Metric BWM2.3.3
Applicable to x Site Plan
Requirement Use Portland-limestone cement and/or tall wood and
maximize the amount of recycled content in concrete and
steel. Calculate and report the embodied carbon in the
building structure and envelope.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent – Submit a Letter of Intent committing that
the project will use Portland-limestone cement and/or tall
wood. Identify the:
o % of Portland-limestone cement in building
materials
o % of tall wood in building materials
x Green Development Report – Declare the embodied
carbon calculation in the Green Development Report.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
Other To calculate the embodied carbon, applicants may use the
free Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator, a free
database of construction environmental product declaration
and matching building impact calculator for use in design
and material procurement.
Staff training
required and/or
third-party
support
N/A
Tier 4
Metric BWM2.4.1
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
Requirement In addition to Tier 3 requirements for Portland-limestone
cement and tall wood (BWM2.3.3), include some level of
bio-based materials in building structure. Calculate and
Page 69 of 142
59 PRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARD HANDBOOK
Town of Aurora
report the embodied carbon in the building structure and
envelope.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent
x Green Development Report
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent – Submit a Letter of Intent signed by an
engineer committing that the project will use Portland-
limestone cement and/or tall wood. Identify the:
o % of Portland-limestone cement in building
materials
o % of tall wood in building materials
o % of bio-based materials, and description of
materials used
x Green Development Report – Declare the embodied
carbon calculation in the Green Development Report.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
Other To calculate the embodied carbon, applicants may use the
free Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator, a free
database of construction environmental product declaration
and matching building impact calculator for use in design
and material procurement.
Staff training
required and/or
third-party
support
N/A
Metric BWM2.4.2
Applicable to x Site Plan all application types
Requirement Include all 7 requirements listed below in the project product
specifications:
x Concrete Mix: minimum 25% supplementary Cementous
material
x Rebar/ Structural Steel/ Metal Decks: Minimum 50%
recycled content
Page 70 of 142
60
GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARD
HANDBOOK
DRAFT January 2021
x Flooring: meet FloorScore or USGBC equivalent
program
x Paints/ Coatings/ Adhesives/ Sealents: Meet SCAQMD
rule 1113 and 1168 Low VOC content thresholds
x Plywood: no added formaldehyde (NAF) or ultra-low-
emiting formaldehyde (ULEF)
x Red List Materials: Do not use any materials from the
International Living Future Institute’s Red List
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Letter of Intent – Submit a Letter of Intent, signed by the
project architect, committing that the project will include
all 7 products. Identify in the Green Development Report
the products that are included.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning file Planner
Other Flooring requirements are adopted from the LEED v4 rating
system. The Floorscore standard addresses the VOC
emissions from flooring materials, adhesives, and
underlayments. Eligible flooring products must have the
Floorscore certification.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District
(SCAQMD) regulates the amount of VOCs that are allowed
in certain building products in California. The VOC content
of paints, adhesives, coatings and sealants must be
checked against Rule 1113 and Rule 1168 to verify the VOC
content in the product is lower than the requirement in the
SCAQMD rules.
Formaldehyde can be harmful or hazardous to the human
body. Selecting NAF and ULEF plywood products limits the
introduction of formaldehyde to the building interior.
The ILFI Red List contains the Worst-In-Class materials
prevalent in the building industry, which contribute to
polluting the environment, bio-accumulation of toxins in the
food chain and harming construction or factory workers.
Page 71 of 142
61 PRIME STRATEGY & PLANNING
GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARD HANDBOOK
Town of Aurora
Staff training
required and/or
third-party
support
N/A
Metric BWM2.4.3
Applicable to x Site Plan (non-residential development)
x Subdivision (non-residential development)
Requirement For above grade parking, the following design guidelines are
met:
x Clear slab-to-slab height: 2.4 metres (after levelling floor
slopes).
x Structural live load capacity (slab on grade): Minimum
7.2 kPa.
x Structural live load capacity after levelling (suspended
slabs): Minimum 4.8 kPa.
Where to
demonstrate
compliance
x Elevation Drawings
How to
demonstrate
compliance
x Elevation Drawings – Demonstrate that the slab meets
height requirements and include in the Green
Development Report a narrative describing how the
design allows for levelling.
Compliance
reviewed by
x Development Planning Engineer
x Building Division/Chief Building Official
Other This requirement encourages building characteristics that
allow for future changes in use without structural
modifications. For further information on adaptation,
disassembly and reuse, please see the Waterfront Toronto
Green Building Requirements, Version 3.0 (January 2021).
Staff training
required and/or
third-party
support
N/A
Page 72 of 142
100 John West Way
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 6J1
(905) 727-3123
aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Memorandum
PDS -Engineering
Re: Anti-Idling Policy Update
To: Environmental Advisory Committee
From: Natalie Kehle, Energy and Climate Change Analyst
Date: February 23, 2022
Recommendation
1. That the memorandum regarding the Anti-Idling Policy Update be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding the Anti-Idling
Policy Update be received and referred to staff for consideration and further action as
appropriate.
Executive Summary
The purpose of this report is to seek comments from the Environmental Advisory
Committee on the implementation of the Anti-Idling Policy up to date and the proposed
changes to the Policy (see Attachment 1). The Policy establishes general guidance on
limiting unnecessary idling of vehicles and equipment within the Town of Aurora.
The Town’s initial Anti-Idling Policy education campaign ran in the Fall 2021 and
targeted Town staff and the public;
Recent changes to the Noise-By-Law further challenge enforcement of the Anti-
Idling Policy;
Limiting idling requires extensive, continuous education;
Based on the experience in implementing the Anti-Idling Policy (through the
education campaign and enforcement), staff recommend that the Policy be
revised, as per Attachment 1.
Page 73 of 142
Anti-Idling Policy Update
February 23, 2022 Page 2 of 7
Background
Council Motion
Staff have been tackling vehicle idling over the last year and half through the
implementation of the Anti-Idling Policy, which was approved by Council on October
27th 2020. In addition to approving the Policy, staff are directed to report back to
Council after one year with a policy review. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the initial
anti-idling education campaign was delayed to the Fall 2021. Staff are reporting back to
Council after the completion of the campaign and seeking comments from the
Environmental Advisory Committee.
Local Municipal Idling By-Laws
Based on a municipal scan of neighboring jurisdictions, including Newmarket, East
Gwillimbury, King, Markham and Richmond Hill, Aurora and King are the only
municipalities that utilize a Noise By-law to limit vehicle idling. Standalone anti-idling by-
laws are the most common mechanism municipalities in Ontario use to regulate vehicle
idling (over 35 Ontario municipalities have adopted stand-alone by-laws). Aurora and
King both limit idling to five minutes, while other area municipalities in York Region limit
to two to three minutes.
The trend in anti-idling policy in Ontario is to further reduce the number of minutes a
vehicle is allowed to idle, not only to reduce greenhouse gases emitted from vehicles,
but also to support the enforcement of the by-laws. Based on the City of Toronto’s
experience with anti-idling since the 1990s, they lowered the allowable idling time from
3 minutes to one minute because it enabled enforcement of the by-law. Natural
Resources Canada promotes a 1-minute limit as a national guideline for limiting vehicle
idling time.
Vehicle trends and technology changes
Compared with unregulated vehicles 30 years ago, today’s new cars generate 98
percent fewer hydrocarbons, 96 percent less carbon monoxide and 90 percent fewer
nitrous oxides. Unfortunately, carbon dioxide is one tailpipe emission that cannot be
cleaned. This is the principal greenhouse gas linked to climate change. Every litre of fuel
that is burned produces about 2.4 kilo grams of carbon dioxide. The bottom line: the
more fuel burned, the more carbon dioxide is produced.
Page 74 of 142
Anti-Idling Policy Update
February 23, 2022 Page 3 of 7
Many newer cars, especially hybrids and low-emission vehicles (LEVs), already boast an
anti-idling feature, stop-start systems that automatically shut the engine down when the
car is in gear but not moving, to save gas. However, these systems can be disabled by
the vehicle owner.
There is a shift in car ownership occurring with more electric vehicles (battery and
hybrid) being bought in Canada in the last two years (2019-2021) than the previous
eight combined. These vehicles still only make up three per cent of new car
registrations. In 2020, 1.8% of new vehicles registered in Ontario were Zero Emission
Vehicles (ZEV), up from 1.2% in 2019. This trend is expected to continue with the federal
government having set an aggressive target of half of all new passenger cars sold in
Canada to be zero-emission vehicles by 2030, and reach 100 per cent by 2035.
Research indicates that many Canadian motorists idle their vehicles an average of six to
eight minutes a day. Emissions from idling cars, though difficult to quantify, is
estimated to amount to less than 5% of the Town’s total emissions, and more likely
between 1-2% of emissions.
Analysis
The Town’s initial Anti-Idling Policy education campaign ran in the Fall 2021 and targeted
Town staff and the public
The “Every Second Counts” public education campaign was kicked-off in the Fall 2021
and raises awareness about vehicle idling. The campaign supports critical changes in
idling behaviour as residents and businesses get back to their regular schedules (due to
COVID-19 and the lack of drivers on the roads and children going to school). The 2021
campaign consisted of:
Temporary mobile signs were strategically placed on high traffic roads and in
school zones advertising the new idling restrictions and providing education on
the importance of idling reduction;
By-Law education, including handing out slips when dealing with idle vehicles in
school zones and investigating idling complaints received by the Town;
Completion of a Town Webpage dedicated to anti-idling with educational
material on anti-idling, reporting mechanism for idling complaints to By-Law
Services, FAQ, Idling facts, and an idling Test your Knowledge Quiz;
Page 75 of 142
Anti-Idling Policy Update
February 23, 2022 Page 4 of 7
Idling challenges were included in the Fall Go Green Challenge;
Developed anti-idling resources for local schools and businesses including: Free
Anti-Idling posters, Anti-Idling brochure, Anti-Idling Toolkit Guide for Schools to
use in their curriculum and free printable resources;
Installation of anti-idling signs at Town facilities parking;
“Every Second Counts” Social Media Campaign that ran from September to
November, 2021(see Attachment 2 – Town of Aurora Anti-Idling Social Media
Campaign Stats).
