John McCain, come pick up your drawing and Toronto delays green roofs on industrial buildings

When Toronto became the first North American city to embrace a green roof bylaw, it was big, big news. Hundreds of media outlets went gaga over Mayor David Miller's big green steps. But Toronto took a step back last week when city staff recommended delaying the requirement that industrial buildings incorporate vegetated roofs (aka green roofs, living roofs or ecoroofs) until April 30, 2012, instead of January 31, 2011.
The reason, further consultation is needed. Admittedly, this phrase "further consultation" may rankle me a bit because John McCain uses it more than the word "maverick". When he says "consultation", it's to delay the inevitable, hoping that which he detests will be delayed until the end of the time. Toronto had already made incredible concessions when consulting with developers a few years back....all that was required on industrial buildings was to green 10% of their roof.
I really, really hope Toronto's developers are not following McCain's lead, we need developers to step up and say "Hey, we've had 2 years to work on this and here are some alternatives which we like better and may be better for us all in the long run. We're committed to Toronto and are up for doing our part to help the environment." Besides, folks, I can show you how to save...maybe even MAKE money, from installing a green roof. Call me, we can talk.

A colleague of mine said "how many buildings does this really effect anyway?" I get her point. Not too many industrial buildings sprouting up in Toronto these days or anytime in the near future. Is this City Hall's way of placating developers, throwing them something inconsequential or the first step in industry's attempt to roll back the bylaw?
Stay tuned...

A few more things and it's time for bed.

-If you're in the UK and looking for to join the permaculture movement lickety-split, you're in luck.

-Urban Omnibus has a word, or ten thousand with Nevin Cohen about Five Borough Farm.

-Will 2011 be the year for deconstruction?

-And lastly if you're looking for a job in sustainable food, Sustainable Food Jobs' blog is the way to go.

[By the way, John McCain, if you're reading this, no hard feelings. If you ever return to being that bipartisan maverick so many Americans loved, swing by and I'll pull some strings to get you this!]