High Performance Development Standard
Metrics for Site Plan Control Applications
What is the High Development Performance Standard?
The High Performance Development Standard (HPDS) is a collection of both voluntary and required standards that raise the performance of new building projects so that they can be more sustainable and resilient. These standards are also known as “metrics.”
All development projects that are seeking Site Plan approval or Plan of Subdivision approval within the City of Ottawa must show that they meet the requirements of the HPDS. However, the metrics only apply to parts of a site undergoing new development, or where an existing development is being modified. While Plan of Subdivision applications are subject to the HPDS as well, this document details the metrics related only to Site Plan Control applications.
The High Performance Development Standard is applied in the review and approval of:
All Site Plan Control applications in the Urban Area
“High Performance Development Standard Development Threshold” Site Plan Control applications in the Rural Area
All Draft Plan of Subdivision applications
The High Performance Development Standard does not apply to:
Building Permit applications
Zoning By-law Amendment applications
The importance of sustainable and resilient building design
Buildings are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Ottawa. Designing new buildings to be energy efficient from the outset will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save on costly retrofits in the future. The High Performance Development Standard will also help build resiliency to our changing climate through tree canopy, ecology and urban heat island mitigation strategies.
Collectively, the metrics aim to advance the climate change mitigation and adaption priorities of the Climate Change Master Plan, Energy Evolution, and the Climate Resiliency Strategy, as well as the City’s objectives related to public health, ecology and accessibility.
Sustainable and resilient design in new development supports public health and safety, environmental protection and responds to climate change, all of which are priorities within Ottawa’s new Official Plan.
HPDS requirements for Site Plan Control applications
Site Plan Control is a tool used by the City to make sure that land development is designed appropriately, safely, is functional and minimizes potential adverse impacts on neighbourhood properties. It also makes sure that the City’s standards for developing land are respected.
This document provides information on the metrics for Site Plan Control Applications. There are two levels of metrics described in this document. Tier 1 site plan metrics are mandatory and must be included in a Site Plan application. Tier 2 site plan metrics are higher level standards that are voluntary. They are not currently required for a Site Plan application.
There are 12 Tier 1 metrics that apply to Site Plan applications and 23 voluntary metrics in Tier 2.
Tier 1 (mandatory)
• Building Energy Efficiency
Energy
• Site Plan Accessibility
• Fresh Air Intake
Health
• Tree Planting
• Plant Species
• Exterior Lighting
• Bird-Safe Design
Ecology
Tier 2 (voluntary)
• Building Energy Efficiency
• Airtightness Testing
• Operational Energy
• Thermal Imaging
• Renewable Energy
• District Energy
• Embodied Carbon
• Health Supportive Amenities
• Exterior Lightning
Tier 1 (mandatory) Tier 2 (voluntary)
• Sustainable Roofing
• Cool Landscaping and Paving
Resiliency
• Common Area Waste Storage
Waste
• Electric Vehicle Parking
• Bicycle Access and Storage
Transportation
• Operable Windows
• Interior Room Temperature
• Refuge Area
• Resiliency Plan
• Common Area Waste Storage
• In Suite Waste Sorting
• Construction Waste Management Plan
• Parking
• Micro-Mobility
• Electric Vehicle Parking
• Bicycle Access and Storage
• Enhanced Bicycle Facilities
• Transit Access
• Enhanced Transit Facilities
What projects are exempt from the HPDS?
While it would be best for all development projects to apply the HPDS metrics, some projects may be exempt. This would include some sites that are designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. These sites would be exempt if it can be demonstrated that applying the metrics would in some way have a negative impact on the cultural attributes of the property.
A development project must clearly show that it is in compliance with the HPDS. If compliance with one or more of the metrics cannot be achieved, an acceptable justification for why the project should be exempt, and how the metric’s objective is achieved, must be provided. A deviation request form can be submitted that outlines why a project should be exempt from applying the metric(s).
Summary Table – HPDS Applicability for Site Plan
Tier 1
Tier 2
Notes: It is up to the applicant to demonstrate on the HPDS Checklist either compliance with the requirement or provide a rationale as to why an exemption is warranted.
*HPDS Threshold application means all Site Plan Control applications in the urban area and site plan applications in the rural area under the following categories:
1. residential developments containing fourteen or more units, five or more floors and/or having a gross floor area of 1,200 square metres or more;
2. all planned unit developments;
3. mixed-use buildings containing fourteen or more units, five or more floors and/or with a gross floor area of 1,400 square metres or more; and
4. non-residential development of five or more floors and/or with a gross floor area of 1,860 square metres or more; and/or
5. drive-through facilities in the Site Plan Control inner Area or abutting residential zones.
