Earlier this year, my colleague Stephen Willis highlighted key changes we can make in our professional world to help address the housing crisis. As he noted, much of the media focuses on assigning blame, often implicating planners as a perceived cause. I acknowledge my role in this complex situation and believe it's time to dive deeper into the root causes and explore potential solutions.

Discover how a planner can save you time, money, and headaches while ensuring your business expansion or property purchase goes smoothly.

Currently on the Honours track at the University of Waterloo, Adrian will be entering the 3 rd year of his Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Urban and Regional Planning this Fall. Welcome to LandPro Planning, Adrian!

Investing in commercial land is an exciting journey filled with potential profits, but it requires a thorough understanding of the intricacies associated with commercial land ownership. To embark on this venture successfully, one must understand essential factors, with zoning taking center stage. Zoning regulations play a pivotal role in determining the types of businesses that can be established on a particular piece of commercial land. Let's unravel the layers of commercial land use ownership, focusing on crucial zoning categories in Ontario.

As a private landowner with an eye for industrial development, delving into the intricate world of industrial land use and zoning is not just beneficial but also a critical step towards a successful and compliant project. Zoning regulations play a pivotal role in determining the types of industries that can operate in a specific area and dictate how properties can be utilized. In this guide, we'll shed light on the nuances of industrial land use and zoning, focusing on 'Light,' 'Medium,' and 'Heavy' industry designations, along with key considerations and the role a land-use planning firm can play in navigating these complexities.

In an era of burgeoning urban populations and the search for dynamic living spaces, developers are increasingly turning to mixed-use land as the cornerstone of vibrant, multifaceted communities. For property developers aiming to stay at the forefront of the real estate game, understanding and leveraging mixed-use land isn't just an advantage – it's a strategic imperative.

Knowing the ins and outs of land use is key for any property owner, especially when you’re looking at your home, which is residential land.

It's about understanding what you can build and where, then following the rules that come with it. In this post, we’ll explore the kinds of uses/buildings permitted in low-, medium-, and high-density residential areas and the general rules that apply. We’ll also cover the zoning differences between permanent & seasonal/vacation residences. This knowledge is vital—it empowers you to make smart choices about your property. Ready to learn more? Let’s get started!

We often hear from our clients that the planning process is simple: going from A to B to C, right? It may seem so until you actually do it.

My company has operated for over seven years now. During that time, clients hired me to do their planning work. More recently, ME has become WE, with a fantastic team of six to do this work, enabling WE to do much more than ME. Now, we take a team approach to every project.

We have some clients who are frustrated by the red tape they need to deal with and feel challenged by the planners (public & and private sector) who are simply enforcing the rules. They don't like being told no, especially when it involves their properties. This frustration is amplified when the city planner needs to learn about them or understand their problem. These clients, and others, need help understanding why we need to plan, and ultimately pay fees to Council, to decide on their project/idea and zoning.

When I tell people that I'm a planner, they normally reply, "Oh, you deal with zoning, right?" Yes, I deal with zoning. That's only part of the picture, though. This tells me that zoning is what people see and may understand, sort of. But zoning is only one tool that planners have at their disposal, although it’s a foundational element that plays an important role in how we shape our communities.

If you’re thinking about developing a property, you may not have heard of Pre-Consultation (Pre-Con) before. Pre-Con is a formal meeting with the city to discuss your project before you go through the application process. Most cities actually require it before an application is made.

Takeaways from the Tiny Home Show and some insights if you are a first-time developer gearing up for your Tiny or Modular Homes project.

How are planners and developers addressing the housing crisis? Like others in our industry, we believe it’s up to us to figure out ways of streamlining the planning process so that quality projects can get built and families can get into homes.

Why are people resigning from their jobs during this chaotic time?

First time “developers” (yes, you probably are one, but don’t realize it) quickly learn that the development “game” can be challenging and complicated. Even those seeking a severance or minor variance are developers….

People often ask us if we can "guarantee" an approval. Our answer is simply "no". We ARE land use specialists, yet we CANNOT guarantee success. We CAN however improve your chances of being approved…

What is land use? How do we use the land and resources in our communities now and into the future? …There are 7 different designations of land use, often referred to as “zoning”.

The Residential Developer and Builder both have vital responsibilities in building communities. Even though the Developer and Builder have different roles, they may be tied together as part of the same group of companies. However, if a Builder is constructing a custom home outside of a subdivision or planned community, this may require customized responsibilities.

A land development plan is required when a real estate developer or landowner wants to build a commercial, industrial or residential building on an existing site. A plan may also be required to put additions onto an existing building or change the lot's features.