ThinKING Green: Sustainable Development Program

The Project Team is happy to announce that the draft for the new ThinKING Green: Sustainable Development Program is now available in the Document Library on the SpeaKING Project Page!

ThinKING Green has been developed to expand upon and replace the Township's current Sustainable King: Green Development Standards Program. ThinKING Green builds upon the Sustainable King: Green Development Standards Program by introducing a new Principle Area to the Program, and a number of new sustainability metrics. The Program also provides a new method for evaluating the sustainable performance of new development through the assignment of a Sustainability Score.

ThinKING Green implements the sustainability policies outlined in the Township's Our King Official Plan and aligns with the goals of the Township's Corporate Strategic Plan. The Program is also proposed to apply to all Site Plan Development and Draft Plan of Subdivision Applications to ensure that all new development aligns with the Township's vision of a sustainable, healthy and resilient community.

ThinKING Green encourages all new development to protect and enhance the natural environment while utilizing efficient, innovative and sustainable measures. The sustainability metrics propose to reduce the environmental and carbon footprint of developments by incorporating alternative energy sources, innovative landscaping, and green technologies. The metrics also promote the identification, protection, enhancement, and restoration of the natural environment. New metrics have also been included to support the development of healthy communities through encouraging mixed-use development and a range of housing types in proximity to services and amenities.

All Site Plan Development Applications submitted under Site Plan Control By-law 2022-052, as amended (or its successor), and all Draft Plan of Subdivision Applications that do not require a subsequent Site Plan Development Application are proposed to be required to address the requirements of ThinKING Green as part of a Complete Application through the submission of the ThinKING Green Program Table (Appendix A).

The Project Team appreciates all feedback on the new Program! If you have any questions, comments or thoughts please contact Aloma Dreher, Senior Policy Planner at adreher@king.ca, or at 905-833-5321, ext. 1004 by July 31, 2023. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

The Project Team are happy to announce that the draft for the first expansion to the Sustainable King: Green Development Standards Program is now available in the Document Library on the SpeaKING project page! The Sustainable King: Green Development Standards Program – Single Family Dwellings has been developed to expand upon the sustainability policies outlined in the Township’s Our King Official Plan and Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (Sustainable King), and to build upon the Program as released in 2020. This Program expansion is proposed to apply to Site Plan applications for single family dwellings throughout the Township to ensure that all new development aligns with the vision of sustainability for the community.

The Sustainable King: Green Development Standards Program – Single Family Dwellings encourages new dwellings and residential development to protect and enhance the natural environment while utilizing efficient, innovative and sustainable measures. The development metrics propose to reduce the environmental and carbon footprint of developments by incorporating alternative energy sources, innovative landscaping, and green technologies. The metrics also encourage the identification, protection, enhancement, and restoration of the natural environment.

All Site Plan Applications for single family dwellings submitted to the Township under the Planning Act in accordance with Site Plan Control By-law 2022-054, as amended (or its successor), are proposed to be required to address the metrics of the Program as part of a Complete Application through the submission of the Sustainable King: Green Development Standards Program Table (Appendix A).

The Project Team appreciates all feedback on the proposed Program Expansion! If you have any questions, comments or thoughts please contact Aloma Dreher, Senior Policy Planner at adreher@king.ca, or at 905-833-5321, ext. 1004 by November 14, 2022. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

The Sustainable King: Green Development Standards was adopted by Township of King Council on November 16, 2020. The Standards will come into effect on February 1, 2021 following a transition period. The Planning Division Report from November 16, 2020 is available here: https://king.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/?preview=79264.

Please be advised that the Township's Growth Management Services Department is scheduled to report to the Council of the Township of King (Committee of the Whole) with a recommendation report to adopt the Sustainable King: Green Development Standards Program at the November 16, 2020 Council/Committee Meeting:

Monday, November 16, 2020 at 6:00 P.M.

(Electronic Meeting during an Emergency, pursuant to Section 238(3.3) of the Municipal Act, 2001)

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Municipal Centre is closed.

This Special Council and Committee of the Whole meeting will be held remotely (virtually) and live streamed at http://meeting.king.ca.

Report and Modifications:

The Growth Management Services Department report regarding this matter will be available on the Township's web-site (www.king.ca), or by contacting the Growth Management Services Department by Friday, November 13, 2020.

On November 10, 2020, a copy of the draft metrics will be made available in the document library.

Comments:

To comment in writing, please send written comments to the Clerk's Office at clerks@king.ca no later than Monday, November 16 at 12:00 p.m. (noon). Written comments will be circulated to Members of Council prior to the start of the Meeting and will become part of the formal record of the meeting. To speak to Council virtually about an agenda item, you must register by contacting the Clerk’s Office at 905-833-4068 or email clerks@king.ca no later than Monday, November 16, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. (noon). When your registration is received, a confirmation message and instructions for participating in the virtual public meeting will be provided.

Please provide your full name, address, contact details and the item you wish to speak to when contacting the Clerks Department. Please note that all comments will become part of the public record.

Additional Information:

For further information on the development of the Sustainable King: Green Development Standards Program, please visit the Sustainable King: Green Development Standards page on Speaking https://speaking.king.ca/green-development-standards or contact Aloma Dreher, Planner II at adreher@king.ca or at 905-833-5321, ext. 1004.

Thank you everyone for your comments, questions and participation regarding the March draft of the Green Development Standards Program! Comments and questions were accepted until April 15, 2020 and are currently being reviewed. We will continue to review and incorporate the comments and feedback that we have received into a final draft.

If you have any outstanding thoughts or questions, please provide them by April 30, 2020. Please send comments to Aloma Dreher, Planner II (adreher@king.ca).

In King, we have always demonstrated commitment to preserving our natural resources and quality of life. This is our foundation for living, working, and acting sustainably. Planning for sustainability means thinking ahead – in a way that ensures the needs of King's current residents will be met, without compromising the ability of the Township to meet the needs of future generations.

In 2012 King embarked on a journey to create the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP), a resource that defines the future for the Township of King, community groups, businesses, local organizations and the broader public. It guides and directs how we make decisions, develop partnerships and take action. The plan promotes community vitality and prosperity while respecting, preserving and restoring.

Through the creation of the ICSP, the Township developed a Sustainable King Development Standards Checklist to encourage the integration of sustainable design elements and features into new developments. While all development must comply with the Ontario Building Code, the Township encourages the use of higher performance standards that exceed minimum standard requirements.

The Sustainable King: Green Development Standards (GDS) go beyond the Checklist by creating a tool that can be used to evaluate new development applications. The GDS is made up of four sections: Green Infrastructure, Natural Heritage, Efficiency and Conservation, and Healthy Communities. Development applications will receive a score based on the sustainable features and elements incorporated into the proposed development. Please refer to the "Document Library" for the draft Guidelines and Metrics for the Green Development Standards program.

Please take some time to explore the site and to provide your comments and ideas.We need your participation! Remember to register to keep up with the latest news.