1 1 Building Energy Efficiency
The Building Energy Efficiency metric aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the operation of new buildings. Sustainable design decisions made early in the design process can help to minimize the cost of achieving higher levels of energy efficiency. By setting energy priorities early in the process, the design can take advantage of innovative solutions and design trade-offs that are not available later in the building design.
There are three options for achieving compliance with the Building Energy Efficiency metric. The Building Energy Efficiency metric Option 1 is based on a building’s energy intensity.
Total Energy Use Intensity (TEUI) is a way of expressing a building’s energy use over the course of a year. It is calculated by dividing the total energy projected in one year by the total of the building area: kWh per square metre per year (kWh/m²/yr).
Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI) shows how much energy is needed to heat a building over the course of a year. It is calculated by dividing the total energy used in one year for heating by the total square footage of the building: kWh per square metre per year (kWh/m²/yr).
GHG Emission Intensity (GHGI) indicates how the level of greenhouse gas emissions required to operate a building over the course of a year. It is calculated by dividing the total equivalent amount of carbon dioxide emitted in one year by the total square footage of the building: carbon dioxide equivalent per square metre per year (kg CO2e/m²/yr).
Requirement
Using exterior elements, buildings must be designed to meet or exceed one of the following options (interior measures can also be factored into the proposed design):
Option 1
TEUI, TEDI and gHgI as shown in table 1
Exemptions
Option 2
25% carbon emission reduction beyond the requirements of the Ontario Building Code.
Option 3
A commitment to pursue a certification program (Energy Star, LEED, or BOMA).
Buildings that don’t have energy requirements under the Ontario Building Code (OBC) do not have to demonstrate energy performance under this standard.
Table 1 Option 1 required building energy intensities
All Other Building Types
Mixed Use Buildings
Process
25% over OBC
Mixed-use buildings will use an area-weighted average, by occupancy type
(MURB = Multi-Unit Residential Building)
Documentation A preliminary energy model report that shows compliance with the metric is required for options 1 and 2. The guidelines in the Energy Modelling Report Terms of Reference must be followed. A commitment to pursue certification is the required documentation for Option 3.
Since this energy model is preliminary, it is understood that energy estimates will not exactly reflect future models for any future phases of the project.
Review The energy model report is reviewed by the Planning Services File Lead Planner to ensure that it is complete, the targets are met, and sign off by the energy modeler and the building design professionals has been obtained. The energy model may be audited by an energy professional.
1 2 Site Plan Accessibility
The Site Plan Accessibility metric aims to ensure that the proposed development contributes to an inclusive community that provides equivalent access to all users. For example, it addresses the impacts of fresh air grate design on accessibility issues to those with mobility devices or challenges.
Requirement
Public entrances
Provide the same means of entrance for all users whenever possible. Provide equivalent access when access by the same means is not possible.
Horizontal Grates
Wherever possible, minimize interruptions along paths of travel through site planning:
• grates along a path of travel must ensure that openings do not allow passage of an object that has a diameter greater than 13 mm. Ensure that elongated openings are perpendicular to a pedestrian’s path of travel (see the diagram below).
• grates that are outside a path of travel must not have holes that are larger than 20 x 20 mm or 40 x 10 mm. grates with larger holes may be screened.
Exemptions
Projects with no public entrances and exterior horizontal grates have no requirements under this metric
Process
Documentation Provide a brief description of site accessibility considerations in the HPDS checklist. Identify the public entrances and note any accessibility features on appropriate drawings in the site plan submission.
Identify preferred locations for grates, and note the maximum size of any holes in the grates based on their relation to the paths of travel on appropriate drawings in the site plan submission.
Review Information should be provided on drawings as early as possible. The checklist should identify the features and describe compliance with the metric. The Planning Services File Lead planner will review the application to ensure this metric has been addressed. Locations of grates can be changed as a design evolves, so long as minimum requirements are maintained.
1 3 Fresh Air Intake
The Fresh Air Intake metric focuses on interior fresh air systems and outdoor amenity areas to minimize the health impact of air pollutants emitted by vehicle exhaust on building occupants and visitors. Mechanical design details are determined at a later stage in design. However, a consideration of siting and landscaping at an early point in the design provides an opportunity to incorporate buffers from neighbouring air pollutant sources.
What is a nearby source of air pollution?
A roadway with an average of 15,000 vehicles or more per day, traffic or idling vehicle areas, like drive-throughs and loading zones within 100 metres of a site.
A roadway with an average of 50,000 vehicles or more per day, traffic within 150 metres of a site. This does not include parking spaces.
Requirement
Demonstrate how on-site outdoor amenities and fresh air ventilation intakes are protected from air pollutants that come from nearby sources. Also show how neighbouring outdoor site amenities and fresh air intakes are protected from air pollution that is generated on site.