By-law Services played and continues to play a crucial role in the education first strategy
in cases of failure to comply. By-Law Services investigated a total of five idling
complaints in 2021 compared to one in 2020.
Town staff operating fleet vehicles received anti-idling education and are expected to
reduce their idling. Limiting vehicle idling from municipal vehicles is an action item from
the Council-approved Green Fleet Action Plan. The Town Fleet Anti-Idling Education
Campaign consisted of:
Creating an Anti-Idling Training Presentation for all operators outlining
procedures and requirements;
Affixing Anti-Idling signs on all Town Vehicles and Equipment;
Ordering Anti-Idling signs to be installed at operations facilities reminding drivers;
Including specifications in all new Fleet Tenders that states vehicles must come
equipped with “Automatic Engine Idle Shutdown Software” that can be set on
idling timers;
Installation of GPS and Telematics in Fleet vehicles that report on idling of
equipment to support monitoring and staff education.
The rest of Town staff were provided with resources, reminders and education material
on the Anti-Idling Policy, as it impacted driving their personal vehicles, with the support
from Town leadership.
Page 76 of 142
Anti-Idling Policy Update
February 23, 2022 Page 5 of 7
Recent changes to the Noise By-Law further challenge enforcement of the Anti-Idling
Policy
Anti-idling enforcement continues to be a challenge for municipalitie s across Canada
with anti-idling initiatives often depending on an education-first strategy instead. Most
municipalities with idling control by-laws take a complaints-based approach to
enforcement. Municipalities face similar enforcement challenges including; staff
shortages, addressing higher priority complaints, ability for officers to witness idling due
to lag time from telephone complaints, etc. In cases of non-compliance, most
municipalities, like Aurora, implement an education-first approach.
In order to provide an enforcement mechanism in the Anti-Idling Policy, a 5-minute idling
limit was used to align with existing Town By-laws limiting idling; the Noise By-law and
the Park By-law, though enforcement was still a challenge. The Noise By-Law provisions
are based on the generation of noise from a vehicle, not from idling itself. For a driver to
be non-compliant, enough audible noise needed to be generated for a person on a
premises other than the premises from which the noise was originating. Therefore, the
idling provisions were basically non-enforceable.
Due to recent changes in the Noise By-Law, the Anti-Idling Policy can no longer fall on it
for enforcing limitations on idling. The new Noise By-Law has a very broad provision
that speaks to unreasonable and persistent noise, not idling itself.
Though not without its own challenges, a more effective mechanism would be to
implement a standalone by-law that is specific to emitting greenhouse gas emissions
and other exhaust products from idling, rather than based on noise generation.
Though the Anti-Idling Policy no longer has an enforcement mechanism, Aurora By-Law
Officers continue with an education-based approach and work with the
Communications team for a continued effective public education campaign, as
originally outlined in the Policy.
Limiting idling requires extensive, continuous education
As outlined in the Policy, the anti-idling education campaign requires ongoing
implementation and resources. The Policy outlines, in addition to the initial education
campaign, two other types of education campaigns: a seasonal reminder and periodic/
targeted campaigns.
Page 77 of 142
Anti-Idling Policy Update
February 23, 2022 Page 6 of 7
Proposed ongoing public education activities from the Town include:
Seasonal reminder campaigns occurring in the Fall and Spring times, starting in
2022;
By-Law Services continue to investigate complaints, while using an education
first approach;
Distribution of anti-idling education material;
By-Law Service identifying of areas where idling compliance may be a problem
so that education efforts are appropriately targeted;
Using mobile signs to inform and educate the public about the restrictions and
encourage voluntary compliance, especially in idling “hotspots”;
Social media to encourage the commitment of individuals not to idle;
Periodic and targeted Anti-Idling Campaigns, which consist of educating a
focused group based on needs, such as GO station users, school zones, Town
recreation centres and bus stations and carpool parking lots;
Public anti-idling signage at Town Facilities; and
Tracking idling complaints to the Town.
Ongoing education activities for Town Staff include:
Anti-idling education as part of the new hire onboarding process;
Staff reminders to all operators, including resources;
Increasing use of the telematics data to support continued education, driver
behaviour and addressing any excessive idling trends; and
Monitoring trends in electrification or low emission light duty trucks as they
become commercially available and the infrastructure supports them. Fleet staff
are monitoring commercial availability of electric trucks, as they become more
affordable and technically sufficient for Town needs.
Page 78 of 142
Anti-Idling Policy Update
February 23, 2022 Page 7 of 7
Based on the experience in implementing the Anti-Idling Policy (through the education
campaign and enforcement), staff recommend that the Policy be revised as per
Attachment 1
Attachment 1 – Proposed Revision to the Anti-Idling Policy reflects two main revisions:
First, due to the removal of idling limits from the Noise By-Law, the Anti-Idling Policy no
longer can fall onto that By-Law for idling enforcement. Any reference to that existing
By-Law is removed from the revised Policy. Town staff, including By-Law Services will
continue with an education-based approach to idling offences, and investigating any
idling complaints received by the Town.
Second, the Policy is revised to limit idling to two minutes, rather the five minutes. This
better aligns with neighboring municipalities. The original five-minute limit was to
support enforcement activities as it aligned with the Noise By-Law. Without having the
restriction of the Noise By-Law, the Policy is updated to reflect best practices in anti-
idling provisions, found in the GTA.
Based on experience across Canada in limiting vehicle idling, the key to success is
education. Due to the challenges in enforcing idling limitations, both as a policy and as a
by-law with penalties, staff recommend continuing focus on education at this point and
review the Policy in two years.
Attachments
1. Proposed Revision Town of Aurora Anti-Idling Policy
2. Town of Aurora Anti-Idling Social Media Campaign Stats
Page 79 of 142
1
Topic: Anti-Idling Policy Affects: Vehicles Operating in the
Town of Aurora
Section: Insert section based on
numbering system Replaces: N/A
Original
Policy Date: October 27, 2020 Revision
Date: N/A
Effective
Date:
Insert effective date of
current revision Proposed
Revision Date: 2024
Prepared By: PDS-Engineering, By-Law
Services, Communications Approval
Authority: Council
1.0 Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for unnecessary idling of
vehicles.
2.0 Scope
This policy applies to all unnecessarily vehicle idling within the Town boundary.
3.0 Responsibilities
Bylaw Services:
Municipal By-law Officers are responsible for responding to complaints related to
non-compliance of the Policy by the general public and for implementing an
education first campaign in cases of failure to comply.
Town Communications:
Corporate Communications, in collaboration with By-law Services, is responsible for
providing information and public education on this policy and more specifically
about the adverse effects of unnecessary idling on our environment. In alignment
with The Town of Aurora Community Engagement Policy, Communications will be
informing the public of this new policy, providing timely, accurate and accessible
information, as well as subsequent periodic campaigns. This will be achieved
through an education campaign that will include website updates, signage, social
media, and mention on the Town Notice Board.
Administrative Policies & Procedures
Policy No. CORP XX – Anti-Idling Policy
Attachment 1
Page 80 of 142
Policy No. XX – Anti-Idling Policy
2
Town Fleet Manager
The Town’s Fleet Manager is responsible for training Town Staff on the provisions
of the Policy.
4.0 Policy
No person shall cause or permit a vehicle to idle continuously for more than two
(2) consecutive minutes in the Town of Aurora.
5.0 Exemptions
The following exemptions exists for idling in the Town:
(a) where continuous operation of the engine or motor is essential to the basic
function of the vehicle or equipment;
(b) where weather conditions justify the use of heating of refrigeration system
powered by the engine or motor for the safety or welfare of the operator,
passengers or animals or the preservation of perishable cargo.
6.0 Non Compliance
In cases where voluntary compliance is not successful, the Bylaw Services will
implement an education based response.
7.0 Implementation
Municipal Staff:
Municipal staff that operate Town vehicles shall adhere to the provisions from
this Policy and the Town shall be responsible for staff training.
General Public:
Education will be the main strategy with the general public in implementing the
provisions in this Policy.
The Town’s Communications Team will lead three types of education campaigns:
(1) An Initial Anti-Idling Town-wide Campaign, which consists of a onetime
promotion of the Policy, over the course of a Season, once the Policy is
approved by Council. The campaign’s main focus is on the environmental
and health benefits of limiting idling and on the existing Town By-laws that
Page 81 of 142
Policy No. XX – Anti-Idling Policy
3
limit idling in the Town.
(2) Periodic and Targeted Anti-Idling Campaigns, which consists of educating
a focused group based on needs. Periodic focus groups may include, but
not limited to:
a. GO station users
b. School zones
c. Town recreation centres
d. Bus stations and carpool parking lots
(3) Seasonal Reminder Campaign, which consists of an annual reminder of
the Policy to the general public.
Campaign strategies may include, but not limited to, social media
announcements, Town Notice Board, the use of signage, handing out flyers, etc.
Page 82 of 142
TOWN OF AURORA
Anti-Idling
Education
Campaign:
Social Media
Results
Attachment 2
Page 83 of 142
Promotion of Policy and School Toolkit:
September 15, 2021- Facebook, Instagram
Did you know that Town of Aurora is now idle-free? Our anti-
idling policy states that as a motorist you MUST turn your
vehicle off after 5 consecutive mins of idling, unless in traffic.
But why not take it one step further and turn your vehicle off
if you are going to be stopped for more than 30 seconds.
