Reports and Analysis

A Planning Justification Report is prepared by a Registered Professional Planner to establish the merits of a proposal or application within the context of the applicable Provincial and local planning policy framework to support complete land use planning applications. This report effectively establishes the rationale for approval of a development proposal and the required land use planning applications;

We have prepared an extensive number of Planning Justification Reports for Official Plan/Zoning By-Law Amendment, Committee of Adjustment and other applications. Relevant project experience includes the following:

• 215 King Street East, Hamilton - 15-storey mixed-use building;
• 6179 Lundy's Lane, Niagara Falls - 10-storey mixed-use building;
• 8330 Woodbine Avenue, Markham - 14-storey hotel;
• 365 Hood Road, Markham - 15-storey hotel;
• 550 Genista Drive, Burlington - subdivision with 58 semi-detached dwelling units;
• 3300 Vincent Massey Drive, Cornwall - proposed re-designation of Employment lands for residential development;
• 50 Victoria Avenue North, Leamington - expansion of existing industrial development adjacent to residential neighbourhood;
• 214 Randall Street, Oakville - 6-storey residential apartment building.

An Urban Design Brief is a report prepared as part of a complete land use planning application that provides urban design guidance to development proponents and outlines the merits of a development proposal within the context of the  applicable urban design policies and guidelines. 

Our recent urban design experience includes preparation of Urban Design Briefs for  the following development proposals:  

• 215-217 King Street West, Hamilton – Proposed 14-storey mixed use building located along a transit  priority corridor
• 10785-10817 McLaughlin Road, Brampton – Proposed 7-storey residential apartment building in  Northwest Sandalwood Parkway Secondary Plan Area 2A
•  8330 Woodbine Avenue, Markham – Proposed 14-storey (192-room) hotel developed as second  phase to existing hotel development
• 365 Hood Road, Markham – Proposed 15-storey (181-suite room) hotel developed as part of first  phase of 2-phase development
• Southwest Corner of Mearns Avenue/Concession Road 3, Bowmanville – Proposed 12-storey (212  residential dwelling unit) mixed use building and 10 townhouse blocks (63 dwelling units)
• 10 Garrison Street, Ottawa – proposed infill 3-storey (10 dwelling unit) residential apartment building
• 6179 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls – proposed 10-storey mixed use building
• 232 Cameron Crescent, Keswick – 380-unit multi-storey residential building (seven storeys with 248  units + 132 units in levels 8-20 of the 20-storey tower) and a 2-storey commercial building.

We apply our over 20 years of experience to act on behalf of municipalities to provide ongoing land use planning support where additional resources are required, including review of applications and preparation of staff reports, as well as peer review of reports submitted with complete applications.

• Application Review: We directly support municipal clients through the full application review process, including the following: intake and confirmation of complete application; coordination and review of staff/agency circulation and comments; presentation and attendance at public meeting; preparation of staff report and recommendation; and delegation to Committee/Council. We are currently retained by the Township of Oro-Medonte for this scope of work.
• Peer Review: Review and provision of recommendations with respect Planning Justification Reports, Urban Design Briefs and draft planning instruments submitted with complete applications.

We are currently retained by the Township of Oro-Medonte to provide land use planning consulting services, including development application review and Ontario Land Tribunal representation. Development application review includes applications for Official Plan and Zoning By-Law Amendments, consents and minor variances and plans of subdivision. Relevant applications managed on behalf of the Township include the following:

• Doncor Developments Inc. -  OPA/ZBA and plan of subdivision for 16 single detached residential lots and the future development block;
• 15 Guest Road - OPA/ZBA to permit an aggregate depot and storage for landscaping business
•  2735 Line 3 North - ZBA and plan of subdivision to permit the development of 127 single detached dwelling units, a parkland block, and a stormwater management block; 
• 72 Line 9 North - ZBA to permit an on-farm diversified use ( a storage warehouse, an on-line business, small assembly, dock sales, an electrician or plumber’s office );
• 6171 Line 2 North -  consent to convey a parcel having an area of 0.4 hectares (1 acre) while retaining the existing single detached dwelling and accessory structures on retained lands;
• 2814 Lakeshore Road East -  minor variance for relief to maximum height, floor area, lot coverage and side yard setbacks to build a detached garage in the rear yard