Compliance with this metric can be met using setbacks, vegetation or other technologies that absorb pollution or provide a buffer. Protection options include:
• Natural air pollution buffering made up of rows of Red Maple, Red Oak, Little Leaf Linden or Honey Locust trees with a row of shrubs underneath the full length of the exposure zone.
• A physical buffer by either the building, or other structures, that are at least 1.5 metres high.
• Locating the amenity area, or fresh air intake 3.5 metres or more above the road level.
Exemptions Residential buildings that have a dedicated fresh air system for each residential unit or where it can be demonstrated that there are no nearby sources of air pollution, using the defined thresholds.
Process
Documentation Identify air pollution sources, exterior amenity areas, and possible safe areas for fresh air intakes. Describe how protection from air pollutant sources will be achieved in the checklist.
The guidance on safe areas that is provided by the applicant in the checklist and on the site plan drawings will inform design of the building and its mechanical systems
Review The Planning Services File Lead planner will review the site plan to ensure that it reflects what was described in the checklist.
1 4 Tree Planting
Trees are an important part of our natural systems, as they support natural species, manage heat island impacts, and support natural storm water management. To ensure healthy, long living trees with large canopies, sufficient soil is critical. The Tree Planting metric lays out planting requirements to support long-term health and growth of the site’s trees.
Requirement
Provide a volume of high-quality soil that is sufficient to support canopy cover on the site, as recommended in the City’s Tree Planting guidelines. High quality soil does not include compacted soil.
Projects must include 30 cubic metres of high-quality soil for street trees. The calculation of soil volume can include soil that is continuous with the site located on private or public property.
Trees must be maintained and warrantied for a minimum of 2 years.
Exemptions None
Process
Documentation Landscape plans included with the application must indicate soil volumes in various areas. This includes an identified horizontal area of soil and expected depth on uncompacted soil used to calculate volume.
The warrantee period for the trees must be indicated. The HPDS checklist must identify that these requirements have been met.
Process The forester assigned to the site plan control file will review the application to ensure this metric has been addressed. The Planning Services File Lead Planner will confer with the Forester to ensure that the requirements have been met.
1 5 Plant Species
The Plant Species metric contributes to local ecosystems by reducing the impact of invasive species.
Amy McPherson
Requirement
There must be no invasive species in the landscape plan, A minimum target of 50% native plant species must be achieved, with, a preference for drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly plant species.
Vegetated buffers must consist of 100% native vegetation.
Exemptions None
Process
Documentation
Landscape plans must include a list of plant species to be used, and identify whether each species is a native, local, and/or drought-tolerant species.
Review The forester assigned to the site plan control file will review the application to ensure this metric has been addressed. The File Lead Planner will confer with the Forester to ensure the requirements are met.
1 6 Exterior Lighting
The Exterior Lighting metric helps to reduce light pollution, which is known to have adverse effects on humans, wildlife and local ecosystems. The certified fixtures required by this metric improve upon light pollution reduction efforts already in place.
Requirement
All exterior lighting fixtures must be Dark SkyTM compliant. There must be no uplighting.
Dark Sky Compliant fixtures must have the Dark Sky Fixture Seal of Approval, which provides objective, thirdparty certification for lighting that minimizes glare, reduces light trespass, and doesn’t pollute the night sky. If a Dark Sky Fixture Seal of Approval is not available, fixtures must be full-cut-off and with a colour temperature rating of 3000k or less.
Exemptions
Specialized buildings, such as heritage buildings, that may have a requirement for a limited amount of “uplighting,” or the placement of light source upwards in order to preserve the existing character of the building.
Process
Documentation
Indicate compliance on the HPDS checklist. Provide the certification by way of a letter stating that the lighting is full cut-off before the site plan agreement is registered.
Review The Panning Services File Lead planner will review the letter to ensure that the lighting sign-off has been provided.
Exemptions
Specialized buildings, such as heritage buildings, that may have a requirement for a limited amount of “uplighting,” or the placement of light source upwards in order to preserve the existing character of the building.
1 7 Bird-Safe Design
The Bird-Safe Design metric helps to limit window collisions, which are the second leading cause of bird mortality. Since birds perform many critical roles in our local ecosystems, this metric helps to ensure that the bird-safe design guidelines are appropriately considered and implemented.
What is bird-safe glass?
Bird-safe glass is specially designed to make glass a visible obstacle to birds. This can be accomplished through a variety of means to create a pattern that breaks up the reflectivity of the glass and alerts birds to its presence.
Requirement
Bird-safe glass or integrated protection measures must be used to treat at least 90% of the exterior glazing that is located within the first 16 metres of a building’s height or to the height of the adjacent mature tree canopy.
Bird-safe glass or integrated protection measures must be used to treat any glazing that is adjacent to a green roof, rooftop garden, or garden terrace to a height of 4 metres or to the height of the adjacent mature vegetation.
