The City’s existing Natural Heritage System protects all known significant natural heritage and water features and ecological linkages. In addition, the Natural Heritage System recognizes the importance of the Paris-Galt Moraine and protects areas which contain areas of significant landform as part of the system. Through the Clair-Maltby Secondary plan project it is intended that direction will be provided and policies will be developed to promoted integration of the existing landform into new development.
No development and only limited types of infrastructure may be permitted within areas of significant landform contained within the Natural Heritage System subject to there being no negative impact to the feature or its functions in order to protect these areas for the long term.
For the areas of the Moraine that are outside of the Natural Heritage System, the Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan will develop additional policies and requirements to support innovative design that integrates new development into the rolling topography, while minimizing the disruption to the existing rolling landscape and its functions including those that support groundwater recharge.
The Open Space System also includes the moraine ribbon. The moraine ribbon is a unique feature of the Open Space System designed to provide a connected Open Space System that runs along the outer limits of the Natural Heritage System within the Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan area that is a compatible land use. It will create opportunities for recreation and natural appreciation, which may be viewed as a re-interpretation of a regional park. The recommended Community Park will be designed to be compatible with and support the adjacent Natural Heritage System lands.