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SUSTAINABILITY METRICS

THE SUSTAINABILITY METRICS PROGRAM

The Sustainability Metrics program, implemented as part of the review of development applications, meets a specific objective of Green Directions Vaughan, the Community Sustainability and Environmental Master Plan, to create a City with a sustainable built form. The City of Vaughan, in collaboration with the City of Brampton and the Town of Richmond Hill, created the Sustainability Metrics as a tool to achieve healthy, complete, sustainable communities. The tool presents users with an Overall Application Score and an Overall Community Score by using a set of Metrics to quantify the sustainability performance of new development projects.

The objectives of green buildings and sustainable communities include:

• Healthier interiors for occupants

• Improved building performance for cost savings related to ongoing maintenance

• Lower ecological footprint, such as lower greenhouse gas emissions and potable water use

• Better integration with green space and parks

• Promoting transit and active transportation

The Sustainability Metrics are broken down into four categories that represent major elements of sustainable community development. Each category contains a set of performance indicators that have corresponding quantitative metrics to calculate the sustainability score. The four categories are:

1. Built environment

2. Mobility

3. Natural environment and open space

4. Infrastructure and buildings

The links to the resources are provided below to calculate the sustainability score for Site Plan (excluding minor applications), Draft Plan of Subdivision, and Block Plan Applications.

SUSTAINABILITY METRICS THRESHOLD SCORES

The May 8, 2018 Staff Report, ratified by Council on May 23, 2018, details the numerous improvements made to the Sustainability Metrics Program, including clarification of the applicability and submission requirements, increased user-friendliness of the Sustainability Scoring Tool, and streamlined integration with the development approval review process.

The Report also included Threshold Scores, applicable to Overall Application Scores, and performance expectations for Site Plan (excluding minor applications), Draft Plan of Subdivision, and Block Plan applications.

NOTE: Threshold Scores are only applicable to Overall Application Scores, and are not applicable to Overall Community Scores

The following Overall Application Score expectations will be in-effect for applicable development applications deemed complete after October 1, 2018. The Threshold Scores will be identified, along with other Sustainability Metrics data, in the subsequent recommendation reports to Council.

• All applicable development applications outside of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre are expected to meet or exceed the Bronze Threshold Score.

• All applicable development applications within the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre are expected to meet or exceed the Silver Threshold Score.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

As part of the complete application process, the applicant is required to submit the completed Sustainability Scoring Tool and the Sustainability Summary Letter when submitting a formal development application to the City for Site Plan (excluding minor applications), Draft Plan of Subdivision, and Block Plan applications.

SUSTAINABILITY SCORING TOOL AND MANUAL

Use the Sustainability Scoring Tool to determine your application’s sustainability score. The metrics outlined in the static tables are translated into an Excel-based Scoring Tool using a series of “Yes”, “No” and “Not Applicable (N/A)” questions. The Scoring Tool provides a user-friendly interface for applicants to submit as part of the planning application. By entering information about the nature of the application (e.g. residential vs. mixed use; greenfield vs. intensification area, etc.), the Scoring Tool filters out and highlights those Sustainability Metrics applicable to the proposed development.

Use the Sustainability Scoring Tool Manual to get started before completing the Sustainability Scoring Tool. The manual provides instructions on how to use and fill out the Scoring Tool, and provides a brief overview of mandatory metrics, point allocation, and the difference between the Overall Application Score and the Overall Community Score

SUSTAINABILITY SUMMARY LETTER

Use the Sustainability Summary Letter to provide a brief overview of a development proposal’s sustainability performance by indicating the Sustainability Metrics scores, identifying which specific targets will be achieved, and indicating where in the supporting application studies satisfaction of the targets can be verified.

The City’s Planning Department, together with Richmond Hill’s Planning and Regulatory Services Department and Brampton's Planning and Infrastructure Services Department, won the 2014 OPPI Excellence in Planning Award in the Research/New Directions category for the Sustainability Metrics. The Sustainability Metrics was recognized for its innovation as a tool to measure sustainability and improve the function of the built environment.

SUPPORTIVE MATERIALS

GUIDEBOOK AND GLOSSARY

Use the Guidebook and Glossary to assist you while completing the Tool. It explains how to enter information into the spreadsheet, the intent of the metric, and the type of submittal document to demonstrate compliance (e.g. Landscape Plan).

METRICS TABLES

Use the metrics tables as a reference to identify the metrics for Site Plan applications and Block Plan/Draft Plan of Subdivision applications. The Site Plan Metrics Table also differentiates select metrics by development form - single detached; multi-family buildings; Commercial/Retail/Institutional.

EXISTING SUSTAINABLE BUILDING INCENTIVES

High Performance New Construction (Save on Energy)

• Provides design assistance and incentives for building owners and planners who design and implement energy efficient equipment.

Savings by Design Green Building Initiative (Enbridge Gas Distribution)

• Offers support/financial incentives to help builders design and construct buildings and houses with higher energy performance and help homeowners save on energy costs.

Sustainable Development through LEED in York Region

• Offers additional servicing capacity assignment credits to the local municipality as an incentive to promote sustainable residential high-density developments.

PROVIDE YOUR FEEDBACK

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. To submit your comments and questions, please contact the Development Planning Department by email at developmentplanning@vaughan.ca, or by phone at 905-832-8565, extension 8924.

Contact Information

Phone:
905-832-2281
905-832-8565 ext 8924

Fax:
905-832-6080

Email:

developmentplanning@vaughan.ca

Location:

City Hall

Level 200

2141 Major Mackenzie Drive

Vaughan

L6A 1T1