master plans

Master Plans:

Master Plans Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) Training Module, 2010

Objectives:

Objectives To provide an overview of the Master Planning process Foster an understanding of how Master Plans meet the intent and requirements of the MCEA Facilitate and encourage the use of an integrated Master Planning and EA process approach

Outline:

Outline Overview Master Planning Process Types Approaches Monitoring

Overview:

Overview MCEA provides the framework for environmental assessment planning of municipal infrastructure projects, including Master Plans, to fulfill the requirements of the EA Act Master Plans: Are long range plans which integrate infrastructure requirements for existing and future land uses with environmental assessment requirements Best suited when planning for a significant geographical area in the long term where interdependent decisions which impact servicing and land use are made to recommend the best overall solution for the community Should address, at a minimum, Phases 1 and 2 of the MCEA process

Master Plans:

Master Plans Municipalities are encouraged to prepare Master Plans to: Address groups of projects An overall infrastructure system A number of integrated systems Co-ordinate the requirements of both the EA Act and the Planning Act

Distinguishing Features:

Distinguishing Features Broad scope Analysis of systems Project distributed throughout the study area Develop frameworks for future works Generally long term Focus alternatives to be considered during future phases

Advantages:

Advantages Comprehensively identify need and justification Broader context better understood and defined Establish a range of infrastructure options Opportunities to integrate infrastructure with land use planning Assess impacts from variety of perspectives Streamlining the planning and approvals process and improved environmental protection

Master Planning Process:

Master Planning Process MCEA provides the framework for environmental assessment planning of municipal infrastructure projects to fulfill the requirements of the EA Act Public and agency consultation takes place during each phase of the study process

Main MCEA Phases:

Main MCEA Phases

Types of Master Plans:

Types of Master Plans Servicing Master Plans Water Wastewater Transportation Master Plans Roads Transit Watershed / Subwatershed Studies

Master Plans & Official Plans:

Master Plans & Official Plans Define long-term objectives of the proponent(s) Build upon the analysis and detailed policies developed through Official Plans Integrates existing and future land-use planning and the planning of infrastructure Developed with stakeholder consultation

Area Specific Master Plans:

Area Specific Master Plans Master Plans may also be done for large geographic areas within a municipality Examples Municipal Industrial Parks Mixed-use Development Areas The same principles apply as for full municipal Master Plans network analysis long term planning identification of several infrastructure projects public consultation

Approval of Master Plans:

Approval of Master Plans Typically be subject to approval by the municipality Does not require approval under the EA Act, unless conducted as an individual EA Specific projects within a Master Plan must fulfill all appropriate Class EA requirements prior to implementation If the MP did not fulfill all of the required phases the remaining phases can be completed outside the Master Planning process Part II Order requests are possible only for those projects identified in the Master Plan and not the Master Plan itself

Approaches:

Approaches There are many ways of completing Master Plans Various approaches are described in the MCEA as a guide Adapt and tailor the details of these approaches to best suit needs and meet the requirements of the Class EA process The Regional EA co- ordinator is available to discuss proposed approach

Approaches:

Approaches Approach Requirements of Phases 1 and 2 Requirements of Schedule B Projects Requirements of Schedule C Projects Public Consultation Approach 1 Approach 2 Approach 3 Approach 4

Approach 1:

Approach 1 Phases 1 and 2 of the MCEA process Provides for public and agency review and comment of the Master Plan prior to being approved by the municipality Master Plan would: Be done at a broad level of assessment Require more detailed investigations at the project-specific level in order to fulfill the requirements for the identified Schedule B and C projects Become the basis for future investigations Schedule B projects would require the future filing of the Project file for public review Schedule C projects would have to fulfill Phases 3 and 4 prior to filing an Environmental Study Report (ESR) for public review.