Eliminate all features that may appear invisible to birds, such as glass corners and parallel glass, from the building design. If these features cannot be removed, bird-safe glass or integrated protection measures should be used.
Exemptions Low rise residential buildings and small-scale commercial, industrial, and institutional developments.
Process
Documentation Elevations that identify bird-safe glazing and that provide area information.
Review The Planning Services File Lead planner will review the HPDS checklist and plans to ensure that this metric has been addressed.
1 8 Sustainable Roofing
Heat islands cause localized overnight and daytime temperatures to be much higher than they should be. In addition, extreme heat, which can pose a major health risk to people in the community, is expected to increase with the changing climate. The Sustainable Roofing metric helps to limit the way that flat roof areas increase the temperature of urban heat islands. It also helps to create opportunities for local renewable energy generation. There is additional information on Sustainable Roofing on Page 56 of this document.
Requirement
Projects must provide sustainable roofing treatment to achieve one of the following options.
Option 1
green roof for at least 50% of the available roof space:
• Where possible, the green roof area should be incorporated into visible or accessible locations, such as podiums.
• Where the green roof is accessible, the green area may be reduced by 20%.
• Where the green roof is made up of edible landscaping, the whole garden area, including pathways and adjacent terraces, may be counted as “green area.”
Exemptions
Option 2
Cool roof installed for 90% of the available roof space. If the roof is over 2,500 square metres in area, a minimum of 1,000 square metres will be designed to be solar ready.
Option 3
A combination of a green roof cool roof, and solar PV installed for at least 75% of the available roof space.
Sloped roofs that are under 500 square metres in area. For Option 2, an exemption from the solar-ready requirements can be obtained if it can be shown that there is not enough direct sunlight at the location to make the system practical or a substitute renewable energy system will be installed.
Solar-ready infrastructure
Solar-ready infrastructure should be located in an area where there is a high level of direct sunlight.
The building must be designed to specifications that can support a solar generation system. Other equipment on the roof should be located to avoid shading the solar equipment.
What is Solar-ready infrastructure?
Solar-ready infrastructure helps to avoid costly future retrofits that may be associated with solar energy installations. Incorporating solar ready measures during the design and construction phases of a development can reduce the building-related costs associated with solar by 60% to 75%.
Process
Documentation Identify green, solar, and cool roof zones on site plan or other plan. Include area information for the overall roof area and for each individual zone. Include notes about additional loading that may need to be factored into the detailed structural designs.
Review The Development Review planner will review the site plan to ensure that it matches the HPDS checklist and that sufficient sustainable roofing measures have been incorporated to meet the metric.
1 9 Cool Landscaping and Paving
Heat islands cause localized overnight and daytime temperatures to be much higher than they should be. In addition, extreme heat, which can pose a major health risk to people in the community, is expected to increase with the changing climate. Hardscaped areas, which are the non-living parts of a development site's landscaping—like brick patios, walkways, driveways, artificial turf and surface parking areas—can increase heat island effects. The Cool Landscape and Paving metric helps to limit the way that the hardscaped areas of new development sites increase the temperature of urban heat islands. Please note that there is more information on Cool Landscaping and Paving on Page 57 of this document.
Requirement
Projects must meet one of the following options:
Option 1
Meet the soft landscaping area requirements that are described in the Zoning By-law. A project is exempt from cool paving requirements when the soft landscaping area exceeds the area described in the zoning By-law by 20%.
Option 2
Use a combination of the following strategies to treat at least 50% of the site’s non-roof hardscape:
• High-reflectivity paving materials with an initial solar reflectance of at least 0.33, or Solar Reflective Index (SRI) of 29.
• Open grid pavement with at least 50% perviousness.
• Shade from existing or new tree c anopy within 10 years of landscape installation.
• Shade from architectural structures that are vegetated or have an initial solar reflectance of at least 0.33 at installation or an SRI of 29.
• Shade from structures with energy generation.
• For parking areas projects may plant one tree for every five parking spaces distributed within or along the border of the parking area, in lieu of reflective paving or completing a shade study.
Exemptions Industrial work yards or similar areas where there are limited available options for shading or reflective surfaces.
Process
Documentation Identify types of materials used and their reflectivity on landscape or site plans. Include area information for material types. If shade is the approach being used, include documentation to show how areas are shaded.
In the HPDS checklist provide the area information applicable.
Review The Planning Services File Lead planner will review the site plans and landscape plans to ensure that it matches the HPDS checklist and that sufficient urban heat island mitigation measures have been incorporated to meet the metric.