This will help in our goal to reduce 80% of Aurora’s
greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Learn more at
aurora.ca/idlefreeaurora
September 15, 2021- Twitter
ᩢᩣᩤ Did you know that Town of Aurora is now idle-free ? Our anti-idling policy states that
as a motorist you MUST turn your vehicle off after 5 consecutive mins of idling, unless
in traffic. But why not shut off sooner? Learn more at http://aurora.ca/idlefreeaurora
Facebook Instagram Twitter
Impressions 1,862
Reach 1,820
Engagements 125
Impressions 1,584
Reach 1,510
Engagements 27
Impressions 641
Potential Reach 10,702
Engagements 19
September 21, 2021- Facebook, Instagram
Help raise awareness about an Idle Free Aurora! Help us
tackle #airpollution by getting involved with your own anti-
idling campaign: aurora.ca/idlefreeaurora
September 20, 2021- Twitter
Attention Aurora schools: help raise awareness about an Idle
Free Aurora! Help us tackle #airpollution by getting involved
with your own anti-idling campaign:
http://aurora.ca/idlefreeaurora
TOWN OF AURORA
Anti-Idling Social Media Campaign
Page 84 of 142
Facebook Instagram Twitter
Impressions 554
Reach 542
Engagements 7
Impressions 1,121
Reach 1,028
Engagements 10
Impressions 5,706
Potential Reach 41,895
Engagements 25
Anti-Idling Education:
September 23, 2021- Facebook, Instagram
Did you know that idling for just 10 seconds wastes more
gas than restarting the engine? However, the break-even
time to offset any potential incremental maintenance
costs to the starter or battery is approximately 30
seconds.
So when stopping for more than 30 seconds, whether
picking up the kids, sitting in a drive-thru or waiting for a
train to go by, turn off your engine! For more anti-idling
tips, visit: aurora.ca/IdleFreeAurora
Facebook Instagram
Impressions 2,409
Reach 2,279
Engagements 70
Impressions 1,297
Reach 1,164
Engagements 15
Page 85 of 142
September 29, 2021- Facebook, Instagram
The next time you’re thinking of grabbing food or a
coffee, don’t wait in the drive-thru line with your car
running. Instead, choose to park and stretch your legs by
going inside to order. Or consider turning off your vehicle
as you wait—remember the exhaust fumes can go right
into your vehicle.
Learn more about what you can do to support an Idle
Free Aurora at: aurora.ca/IdleFreeAurora
Facebook Instagram
Impressions 1,925
Reach 1,860
Engagements 125
Impressions 1,096
Reach 1,028
Engagements 13
October 27, 2021- Facebook, Instagram
Fact: Idling is polluting. It’s not good for the
environment, it’s not good for our health and it’s not
good for our wallets. Need more reasons to ditch this
bad habit? Visit: aurora.ca/IdleFreeAurora
Facebook Instagram
Impressions 770
Reach 723
Engagements 10
Impressions 1,083
Reach 995
Engagements 14
Page 86 of 142
November 5, 2021- Facebook, Instagram
It’s cold, we get it. No one likes to get into a freezing
cold car, but the best way to warm up your car is not to
leave it idling in the driveway, but instead to drive it.
Unless you’re driving a 20-year old car or a diesel, your
vehicle needs less than a minute- even in the dead of
winter- before it’s road ready. By reducing unnecessary
idling to just thirty seconds, we are helping to improve
the quality of the air and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
Learn more at aurora.ca/IdleFreeAurora
Facebook Instagram
Impressions 626
Reach 601
Engagements 4
Impressions 1,002
Reach 945
Engagements 11
October 5, 2021- Facebook, Instagram
Have you ever had to wade through clouds of smelly
exhaust in the school parking lot or kiss and ride? As
most kids can tell you, it’s not fun. Unnecessary idling
can be extremely dangerous to children’s health. Over
time, breathing exhaust fumes can damage brain cells
(contributing to lower IQs) and is linked to asthma and
other serious health conditions.
Good rule of thumb: If you are going to be waiting for
more than 30 seconds, turn off your engine. Learn more
at: aurora.ca/IdleFreeAurora
Facebook Instagram
Impressions 675 Impressions 1,224
Page 87 of 142
Reach 649
Engagements 7
Reach 1,095
Engagements 18
October 11, 2021- Facebook, Instagram
Did you know that idling affects your car?
Yes, overtime idling can damage your engine’s
components, including spark plugs, cylinders and
exhaust systems. Because your vehicle’s engine is not
operating at its peak temperature when idling, fuel is
only partially combusted, leading to a fuel residue
buildup on cylinder walls. Plus, your engine isn’t the only
thing negatively affected by excessive idling.
Learn more at: aurora.ca/IdleFreeAurora
Facebook Instagram
Impressions 1,166
Reach 1,134
Engagements 33
Impressions 1,317
Reach 1,232
Engagements 15
Page 88 of 142
Environmental Advisory Committee Update List – as of January 2022
This list provides an update to items which were brought to the Environmental Advisory
Committee (EAC) for comment under “Items for Consideration”. Committee contributions can
be found in the meeting minutes and the “Advisory Committee Review” section of General
Committee (GC)/Council reports.
This list will be updated and provided at regular bi-monthly scheduled meetings. Completed
items will be removed from subsequent updates.
Agendas, reports, and minutes can be found at www.aurora.ca/agendas.
2021 EAC Items
Meeting Date Item Status/Update
January 25, 2021
(minutes)
Memorandum from Energy and
Climate Change Analyst; Re:
Town of Aurora Community
Energy Plan
Completed
Staff report with EAC comments
considered by GC on Jan. 12, 2021;
staff recommendation and CEP
endorsed by Council on Jan. 26,
2021.
Memorandum from Manager,
Parks and Fleet; Re: Greening
the Fleet - Green Fleet Action
Plan
Completed
Staff report with EAC comments
considered by GC on Feb. 16, 2021;
Council endorsed the Green Fleet
Action Plan subject to budgetary
implications on Feb. 23, 2021.
Round Table Discussion; Re:
Private Tree Protection By-law
No. 5850-16
See Feb. 24, 2021.
February 24, 2021
(minutes)
Round Table Discussion; Re:
Private Tree Protection By-law
No. 5850-16
(deferred from Jan. 25)
Ongoing
Tree by-law update pending.
Memorandum from Energy and
Climate Change Analyst; Re:
Electric Vehicle Charging
Station Policy and Process
Completed
Staff report with EAC comments
considered by GC on Mar. 23,
2021; staff recommendation,
including the Policy and changes
to the Parking By-law, endorsed by
Council on Mar. 30, 2021.
Page 89 of 142
Environmental Advisory Committee Update List – as of January 2022 Page 2 of 2
2021 EAC Items
Meeting Date Item Status/Update
April 28, 2021
(minutes)
Memorandum from Energy and
Climate Change Analyst, Re:
Corporate Environmental
Action Plan 2019 Progress
Report
Completed
Information Report with EAC
comments published on Jun. 1,
2021.
June 23, 2021
(minutes)
Memorandum from Energy and
Climate Change Analyst; Re:
Incorporating a Climate Lens
into Town Governance and
Operations
Completed
Staff report with EAC comments
considered by GC on Sep. 7, 2021;
staff recommendation endorsed by
Council on Sep. 28, 2021.
September 22, 2021
(minutes)
Memorandum from Energy and
Climate Change Analyst, Re:
Corporate Environmental
Action Plan 2020 Progress
Report
Completed
Information Report with EAC
comments published on Oct. 19,
2021.
November 24, 2021
(minutes)
Memorandum from Senior
Policy Planner; Re: Green
Development Standards
Consultation
Ongoing
Update to be provided to EAC in
February 2022.
Memorandum from Manager
of Economic Development and
Policy; Re: Streetscape Needs
Assessment
Ongoing
Consultation and assessment
ongoing; details to be provided
when available.
Memorandum from Manager,
Parks and Fleet; Re: Lymantria
Dispar Dispar (LDD) Control
Options
Completed
Staff report with EAC comments
considered by GC on Jan. 11, 2022;
staff recommendation endorsed by
Council on Jan. 25, 2022.
