Minimum Distance Separation Formulae Training Session 2006 - Presentation

Table of Contents

1. On Today's 3 Hour Agenda
2. Why make changes to MDS?
3. Origins of MDS
4. Where We've Been
5. Today's Training Session
6. Purpose of MDS
7. MDS I
8. MDS II
9. Applying MDS
10. MDS - 5 Factors
11. Type A and Type B Land Uses
12. MDS Setbacks
13. Building Base Distance
14. MDS I & MDS II Formulae
15. MDS I Example
16. MDS II Example
17. 15 Key Improvements to MDS
18. Selected Implementation Guidelines
19. Transitioning

On Today's 3 Hour Agenda

• Pre-Test
• Where We've Been
• How Does MDS Work?
• 15 Key Improvements to MDS
• Selected Implementation Guidelines
• Break
• MDS I and MDS II Scenarios (Software Demonstration)
• Transitioning
• Questions and Comments
• Post-Test and Take-Up Answers
• Evaluation Forms

Why make changes to MDS?

• To be consistent with and reflect the current Provincial Policy Statement (PPS 2005)
• Respond to the advice of the Agricultural Advisory Team (October 2004)
• Its been more than 10 years since last review of MDS documents (March 1995) and agriculture has changed a lot since then

Origins of MDS

• 1970 - Concept of fixed setbacks for livestock facilities introduced
• 1976 - Agricultural Code of Practice
  • Introduced concept of sliding scale setbacks
  • Introduced two-way approach; applied to new non-farm development and livestock facilities
• 1978 - Incorporated into provincial land use policies
• Foodland Guidelines
• 1995 - Updated and revised
  • Renamed MDS formulae

Where We've Been

• October 2004
• Advice from the Agricultural Advisory Team (AAT)
• January 2005 to April 2005
  • 9 consultation sessions with stakeholders:
    • 35 agricultural organizations, commodity groups, municipal organizations, land use planners, building officials and municipal politicians
• December 2005
  • Updated MDS formulae posted on Environmental Bill of Rights Registry for public comment
• August 2006
  • Revised version of MDS announced by Minister
• October - December 2006
  • Conducting municipal training sessions
  • Distributing revised MDS formulae document and software
• January 2007
  • Revised MDS comes into effect

Today's Training Session

• Presentations today will focus on things that are new, or have seen significant change in MDS
• Training content acknowledges wide ranging skill set in regards to MDS
• Training material provided contains copies of:
  • MDS Formulae Implementation Guidelines and software
  • Today's presentation
  • MDS Training Manual
    • Addresses many issues typically raised regarding applying MDS

Purpose of MDS

• PPS requires new or expanding livestock facilities and new land uses including the creation of lots to comply with the MDS formulae
• The objective of MDS formulae is to minimize nuisance complaints due to odour and reduce land use incompatibility
  • MDS does not account for other nuisance issues such as noise, dust or flies
  • MDS does not account for other environmental factors
• Two separate, but related formulae

MDS I

• MDS I determines minimum setback distances between proposed new development and existing livestock facilities or permanent manure storages
• MDS I applied to official plan amendments, zoning by-law amendments and lot creation applications
• MDS I incorporated into municipal planning documents

MDS II

• MDS II determines minimum setback distances between proposed new or expanding livestock facilities and existing or approved development, lot lines and road allowances.
• MDS II applied at the time of a building permit application
• MDS II incorporated into municipal planning documents

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Applying MDS

• MDS does not deal with odour from manure application
• MDS is applied to livestock facilities
  • Barns and manure storages
• MDS is not applied to:
  • Abattoirs, apiaries, assembly yards, fairgrounds, feed storages, field shade shelters, greenhouses, kennels, livestock facilities <10 m² (108 ft²) in floor area, machinery sheds, mushroom farms, pastures, slaughter houses, stockyards, or temporary field nutrient storage sites (as in NMA, 2002)

MDS - 5 Factors

MDS Formulae are based on 5 Factors:

• Factor A - Odour Potential Factor (i.e. how 'smelly')
  e.g. swine feeder have higher numbers than horses
• Factor B - Nutrient Units Factor (i.e. how many livestock)
• Factor C - Orderly Expansion Factor (i.e. % increase)
  e.g. new operations have highest value
• Factor D - Manure or Material Form (i.e. solid vs. liquid)
• Factor E - Encroaching Land Use Factor (i.e. what's nearby)

