Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Pickering is developing a new set of Integrated Sustainable Design Standards to help shape new development and re-development.
The new standard will be a technical document, used to evaluate development proposals to ensure they meet the sustainability objectives. As part of development application submissions, applicants will be required to submit a document or checklist demonstrating how the proposal meets various sustainable development criteria.
This work is being funded through an $86,000 grant from The Atmospheric Fund and a $10,000 contribution from the Region of Durham. Urban Equation Corp., a consulting firm with significant expertise in the field of sustainable community building will lead the project.
The next step is to seek input into the plan.
Developing a new set of standards will allow the city to review development through a lens that includes modern green best practices and technology. The standards will help City staff evaluate development proposals to ensure they meet the sustainability objectives.
Green development practices have evolved and staff says the development guidelines will reflect innovative green best practices and technology, as well as the work being done by both the city and Region of Durham to address climate change, support urban forests, pollinators, waste reduction, water conservation, energy efficiency, and improve access to local food and greenspaces.
An online survey is available until Jan. 21.
Visit the website to register as a user, learn more about the project and complete the survey. City staff hope the survey will identify the sustainable features in a home and community are important to residents.