Page 90 of 142
The Economic Value of Natural Capital AssetsASSOCIATED WITH ECOSYSTEM PROTECTIONTOWN OF AURORAPage 91 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS2Page 92 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 1CreditsThanks to the extensive library of information prepared and the research completed by all the agencies and organizations listed within the bibliography section of this report, including but not limited to the David Suzuki Foundation, the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA). The completion of this report was made possible by the per-hectare evaluations determined within these reports and other research undertaken within the referenced reports. Additional thanks to members of The Town of Aurora’s Environmental Advisory Committee and other staff members who contributed to this report.Mapping and cover photos Cory MacNeil Remaining photos Jim Kyle/Cory MacNeilReport author Jim Kyle, BES, MCIP, RPP Manager of Special Projects Town of Aurora jkyle@aurora.caJune 2013The Town of Aurora100 John West Way, Box 1000Aurora, Ontario L4G 6J1Phone: 905-727-1375Website: www.aurora.caThe Town of Aurora’s Corporate Environmental Action Plan is a five-year action plan. The Plan serves to protect and enhance the natural environment, promote environmental sustainability, integrity and conservation of resources and create a practice of environmental stewardship within the community. For more information, visit www.aurora.ca/CEAPThe Town of Aurora developed a Strategic Plan to identify and assess growth and development opportunities that ensure the future economic, social and environmental sustainability and health of Aurora. The Strategic Plan emphasizes the development of local assets which capitalize upon the many strengths and opportunities in the area. For more information, visit www.aurorastrategicplan.caPrinter is ISO 14001 certified.Page 93 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS2Table of contents1.0Purpose 2.0Introduction3.0Methodology4.0Geography5.0Ecosystem Goods and Flows6.0Highlights of the Aurora Ecosystem7.0Economic Value Calculation8.0Natural Assets9.0Analysis10.02C Breakdown11.0Summary 12.0Recommendations13.0Green Development Policies14.0Other Important Programs15.0BibliographyAppendixesAppendix 1 – MapsAppendix 2 – Best PracticesAppendix 3 – Storm WaterAppendix 4 – Street TreesPage 94 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 3PurposeThe purpose of this report is to conduct an initial baseline estimate of the benefits provided to residents of Aurora from the existing stock of natural capital in the Town. From this baseline analysis, economic costs associated with changes to the features related to natural capital can be factored into future land use decisions and other Town initiatives. IntroductionNatural Capital Assets are defined as the natural assets (or “stocks”) and the ecosystem goods and services (or “flows”) that those assets provide. The stocks of ecosystem resources are natural capital in the sense that these resources are assets that yield goods and services (flows), which over time are essential to the sustained health and survival of our population and economy. Natural ecological areas within Aurora provide numerous benefits that have economic value. These areas of natural capital provide economic benefits such as clean water supply, natural filtration of contaminants, water flow stabilization, greenhouse gas mitigation, erosion control, nutrient cycling, habitat, recreation, health benefits and cultural pursuits. A large portion of Aurora is located on the Oak Ridges Moraine which forms a portion of the provincial Greenbelt. It is important for Aurora to quantify the economic benefits of ecosystem protection and understand the costs associated with replicating these natural functions in response to the loss or destruction of any components of the ecosystem.There is a growing recognition of the pivotal role that all natural areas play in providing ecosystem services. For example, the David Suzuki Foundation has estimated that the Greenbelt’s non-market ecosystem services are valued at $2.6 billion annually.The market value of Natural Capital Assets is straightforward for commodities such as fish and timber. However, in many cases Natural Capital Assets do not have a market value. In these situations their value can be calculated using a non-market valuation technique that calculates the cost society would incur if the good or service were lost. Converting our natural landscapes may be economically inefficient in the long term. By destroying natural capital, we are forced to find substitutes for the services they once provided. The substitutes for natural capital can be much more expensive to duplicate and operate than those provided by nature. Also, there are many goods and services only nature can provide. There are no substitutes which humans can create. As with other forms of capital, the value of natural capital can depreciate. Each time we lose another hectare of natural land, we are depreciating our asset base and losing the goods and services they once provided. Destruction and degradation of natural capital occurs continually. We may only recognize the loss of important ecosystems once they are gone, a loss that is often irreversible.”11 “Natural Capital and Ecological Goods & Services”, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Natural Values: Linking The Environment To The EconomyPage 95 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS4MethodologyThe Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation has prepared a report pertaining to the value of the natural assets for the entire Lake Simcoe Basin2. This report is an excellent resource, which describes both the amount of Natural Capital Assets and value of such assets within Aurora. In addition, several other reports have been completed and research undertaken by the Canadian Urban Institute, David Suzuki Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Credit Valley Conservation Authority and others. Within these reports is extensive background research pertaining to the per hectare values associated with protecting the various components of the natural ecosystem. This data is relatively current, so there is no need for The Town of Aurora to duplicate this research. The main task for the Town will be determining the breakdown of areas of natural capital using The Town of Aurora’s Geographic Information System (GIS) and using this data in association with the per hectare economic values previously determined within several reports associated with the entire watershed and Greenbelt areas. GeographyThe Town of Aurora is 49 square kilometers. The majority of Aurora (28.7 square kilometres or 59 per cent) is located on the Oak Ridges Moraine, which forms part of the provincial Greenbelt. The Oak Ridges Moraine is one of Ontario’s most significant land-forms and has been called the “rain barrel of southern Ontario.” The Greenbelt Plan (2005) builds upon The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan. Both plans promote the protection, maintenance and enhancement of natural heritage, hydrologic and landform features and functions, including protection of habitat for flora and fauna.The vast majority of Aurora is within the Lake Simcoe watershed (East Holland sub-watershed) with all watercourses flowing into Lake Simcoe. A small portion of Aurora located along Bloomington Road is located within the Lake Ontario watershed (East Humber and Rouge sub-watersheds). 2 The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation Occasional Paper Series Number 6 – June 2008Page 96 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 5Ecosystem Goods and FlowsThe following benefits flow from the protection of Aurora’s ecosystem:Climate Change – Carbon Storage and Carbon SequestrationTo help society adapt to climate changes, climate regulation is one of the most beneficial services provided by the ecosystem, especially forested areas. Climate regulation is assisted by carbon storage (banking of carbon) and carbon sequestration (uptake of carbon) which both drastically reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Pollutant RegulationLike climate regulation, the ecosystem is also essential in removing pollutants such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone and others, while producing oxygen. Water Regulation and TreatmentNatural areas within the ecosystem, especially wetlands, regulate water flows in several ways, including evaporation, infiltration and natural flow restrictions. These flow regulations help reduce flooding and erosion and yield large benefits compared to the impermeable asphalt and concrete surfaces which dominate most built-up, urban areas. In addition, wetlands are instrumental in removing numerous contaminants and waste as described below.Waste TreatmentThe natural environment is very effective in removing and treating human and animal waste. For example, wetlands are very efficient in removing excess nitrogen and breaking down many components of waste. PollinationMost flowering plant species rely on pollination from insects, notably bees, birds and bats. Without this service, many interconnected species and ecosystem functioning would collapse. Insect pollination is necessary for most fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, apples and peaches. HabitatHealthy natural systems also provide essential habitat for flora and fauna. Such habitat is essential for species diversity and especially for species at risk. RecreationThe protection of an interconnected ecosystem provides for recreational opportunities such as biking, hiking, bird watching and other recreational activities. These activities also greatly benefit tourism and yield economic benefits.Health BenefitsAll of the above “flows”, from active transportation to removal of pollutants, result in health benefits, yielding overall economic benefits related to reduced health care costs. Page 97 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS6Highlights of the Aurora Ecosystem| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS6Page 98 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 7North-East Aurora Urban Wildlife ParkInspired by the dedication of David Tomlinson, a local naturalist and member of The Town of Aurora’s Trails and Active Transportation and Environmental Advisory Committees, The Town, in cooperation with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ducks Unlimited and other stakeholders is creating an urban wildlife park between two urban expansion areas in northeast Aurora. This urban wildlife park is approximately 70 hectares and consists of the East Holland Wetland Complex and associated woodlands, wildlife habitat, streams and grasslands. Ducks Unlimited PropertyLocated centrally within the Urban Wildlife Park, the Ducks Unlimited property is approximately 25 hectares and contains mixed coniferous and deciduous forest, wetland areas, open water, watercourses and wildlife habitat.McLeod Wood Nature ReserveThe McLeod woodlot on Leslie Street was donated to the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust by the McLeod family. This mature deciduous woodland consisting of approximately 16 hectares is rich in wildlife habitat and forms a portion of the upper headwaters of the east Holland river sub-watershed. The McLeod woodlot is connected to other natural features within the 2C Secondary Plan area including the “Wildlife Park”. The Town of Aurora is responsible for the management of the woodlot. Page 99 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS8“Where trees and the Aurora Community grow together”The more than 100-acre Aurora Community Arboretum is a living showcase of trees, shrubs and wildflowers along with largely native grasslands, woodlands and wetland areas. It functions as a community destination point of interest and an educational tool in promoting familiarity and appreciation of ecological diversity. The Aurora Community Arboretum generally aligns with the Holland River Valley Open Space System associated with the Holland River and Nokiidaa trail system and extends from Wellington Street to St. John’s Sideroad. The lands are owned by The Town of Aurora and the management of the lands are a co-operative initiative between Town staff and the Aurora Community Arboretum’s extensive group of volunteers who donate countless hours to the design, upkeep and enhancement of the area. The Aurora Community Arboretum welcomes grants and donations to help support the ongoing improvements to the Arboretum.Over the last four years in a joint project with the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority, the Arboretum has germinated and grown more than 1,030 trees and shrubs, consisting of rare, unique and native species, which were then planted or are to be planted in the Arboretum. This amount is over and above the other planting programs the Arboretum undertakes and in the spring of 2012 alone, a total of 1,700 trees and shrubs were planted.In addition to the large education and eco-tourism roles that that the Arboretum provides, it is also a significant component of Natural Capital Assets within the Town, showcasing