Planning Changes in Ontario
Lisa Prime from Prime Strategy and Planning joined the June 10th, 2021 OCC meeting to speak to the changes that have occurred in Ontario and their implications for climate action.
Councillor Jane Fogal from Halton Hills developed a list of the various changes that have been made to planning in Ontario that I found helpful in keeping track of then all and I thought others may find of value.
- Summary of Planning Changes in Ontario
- Link to recording of February 27th OCC meeting discussing Halton Hills Resolution
In addition, on February 1st, 2021 the Town of Halton Hills passed a resolution that was circulated to the Province stating:
- THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Region of Halton be requested to delay its final report on its Official Plan Review until proper, in person, informed consultation with the public has been conducted;
- AND FURTHER THAT the Province be requested to suspend the timetable for municipal conformity to the Growth Plan and the Provincial Policy Statement to ensure that the public can fully participate in the process of planning their communities for the next 30 years of growth;
- AND FURTHER THAT this resolution be circulated to Premier Doug Ford, Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Halton Region, local Halton municipalities, AMO, leader of the Provincial opposition parties, MPP Ted Arnott and GTA Small Urban Mayors.
- Link to full resolution
Discussion Notes from June 10th OCC Meeting
When it comes to new developments in the city (i.e. condos) I've been told that the municipality has no ability to require sustainable components in new buildings - is that the case? No municipalities do have authorities over new community and buildings via their site plan and planning control authorities - and there are several tools available to municipalities to do so:
- Green development standard authorities are in the Planning Act and relate to municipal site plan controls. toolkit - as a policy tool - can implement voluntary and mandatory requirements
- Community Improvement Plans are another avenue
- Development charge, density bonusing or other incentives can be used to drive uptake
- Accelerated planning approval
- Negotiation and collaboration with developers
Is there something in the planning act that prohibits municipalities from coming up with requirements for new development sites?
- No - Although municipalities cannot require the achievement of a specific performance level and withhold occupation until it is achieved (as many certifications, like LEED require 1 year of performance for certification and withholding a building permit until then would likely not be well received). Withholding a an occupation permit would likely cause issues but municipalities can ask for building performance standards via an energy modelling report.
- Is it correct to say that the planning language from the Province on Climate Change direction may have been weakened (ex. Weakening the language from shall to should) but no planning changes have occurred that would stop municipalities from advancing their climate change goals and actions? Yes that is generally true, its important to look for the language that enables it and we can provide a summary of the policies (Planning and Climate Policy Brief ) that will likely be of most use in advancing those climate integration and actions.
- There is an increasing option of energy developers coming into the low carbon market. There are geothermal and renewable energy utility models that are further ahead in other jurisdictions, but more and more options are becoming available in Ontario and those utility models will be necessary to be able to create a more level playing field re the old energy system and the emerging low carbon energy system. Doing the same old thing is so easy and until we can make low carbon energy easy as well, we can't be surprised that it isn't happening.
Update on the IESO Natural Gas Phase Out Consultation on Scope of Work
The IESO has committed to undertaking a study on the phase-out of natural gas from the electricity system however there are concerns regarding the scope of the study which at present will:
- Outline the current role natural gas plays in maintaining a reliable electricity supply across Ontario;
- and Provide insights on the reliability, operability, timing, cost and wholesale market issues that would need to be addressed in reducing emissions on the electricity system.
The concern is that the scope at present does not include:
- IESO recommendations for policy decisions;
- Demand impacts from decarbonization of the economy;
- and Consider emission impacts resulting from other jurisdictions.
This study SHOULD explore what are the possible pathways to decarbonizing the electricity grid, what are the policies that would need to be enacted to make that a reality and if not 2030 then by what timeframe could it be possible with the enactment of different policies to accelerate the target achievement? The study would have to look at policies as without policy changes there is very little chance of being able to achieve a natural gas phase out.
There is an engagement session taking place on June 24th from 9 - 11 am and you can register for that session by sending an email to engagement@ieso.ca and referencing the June 24th Natural Gas Phase Out consultation. More info on the consultation is available from Clean Air Alliance at: https://www.cleanairalliance.org/gas-phasehou
Resources
Link Between Growth, Land Use and Municipal Costs
- Quantifying the Costs and Benefits of Alternative Growth Scenario, Halifax Regional Municipality, 2013
- Plan it Calgary, Implications of Alternative Growth Patterns on Infrastructure Costs
- Strong Towns Value per Acre Analysis Tool
- The Big Picture of Land Use and Why it Matters, Neptis Foundation
Link Between Land Use, Energy and Emissions
Greenhouse Gas Inventory for the GTHA, The Atmospheric Fund
