Our Planning Servics
- Zoning By-law Amendments
- Official Plan Amendments
- Minor Variance Applications
- Consent / Severance Applications
- Plans of Subdivision
- Site Plan Approval
- Pre-Consultation Applications
- Planning Due Diligence and Feasibility Reviews
- Planning Justification Reports
Zoning By-law Amendments:
A Zoning By-law Amendment may be required when a proposed use or development does not comply with the existing zoning applicable to a property.
We can assist with:
- Preliminary zoning review
- Identification of required zoning amendments
- Pre-consultation with municipal staff
- Application preparation
- Planning rationale and justification
- Coordination of supporting documents
- Responses to municipal and agency comments
- Public meeting and Council process support
Official Plan Amendments:
An Official Plan Amendment may be required where a proposed development or land use does not conform to the policies or land use designation applying to a property.
Our services include reviewing the applicable planning policy framework, assessing the planning merits of the proposal,preparing the required planning justification, and assisting clients throughout the municipal review and approval process.
Minor Variance Applications
When a proposed development generally complies with the intent of the Official Plan and Zoning By-law but requires limited relief from specific zoning standards, a Minor Variance application may be appropriate. Variances may relate to matters such as:
- Building setbacks
- Building height
- Lot frontage
- Lot area
- Lot coverage
- Parking requirements
- Accessory buildings and structures
- Other zoning standards
We can review the proposal, identify the required variances, prepare planning justification,
coordinate the application, and assist with the Committee of Adjustment process.
Consent and Severance Applications
Consent and Severance Applications If you are considering dividing a property, creating a new lot, adding land to an adjacent property, establishing an easement, or undertaking another transaction requiring consent approval, we can help assess the planning feasibility of the proposal. Our services may include:
- Preliminary severance feasibility
- Official Plan and zoning review
- Lot configuration assessment
- Pre-consultation
- Application preparation
- Planning justification
- Coordination with surveyors and other consultants
- Review of proposed consent conditions
- Assistance with satisfying planning-related conditions
Plans of Subdivision:
We provide planning support for residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use subdivision proposals. Our involvement can begin at the early concept stage and continue through municipal approvals. Services may include:
- Development feasibility assessment
- Preliminary planning review
- Pre-consultation
- Coordination with project consultants
- Draft Plan application preparation
- Planning Justification Reports
- Municipal and agency circulation coordination
- Response to planning comments
- Draft Plan conditions review
- Planning support through subdivision approval
Site Plan Approval
Site Plan Approval is an important stage for many commercial, industrial, institutional, multi-residential, and other development projects.
We assist clients in coordinating the site plan approval process and working with municipalities and technical consultants to address applicable planning and development requirements.
Our role may include reviewing zoning compliance, coordinating submissions, communicating with municipal staff, tracking comments and resubmissions, and helping move the project toward approval.
Planning Justification Reports
Planning Justification Reports Clear Planning Rationale Supported by Policy: Planning applications often require a Planning Justification Report or Planning Justification Brief demonstrating why a proposed development represents appropriate land use planning. Depending on the project, our reports may evaluate the proposal against:
- Provincial planning legislation and policies
- Applicable Provincial Planning Statement
- County or Regional Official Plans
- Local Municipal Official Plans
- Secondary Plans
- Zoning By-laws
- Applicable guidelines and development standards
- Surrounding land uses and neighbourhood context
- Planning compatibility and development considerations
Our reports are structured to clearly explain the proposal, identify the approvals required, analyze applicable planning policies, and provide a professional planning opinion.
Development Feasibilty & Due Dilgence
Know the Planning Potential Before You Invest: Before purchasing, selling, financing, or developing a property, understanding its planning potential can be critical. We provide preliminary planning and development feasibility reviews to help clients understand what may be possible before making significant financial commitments. A planning feasibility review may consider:
- Existing Official Plan designation
- Existing zoning
- Permitted land uses
- Development standards
- Potential development density
- Building height
- Required setbacks
- Parking requirements
- Servicing considerations
- Environmental or regulatory constraints
- Required planning applications
- Potential approval challenges
This service can be particularly valuable for developers, investors, real estate professionals, and
property owners evaluating development opportunities.
Pre-conusutation and application management
Managing the Municipal Approval Process: Many development applications require consultation with the municipality before a formal application can be submitted. We can represent clients during the pre-consultation process, communicate with municipal planning staff, review submission requirements, and help assemble the planning components of a complete development application.
Where architects, engineers, surveyors, environmental consultants, transportation consultants, or other specialists are required, we can help coordinate the planning process with the broader project team.