examples of natural heritage enhancement plans. The future of the Arboretum is guided through a Master Plan. Additional details can be found at www.auroraarboretum.caThe Aurora Community Arboretum Page 100 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 9 Case Woodlot The Case Woodlot is mature woodland consisting of a mixture of predominantly deciduous species, wildlife habitat, trails, wetland areas and watercourses. The Case Woodlot is the only area of Aurora that is designated “Oak Ridges Moraine Core Area” which is the most environmentally-sensitive designation on the moraine. The Town of Aurora recently purchased an additional 10 hectares of the woodlot, bringing the total area owned by the Town to approximately 27 hectares. Sheppards’ Bush Conservation Area Consisting of approximately 23 hectares, Sheppards’ Bush is owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and managed by the Town and the LSRCA. The site contains mixed forest, a significant amount of trails and recreational playing fields. The site is listed as a cultural heritage site within the Town. Vandorf WoodlotLocated adjacent to Sheppards’ Bush, the Vandorf Woodlot is approximately 34 hectares, which is owned and managed by the Town. The woodlot consists of mature deciduous and coniferous trees, wetlands, wildlife habitat, trails and watercourses. McKenzie MarshMcKenzie Marsh is a provincially-significant wetland complex consisting of approximately 22 hectares. Portions are owned by The Town of Aurora and the remainder is owned by the McKenzie family. The Town recently constructed a trail system and boardwalk to connect the Nokiiddaa Trail to Newmarket’s trail system. In addition, significant habitat improvements are planned for the areas adjacent to the trails. Anne Bartley Smith Property The Anne Bartley Smith Property is approximately 38 hectares and is owned by the Ontario Heritage Foundation (OHF). The property consists of a coniferous woodland, wildlife habitat, trails and grasslands. The Town is working with OHF on management plans for these lands.142352145Page 101 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS10Stronach Eco-ParkThe Stronach Group has submitted a proposal for an “Eco-Park” on the east side of Bayview Avenue, south of Wellington Street. The components of this park are still under review however the current proposal indicates that the park will have significant wildlife habitat, nature trails including boardwalks and lookouts, watercourses, wetlands and wooded areas. The lands are approximately 34 hectares and the proposal includes three full-size soccer or other sport fields. An exciting component of the proposal is the “Environmental Interpretation Centre” which will benefit the entire Town and surrounding communities. Potential partners in the project include the Town, the Stronach Group, the LSRCA and the Windfall Ecology Centre. As a result of the efforts of Mr. Frank Stronach and the Stronach Group, this park will preserve open space lands and additional lands that were slated for housing, thereby preserving more of Aurora’s natural capital.Page 102 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 11The Value of NatureA significant amount of recent global research exists on the per hectare value of individual ecosystem components. This report does not attempt to duplicate this research but synthesizes the most accurate and current data. Values have been applied to a more local scale than other studies providing a great local perspective for Aurora. The source for data is included within each category.Economic Value Calculation – The Value of NaturePage 103 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS12The Value of Watershed ProtectionOne of the most famous examples of the value of protection of watersheds and natural environment is the Catskill/Delaware watershed and the water it supplies to New York City. The watershed has provided clean water to New York City since 1915, without the need for filtering. In the early 1990s, the Environmental Protection Agency introduced new requirements for public water systems. These requirements mandated the building of filtration systems for unfiltered sources and specified that water supplies meet certain criteria in order to avoid filtration. City managers determined that a new filtration system would cost US$6 to $8 billion to build and another US$300 million annually to operate. The alternative approach would include a comprehensive watershed protection program including land purchase, pollution reduction and conservation easements that would allow the natural ecosystems to purify the water. This would cost between US$1 billion and US$1.5 billion. New York City chose to invest in the natural ecosystem services of the watershed rather than build new infrastructure, based on calculations which determined that protecting the watershed had a better rate of return (90 to 170 per cent) and a shorter payback period of four to seven years. The complex network is the largest unfiltered surface water supply in the world, supplying 1.3 billion gallons of water each day. (Source: Lake Simcoe Basin Natural Capital – See Page 12 of 45 footnotes) Value per hectare – How the values are calculatedA complex analysis of each component of the ecosystem and all related benefits is required to calculate a per hectare value to be assigned for each individual natural asset. For the Lake Simcoe Watershed report, “CITYgreen” software was used to calculate value of air cleansing of trees by using the average removal rates of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide. The value per kilogram was then calculated and these calculations yielded the value of air pollutants removed by tree cover. This data is only one aspect of the overall economic benefits of woodlands. All other benefits from soil formation, nutrient cycling, recreation and others were factored in to yield the overall value per hectare. The value placed on other components of the ecosystem were derived from calculation of combinations of carbon values, air quality protection values, watershed values, recreational values and other similar values.Page 104 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 13Table 1: Summary of Non-Market Ecosystem Service ValuesLand Cover Type Value per hectare ($/hectare/year)Forest $4,798Grasslands $2,727Wetlands $11,172Water $1,428Cropland $529Hedgerows/Cultural Woodland $1,453Pasture $1,479Urban Parks $824Source: Lake Simcoe Basin Natural Capital, June 2008 Land Cover Type Value per hectareForest $5,149Plantations $3,802Wetlands $9,651Croplands $378Grazing/Pasture $1,728Hedgerows $3,110Idle Land $1,728Green Space $785Rivers $1,421Shoreline $541Average $2,846Source: Canada’s Wealth of Natural Capital: Rouge National Park, September 2012Land Cover Type Value per hectare ($/hectare/year)Wetlands $14,153Forest $5,414Grasslands $1,618Rivers $335Cropland $477Orchards $494Hedgerows $1,678Idle land $1,667Source: Ontario’s Wealth Canada’s Future, 2008Page 105 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS14Table 2: Ecosystem Functions, Processes and ServicesFunctions Gas regulation Climate regulation Disturbance prevention Water regulationWater supplySoil retention Soil formation Nutrient cycling Waste treatment PollinationBiological control Ecosystem services UVb protection by ozone, maintenance of air quality Maintenance of a favourable climate, carbon regulation, cloud formationStorm protection, flood control, drought recovery Drainage, natural irrigation, transportationProvision of water by watersheds, reservoirs and aquifersPrevention of soil loss/damage from erosion/siltation; storage of silt in lakes and wetlands; maintenance of arable landMaintenance of productivity on arable land; maintenance of natural productive soilsMaintenance of healthy soils and productive ecosystems; nitrogen fixationPollution control/detoxification, filtering of dust particles, abatement of noise pollutionPollination of wild plant species and cropsControl of pests and diseases, reduction of herbivory (crop damage)Ecosystem processes Role of ecosystems in bio-geochemical cycles (e.g. CO2/O2 balance, ozone layer)Influence of land cover and biological mediated processes on climateInfluence of ecosystem structure on environmental disturbancesRole of land cover in regulating runoff and river dischargeFiltering, retention and storage of fresh waterRole of the vegetation root matrix and soil biota in soil retention Weathering of rock, accumulation of organic matter Role of biota in storage and re-cycling of nutrients (e.g. nitrogen)Role of vegetation and biota in removal or breakdown of xenic nutrients and compoundsRole of biota in the movement of floral gametesPopulation and pest controlPage 106 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 15Functions Habitat Food production Raw materials Genetic resources Medicinal resourcesRecreation Education, culture & spirituality Source: Adapted from De Groo, R.S. 2002 “A typology for the classification, description and valuation of ecosystem functions, goods and services”.Ecosystem processes Role of biodiversity to provide suitable living and reproductive spaceConversion of solar energy as well as nutrient and water support for foodConversion of solar energy, nutrient and water support for natural resourcesGenetic materials and evolution in wild plants and animals Biochemical substances in and other medicinal uses of biotaVariety in landscapes Variety in natural landscapes, natural features and natureEcosystem services Biological and genetic diversity, nurseries, refugia, habitat for migratory speciesProvision of food (agriculture, range), harvest of wild species (e.g. berries, fish, mushrooms)Lumber, fuels, fodder, fertilizer, ornamental resources Improve crop resistance to pathogens and crop pests, health careDrugs and pharmaceuticals, chemical models and toolsEcotourism, wildlife viewing, sport fishing, swimming, boating, etc.Provides opportunities for cognitive development: scenery, cultural motivation, environmental education, spiritual value, scientific knowledge, aboriginal sitesPage 107 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS16WetlandsWetlands include swamps, marshes, bogs and fens and are seasonally or permanently covered by water. Wetlands are nature’s water filtration systems, providing numerous essential functions that yield economic benefits. Wetlands contribute to climate regulation, water regulation, water supply, soil formulation, pollination, nutrient cycling and waste treatment. Wetlands are one of the highest values per hectare due to their high value for water regulation, water filtration, flood control, waste treatment, recreation and wildlife habitat. The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation Occasional Paper Series Number 6, completed in 2008, places the values of wetlands at $11,172 per hectare per year. The Ontario’s Wealth, Canada’s Future: Appreciating the Value of the Greenbelt’s Eco-Services report, completed in 2008, places the amount at $14,153 per hectare per year. This report also breaks down the benefits by wetland components being open water, bogs, marshes, swamps and fens. However, there is very little difference in value between the various wetland components and as most wetlands function as complete system there is little benefit to using a more detailed breakdown. For the purpose of this report, the average of these two estimates is to be used, which yields an amount of $12,662.50 per hectare per year.Natural AssetsPage 108 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 17Forests/Urban ForestsForests consist of upland forests, riparian forests and urban forests. These contain a number of forest types and species diversity. Forests are essential for carbon uptake and storage and the reduction of greenhouse gases while producing oxygen. Forests provide several types of habitat and also provide shielding from the impacts of wind and flooding.Forests contribute to climate regulation, water regulation, water supply, pollination, habitat and recreation. Urban forests can refer to the entire forest cover in an urban municipality or to the treed areas associated with developed lands (mostly residential and park lands). Within Aurora there is data pertaining to significant woodlands from the Regional Municipality of York’s Significant Woodlands Study. This data does not, however, include smaller treed areas typically associated with mature developments, with the exception of the larger lots associated with Yonge Street south. The City of Toronto produced a report entitled Every Tree Counts – A portrait of Toronto’s Urban Forest and the following key summaries were made:s Toronto’s urban forest provides the equivalent of at least $60 million in ecological services each year. The benefits derived from the urban forest significantly exceed the annual cost of management.s Toronto’s trees store 1.1 million metric tonnes of carbon annually or the equivalent of annual carbon emissions from 733,000 automobiles.s Gross carbon sequestration by trees in Toronto is estimated at 46,700 metric tonnes of carbon per year with an associated value of $1.3 million. Net carbon sequestration in the urban forest is 36,500 