Summary Approach 1:

Summary Approach 1 Establish need and justification Identify preferred solution(s) / project(s) Provide basis for future project evaluation Not identify projects for Part II Order request opportunities

Approach 2:

Approach 2 Phases 1 and 2 of the MCEA process The final public notice for the Master Plan would become the Notice of Completion for the Schedule B projects Master Plan would: Provide level of investigation, consultation and documentation sufficient to fulfill the requirements for Schedule B projects Basis for future investigations for the specific Schedule C projects Any Schedule C projects would have to fulfill Phases 3 and 4 prior to filing an ESR(s) for public review

Summary Approach 2:

Summary Approach 2 Establish need and justification Identify preferred solution(s) / project(s) Notice of Completion and Part II Order Request Opportunities for Schedule B projects Provide basis for future project evaluation No Part II Order request opportunities for future Schedule C Projects

Approach 3:

Approach 3 Conclusion of Phase 4 of the MCEA process The final public notice for the Master Plan would become the Notice of Completion for the Schedule B and C projects The Master Plan would: Document Phases 1 to 4 of the Class EA process for Schedule B and/or Schedule C projects Likely result in extensive documentation should the Master Plan include numerous Schedule C projects

Summary Approach 3:

Summary Approach 3 Establish need and justification Identify preferred solution(s) / project(s) Identify preferred alternative designs Notice of Completion and Part II Order request opportunities for Schedule B and C projects

Approach 4:

Approach 4 Integrate with approvals under the Planning Act (e.g., new official plan or a comprehensive official plan amendment) The Master Plan would: Be prepared simultaneously with planning document Assess alternatives taking into account land use and servicing issues while addressing a preferred alternative which minimizes, to the extent possible, the impact on the community, natural environment and the economy Satisfy Phases 1 and 2 for Schedule B projects May satisfy Phases 3 and 4 for Schedule C projects. Best suited when planning for a significant geographical area in the long term where interdependent decisions which impact servicing and land use are made to recommend the best overall solution for the community

Summary Approach 4:

Summary Approach 4 Integrate Master Plan with Planning Act instrument/application Establish need and justification Identify preferred solution(s) / project(s) Notice of Completion for Schedule B / C projects Provide basis for future project evaluation if required Appeal opportunities to the OMB

Master Plan Reviews:

Master Plan Reviews Review process should be identified in the Master Plan A municipal Master Plan should be reviewed every five years with the Official Plan Other potential changes which may trigger the need for a detailed review include: major changes to original assumptions major changes to components of the Master Plan significant new environmental effects major changes in proposed timing of projects within the Master Plan

Revisions and Addenda:

Revisions and Addenda The extent of the review and subsequent changes will determine what revisions and addenda are required Master Plan reviews can result in: Revised Master Plan Revisions to specific projects

Notification:

Notification Minimum mandatory notification requirements of MCEA must be met Include: 30 day public review opportunities Identification of Master Plan Opportunities for public involvement and review Contact information Identification of individual projects and EA status Part II Order request opportunities, if any

Monitoring:

Monitoring Undertaken by MOE and MEA To assess effectiveness and benefits of Master Planning Proponents submit summary to EAAB how the Master Plan followed Class EA requirements copies of mandatory notices Results of the monitoring are reviewed and summarized in the MEA annual monitoring report

Master Plan Summary:

Master Plan Summary Long range plans which integrate infrastructure, land uses, and MCEA requirements Best suited for significant geographical area Can potentially address Phases 1 to 4 of the MCEA process Can be undertaken using various approaches

Frequently Asked Questions:

Frequently Asked Questions

Addressing subsequent phases:

Addressing subsequent phases If Phases 1 & 2 have been addressed in the Master Plan, do these phases need to be re-done in the follow up EA? No – the follow up EA can commence at Phase 3 or complete Phase 2 depending on the project schedule

Contacts:

Contacts Who are the regional EA coordinators? Contact EAAB or the appropriate regional office Regional & District Offices Northern Region Central Region Eastern Region West Central Region Southwestern Region

Part II Orders:

Part II Orders Are individual projects within a Master Plan subject to Part II Order Request? Yes, depending on the approach taken, project identified in the Master Plan can be subject to Part II Order requests If the MP did not fulfill all of the required phases the remaining phases and project completion can be subject to Part II Order requests