The impact of embodied carbon
Embodied carbon is the sum of all greenhouse gas emissions released during the entire lifecycle of a material. The impact of this embodied carbon should be considered when choosing a material, in addition to how well it reflects heat. In general, natural shading and soft landscape features will have a lower embodied carbon impact than paved or stone areas.
1 10 Common Area Waste Storage
Providing residents with adequate access to sorted waste storage facilities helps to divert more waste from landfills. The Common Area Waste Storage metric supports the diversion of waste from landfill, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and promotes a circular economy.
Requirement
The design and construction of properties should provide adequate space for City-allocated garbage, recycling, and organic waste containers. Specific details for different types of residential buildings can be found in zoning bylaws and the Solid Waste Collection Design guidelines for Multi-Unit Residential Development
Exemptions Non-residential buildings
Process
Documentation
Review
Identify waste storage areas and truck access in the site plan.
The Planning Services File Lead planner with support from the Coordinator of Waste Collection Services will review the HPDS checklist and drawings to ensure that this metric has been addressed. The Solid Waste team will review the plan to ensure that it meets the requirements of the Solid Waste guidelines
1 11 Electric Vehicle Parking
This metric aims to ensure that infrastructure is available for electric vehicle charging as demand increases. Roughing in electric vehicle charging infrastructure when a building is first constructed can be done for a fraction of the cost of adding it after construction. This helps to minimize the costs associated with the transition to electric vehicles. The Electric Vehicle Parking metric helps to ensure that charging infrastructure is considered early in the design process.
Requirement
Provide a description of the site’s readiness to accommodate electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Indicate the approach to be used, the number of electric-vehicle-ready spaces that will be available, and any relevant zoning requirements.
Exemptions N/A
Process
Documentation
Describe electric vehicle charging readiness in the parking plan. Provide the number of EV charging and EV ready parking spaces in the HPDS checklist.
Review The Planning Services File Lead planner will review the HPDS checklist and the and the parking plan or site plan, whichever applicable, to ensure that this metric has been addressed.
1 12 Bicycle Access and Storage
The Bicycle Access and Storage metric supports cycling by providing access to safe, flexible storage facilities.
Requirement
Provide bike parking infrastructure as required by zoning.
Exemptions N/A
© Credit: Windmill Development group
Process
Documentation Site plan, or parking plan, as applicable.
Review The Planning Services File Lead will review the HPDS checklist and the parking plan to ensure that this metric has been addressed.
2 1 Building Energy Efficiency
The Building Energy Efficiency metric reduces the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the operation of new buildings. Sustainable design decisions made early in the design process, can help to minimize the cost of achieving a high degree of energy efficiency. By setting energy priorities early in the process, the design can take advantage of innovative solutions and design trade-offs that are not available later in the building design. This metric aims to push the energy efficiency beyond the minimums required in Tier 1.
Requirement
A building must be designed to meet or exceed one of the following:
Option 1
TEUI, TEDI and gHgI as shown in the table below.
Option 2
50% carbon emission reduction beyond the requirements of the Ontario Building Code.
Option 3
A commitment to pursue a certification program (R-2000®, CHBA NZe, NZEr, or Passive House, CagBC Zero Carbon Standard).
Table 2 Energy Intensities for Buildings
All Other Building Types
Mixed Use Buildings
50% better than Ontario Building Code
Mixed-use buildings will use an area-weighted average, by occupancy type
( MURB = Multi-Unit Residential Building)
Documentation A preliminary energy model report that shows compliance with the metric. An as built final energy model provided by a third party.
2 2 Airtightness Testing
Much of the heat loss that happens in buildings results from air leakage. Air leakage also plays a role in other key building performance criteria, like air quality and vapour management. The Airtightness Testing metric ensures that air leakage is minimized, which improves the energy performance of a building.
Requirement
Conduct an air tightness test for the entire building to improve the quality and air tightness of the building envelope.
Follow the ASTM E-3158-18 Standard Test Method for Measuring the Air Leakage Rate of a Large or Multizone Building. Additional guidance, including space type exemptions and minimum targets can be found in the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Air Leakage Test Protocol
2 3 Operational Energy
Ongoing operations and management is one of the most important factors affecting the energy efficiency of a building. The Operational Energy metric ensures that a building’s energy efficiency is benchmarked on an ongoing basis using the ENERgySTAR® Portfolio Manager tool. This helps to determine whether its design is working as intended and identify where improvements can be made.
Requirement
A commitment to operational energy benchmarking, backed up by:
• the installation of metering equipment.
• Registering the building on ENERgySTAR® Portfolio Manager.
• Installing thermal energy meters for heating and cooling appliances in all residential units and for each individual tenant in commercial/retail buildings.
2 4 Renewable Energy
The Renewable Energy metric helps to increase the amount of renewable energy generated at the development site and decrease the carbon impact resulting from the site's energy use.
