Project Story
The Township of West Lincoln (or the Township) is developing the Master Community Plan to prepare for future growth in the community of Smithville. Part of the Plan includes completing various environmental studies and conducting public and stakeholder engagement.
This project story page provides information on the various components that make up this process. This includes:
- Project Overview
- Integrated Environmental Assessment and Schedule
- Community and Stakeholder Engagement
- Subwatershed Study
- Background Characterization
- Draft Preferred Concept Plan
- Integrated EA and Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment Results
- Draft Official Plan Amendment No. 62 and 63
- Smithville Master Community Plan Documents (NEW)
Click on the links above or scroll down to learn about the details of the findings from these investigations.
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Project Overview
The Township of West Lincoln has initiated a Master Community Plan (MCP) to guide the future development of Smithville.
The MCP is a detailed land-use plan and policy document which provides a comprehensive plan for sustainable future growth and expansion in the Smithville urban settlement area. The MCP process will determine the location and amount of potentially developable land.
The study area includes the current Smithville urban settlement area and 425 gross hectares (4.25 sq. km) of potentially developable land surrounding Smithville, known as the Smithville Development Study Area (SDSA).
To read more about the MCP click the link below.
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Integrated Environmental Assessment and Schedule
The MCP is progressing through an integrated Environmental Assessment. The MCP process and related studies are designed to form a comprehensive and coordinated planning process that will meet the required approvals necessary under the Planning Act and the Environmental Assessment (EA) Act. A number of studies and plans are required before development takes place. We have finished Phase 3.
OPA 63 will be going to Niagara Region Council in April 2023 for approval. Following approval, a Notice of Integrated EA Completion will be issued.
To read more about the process and schedule, click the link below.
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Community and Stakeholder Engagement
The Township has engaged with the community and stakeholders to obtain input on the development of the Smithville MCP.
Through in-person and virtual Public Information Centres (PICs), this virtual engagement site and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) workshops, there are many opportunities to provide input.
To learn more about community and stakeholder engagement, and what we’ve heard from you so far, please click the link below.
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Subwatershed Study
A key component of the MCP is the Subwatershed Study which characterizes and evaluates natural features, natural hazards, the movement of water and water systems within the study area. The Subwatershed Study helps the project team and government agencies identify potential development constraints in the study area.
Subwatershed studies identify wetlands, streams, forests, and other natural areas which are part of the subwatershed, including an inventory of plants, animals and other species.
The multi-disciplinary study provides recommendations for future protection and management within the Smithville community, including stormwater management.
To read more about the Subwatershed Study, please click the link below.
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Background Characterization
Background characterization provides a greater understanding of the existing conditions and challenges facing Smithville that must be taken into consideration when planning for future growth.
Various studies have been completed for topics such as transportation, agriculture and water/ wastewater. The findings from these studies and others, help to inform the Draft and Final Concept Plans for the MCP.
To learn more about background characterization, please click the link below.
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Draft Preferred Concept Plan
A draft Preferred Concept Plan has been created through review of input received on and refinement of the Preliminary Preferred Concept Plan developed in Phase 2.
The draft Preferred Concept Plan illustrates the proposed location and extent of the Smithville urban area boundary and future land uses or place-types for the urban expansion area, as well as the proposed natural heritage system, and conceptual locations for future infrastructure such as stormwater management facilities and sanitary pumping stations.
The Preliminary Preferred Concept Plan was developed through a review and evaluation of the Draft Concept Plans 1 and 2, including consideration of the feedback received from the public.
To review the draft Preferred Concept Plan, the Preliminary Preferred Concept Plan and initial Concept Plans to see how the plan has evolved from the Draft Concept Plans, please click the link below.
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Integrated EA and Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment Results
Through the Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment, the Project Team is examining potential impacts of urban development (the MCP) on the natural and built environment. Several impact assessments are underway, including Subwatershed, Transportation, Water and Wastewater.
To learn more about the Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment Results, please click the link below.
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Draft Official Plan Amendment No. 62 and 63
The MCP will be implemented through amendments to the Township of West Lincoln Official Plan. These amendments will, among other things, establish growth forecasts, update the settlement area boundaries of Smithville and the Township’s Rural Settlement Areas and establish the infrastructure, transportation and natural heritage system policies and mapping, and development staging plan. At this time, Draft Official Plan Amendment No. 62 is proposed to incorporate the 2051 growth forecasts and the area of the Master Community Plan for the urban expansion of Smithville into the Official Plan. Draft Official Plan Amendment No. 63 is proposed to implement the policies, land use designations and infrastructure, transportation and natural heritage system policies and mapping of the Smithville urban expansion area.
To read more about the Draft Official Plan Amendment No. 62 and 63, click the link below.
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Smithville Master Community Plan Documents (NEW)
The Township of West Lincoln (the Township) has created several documents to guide the future development of Smithville.
These documents include:
- Integrated Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Master Plan Report Executive Summary
- Problem and Opportunity Statement
- Transportation Master Servicing Plan Executive Summary
- Water and Wastewater Servicing Master Plan Executive Summary
- Stormwater Management Master Servicing Plan Executive Summary
- Subwatershed Study Executive Summary
To read these documents, please click the link below.
Provide Feedback
We want to know what you think about the Smithville Master Community Plan!
To provide feedback on the MCP, including the draft Preferred Concept Plan, key policy directions and draft Official Plan Amendment No. 62 and 63, please click the link below.
Next Steps
The MCP Project has recently completed Phase 3 of its timeline, following the completion of the Preferred Concept Plan and the Monitoring, Management and Implementation Recommendations in consultation with review agencies, stakeholders and the public.
To learn more about what’s coming up for the Project and how you can be a part of the ongoing consultation, please click the link below.