metric tons.s Trees affect energy consumption by shading buildings, providing evaporative cooling and blocking winter winds. Toronto’s urban forest is estimated to reduce energy use from heating and cooling of residential buildings by 41,200 MWH ($9.7 million/year).s Toronto’s urban forest improves air quality, intercepting 1,430 metric tonnes of air pollutants annually (the equivalent value of $16.1 million/year).s Urban tree canopy helps to mitigate storm water runoff. Simulations that doubled the tree canopy in the Don watershed indicate a 2.5 per cent decrease in overall flow. Simulating removal of impervious cover in the watershed reduces total flow by an average of 23.8 per cent.Woodlands also yield a high value per hectare due to their importance for water filtration services, carbon uptake and storage, habitat and recreation. As for the value related to wetlands, an average is appropriate for woodlands, which yield an amount of $5,106 per hectare per year. The Town of Aurora is planning to complete a more detailed evaluation of forests. This evaluation will use Urban Forest Effects (UFORE), a science-based peer-reviewed computer model designed to calculate urban forest ecosystem services and values based on field data inputs and available data sets from external sources (e.g. weather and pollution data sets). UFORE can calculate urban forest structure and several ecosystem services and values for any area of any size.Page 109 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS18Street TreesAlthough street trees and individual trees on existing lots do not have the same overall benefit as a contiguous woodlot, ecologically they reduce air pollution, enhance storm water control by water uptake, provide carbon storage, improve water quality through slowing runoff and reduce energy consumption by screening properties. In 2003, The Town of Aurora completed a tree inventory for trees within the municipal right of way and Town parks. This inventory indicates that there are 18,739 street trees with 3,468 of these being within Town parks. In addition there are 1,973 street trees along regional roads in Aurora and a joint project was recently completed between the Town and York Region to plant 312 additional trees along Wellington Street. This results in a total of 21,024 street trees within Aurora. Although a detailed analysis of the value of street trees has not been undertaken, it is important to know that there are software programs (UFORE) and web sites such as www.yourleaf.org/estimator that calculate a comparative benefit of various tree species. In addition, such analysis also provides details on benefits, based on the location of the tree in proximity to the homes. In completing some sample reports within Aurora, it was concluded that planting on the west side of the house yielded the largest overall benefits and planting on the north side yielded the least overall benefits. The planting of native trees with the highest carbon net storage capabilities and high carbon removal capacity should be promoted and locational benefits should also be considered when a homeowner plants new trees. These include sugar maple, bitternut hickory and swamp white oak (carbon storage) and silver maple (carbon removal).Grasslands/MeadowsGrasslands and meadows with their dynamic succession processes are typically rich in species diversity and provide habitat for a changing array of animals. They are especially important breeding and nesting areas for rapidly declining grassland bird species. In addition to habitat, grasslands and meadows contribute to climate regulation, carbon storage, pollination and increased water permeability, all of which yield economic benefits. The average value for grasslands is $2,173 per hectare per year.Page 110 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 19WaterWater refers to streams and rivers but does not include wetlands or storm water ponds which are covered elsewhere. There are no large lakes in The Town of Aurora.Water features contribute to water regulation, water supply, soil formulation, waste treatment, shading and erosion control and habitat. Water features also include a 15-metre riparian buffer on each side of the watercourse. The value for streams and rivers is $335 per hectare per year. GroundwaterThe water category listed above refers to surface water only. However, Aurora has a vast resource of underground aquifers, springs and related subsurface features. These groundwater resources are invaluable and part of a larger regional resource, the protection of which are enhanced by the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and the Clean Water of Ontario Act and related watershed protection plans. While clean drinking water is one of the most important benefits, the provision and maintenance of base flow for local and regional watercourses is a responsibility that Aurora shares with all downstream communities.Forest and wetlands filter and enhance the quality and quantity of the groundwater supply and this report places the appropriate value on such services. However the overall value of the groundwater resources has not been calculated, as this evaluation would require a more detailed regional or watershed wide analysis. Agricultural landsStatistics Canada indicates that the annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors of the economy in Aurora are approximately $3.1 million. The value of Aurora’s capital assets deals with only the non-market value benefits to the natural environment, such as the organic carbon stored in agricultural soils. In addition, agricultural lands contribute to pollination, nutrient cycling, localized cooling and groundwater recharge. The ecological value for agricultural land is $5,106 per hectare per year.Page 111 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS20Park land and other open spaceParks and open space provide opportunities for passive and active recreation pursuits. The Town of Aurora currently owns and maintains more than 313 hectares of parkland across 96 park sites. Parks have significant social benefits including promotion and contribution to improved physical health of Aurora residents, thus reducing health care costs. However, for the purpose of this report, only the ecological value of parks has been calculated. These benefits include carbon storage, carbon sequestration, pollination and urban forest cover. For the purpose of evaluating the value of parklands, total parkland cover for the Town was calculated at a rate of 60 per cent natural surfaces and 40 per cent hard and other non-natural surfaces, so that only 60 per cent of the total parkland is assigned a capital value and considered to perform natural ecological functions.The value placed on parks is $824 per hectare per year.OtherThe “other” category shown on the schedules includes features that do not readily fit into a natural heritage classification. These include the Aurora Cemetery and other open areas that have not been used in the calculation of Natural Capital Assets. TrailsThere are approximately 40 kilometres of off-road trails within Aurora. Included within the trails network are the Nokiidaa Trail which forms part of the Lake Ontario to Lake Simcoe trial system and the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail. The off-road trails network also forms a portion of the Town’s active transportation system. Active transportation is a key component to creating a healthy community and reducing greenhouse gases. The recent study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development reported that traffic congestion in the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton area is costing the Ontario economy an estimated $3.3 billion per year in lost productivity. Page 112 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 21In Canada, the majority of trips made by automobile are short trips. Each Canadian makes an average of 2,000 car trips of less than 3 kilometres each year according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Therefore, a shift towards active transportation modes for utilitarian trips (e.g. work, school, errands) or recreational purposes, coupled with public transit and the use of transportation demand management programs (e.g. carpooling) would increase the capacity and efficiency of the transportation system. As an added benefit, bicycle tourism can have positive impacts on local economic development.Trails are typically located within the previously-described natural features, open space areas and parklands. Thus the area associated with trails has been calculated at the value associated with the feature that the trail is located in. However, trails yield significant additional value ranging from reducing greenhouse gases due to motor vehicle trip reductions, to reduction in heath care costs due to better physical fitness. Storm Water Management FacilitiesStorm water management facilities are not typically identified as Natural Capital Assets since they are constructed features and typically required to offset the increased impermeable areas associated with development. However, retrofitting facilities and constructing engineered wetlands help offset phosphorus loading to Lake Simcoe and reduces weed growth. Thus the value of improving facilities and constructing engineering facilities that mimic natural wetlands can be partially considered natural assets over and above the status quo.The Town of Aurora with the assistance of the LSRCA, has been very proactive in upgrading and enhancing storm water management facilities. Since 2004, five facilities have been upgraded. See appendix 3 for more details on storm water retrofits and engineered wetlands.Page 113 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS22The detailed mapping exercise of all of Aurora’s Natural Capital Assets has resulted in the following land use breakdown:Aurora’s greenland system is composed of open space/natural areas, environmentally-protected areas and parkland. In addition to the greenland system there are also agricultural lands and storm water management facilities which are considered natural assets. Furthermore, golf courses are shown on the mapping but the lands associated with golf courses are not added to the capital assets of the Town. Additional work and scientific research would be required to determine the contribution of golf course lands to Natural Capital Asset values. Given that golf courses contain wooded area, ponds/wetlands and open grassy areas they would certainly make some contribution to Natural Capital Asset values, however there are also associated impacts such increased pesticides, fertilizers and other such impacts. The value of trails as mentioned previously is calculated based on the underlying feature where the trail is located. Two of the main economic values of trails are public health and tourism, both of which are outside of the scope of this report. However, reduction of greenhouse gases based on active transportation is a huge environmental value and worthy of further research.Please refer to map on page 31AnalysisEnvironmental Land Use Type (hectares)Page 114 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 23Total Natural Capital Assets within AuroraNote: Parkland is calculated at a rate of 60 per cent natural surfaces and 40 per cent hard and other non-natural surfaces so that only 60 per cent of parkland is included within the total value amount within this report.Land Use Type Area Value per Phosphorus Value per kg Total(hectare) hectare reduction per year of phosphorus Value ($/hectare/year) (kilogram) reduced ($/year)Agriculture 236.99 $5,106.00 $1,210,070.94Grasslands 147.09 $2,173.00 $319,626.57Other 120.3 Park 128.16 $824.00 $63,362.30SWM - Engineered 1.65 60 $2,500 $150,000.00SWM - Regular 65.33 SWM - Retrofit 1.81 84.2 $2,500 $210,500.00Watercourse 154.35 $335.00 $51,707.25Wetlands 174.13 $12,662.50 $2,204,921.13Woodlands 633.07 $5,106.00 $3,232,455.42Total 1662.88 $7,442,643.61TotalTTValueVV($/year)$1,210,070.94$319,626.57$63,362.30$150,000.00$210,500.00$51,707.25$2,204,921.13$3,232,455.42$7,442,643.61Value per kgVVof phosphorusreduced$2,500$2,500Phosphorusreduction per year(kilogram)6084.2Value perVVhectare($/hectare/year)$5,106.00$2,173.00$824.00$335.00$12,662.50$5,106.00Area(hectare)236.99147.09120.3128.161.6565.331.81154.35174.13633.071662.88 Aurora Natural Features (% of total features) Aurora (% of total land)Page 115 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS242C BreakdownThe 2C Secondary Plan was adopted by Aurora Town Council on September 28, 2010 and has recently been approved by the Ontario Municipal Board. The vision for the 2C Secondary Plan area is to create a complete community that protects the environment and includes well-designed residential neighbourhoods and a business park. The 2C community is expected to be leading edge in implementing green building technologies and is to be developed at densities and in a pattern that is compact and transit-supportive. The community will encourage an active, healthy lifestyle through highly interconnected greenlands and trail systems. The following 2C values are not over and above the totals calculated for the entire