Type A and Type B Land Uses

MDS divides all land uses into two types

• Type A Land Uses are characterized by lower density of:
  • Human occupancy
  • Habitation
  • Activity
    i.e. recreational use - low intensity, industrial use, residential dwellings
• Type B Land Uses are characterized by higher density of:
  • Human occupancy
  • Habitation
  • Activity
    i.e. commercial uses, institutional uses, recreational use - high intensity, settlement areas

MDS Setbacks

MDS I

• Generates setbacks for Type A and Type B Land Uses

MDS II

• Generates setbacks from neighbour's dwelling (Type A Land Use)
• Generates setbacks from Type A and Type B Land Uses
• Generates setbacks from lot lines and road allowances

Building Base Distance

Building Base Distance 'F' used in MDS I and II

• In MDS I, 'F' is the setback from a livestock barn
• In MDS II, 'F' is the value from which MDS II setbacks are derived for the livestock barn from neighbour's dwellings, Type A Land Uses, Type B Land Uses, lot lines, and road allowances

For both MDS I and II, 'F' is then used to calculate 'S', Permanent Manure Storage Base Distance, based on relative amount of odour that storage will produce

MDS I & II Formulae

• Calculating building base distance, 'F'
• For MDS I
  • 'F' = Factors A x B x D x E
    • Note that Factor C is not used in MDS I
• For MDS II
  • 'F' = Factors A x B x C x D
    • Note that Factor E is not used in MDS II

MDS I Example

Severance for an agriculture - related use adjacent to 2000 head swine feeder barn, with open-top liquid manure storage, all on 40 tillable ha.

F = Factor A x B x D x E

F = (swine feeders) x (2000 feeders is 333 NU, which is higher than 40 ha x 7.5 NU/ha = 300 NU, so use 333 NU) x (liquid manure) x (Type A land use)

F = 1.2 x 481 x 0.8 x 1.1

F = 508 m (edge of new lot to edge of feeder barn)

S = 557 m (edge of new lot to edge of manure storage)

MDS II Example

Existing 2000 head swine feeder barn with open-top liquid manure storage is expanding to 4000 swine feeders

F = Factor A x B x C x D

F = (swine feeders) x (4000 pigs is 667 NU) x (100% increase) x (liquid manure)

F = 514 m (edge of new barn to edge of nearest dwelling)

S = 563 m (edge of new storage to edge nearest dwelling)

Setbacks as follow on next slide

MDS II Example continued...

• Edge of new livestock barn to…
• Nearest neighbour's dwelling = 514 m
• Type A land use = 514 m
• Type B land use = 1029 m
• Lot line = 30 m
• Road allowance = 103 m
  • Edge of new manure storage to…
• Nearest neighbour's dwelling = 563 m
• Type A land use = 563 m
• Type B land use = 1126 m
• Lot line = 30 m
• Road allowance = 113 m

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15 Key Improvements to MDS

1. MDS I & II & Implementation Guidelines are in a single document
   • Easier to interpret and compare
2. MDS I & II now look similar & produce similar setbacks
   • Results are more comparable
3. Nutrient Units (NU) instead of Livestock Units (LU)
   • Integrates with Nutrient Management Act process
4. Commitment to review MDS every 5 years
   • To reflect changes in rural community and agriculture
5. New user-friendly software
   • Windows-based
6. Modifications to Expansion Factor C in MDS II
   • Reflects recommendations of AAT
     • 3-year waiting period to derive benefit of Expansion Factor
   • Modified for large increases in number of livestock housed
     • Larger setbacks that 1995 version for large expansions
   • Modified for small increases in the number of livestock housed
     • Facilitates improvements such as construction of a new manure storage to prevent winter spreading
7. Minor decreases, or increases, in setbacks for some livestock types, where warranted
   • Decreases for sheep barns
   • Increases for segregated early weaning (SEW) barns
8. Separation distances for small operations (mostly <10 NU) have increased
   • Setbacks for hobby farms had been too small
9. Improved definitions
   • Additional terms added
   • Consistency between MDS I and II
   • Consistent with PPS, 2005
10. MDS recognizes a greater diversity of livestock and manure storage types than in 1995
11. Implementation guidelines expanded and clarified
12. MDS I provides more protection for small and medium size livestock operations
    • Requires larger setbacks based on tillable hectares
    • Nutrient Unit to tillable hectare ratio increased from 5 to 7.5
    • Cap on Nutrient Units (based on tillable hectares) increased from 150 LU to 300 NU
13. Clarification on applying MDS I for existing lots of record
    • Municipalities have the option to apply MDS I
    • Municipalities encouraged to review 'supply' of existing vacant lots of record & assess development suitability
14. MDS for satellite manure storages
    • Manure storages where no livestock housed on property
    • These types of storages are becoming more common
15. Clarification about applying MDS in cases of catastrophes
    • It was unclear in previous versions

