Design Guidelines for

‘Greening’
Surface Parking Lots
S e p t e m b e r 2 8, 2 0 1 0

Session A
LID Implementation Tools: Industrial,
Commercial, Institutional and Multi Family

Allison Reid, Urban Designer

Developing the Guidelines 2006

• Why?
concerns about negative impacts
new policies and standards
formalize standard practice

• Who?
interdivisional city staff team
design, transportation, water,
zoning, environment, forestry
‘Greening’ Guidelines Objectives
 plant trees
 provide good quality soil and
generous landscaped areas
 enhance pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
 manage stormwater on-site
 reduce the urban heat island effect
 use sustainable materials and technologies
‘Greening’ Guidelines Structure
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Purpose and Objectives
3.0 How and Where the Guidelines Apply
4.0 Design Guidelines
5.0 Diagrams
6.0 Appendices
 ‘Greening’ Guidelines
1.0 Introduction

Key Problem Areas

Urban Design streetscape, pedestrian realm, landscape

Environment urban heat island, stormwater, sustainability

 ‘Greening’ Guidelines
2.0 Purpose & Objectives

To implement:
Official Plan policy
3.1 Built Environment & 3.4 Natural Environment

Toronto Green Standard

performance targets

‘Greening’ Objectives
plant trees, manage stormwater onsite… etc.
‘Greening’ Guidelines
3.0 How and Where the Guidelines Apply

• Apply to the design, review and approval of

all new development with surface parking
‘Greening’ Guidelines
4.0 Design Guidelines
4.1 Location and Layout
4.2 Vehicle Access and Circulation
4.3 Pedestrian Access and Circulation
4.4 Landscaping
4.5 Stormwater Management
4.4 Landscaping
4.4.1 General Requirements
4.4.2 Streetscape and Perimeter Landscaping
4.4.3 Internal Landscaping
4.4.4 Surfaces
4.5 Stormwater Management
4.5.1 General Requirements
4.5.2 Snow Storage
4.5 Stormwater Management

Absorbent Landscapes
“double-duty” spaces achieve urban design and water balance objectives
4.5 Stormwater Management
Light Colour Porous Pavements
assist infiltration, water balance, water temperature reduction
4.5 Stormwater Management
Structural Soil Systems
tree canopy and underground soil trenches filter, store, evapotranspire
 4.5 Stormwater Management

Shade Canopies and Solar PVs

tree alternative for constrained sites, power generating & stormwater collection opportunity
Council Approval 2007

• City Council approved draft

November 2007

• Apply to design, review, approval of

all development applications with
surface parking

www.toronto.ca/planning/urbdesign/greening_parking_lots.htm
Training and Outreach 2007-09
• joint presentations
1. Toronto Green Standard
tier 1 targets mandatory January 31, 2010

2. Wet Weather Flow Management

Master Plan & Guidelines

3. Design Guidelines for

‘Greening’ Surface Parking Lots
Implementation 2008-present
• Test and apply during development review
over 150 Site Plan Applications in 2008/09 with 20 or
more surface parking spaces
 Implementation Outcomes
• Tree planting targets achieved (1:5 Ratio)

1 tree planted
for every 5
spaces
supplied
Implementation Outcomes

• Better streetscapes,
edges & screening
Implementation Outcomes
• Wider islands and pedestrian medians
 Implementation Outcomes
• Increased onsite stormwater management
concrete
paving

bioretention

porous
pavers
Implementation 2008-present
• Test and apply during development review
over 150 Site Plan Applications in 2008/09 with 20 or
more surface parking spaces

• Toronto Parking Authority projects

‘Greening’ pilots with stormwater management focus

Ossington St. Clair Bonar Place

 Implementation Challenges
• Permeable pavers – cost, maintenance

permeable
pavers

decorative, pressed,
high-albedo asphalt
gaps to clean
and fill
Implementation Challenges
• Permeable pavers – grading

good
 Implementation Challenges
• Permeable pavers – grading

better
maximize benefit placing at lowest points on site
Implementation Challenges
• Bio-retention – openings and grading

keep
openings
wide and
clear,
slope site
toward
openings
Implementation Challenges
• Bio-retention – landscape and litter

litter magnet,
maintenance
avoid unruly required
and sparse
plantings,
weeds prosper
 Implementation Challenges
• Bio-retention – unplanned/incompatible activity

urban
agriculture
and parking
run-off…
Questions Comments

contact
Allison Reid, Urban Designer areid3@toronto.ca