The LCP is a conservation authority policy document that, once adopted, will guide the implementation of TRCA’s legislated and delegated roles and responsibilities in the planning and development approvals process over the next ten years. Comparable to a combined municipal official plan and zoning by-law, The LCP represents a compilation of existing plan and permit review policies and practices that have evolved over time. It also contains new policies related to TRCA programs, scientific research, and external planning and development initiatives.
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Note: All documents are in Adobe Acrobat format (PDF) 
| Chapter 1. | Introduction |
|---|---|
| Chapter 2. | The Toronto Region |
| Chapter 3. | Legislative Foundation |
| Chapter 4. | TRCA History and Evolution to The Living City |
| Chapter 5. | The Living City |
| Chapter 6. | Paths to Achieving The Living City: Policies for Sustainable Communities |
| Chapter 7. | Policies for Environmental Planning |
| Chapter 8. | Policies for the Administration of TRCA’s Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation |
| Appendix A | Municipal Policies for Approved Special Policy Areas and Two Zone Areas |
| Appendix B | Illustrative Examples of the Natural System |
| Appendix C | Defining the Limit of Regulated Areas |
| Glossary | Definitions of terms used in the document |
| References | Sources used in the development of the document |
The LCP’s purpose is four-fold:
- To guide TRCA review of planning applications and environmental assessments;
- To provide the basis for approving permit applications under Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act;
- To inform TRCA’s advocacy role for The Living City in the planning and development process; and
- To assist and enable our partners’ and stakeholders’ contributions to building The Living City.
Under the Conservation Authorities Act, a conservation authority implements a program to further its “objects” of conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources. TRCA’s main program currently guiding the Authority in its planning and regulatory roles is the Valley and Stream Corridor Management Program (VSCMP) endorsed by the Authority in October 1994. The LCP will supersede the VSCMP while continuing and expanding on the VSCMP’s valuable foundation of principles and policy intent. Since the VSCMP was first introduced, many changes have occurred in the quality and extent of scientific understanding of TRCA watersheds, as well as changes to the planning, development and growth management realm of the GTA.
The process to bring The LCP to this draft stage where it is ready for external consultation has been ongoing for several years and has included: the completion of many TRCA projects such as watershed plans, natural heritage strategies, and the development of new technical guidelines or the update of existing ones. Each of these discrete projects has included their own elements of public and/or stakeholder consultation. Additionally, TRCA created the Planning and Development Procedural Manual in 2007, which provides technical and procedural details for many of the policies found in The LCP. The intent of the Procedural Manual is to enhance TRCA’s cooperative working relationship with municipal partners, the development community, and permit applicants regarding the implementation of TRCA’s planning and regulatory functions, including opportunities to increase procedural transparency and streamline the review process where feasible.
Process and Timelines
Public and stakeholder consultation on TRCA’s policy document, particularly with TRCA’s municipal partners, is critical to developing and updating a comprehensive and effective policy document. The external consultation process will follow a similar pattern to other TRCA projects such as TRCA watershed plans and Generic Regulation conformity. It is also similar to the consultative process that municipalities engage in when they update or create new official plans. TRCA is required to consult publicly on any new policies as set out by the Province’s policies and procedures for conservation authorities.
The process to consult on and finalize The LCP over the next year is proposed as follows:
Winter & Spring 2013
Municipal, provincial and agency consultation; Stakeholder consultation with the Building and Land Development Industry (BILD), Environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs), other interest groups, and the general public.
Summer & Fall 2013
The LCP will be revised by TRCA staff as necessary based on feedback from the consultation process. The final draft document will be posted on the website for a 30-day commenting period.
Early 2014
Final document will be submitted to TRCA’s Board for approval and implementation.
To comment on TRCA’s draft of The LCP, click here. A public information session with a brief presentation on the draft document will be held at TRCA’s Black Creek Pioneer Village in the spring; details will be posted on this website when available.