Selected Implementation Guidelines

Guideline # 2

• What MDS does and doesn't apply to
  • MDS applies to livestock facilities
  • Identifies structures that are not livestock facilities

Selected Implementation Guidelines continued...

Guideline # 4

• MDS & earthen manure storages
  • Earthen manure storages are not considered to be a structure, so they do not require a building permit.
  • Despite this, MDS I and MDS II should be applied to earthen storages.

Selected Implementation Guidelines continued...

Guideline # 11

• Application of MDS after a catastrophe
  • Municipalities have option to not apply MDS
    • After a catastrophe that destroys part or all of a dwelling, or
    • A catastrophe that destroys part or all of a livestock facility
  • Dwelling or livestock facility may be no closer to surrounding development than before
  • However, if rebuilding results in higher values for Factor A, B and/or D than before, for livestock facility, MDS II applies

Selected Implementation Guidelines continued...

Guideline # 12

• Existing uses that do not conform with MDS
  • MDS I is applied even though there may be existing non-agricultural uses that do not conform
  • Exception where there are four or more existing non-farm uses (see slide 37 & slide 38)
  • MDS II is measured from proposed new construction, even though there may be parts of existing livestock facility that do not conform (see slide 39)

Guideline #12 - MDS I - Unacceptable Scenario (Slide 37)

• In Slide 37, MDS I has to be applied to the proposed lot.
  • There are 4 or more existing non-farm uses.
  • However, some of these are further away from the barn than the proposed lot.
  • As well, some of the 4 houses (i.e. the ones on the right) are in proximity to the barn, but are not in proximity to the proposed application.
  • Another way to think of this is to picture yourself, standing at the proposed lot, and looking towards the barn. Can you see 4 other existing non-farm uses, without turning your head?
  • If not, then MDS I should be applied.

Guideline # 12 - MDS I - Acceptable Scenario (Slide 38)

• In Slide 38, MDS I is not applied to the proposed lot.
  • There are 4 or more existing non-farm uses.
  • These uses are closer to the barn than the proposed lot, and are intervening between the proposed lot and the barn.
  • However, the proposed lot can still come no closer than the 4th existing non-farm use.
  • You can find these sketches in the Schematics section of the training manual, along with others, for future reference.

Guideline # 12 - MDS II (Slide 39)

• In Slide 39, MDS II is measured from proposed new construction, even though there may be parts of existing livestock facility that do not conform (see slide 36).
  • In this case, MDS II is measured from the dwelling to the proposed barn expansion, shown in purple.
  • MDS II is not measured to the existing barn shown in orange.
  • You can also find this sketch in the Schematics section of the training manual, along with others, for future reference.

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Selected Implementation Guidelines continued...

Guideline # 13

• Non application of MDS to accessory structures
  • MDS I & II are not applied to buildings & structures accessory to a dwelling, such as decks, garages, gazebos, greenhouses, outbuildings, picnic areas, patios, or sheds

Selected Implementation Guidelines continued...

Guideline # 14

• Livestock occupied portion of livestock facilities
  • MDS applied to livestock occupied portions of livestock facilities
  • These areas exclude portions of livestock facilities where livestock are not normally present and substantial amounts of manure do not accumulate
  • E.g. feed bins, feed prep areas, field shade shelters, livestock assembly areas, livestock loading chutes, machinery sheds, milking centres, offices, riding arenas, silos, or washrooms

Selected Implementation Guidelines continued...