Requirement
Design on-site renewable energy systems to supply a minimum of 5% of the building’s annual energy consumption. One or a combination of acceptable renewable energy sources can be used.
Alternatively, design on-site renewable energy systems to supply a minimum of 20% of the building’s annual energy consumption from geoexchange.
Documentation
An energy model report.
What is geoexhange?
Electric ground source heat pumps, coupled with ground loop piping systems, can be used to heat or cool a building.
2 5 District Energy
District energy systems distribute thermal energy to multiple buildings in an area or neighbourhood. The District Energy metric supports the development and expansion of low carbon district energy systems.
Requirement
Sites located in an area that has high demands for thermal energy, and are either located adjacent to a district energy system that is ready for new connections, or includes two or more buildings, must provide a plan for connecting to an existing district energy system, or describe why it is not feasible to do so. Alternatively, projects may provide evidence that the plan for the site will result in lower greenhouse gas emissions than connecting to a district energy system.
Documentation An energy model report.
District Energy System
2 6 Embodied Carbon
The Embodied Carbon metric helps to increase understanding of the concept of embodied carbon
Requirement
Demonstrate that the development project has an embodied carbon target. Report on the success in reaching this target throughout the construction phase of the project.
Documentation Indicate commitment on the HPDS checklist
2 7 Thermal Imaging
The Thermal Imaging metric helps to increase understanding of the performance of envelope systems. The use of thermal imaging during and after construction helps to identify where insulation gaps or air leaks may have inadvertenly occurred, providing an opportunity to remedy the issue.
Requirement
Complete thermal imaging of the building before the finishing stage of the project to demonstrate energy efficiency of the building’ walls.
Documentation Indicate compliance on the HPDS checklist.
2 8 Health Supportive Amenities
The Health Supportive Amenities metric helps to ensure that amenities are included that improve social connection for all ages, facilitate active lifestyles, and enable access to healthy food sources.
Requirement
One amenity measure from each category should be included in the site plan.
Active living All ages/ community connection Food access
Large open exterior naturalized space
Outdoor walking trail
Outdoor fitness
Indoor titness
Restorative garden
Outdoor public water refill station
Place making (Privately Operated Public Spaces [POPs], designed for community connection)
Public art
Children’s play space
Shaded outdoor seating
Stroller parking
Automated external defibrillator (AED) in building
Outdoor amenity (commercial only)
Food garden
grocery food delivery
Farmers market
On-site or nearby healthy food retail
Free healthy onsite catering
k itchen area with access to views (non-residential)
Documentation Select the measure to be used on the checklist and provide details, if applicable, on the site plan drawings.
2 9 Exterior Lighting
The Exterior Lighting metric helps to reduce light pollution, which is known to have adverse effects on humans, wildlife and local ecosystems. The certified fixtures required by this metric improve upon light pollution reduction efforts already in place.
Requirement
Control exterior lighting using motion detectors or timers to reduce or eliminate non-essential lights between 11 pm and 6 am.
Control interior lighting using motion detectors or timers to reduce or eliminate lights from unoccupied areas of non-residential buildings outside of business hours.
Documentation An exterior lighting plan and an interior lighting plan.
2 10 Operable Windows
Extreme heat, which can pose a major health risk to people in the community, is expected to increase with the changing climate and as extreme heat days become more frequent. The Operable Windows metric provides an important way for residents to help manage their indoor temperature when air conditioning is unavailable.
Requirement
In all regularly occupied spaces in dwelling units, include windows that can be opened. These windows should enable ventilation and passive cooling. Exterior doors that open to a secure area, like patio doors to balconies, may be counted as operable windows.
Documentation Elevation and floor plans that show operable windows, or a note indicating that they will be provided.
2 11 Interior Room Temperature
Extreme heat, which can pose a major health risk to people in the community, is expected to increase with the changing climate and as extreme heat days become more frequent. The Interior Room Temperature metric helps to provide spaces that remain safe for occupants during extreme heat events. This is accomplished through mechanical or passive design solutions keep maximum interior temperatures within safe levels.
Requirement
Demonstrate that passive or mechanical design solutions are included to keep interior temperatures below 26°C in summer conditions.
Documentation Sign off by a mechanical engineer that the solutions are adequate to meet this metric.
2
12 Refuge Area
Local climate projections suggest that extreme weather events will occur more regularly. These events can often lead to power outages potentially for extended periods of time. The Refuge Area metric ensures that refuge areas will be in place to provide a place for occupants to gather and have access to critical infrastructure when these events occur.
Requirement
Provide a refuge area with heating, cooling, lighting, potable water, and power Provide 72 hours of back-up power to the refuge area and essential building systems
Documentation Indicate compliance on the HPDS checklist and show Refuge Area on plans.
