4.1 Introduction
This appendix should be read in conjunction with Section A.2.7 of Part A. Master Plans are long range plans which integrate infrastructure requirements for existing and future land use with environmental assessment planning principles. These plans examine an infrastructure system(s) or group of related projects in order to outline a framework for planning for subsequent projects and/or developments. At a minimum, Master Plans address Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class EA process.
This overall planning approach recognizes that there are real benefits to the process when comprehensive plans are undertaken for projects which have some common elements such as geography or function. Master planning provides the municipality with a broad framework through which the need and justification for specific projects can be established and the environmental assessment process can be satisfied. Master Plans are discussed in Section A.2.7 while additional explanatory information and sample notices are provided herein.
4.2 Features of Master Plans
Key features of a Master Plan include:
Examples of Master Plans include: wastewater and water servicing plans for an entire or major portions of a municipality; wastewater treatment plans and water supply plans for a community or municipality; watershed plans, transportation master plans; and, infrastructure master plans.
4.3 Approval of Master Plans
A Master Plan would typically be subject to approval by the municipality. A Master Plan, however, does not require approval under the EA Act, unless conducted as an individual EA. However, any specific projects within a Master Plan must fulfill all appropriate Class EA requirements (or, individual EA requirements, where appropriate). Requests for an order to comply with Part II of the EA Act would be possible only for those projects identified in the Master Plan which are subject to the Municipal Class EA, and not the Master Plan itself.
4.4 Master Planning Process
The Master Planning Process is discussed in Section A.2.7. The Master Plan must address at least the first two phases of the Class EA process. Given the broad scope of Master Plans, however, there are infinite ways of conducting them. Various approaches are described in this section, however, this information is provided as a guide only. Proponents are strongly recommended to adapt and tailor the details of these approaches to best suit their needs, as long as the resulting approach is in keeping with the requirements of the Class EA process and the intent of its application. The onus is on the proponent to determine the preferred approach for the issues being addressed by the municipality. Prior to commencing a Master Plan, proponents are urged to contact the EAA Branch to discuss their proposed approach.
Approach #1
This approach involves the preparation of a Master Plan document at the conclusion of Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class EA process. The Master Plan document would be made available for public comment prior to being approved by the municipality.
Typically, the Master Plan would be done at a broad level of assessment thereby requiring more detailed investigations at the project-specific level in order to fulfil the Municipal Class EA documentation requirements for the specific Schedule B and C projects identified within the Master Plan.
The Master Plan would therefore become the basis for, and be used in support of, future investigations for the specific Schedule B and C projects identified within it. Schedule B projects would require the filing of the Project file for public review while Schedule C projects would have to fulfil Phases 3 and 4 prior to filing an Environmental Study Report (ESR) for public review.
Approach #2
This approach involves the preparation of a Master Plan document at the conclusion of Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class EA process where the level of investigation, consultation and documentation are sufficient to fulfil the requirements for Schedule B projects. Accordingly, the final public notice for the Master Plan could become the Notice of Completion for the Schedule B projects within it. Any Schedule C projects, however, would have to fulfil Phases 3 and 4 prior to filing an ESR(s) for public review. The Master Plan would provide the basis for future investigations for the specific Schedule C projects identified within it.
Approach #3
This approach involves the preparation of a Master Plan document at the conclusion of Phase 4 of the Municipal Class EA process. In this approach one document is prepared: the Master Plan to document Phases 1 to 4 of the Class EA process for Schedule B and/or Schedule C projects. Therefore, the final public notice for the Master Plan could become the Notice of Completion for the Schedule B and C projects within it.
Depending on the scope of the Master Plan, this approach would likely result in extensive documentation should the Master Plan include numerous Schedule C projects. The proponent should take this into consideration when determining the appropriateness of using this approach.
Approach #4 -Integration with the Planning Act
Given the broad scope of Master Plans, it may be appropriate to integrate with approvals under the Planning Act. For example, the preparation of a new official plan or a comprehensive official plan amendment could be accompanied by master plans for water, wastewater and transportation. When these planning documents are prepared simultaneously, alternatives can be assessed 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. Often the range of alternatives that can be assessed for servicing are greater because the land use plan has not been finalized.
A master servicing plan prepared in this fashion establishes need and justification in a very broad context. This approach would satisfy early phases of the Class EA including Phases 1 and 2 for Schedule B projects and may satisfy, in addition, Phases 3 and 4 for Schedule C projects. This approach is best suited when planning for a significant geographical area in the long term where interdependent decisions which impact servicing and land use are being made and the range of servicing alternatives needs to be addressed in an integrated fashion in order to recommend the best overall solution for the community.