Guideline # 20

• Application of MDS to empty livestock facilities
  • MDS I & II apply to empty livestock facilities, providing:
    • Structurally sound
    • Reasonably capable of housing livestock or storing manure.
  • Most probable Factors A, B and D should be used

Selected Implementation Guidelines continued...

Guidelines 21 & 22

• MDS and Anaerobic Digesters
  • What is an anaerobic digester (AD)?
  • MDS is applied only to an AD using manure as an input
  • A co-substrate input tank (CSIT) can be used to temporarily store off-farm non agricultural source materials before entering the AD
  • ADs and CSITs have fixed setbacks in MDS I &II
  • Digestate storages have calculated setbacks in MDS I &II

Selected Implementation Guidelines continued...

Guideline # 28

• Factor C - Orderly Expansion Factor
  • Why is an expansion factor required?
  • MDS now addresses rapid expansion of livestock facilities
  • Applies to expansions occurring less than 3 years after issuance of the last building permit
    • A new method is used for calculating % increase
    • [added NU+NU added last 3 yrs] ÷ previous NU 3 yrs ago x 100
  • If no Nutrient Units added during last 3 years, then use the same method for calculating % increase as in MDS-1995
    • [added NU ÷ previous NU] x 100

Examples of Factor C

• This chart is intended to help explain the calculation of percentage increase in the 2006 version of MDS, and the determination of Factor C.

• We are going to look at 4 different examples, that all end with a livestock facility having a capacity of 500 nutrient units.

  • In this first case; the column with a light blue header; we are dealing with a brand new livestock facility. There was no livestock operation on this parcel previously. In this case, the farmer is proposing to build a brand new livestock facility for 500 NU. In this case; Factor C is 1.14; because it's a brand new operation.

  • In the next column, with the peach header. We have an existing livestock operation that was constructed more than 3 years ago to house 300 NU. No changes have been made to this operation in the past 3 years. The farmer is currently proposing to expand by 200 NU for a total of 500 NU. Percentage increase is calculated the same way as it was with the 1995 version of MDS. Size of the Proposed Expansion divided by the Existing Housing Capacity multiplied by 100. In this case; a 67% expansion, with a value of Factor C of 0.8332 taken from Table 3 in the MDS Formulae.

  • In the next column, with the green header, we have a new livestock operation which was constructed less than 3 years ago, at a size of 300 NU. The farmer is currently proposing to expand by 200 NU for a total of 500 NU. However, because this first barn was constructed less than 3 years ago; then for the purposes of determining Factor C in MDS, this facility is still treated as a new livestock facility, and the value of Factor C is 1.14.

  • In the last column on the right, we have a livestock operation that was constructed more than 3 years ago, at a size of 200 NU. Two years ago, the farmer expanded the operation by 150 NU to 350 NU. The farmer is currently proposing to expand the operation by another 150 NU to 500 NU. In this case, to determine Factor C, we determine the percentage increase as follows. Amount of livestock proposed to be added now (150 NU) plus the amount of livestock added in the past 3 years (150 NU) divided by the size of the operation 3 years ago (200 NU). In this case, a 150% expansion, with a value of Factor C of 0.9371 taken from Table 3 in the MDS Formulae.

Selected Implementation Guidelines continued...

Guideline # 33

Tillable hectares

• In MDS I, Factor B based on the greater of either:
  • Existing NU housing capacity of the livestock facility, or
  • Potential NU housing capacity based on product of tillable hectares on lot x 7.5 NU/tillable ha (to maximum 300 NU)
    • 20 NU operation & 10 ha (10 x 7.5 = 75 NU, > 20 NU)
    • 20 NU operation & 45 ha (45 x 7.5 = 337.5 NU, but 300 NU max)
    • 300 NU operation & 10 ha (10 x 7.5 = 75, < 300 NU)
    • 300 NU operation & 45 ha (45 x 7.5 = 337.5 NU, use 300 NU)

Selected Implementation Guidelines continued...