2 13 Resiliency Plan
The Resiliency Plan metric aims to improve the ability of buildings to withstand the impacts of climate change and extreme weather. This is an important step towards creating a more resilient city and to protecting the health, safety and economic well being of the city’s residents and businesses.
Requirement
Complete a resiliency planning checklist. Documentation A completed resiliency planning checklist.
2 14 Common Area Waste Storage
Providing residents with adequate access to sorted waste storage facilities helps to divert more waste from landfills. The Common Area Waste Storage metric diverts waste from landfill, supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and promotes a circular economy by reusing valuable existing resources.
Requirement
Ensure that garbage, recycling, and organics waste receptacles for residents are equally accessible In residential buildings over 5 storeys, locate these facilities inside the building Where facilities are located outdoors, they must be well lit and easily accessible
Documentation A site plan showing the location of the waste storage facilities.
2 15 In-Suite Waste Sorting
Providing occupants with the tools necessary to conveniently sort and store waste from all streams is an important means of minimizing waste going to landfill. In addition, waste that should be diverted from landfill, like organic and paper products, produces methane gas, which is a greenhouse gas that has 25 times the impact of carbon dioxide. The In-Suite Waste Sorting metric helps to ensure that proactive measures are taken to divert waste from landfill.
Requirement
Provide dedicated spaces within residential units to store containers used to sort waste. These spaces can incorporate under-the-counter solutions, closet solutions, or some other acceptable approach.
Documentation A suite floor plan that indicates waste sorting spaces.
2 16 Construction Waste Management Plan
Construction waste management benchmarking is a challenge in the development industry. While many builders seek to reduce wasted material to cut costs, lack of an industry benchmark makes it difficult to determine whether strategies are improving on industry standard or just maintaining the status quo. The Construction Waste Management Plan metric enables this information to be shared, helping to build a reference database that can be analyzed.
Requirement
Commit to reporting on construction waste tracking from recycled and non-recycled streams A summary of the strategies to be used to minimize waste and report on significant events that may have contributed to unusual volumes of waste should be documented Significant events could include fires or flooding that resulted in major material damage
Documentation A completed construction waste tracking sheet and management plan report.
2 17 Parking
The Parking metric encourages a shift away from private vehicles to lower emission modes of transportation. It accomplishes this by reducing the supply of parking spaces and ensuring that users pay the costs associated with parking.
Requirement
Provide at least 10% fewer parking spaces than the maximum allowed under the zoning by-law. Unbundle the parking spaces from a residential or commercial unit by selling or leasing the spaces separate from the unit itself.
Documentation A site plan describing the parking space approach and showing the parking spaces.
2 18 Micro-Mobility
Moving communities away from higher emission modes of transportation requires a number of different solutions. The Micro-mobility metric aims to provide solutions that help to address short trips and access to transit networks.
Requirement
Provide space for micro-mobility devices, like scooters, bikeshares, and their accessories, located close to the entrance of a building
Documentation A site plan indicating the location of spaces for micro-mobility devices.
2 19 Electric Vehicle Parking for residential buildings
To help ensure that infrastructure is available for electric vehicle charging build out as demand increases, roughing in electric vehicle charging infrastructure when a building is first constructed can be done for a fraction of the cost of adding it after construction. This helps to minimize the costs associated with the transition to electric vehicles. For residential buildings, the Electric Vehicle Parking metric helps to ensure that charging infrastructure can be easily expanded as demand for electric vehicles increases.
Requirement
For all parking spaces for use by residents, including car-share spaces, install an energized outlet for the purpose of electric vehicle charging. Level 2 charging capability must be provided for each parking space.
What is a Level 2 charger?
Level 2 chargers are the best option for residential units, as they use a 240-volt power supply, and have double the charge speed of Level 1 chargers.
In addition, infrastructure condo agreements--also referred to as parking area condo agreement--must lay out requirements, processes, and allowances for installation and use of electric vehicle charging stations.
For electric vehicle infrastructure in mixed used buildings, include revenue metering capability.
For designs where an electric vehicle energy management system (EVEMS) is intended to be used, the electrical infrastructure must include all communications equipment, control systems installation, licensing, and permitting required to operate the system.
Documentation A site plan detailing the electric vehicle parking provisions.
2 19 Electric Vehicle Parking for commercial buildings
To help ensure that occupants of commercial buildings have access to on-site electric vehicle charging, buildings need to include infrastructure that enables the installation of charging stations in shared parking spaces. Roughing in electric vehicle charging infrastructure when a building is first constructed can be done for a fraction of the cost of adding it after construction. For commercial buildings, the Electric Vehicle Parking metric helps to minimize the costs associated with the transition to electric vehicles.
Requirement
For 10% of all new parking spaces at commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings, an energized outlet for the purpose of electric vehicle charging must be provided.