To fulfil the requirements under the Planning Act, the requirements in Section A.2.9 of this document apply.
Master Plan Reviews
It is recommended that the proponent include within the Master Plan, regardless of the approach followed, a process stating clearly to the public and potentially affected persons when and how the Master Plan will be reviewed.
A Master Plan should be reviewed every five years to determine the need for a detailed formal review and/or updating. Potential changes which may trigger the need for a detailed review include:
For specific projects identified in the Master Plan, and which are subject to the Municipal Class EA, revisions and addenda are addressed in Sections A.4.1.1 and A.4.2.2 in Part A of this document.
Given the broad scope of Master Plans, the different approaches and the potential diversity of their implementation, it is neither appropriate nor practical to provide numerous sample notices. What follows are sample notices for a Master Plan following Approach #1. Regardless of the approach, proponents must ensure that the minimum mandatory notification requirements outlined in this Class EA are met. The following sample notices are provided for information purposes only.
SAMPLE NOTICE #1
NORTH FALLS MASTER PLAN
NOTICE OF STUDY COMMENCEMENT AND
PUBLIC CONSULTATION CENTRE #1*
THE STUDY
The Town of North Falls is carrying out a study to determine infrastructure requirements for the Town to service the proposed doubling of our population. This study is being conducted in accordance with the requirements of Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment which is an approved process under the Environmental Assessment Act.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Public consultation is a key component of this study. The proposed consultation plan provides for public consultation centres at two points in the study: Spring 2000 - to review the problem; and, Fall 2000 - to review alternative solutions. In addition there will be an opportunity to review the final Master Plan report.
The study area is as shown on the attached key plan. The first public consultation centre has been arranged to review and receive input from the public about the collection of background information and identification of the problem:
Date:
Time: Location:
STUDY CONTACTS
All those with an interest in the study are urged to attend. If you have any questions or wish to be added to the study mailing list, please contact:
Project Manager phone
Address fax
or visit our website at www.northfalls.com
* Note to Users: In some cases these could be separate notices, i.e. a notice of study commencement followed at a later date by a notice of the first public consultation centre.
SAMPLE NOTICE #2
NORTH FALLS MASTER PLAN
NOTICE OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION CENTRE #2
STUDY STATUS
The Town of North Falls is carrying out a study to determine infrastructure requirements for the Town to service proposed future development. Based on the study findings to date and comments received from technical agencies and the public, a series of alternative solutions have been developed to address proposed transportation, water and wastewater requirements.
SECOND PUBLIC CONSULTATION CENTRE
The first public consultation centre was held on May 1, 2000 to introduce the study. As a result of comments received from the public, additional investigations were conducted with regard to heritage resources in the study area. Thereafter, alternative solutions were developed and assessed in terms of their environmental effects.
A second public consultation centre has been arranged to review and receive input from the public about the alternative solutions, and the preliminary identification of a preferred master plan solution:
Date: Time: Place:
STUDY CONTACTS
All those with an interest in the study are urged to attend. If you have any questions or which to be added to the study mailing list, please contact:
Project Manager phone
Address fax
or visit our website at www.northfalls.com
SAMPLE NOTICE #3
NORTH FALLS MASTER PLAN
NOTICE OF STUDY COMPLETION
RECOMMENDED MASTER PLAN
The Town of North Falls has prepared a Master Plan following Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment.
Based on the study findings and input from technical agencies and the public, the recommended Master Plan is as shown on the attached key plan. The Master Plan identifies the recommended infrastructure to service the future growth of the Town while minimizing environmental impacts. The recommended Master Plan incorporates the comments received from the public and agencies during the course of the study. The main components are listed below. While the Master Plan addresses need and justification at a broad level, more detailed studies for each of the projects included in the Master Plan will be done at a later date following the Municipal Class EA.
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TYPE OF PROJECT SCHEDULE B PROJECTS
SCHEDULE C PROJECTS
INDIVIDUAL EA PROJECTS • new provincial highway |
STATUS
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The Master Plan is available for review at the following locations:
Municipal Office Local Library
Please forward any comments to the Study Contact by <date>. Thereafter, the Master Plan will be reviewed and revised taking into consideration the comments which are received from the public. The recommended Master Plan will be presented to Town Council for approval.
Jim Bryant, P. Eng. Town Engineer Town of North Falls
Date of Notice