Guideline # 35

• Type A Land Uses
  • MDS divides all land uses into two types
  • Type A land uses are characterized by lower density of:
    • Human occupancy
    • Habitation
    • Activity
      • i.e. recreational use - low intensity, industrial use, residential dwellings on existing lots and lot creation up to three lots by consent or plan of subdivision

Measurement for Type A Land Uses (MDS I)

• This Diagram shows the measurement of MDS I from the barn to three different types of Type A land uses. Top left - measurement of MDS to the creation of a new lot, less than 1 hectare in size.
• Bottom left - measurement of MDS to the creation of a new lot, greater than 1 hectare in size (measurement taken to 1 hectare building envelope); or the construction of a new dwelling on an existing lot of record (where municipality applies MDS I). House could be built on lot provided; outside of MDS arc.
• Right - measurement of MDS to area to be re-zoned or re-designated for a Type A land use, (e.g. Industrial). Area to be re-zoned would have to be adjusted to be outside of MDS arc.
• Top left - measurement of MDS to the creation of a new lot, 1 hectare or less in size, measurement taken to the lot line. Lot could not be approved as is; and would have to be moved.

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Measurement for Type A Land Uses & Nearest Neighbour's Dwelling (MDS II)

• This Diagram shows the measurement of MDS II from a proposed barn to different types of Type A land uses, including the nearest neighbour's dwelling.
• Top right - measurement of MDS from nearest neighbour's dwelling
• Bottom right - measurement of MDS from an area zoned or designated for a Type A land use (e.g. Low Intensity Recreational Zone)
• In this example, the proposed barn could be built in this location as it meets MDS from these Type A land uses.

Selected Implementation Guidelines

Guideline # 36

• Type B Land Uses
  • Type B land uses are characterized by higher density of:
    • Human occupancy
    • Habitation
    • Activity
      • i.e. commercial uses, institutional uses, recreational use - high intensity, settlement areas, creation of four or more residential lots, designated residential areas in official plans

Measurement for Type B Land Uses MDS I

• This shows the measurement of MDS I for Type B land uses.
  • MDS I is measured from the barn to the proposed area to be re-zoned or re-designated for a Type B land use.
  • In this case, this proposed urban expansion is located outside of the MDS I measurement.

Measurement for Type B Land Uses MDS II

• For MDS II, measurement is taken from the Type B land use to the site of the proposed barn.
  • This example shows an existing urban area; and the measurement of MDS II from the existing urban area to the site of the proposed barn.
  • In this case, the proposed new barn meets MDS II.

Selected Implementation Guidelines continued...

Guideline # 38

• Cemeteries
  • For MDS I, cemeteries are a Type B land use
  • For MDS II, cemeteries are a Type B land use
    • However municipalities may choose to treat cemeteries as a Type A Land Use if:
      • They are closed, and
      • Receive low levels of visitation
    • Such cemeteries should be clearly identified in the municipality's planning documents

Selected Implementation Guidelines continued...

Guideline # 39

• Rural residential clusters (RRC)
  • Rural residential clusters are:
    • Four or more adjacent lots
    • Generally one hectare or less in size
    • Share a common contiguous boundary
  • For MDS I, creation of a lot that results in a RRC should be considered a Type B land use
  • For MDS II, RRC should be considered a Type A land use, except where they have been identified and designated in the Official Plan

Selected Implementation Guidelines continued...

Guideline # 40

• Rear/side lot line & road allowances
  • Does not apply in MDS I
  • In MDS II, rear/side lot line setbacks calculated as
    • 0.1 x Building Base Distance 'F', and
    • 0.1 x Storage Base Distance 'S'
  • In MDS II, road allowance setbacks calculated as
    • 0.2 x Building Base Distance 'F', and
    • 0.2 x Storage Base Distance 'S'

Selected Implementation Guidelines continued...

Guideline # 41

• Measurement of MDS
  • For MDS I, measurements taken as shortest distance between the area to be rezoned or redesignated and the livestock facility
  • For MDS II, measurements taken as shortest distance between the point of new construction for the first, or expanded livestock facility, and the dwelling/lot line/road allowance/or area zoned or designated

Selected Implementation Guidelines continued...

Guideline # 42

• Measurement of MDS for lot creation
  • Only applies to MDS I
  • Measurement taken as the shortest distance between the lot line of the lot being created and the livestock facility
  • However where larger lots, generally greater than 1 hectare are created; a suitable location must be identified for a 1 ha building envelope outside the MDS I setback
    • i.e. MDS I setback can intrude into new lot

Selected Implementation Guidelines continued...