For electric vehicle infrastructure in mixed used buildings, include revenue metering capability.
For designs where an electric vehicle energy management system (EVEMS) is intended to be used, the electrical infrastructure must include all communications equipment, control systems installation, licensing, and permitting required to operate the system
Documentation A site plan detailing the electric vehicle parking provisions.
2 20 Bicycle Access and Storage
The Bicycle Access and Storage metric supports cycling by providing access to safe, flexible storage facilities.
Requirement
As part of the Transportation Impact Assessment submission for the development site, provide a cycling plan that illustrates the route from the building’s boundary streets to the on-site bicycle parking locations. The route must operate at no more than 30 km/hr for mixed traffic or provide a separate facility for cyclists. Identify the number of spaces and the location of secure occupant and visitor bicycle parking.
What is passive supervision?
Passive supervision refers to areas that are visible from high-traffic spaces or spaces that are often occupied by people.
Show that bicycle parking is accessible. Ensure that short-term visitor bicycle parking is located in a space that has passive supervision to reduce theft and vandalism risks.
Provide sufficient bicycle parking to accommodate all tenants or commuters in a secure, accessible location.
Documentation
A site plan detailing the bicycle access and storage provisions.
2 21 Enhanced Bicycle Facilities
The Enhanced Bicycle Facilities metric supports cycling by providing access to safe, flexible storage facilities.
Requirement
Provide flexibility in the size and type of parking facility for bicycles, include cargo bicycles and bike trailers
Provide secure, purpose-built larger spaces for 20% of the parking facility to accommodate these vehicles
Supply electrical outlets in a secure bicycle parking area for e-bikes There should be enough outlets to service 20% of the bicycle parking spaces
Documentation A site plan detailing the bicycle parking provisions.
2 22 Transit Access
The Transit Access metric helps to encourage transit use through improved access to transit facilities.
Requirement
Ensure that the linkages between building entrances and nearby transit stations are safe and easy to use.
Provide wayfinding signage for all transportation-related amenities on larger sites where there are multiple buildings. Include bike parking locations, transit, and ride hail information on this signage.
Documentation A site plan detailing the transit access features.
2 23 Enhanced Transit Facilities
The Enhanced Transit Facilities metric helps to encourage transit use through improved transit facilities.
Requirement
For buildings next to a transit stop or when a new transit stop is added, install a shelter space for transit users Preferably, the shelter should be located in the right-of-way However, it can be provided in the building if insufficient space in right-of-way is available
Documentation A site plan detailing the transit facilities.
Solar-ready specification details
1Available roof space is considered roof space that is not otherwise occupied by mechanical and electrical equipment.
2Proponents may seek an exemption from the solar ready component where:
i. Accommodation of a solar energy system and/or a solar hot water heater would be impractical due to poor solar resources at project site;
ii. A substitute renewable energy system will be installed at the time of construction; or
iii. Where proponent can justify that a solar installation does not make sense such as buildings with low electrical loads making solar net metering an unfeasible option.
3Solar Ready Requirements
At a minimum, the project shall include requirements for:
i. Static load roof strength, with a requirement that roofing where solar equipment could be placed be capable of supporting a minimum of 29 kg/m2 , where alternate solution for dealing with the loading requirements of solar is recommended by a professional engineer this may be used in lieu of the 29kg/ m2 threshold, a letter from engineer stating alternate solution to be submitted.;
ii. Placement of non-solar related rooftop equipment, taking into account positioning that avoids shading of solar equipment (i.e., north of solar ready zone) and maximization of continuous roof space;
iii. Provision of space for a solar energy system DC-AC inverter on an outside wall in the utility room in accordance with ESA requirements (within 4.5m of future array location).
iv. Placement of solar ready area located in a space with high solar potential.
Recommended to also consider:
v. Sizing and/or provision of extra electrical panels to accommodate addition of an appropriately sized future solar energy system.
vi. A conduit for wiring from roof to electric panel.
Cool Paving Resources
Reducing Urban Heat Island Effect by Using Light Coloured Asphalt Pavement
• Solar Reflectance is the fraction of the incident solar energy which is reflected by the surface in question. The best standard technique for its determination uses spectrophotometric measurements with an integrating sphere to determine the reflectance at each different wavelength. The average reflectance is then determined by an averaging process, using a standard solar spectrum. This method is documented by ASTM (Amer. Soc. for Testing and Materials) as Standards E903 and E892. When this data is not available, other, or less detailed measurements are utilized.
• The Solar Reflectance Index (SRI.) is a measure of the material’s ability to reject solar heat, as shown by a small temperature rise. It is defined so that a standard black (reflectance 0.05, emittance 0.90) is 0 and a standard white (reflectance 0.80, emittance 0.90) is 100.