Town but form a portion of the overall totals.2C Natural Features (% of total features)2C Natural Features Land Use (hectares)Page 116 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 25The 2C Secondary Plan w The 2C community does more than an admirable job of protecting and enhancing Natural Capital Assets with approximately 40 per cent of the lands being protected and yields approximately $893,000 per year.2C Land Use Type Area Value per hectare Total Value (hectare) % $/hectare/year ($/year)Grasslands 27.65 6.79% $2,173.00 $60,083.45Other 2.47 0.61% 2C Park 13.71 3.37% $824.00 $4,518.82Watercourse 3.53 0.87% $335.00 $1,182.21Wetlands 27.95 6.87% $12,662.50 $353,916.88Woodlands 92.712 2.78% $5,106.00 $473,377.26Environmental features 168.02 41.29%Urban 238.94 58.71%Total 406.95 $893,078.61 Total ValueTT($/year)$60,083.45$4,518.82$1,182.21$353,916.88$473,377.26$893,078.61Value per hectareVV$/hectare/year$2,173.00$824.00$335.00$12,662.50$5,106.00%6.79%0.61%3.37%0.87%6.87%2.78%41.29%58.71% Area(hectare)27.652.4713.713.5327.9592.712168.02238.94406.95 2C % Land TotalPage 117 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS26SummaryThe value of the natural assets for the entire greenbelt is estimated at $2.6 billion annually. The value of the natural assets for the entire Lake Simcoe Watershed is estimated at $975 million annually. The value of Aurora’s natural assets is estimated at approximately $7.4 million annually. This amount does not include the value of street trees and other urban trees. This is a significant value attributed to the protection of environmental features, reduction in greenhouse gases and other ecological benefits. The entire budget for Aurora in 2012 including water rates, was approximately $62 million. Without the values of Aurora’s natural capital assets it is possible that the overall budget of the Town could potentially be increased by $7.4 million, which is a 12.4 per cent increase per year, to replicate or replace the ecosystem services and other benefits that Aurora’s Natural Capital Assets provide. Typically natural assets provide economic benefits that do not require an outlay of tax dollars to maintain.Protection and investing in Natural Capital Assets along with the implementation of Low Impact Development (LID) standards can yield significant overall economic benefits to The Town of Aurora. These include the environmental benefits listed within this report, as well as the significant physical and mental health benefits associated with reduction of greenhouse gases, promotion of active transportation/recreational pursuits and appreciation of nature. Residents of Aurora rely on nature to sustain and improve the quality of life enjoyed today and into the future. Preserving and enhancing Natural Capital Assets will benefit Aurorans now and for generations to come. The Natural Capital Assets within Aurora help to reduce the overall ecological footprint of the residents of Aurora and enhance the sustainability of Aurora.This report was completed in a manner to allow a quick analysis of the value of Natural Capital Assets for any specific area of the Town as shown in the breakdown of the 2C planning area. Thus future growth areas, redevelopment areas and intensification areas can benefit from a pre- and post-development analysis of the value of Natural Capital Assets without a significant investment in time and or money. This analysis can help guide land use planning decisions and assist in enhancement plans for new and existing developments. As such, consideration should be given to preparing Official Plan policies to require applicants to prepare detailed natural asset economic valuation of pre- and post- development scenarios (based on the methodology used within this report) with any new planning applications that include natural assets.Page 118 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 27RecommendationsEcosystem protection should also be augmented by the enhancement of the resiliency of ecosystems and the benefits they provide. This includes wetland creation, tree planting and environmentally-sensitive park and trail creation. Such enhancements should be evaluated by not just ecological benefits but also by economic benefits. Thus consideration should be given to developing a mechanism to analyze such economic benefits. In addition, a work plan and budget should be established to support these enhancements. Such work plans should be coordinated with the LSRCA and other partners. All development applications and applications for site alteration should prioritize protection and enhancement of natural features with re-creation of natural features only being considered for areas that were previously developed or in very limited circumstances.Green Development PoliciesGreen Development standards, including Low Impact Development (LID) can be applied to all development applications to promote more naturalized and energy-efficient developments. LID standards attempt to mimic the natural environment in reducing the impact of storm water runoff and as such, reduce the overall costs associated with storm water treatment. The implementation of Green Development standards helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improves energy efficiency, promotes active transportation, reduces water runoff and promotes water infiltration and the reuse of water. In 2009, The Town of Aurora adopted Green Development and LID policies through an Official Plan amendment. The 2009 policies were further updated in The Town of Aurora Official Plan which was adopted in 2010 and approved in 2012. The new policies take the concept of Green Development standard and apply them to all land uses within the municipality. The implementation of the Green Development policies should occur with all development applications and consideration should be given to implementing a monitoring program to determine the benefits derived. The value of Green Development standards is significant in the reduction of storm water management facility costs alone.In addition, land use planning decisions should be analyzed on the basis of the value of the Natural Capital Assets and cost that may be associated with destruction/removal of natural features and the cost to replicate their natural functioning and the ecosystem services that they provide.Landowner EducationAdditional information can be obtained within the reports identified within the bibliography section of this report and also the following websites:s David Suzuki Foundation - www.davidsuzuki.orgs Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority - www.lsrca.on.cas Toronto Region Conservation Authority - www.trca.on.cas York Region - www.york.cas York Region Greening Strategy - www.york.ca s Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust - www.oakridgesmoraine.orgs Stewardship Ontario - www.stewardshipontario.cas Ontario Environmental Network - www.oen.cas Nature Conservancy of Canada - www.natureconservancy.caIn addition, websites such as www.yourleaf.org/estimator (LEAF) and a proposed site by the Suzuki Foundation provide homeowners with the tools to analyze the value of trees on residential lots pertaining to reduction of greenhouse gases and energy efficiency for the homes. Such sites also assist homeowners in determining the best trees to plant to achieve the highest benefits. Page 119 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS28The Town should promote these websites to existing and new homeowners. Currently the Town does a good job in requiring Homeowners Manuals to be provided to all new developments to help with the stewardship of natural features and these manuals should be expanded to include a section on the value of the Natural Capital Assets associated with the development.Other Important ProgramsThe Town of Aurora should also encourage and support the existing federal and provincial programs and mechanisms in order to improve the environmental strategy of the Town. These programs are listed as follows and described in more detail within Appendix 2:1. The Town of Aurora should encourage the protection of the Natural Capital Assets in the Town by communicating directly with land owners pertaining to the opportunities for ecological donations when offering income tax benefits for their donations. (Appendix 2: Ecological Gifts Program –Federal program).2. The Town to encourage and communicate to land owners the tax benefits from the transfer of woodlots from one generation to another. (Appendix 2: Intergenerational Capital Gains Exemption and Rollovers for Transfers of Commercial Farms/Woodlots – Federal program)3. The Town to encourage and to become an active participating member in the development of “Managed Forest Plans” for the woodlots in the Town (Appendix 2: Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program – Ontario provincial program )4. The Town should consider initiating pilot projects for stimulating the woodlots/farmers land owners to protect the environment on their properties; for example, tax benefits for protecting and revitalizing woodlots and green spaces. (Appendix 2: “Alternative Land Use Services” (Ontario and other provinces)5. The Town to encourage and communicate to land owners the tax benefits of the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program (Appendix 2: “Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program”)6. The Town shall encourage the participation in the Habitat Conservation through “Conservation Easements” (Appendix 2: “Ducks Unlimited Canada and other environmental conservation easements”)7. The Town should continue to explore best practices in other provinces such as the “Riparian Tax Credit”- The Province of Manitoba and the Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS).8. The Town should continue to cooperate with York Region and conservation authorities and other partners pertaining to protection, enhancement and securement of natural capital assets. 9. The Town should continue to support and encourage volunteer organizations such as the Aurora Community Arboretum Inc. not-for-profit organization.The Town should also consider the creation of a fund through which it could, when necessary, contribute to the purchase of lands to protect natural ecological functions independently or in partnership with other conservation/protection program to advance common interests (e.g. “York Region Greening Strategy”).Page 120 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 29BibliographyEconometric Research Limited. “Evaluating the Economic Benefits of Greenbelt Assests.” 2012.“EveryTree Counts.” A Portrait of Toronto’s Urban Forest. City of Toronto.Kennedy, Mike, and Jeff Wilson. “Estimating the Value of Natural Capital in the Credit River Watershed.” 2009.Monlar, Michelle. “Natural Capital Policy Review.” A Review of Policy Options to Protect, Enhance and Restore Natural Capital in B.C’s Urban Areas. 2011.Nowak, David J; Hoehn, Robert E. III; Crane, Daniel E.; Leblanc Fisher, Cherie; and Stevens, Jack. “Assessing Urban Forest Effects and Values, Chicago’s Urban Forest.” NRS-37. Newtown Square, PA: 2010.Olewiler, N. “The Value of Natural Capital in Settled Areas of Canada.” 2004.Royle, Ashley, Cecilia Tagliava, and Dawn R. Bazely. “The Value of the Keele Campus Urban Forest.” York: 2009.Tomalty, Ray. “Carbon in the Bank: Ontario’s Greenbelt and its Role in Mitigating Climate Change.” 2012.“Water Quality Trading in the Lake Simcoe Watershed Feasibility Study.” 2010.Wilson, Sara J. “Lake Simcoe Basin’s Natural Capital: The Value of the Watershed’s Ecosystems Services.” Lake Simcoe Region: 2008.Wilson, Sara J. “Ontario’s Wealth, Canada’s Future: Appreciating the Value of the Greenbelt’s Eco-Services.” Gibsons, BC: 2008.Page 121 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS30Appendix 1 – MapsMap 1 Natural Capital AssetsMap 2 WetlandsMap 3 WoodlandsMap 4 Watercourses Map 5 GrasslandsMap 6 AgriculturalMap 7 Parks and open spacesMap 8 Stormwater ponds Map 9 OtherMap 10 Golf CourseMap 11 RuralMap 12 UrbanPage 122 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 31Map 1 – Natural Capital AssetsPage 123 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS32Map 2 – WetlandsPage 124 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 33Map 3 – WoodlandsPage 125 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS34Map 4 – WatercoursesPage 126 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 35Map 5 – GrasslandsPage 127 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS36Map 6 – AgriculturalPage 128 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 37Map 7 – Parks and open spacesPage 129 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS38Map 8 – Stormwater ponds Page 130 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 39Map 9 – OtherPage 131 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS40Map 10 – Golf CoursePage 132 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 41Map 11 – RuralPage 133 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS42Map 12 – UrbanPage 134 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 43Appendix 2 – Best PracticesEcological Gifts Program (Federal)The Ecological Gifts Program encourages individual and corporate landowners to protect nature in perpetuity by donating ecologically-sensitive lands or a partial interest in their lands (i.e. through land transfer, conservation easements, covenants or servitudes) to environmental charities or government bodies. Donors can receive income tax benefits in return. The financing mechanism is a tax credit or deduction to donors and a reduction in the taxable capital gain realized on the disposition of the property. Corporate donors may deduct the amount of their gift directly from their taxable income, while the value of an individual’s gift is converted to a non-refundable tax credit.An ecological gift of a conservation easement allows landowners to protect the ecologically-sensitive features of their property in perpetuity, retain title and be eligible for enhanced income tax benefits. Conservation easements are legally binding instruments whereby the landowner transfers specific rights, such as the ability to create building lots or cut trees, to an easement holder (usually a nature conservation organization or agency).Intergenerational Capital Gains Exemption and Rollovers for Transfers of Commercial Farms/Woodlots (Federal)This federal program allows for the exemption and/or deferment of the capital gains tax on the transfer of woodlots from one generation to another. Before the establishment of this incentive, the burden of the inheritance tax would result in the new owners paying the capital gains by harvesting the timber on the woodlot. This tax therefore had been a perverse incentive, encouraging landowners to harvest.Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (Ontario)This provincial program encourages landowners, who own four hectares or more of forest, to carry out specific management activities and to prepare and follow a Managed Forest Plan for their property. Management activities approved under this program include: tree planting or harvesting; recreational activities; wildlife management involving habitat work or participating in monitoring programs; protecting environmentally sensitive areas; and education. Under this program the property is reassessed and classified as a Managed Forest, and is eligible for a tax reduction at 25 per cent of the municipal tax rate set for residential properties. A Five-Year Progress Report must be submitted in the fifth year of the agreement, and Ministry audits including field visits can take place at any time.Oak Ridges Moraine Land TrustA citizen directed charitable non-profit, the ORMLT aims to maintain and manage a system of nature reserves. The trust works through outreach and communications and other means to encourage all citizens to further protect and restore the natural environment of the Oak Ridges Moraine. To date the trust has secured more than 3,326 acres with 27 registered conservation easements, three restricted covenants, six properties donated to the land trust for direct, fee simple ownership and two properties in joint ownership.Alternative Land Use Services (Ontario and other provinces)The Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) is a voluntary, incentive-based program providing payments to farmers for returning marginal and environmentally-sensitive farmland into native vegetative cover and wetlands for the production of ecosystem services. ALUS focuses on maintaining existing natural habitat in farmed regions of Canada, as well as restoring lost natural features. ALUS is currently being demonstrated in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta and is a provincial program in PEI. The program provides a “fee for service” that recognizes and rewards farmers and ranchers for the changes they make in land use and practices.Due to the success of the pilot program in Norfolk, many other jurisdictions are now implementing a similar program.Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program (Ontario)This program encourages the protection of Ontario’s provincially-significant conservation lands as determined by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources by providing property tax relief to landowners who agree to carry out specific activities to conserve the natural Page 135 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS44heritage values of their properties. Landowners participating in this program retain full ownership and property rights. The financing mechanism is a 100 per cent tax-exemption on the eligible portion of the property.Habitat Conservation (Ducks Unlimited Canada)Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) Wetland Retention Program in Ontario focuses on the protection of critical, high-value and at-risk habitat. The tools that DUC uses include:s Land purchases Land-title transfer: The title of the land is gifted to DUC so the property can be carefully stewarded into the futures Conservation easements: The landowner retains title to the land but gifts or sells certain property rights to DUC through a legally-binding agreement to protect specific property valuess Binding long-term landowner conservation agreements: A landowner enters into a written agreement with DUC that is typically not registered on title, to protect specific property valuesRiparian Tax Credit (Manitoba)The Riparian Tax Credit is designed to encourage farm operators to upgrade their management of lakeshores and river and stream banks and it recognizes those who have already done so. This property tax credit is the first program of its type in Canada.Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and York RegionNatural Capital Asset protection, enhancement and securement programs are promoted by the LSRCA and York Region.The Lake Simcoe Protection Plan and funding promotes opportunities to enhance riparian corridors and other water quality improvement initiatives associated with ecosystem protection, enhancement and stewardship. In 2011-2012, the LSRCA’s Landowners Environmental Assistance Program (LEAP) funded more than 210 projects within the watershed, valued at more than $3.2 million. Together, these projects are expected to reduce phosphorus loading to the lake by approximately 463 kilograms per year. Projects were completed with agricultural producers, urban and rural landowners, municipalities, community groups and other watershed stakeholders. These projects deliver many side-benefits, including increased community awareness of the watershed, and the positive impact of improved land use practices. In 2001, Regional Council adopted the Greening Land Securement Strategies with a $1.4M annual budget allocation. In 2007, this allocation was reduced to $1.35M annually to support the delivery of Greening Strategy programs (tree planting, environmental education, stewardship, etc.) and strategic environmental land securement. The natural environment interest on properties can be secured using a number of means ranging from restoration, tree planting, and stewardship agreements to the donation of land, conservation easements, and fee simple acquisition by the Region and/or a partner.Since 2001, a total of 35 properties, including 872 hectares (2,155 acres) of conservation lands have been secured through a Regional Greening contribution of $10M with a total property value exceeding $50M (at time of acquisition).Volunteers and not-for-profit organizationsVolunteers and not-for-profit organizations such as the Aurora Community Arboretum Inc. can provide local real life examples of natural enhancement programs that benefit the community and natural ecosystem. The master plan concept of the Arboretum leverages local skills and embraces volunteers to achieve a positive impact in terms of increased natural capital assets and ecosystem/watershed enhancements. Other similar programs can benefit from the extensive experience and track record of the Arboretum organization.Page 136 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 45 Appendix 3 – Storm WaterThe Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and its Lake Simcoe Environmental Management Strategy Partners awarded the 2005 Award of Merit to The Town of Aurora for the Kennedy Street and Deerhorn Crescent Storm Water Management Facility. The facility demonstrates the Town’s commitment to natural water resources, by helping to reduce the amount of phosphorus entering Lake Simcoe by an estimated 37.2 kilograms per year. This represents a significant step in protecting and restoring Lake Simcoe, which is a $200 million annual economic resource and source of drinking water for five communities in York Region.The following action items were associated with this project:1. Create a sediment forebay and associated wetland to trap particulate matter and absorb nutrients.2. Reconstruct the facility inlet and install a new diversion structure to collect runoff from previously uncontrolled residential lands.3. Establish an extended detention pond to hold, polish and slowly release waters back into the natural environment.4. Construct a new outfall channel to minimize impacts on Tannery Creek.5. Plant native trees and shrubs to further reduce nutrient loading, improve water quality and enhance local wildlife habitat.Benefits further to those described above include: Controlling storm water runoff from 37.2 hectares of previously uncontrolled land, improving water quality by approximately 67 per cent and enhancing wildlife habitat along Tannery Creek and the East Holland River.Summary of Storm water pond retrofitsPond ID Location Drainage Area Quality Phosphorus Reduction of (hectares) Improvement Reductions downstream weeds (kilograms per year) (metric tonnes)WC3 Kennedy Street and 37.2 67% 37.2 18.5 Deerhorn CrescentNC2 St. John’s Sideroad 10.2 80% 9.3 4.5NW1 St. John’s Sideroad 16.1 80% 14.7 7C1 Wellington Street 25.28 70% 23 11.5Totals 88.78 84.2 41.5Reduction ofdownstream weeds(metric tonnes)18.54.5711.541.5PhosphorusReductions(kilograms per year)37.29.314.72384.2QualityImprovement67%80%80%70% Drainage Area(hectares)37.210.216.125.2888.78Pond IDWC3NC2NW1C1TotalsTTLocationKennedy Street andDeerhorn CrescentSt. John’s SideroadSt. John’s SideroadWellington Street Page 137 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS46A report by Conservation Ontario – “Watershed Economic Incentives through Phosphorus Trading and Water Quality” indicates that there is a cost of up to $25,000 per kilogram of phosphorus reduction associated with required waste treatment facilities (Page 35). The cost of retrofitting storm water management facilities can be compared with the cost of other methods of phosphorus reduction (such as those associated with agricultural runoff) and the best overall management plan for phosphorus reduction in the watershed can be determined. The conservation authorities are also reviewing potential of phosphorus trading which may allow, for example, an increase of 1 kilogram of phosphorus discharge into the lake provided 8 kilograms of inflow are mitigated by storm water retrofits. This example of 8-1 would equate to a benefit of approximately $3,125 ($25,000/8) to the municipality for each kilogram of phosphorus removed by the retrofits. Based on the information available this report is using a conservative estimate of $2,500 for each kilogram reduced per year.Engineered wetlandsEngineered wetlands (EW’s) are a significant improvement over traditional storm water management ponds. These man-made facilities attempt to mimic traditional wetlands and as such remove a significant amount of pollutants and serve as an excellent water filtration system. Research has shown that engineered wetlands are effective in removing a significant amount of phosphorus.Engineered wetlands are highly advanced, semi-passive kinds of Constructed Wetlands (CW) which provide enhanced secondary (biological removal) treatment. They are capable of achieving greater than 95 per cent removals of most pollutants, summer and winter, in facilities which are only a fraction the size of CW’s.The Town has completed an engineered wetland at the corners of Bathurst Street and McLellan Way. s Controlling storm water runoff from 58 hectares of previously uncontrolled lands Improving water quality by approximately 95 per cents Reduce the amount of phosphorus entering Lake Simcoe by an estimated 60 kilograms per years As each unit of phosphorus has the potential of generating close to 500 times its own weight in aquatic plant life the retrofitted facility has the potential of cutting back weed growth in local waterways by an estimated 30 metric tonnes each years The project is unique, it demonstrates the effectiveness of an Engineered Stormwater Wetland technology and it is the first application of its kind in Ontarios Presently the facility is being monitored by the LSRCA and the results may form the basis for future storm water management design guidelines in OntarioPage 138 of 142
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS | 47Appendix 4 – Street TreesAurora Street TreesPage 139 of 142
| THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATURAL CAPITAL ASSETS48Appendix 4 – York Region Street Trees in the Town of Aurora by Species York Region Street Trees in the Town of Aurora by Species Page 140 of 142
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