Guideline # 43

• Measurement of MDS for development on existing lots
  • Applies only to MDS I where municipalities choose
  • Measurements taken as shortest distance between dwelling, or other structure to be constructed, and the livestock facility

Guideline # 44

• Maximum setbacks to side or rear lot lines
  • Applies only to MDS II
  • The maximum required setback from any livestock facility to side or rear lot lines is 30 m

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MDS I Example

• A dwelling is proposed on an existing lot of record
  • Municipality applies MDS I to existing lots of record
• Neighbouring livestock facility
  • 1000 head swine feeder operation
  • Slatted floor 40 ft x 250 ft barn
  • Outside, straight-walled, concrete liquid manure storage with no cover
  • 30 tillable hectares (74 acres)
• Q. Using the new software, what are the MDS I setbacks for the dwelling from the feeder barn and its manure storage?

Screen Shot - Title Screen

• After the software has been installed; when you open the MDS program you will see this screen.
  • It will ask you if you want to open an existing MDS calculation or create a new calculation.
  • The next screen will prompt you to select MDS I or MDS II; and then ask for some basic information, such as information about who prepared the MDS calculation, and an application or file number.
  • You will also be able to set basic elements of the program such as the language for the software to use (English or French) and the type of measurement units to use (Imperial or Metric).

Screen Shot - MDS I - General Tab

• After selecting to do an MDS I calculation; and choosing to add a new calculation; the software will open a screen with 4 tabs.
• The first tab is the general tab; and is displayed here.
  • This tab asks some important general questions regarding an MDS I calculation.
  • It allows you to enter a name and description for the calculation in the top 2 boxes.
  • The program then asks you if the MDS I calculation is for a site that ONLY has a permanent manure storage (i.e. there is no existing barn).
    • The vast majority of time you would select no. However, if you were dealing with a remote manure storage you would select yes.
  • Software then asks you to pick whether the encroaching land use (i.e. what's proposed) is a Type A or Type B land use.
  • The next box prompts you by asking if this MDS I is required for the expansion of a settlement area.
    • If yes, then the next input regarding tillable hectares will be blacked out.
    • If no, as in this example, then software will prompt you to input the number of tillable hectares.
  • The final box is a comment box to enter additional information regarding the calculation or application.

Screen Shot - MDS I - Farm Tab

• The next tab or screen is the Farm screen.
  • On this screen you can enter contact information on the left hand side for the farm operation.
  • On the right hand side is a series of pick lists that allow you to identify the location of the farm operation.
    • The municipal tabs are organized by the re-structured municipalities.
    • 'Geotownship' allows you to select which 'geographic survey township' you are located within.
    • You can also choose to enter a roll number instead; or in addition to the lot and concession information.
• The software also allows you to link to Google Local and use Google earth to map the location of the barn.
  • This may be a useful tool for municipalities that do not have GIS capabilities; or if you just want a quick snap-shot of the area.
  • The resolution and scale of the imagery is whatever is available from Google Local and this is provided for your assistance.

Screen Shot - MDS I - Livestock Tab

• The third tab is the livestock material tab and when first opened it has a blank screen.
• In the bottom right, you can choose to add, add combination, edit or delete livestock information.
• In this case, we are going to add livestock.
• In some cases, you may choose to add combination.
  • This feature works for some dairy and hog operations and allows you to proximate number of certain types of animals based on others. For example, sometimes a farmer will simply state the size of his milking herd of dairy cattle and won't include the number of calves or heifers he may have on a farm operation. The add combination will function will add an approximate number of calves and heifers based on the information provided regarding milking cows.
  • (This replaces the feature some of you were familiar with in the old software, where you were asked if you needed to account for 'followers' when doing a dairy calculation.)
• After selecting 'Add' a new screen opens.

