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        • Engineering & Land Use Planning

Engineering & Land Use Planning

The Engineering and Land Use Planning Division is responsible for providing professional engineering, administrative and technical support services to facilitate the provision of sustainable, suitable and affordable municipal infrastructure in a manner that will result in greater autonomy for communities. As well, the Division is responsible for assisting and advising government departments and any public authority in planning for the orderly and economic development of land, collecting information, undertaking research, publishing and distributing related material, assisting local authorities, and encouraging planning and efficient development within the province while administering the provisions of the Urban and Rural Planning Act.

• Engineering Section
• Land Use Planning Section

Specifically, the Engineering Section is responsible for:

• Developing and coordinating policies relating to the funding and provision of water and sewer, roads and other municipal infrastructure projects,
• Developing and advising on policy and providing direction for all local and regional engineering projects,
• Reviewing tender documents and approving contract awards for large scale infrastructure projects,
• Providing assistance and advice to incorporated communities relating to water and sewer infrastructure,
• Developing and maintaining standardized specifications for water/sewer and road projects,
• Operating and maintaining industrial water supply systems owned by the Department,
• Administering the Limits of Service Agreements between the Department and municipalities delineating the areas in each municipality eligible for cost shared funding for water and sewer services,
• Administering the Alternative Dispute Resolution Process whereby disputes between contractors and municipalities in relation to the Department’s cost shared projects can be resolved without referral to the legal system, and
• Administering various federal/provincial funding arrangements for the installation of municipal infrastructure.

Engineering Section Contact Information

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Specifically, the Land Use Planning Section:

• Administers the provisions of the Urban and Rural Planning Act, 2000 by reviewing and registering Municipal Plans, Development Regulations and amendments, and protected road zoning plan amendments,
• Answers inquiries and provides advice to municipalities and the public on development decisions,
• Works to amend protected area, protected road zoning plans and local area plans (the land use planning section does not make or create plans),
• Works with partner municipalities to develop regional plans,
• Administers the expropriation and purchase notice provisions of the Urban and Rural Planning Act, 2000 and legislation that falls under the act,
• Administers Feasibility Reports for the expansion or reduction of municipal boundaries under the Municipalities Act, 1999,
• Prepares municipal boundary and municipal planning area boundary maps and descriptions,
• Creates and provides digital and paper maps to municipalities, planning consultants and the public,
• Delivers training, planning support and technical advice to municipal councils and staff so that they can make policies and decisions that promote the sustainability and growth of their communities, and
• Operation of the regional appeal boards.
  • There are three regional appeal boards, appointed by the Minister, in locations across Newfoundland and Labrador. These appeal boards hear appeals made by individuals and groups dissatisfied with a development decision made by a municipal council or other development authority.

Download the Appeal Form

• Appeal Form

Land Use Planning Section Contact Information

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