Screen Shot - MDS I - Livestock Input Screen

• The livestock material screen opens.
• At the top, there are three pick lists related to the type of livestock.
  • For some types of livestock, you may only need to select one or two levels of information. The third level really deals with the configuration of the livestock housing.
• In this instance, we select Swine from the pick-list, and then select Feeder Hogs. We can also select Full Slats because we are dealing with a liquid manure operation.
• The next button allows you to 'check off' if you want the MDS software to calculate an estimated barn size for this operation.
  • It is important to note that this barn size is an estimate. Ontario is a very big and unique place, and there is much variation in the livestock housing built across the Province.
  • The numbers provided by MDS regarding barn size are an estimate, as should not be taken as a specific requirement.
  • Rather, this functionality in the software is intended to assist you to determine if the information you have been given is in 'the ballpark'.
• Next indicate manure type, in our example, we select liquid.
• We then enter the maximum housing capacity for the operation, for that type of livestock. (Not how many livestock are there now, but what is the maximum housing capacity). In our example, we enter 1000.
• The software then provides a summary of Factor A, D, Livestock/Material per NU, and estimated barn area for this type of livestock.
• The last pick screen is where you pick the type of manure storage.
  • In this case, we select an M1 as we have an open liquid concrete manure storage.
• After we complete this screen we are taken back to the livestock tab.

Screen Shot - MDS I - Livestock Tab II

• Our updated information is now shown on the livestock/material tab.
• We can now add additional types of livestock if needed.
  • There is no limitation on how many types of livestock can be added; unlike previous versions of the software

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Screen Shot - MDS I - MDS I Tab

• The final screen provides us with a summary of the MDS I information; and states the manure storage type, and the values of Factor A, B, D, and E for this MDS I application.
• In this case, we should note that Factor B has been based on tillable hectares and not livestock housing capacity.
  • Why? We had 1000 feeder hogs at 6 feeder hogs per NU for a total of 167 NU.
  • We had 30 tillable hectares, multiplied by 7.5 for a value of 225 NU.
  • The software will use the higher of these numbers to determine Factor B.
• The software then provides a setback for the livestock barn and the manure storage for MDS I.
• The software also allows you to specify the actual distances; and if these are less than the required setbacks, the software will flag this issue.
• You can now save the file and print the calculation.

MDS I Example - Summary

• Proposed dwelling must be:
  • 443 metres from the nearest point of the livestock occupied portion of the livestock facility
  • 499 metres from the nearest point of the manure storage

MDS II Example

• Proposed expansion to existing livestock facility
  • Existing operation - Built in 1995
    • 1000 head swine feeder barn
    • Slatted floor 40 ft x 250 ft barn.
    • Outside, straight-walled, concrete liquid manure storage with no cover
  • Expansion to existing operation
    • Additional 1000 head swine feeder barn
    • Slatted floor 40 ft x 250 ft barn
    • Uncovered earthen liquid manure storage
  • Q. Using the new software, what are the MDS II setbacks for the new barn and the new earthen manure storage?

Screen Shot - MDS II - General Tab

• Similar to MDS I, after choosing to do an MDS II calculation the software opens to 4 different tabs.
• The first tab - the general tab is very similar to MDS I… but also a little different.
  • It allows you to enter a name and description for the calculation in the top 2 boxes.
  • The program then asks you if the MDS II calculation is for a site that ONLY will have a permanent manure storage (i.e. there will be no barn).
    • The vast majority of time you would select no. However, if you were dealing with a remote manure storage you would select yes.
  • The next box then prompts you regarding the issuance of building permits in the last 3 years.
    • This is to help the software adjust for the revised Expansion Factor C. Selecting yes here, will prompt the software to ask you additional questions about the timing and issuance of the permits here, which will be used later in the program to calculate the percentage increase. However, most of the time, you will likely select no…. As in this case.
  • The final box is a comment box to enter additional information regarding the calculation or application.

Screen Shot - MDS II - Farm Tab

• The next tab or screen is the Farm screen; and is the same as MDS I.
• On this screen you can enter contact information on the left hand side for the farm operation.
• On the right hand side, is a series of pick lists that allow you to identify the location of the farm operation.
• The municipal tabs are organized by the re-structured municipalities.
• Geotownship allows you to select which 'geographic survey township' you are located within. You can also choose to enter a roll number instead; or in addition to the lot and concession information.
• The software also allows you to link to Google Local and use Google earth to map the location of the barn. This may be a useful tool for municipalities that do not have GIS capabilities; or if you just want a quick snap-shot of the area. The resolution and scale of the imagery is whatever is available from Google Local and this is provided for your assistance.

Screen Shot - MDS II - Livestock Tab

• This screen also looks the same as MDS I; and in the bottom right, you can choose to add, add combination, edit or delete livestock information.
• In this case, we are going to add livestock reflecting an increase in the number of feeder hogs.
• Clicking on 'Add Livestock' opens the Livestock/Material tab

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Screen Shot - MDSII - Livestock Input Tab

• The livestock material screen opens, and is very similar to MDS I. (With one small change).
• At the top, there are three pick lists related to the type of livestock.
  • For some types of livestock, you may only need to select one or two levels of information.
  • The third level really deals with the configuration of the livestock housing.
• In this instance, we select Swine from the pick-list, and then select Feeder Hogs.
• We can also select Full Slats because we are dealing with a liquid manure operation.
• The next button allows you to 'check off' if you want the MDS software to calculate an estimated barn size for this operation.
  • It is important to note that this barn size is an estimate.
  • Ontario is a very big and unique place, and there is much variation in the livestock housing built across the Province.
  • The numbers provided by MDS regarding barn size are an estimate, as should not be taken as a specific requirement.
  • Rather, this functionality in the software is intended to assist you to determine if the information you have been given is in 'the ballpark'.
• Next indicate manure type…. In our example, we select liquid.
• We then enter the existing housing capacity for the operation, for that type of livestock.
  • (Not what's in there now…. The existing maximum capacity).
  • In our example, we enter 1000.
• We then enter the maximum housing capacity after the proposed expansion is completed.
  • In this example, there will be 2000 feeder hogs.
  • The software then does a quick calculation to tell us that 1000 additional hogs are being added.
• The software then provides a summary of Factor A, D, Livestock/Material per NU, and estimated barn area for this type of livestock.
• The last pick screen is where you pick the type of manure storage.
  • In this case, we select an H1 as we have an open liquid earthen manure storage proposed for construction.
• After we complete this screen we are taken back to the livestock tab.

Screen Shot - MDS II - Livestock Tab II

• Our information has now been updated with the livestock we have added into the MDS II calculation is now shown.
• We can now add additional types of livestock if needed.
• There is no limitation on how many types of livestock can be added; unlike previous versions of the software.
• You will note the software tells you what the existing capacity is as well as the total new capacity after the expansion.
• You will see the estimated barn area has almost doubled from MDS I, as the size of the operation is increasing.

Screen Shot - MDS II - MDS II Tab

• The MDS II screen provides us with a summary of the MDS II information; and states the manure storage type, and the values of Factor A, B, C and D for this MDS II application.
• The software then provides a calculation for the building base distance and storage. In MDS II we have one more screen, which is found by clicking on view MDS II summary.

Screen Shot - MDS II - Summary Screen

• The summary screen provides a list of all of the MDS II setbacks to various features (i.e. neighbour's dwellings, Type A land uses, lot lines, etc.) for the barn and the manure storage.
• Actual setbacks can also be specified.

MDS II Example - Summary

• New livestock facility
  • 404 metres from nearest neighbour's dwelling (and Type A land uses)
  • 807 metres from Type B land uses
  • 30 metres from side and rear lot lines; 81 metres from road allowances
• New earthen manure storage
  • 523 metres from nearest neighbour's dwelling (and Type A land uses)
  • 1046 metres from Type B land uses
  • 30 metres from side and rear lot lines; 105 metres from road allowances

Transitioning - MDS I

• New MDS I effective as of January 1, 2007
• PPS requires new land use planning applications submitted on, or after, January 1, 2007 to comply with the revised MDS
• Municipalities are encouraged to update official plans & zoning by-laws to reflect new MDS I as soon as possible

Transitioning - MDS II

• Province implementing new MDS II as of January 1, 2007
• MDS II triggered by:
  • Requirement to meet applicable law prior to issuance of building permit
• MDS II becomes applicable law through adoption in municipal zoning by-laws
  • Structure of existing by-law will determine how a municipality amends by-law to implement revised MDS II
  • Municipalities should seek legal advice regarding how to amend existing zoning by-laws prior to implementing the revised MDS II formula

Transitioning

• Several different implementation methods
  • MDS formulae should be referenced in Official Plan
  • MDS formulae should be referenced in Zoning By-law
    • Depending on structure of by-law
      • Text references to MDS formulae in by-law, and
      • Place MDS formulae in an appendix, or
      • Place MDS formulae in a schedule
  • OMAFRA recommends incorporating MDS formulae as a appendix
  • Should clearly address all MDS guidelines where options are presented
    • i.e. existing lots of record, catastrophe

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