Services

We offer the following services associated with all Planning Act applications:

• Pre-Application Consultation
• Official Plan Amendment
• Zoning By-law Amendment
• Draft Plan of Subdivision
• Site Plan Control
• Draft Plan of Condominium
• Consent
• Minor Variance
• Community Planning Permit System
• Appeals in relation to above applications

To support the above approvals, we provide the following deliverables:

• Planning Justification Report
• Community Services and Facilities Study
• Rental Replacement Report
• Housing Issues Report
• Draft Official Plan Amendment
• Draft Zoning By-law Amendment
• Minor Variance Rationale
• Consent Rationale
• Development Summary Review
• Sustainability Metrics and Reports
• Application Submission Cover Letter
• Application Fee Confirmation

Strategy is the foundation of success. By leveraging our planning and design expertise, Weston Consulting can approach every project with a unique and diverse perspective. Our strategic analysis has proven results and can be tailored to the unique project details and timing related to the project. Contact us to discover and learn more about our suite of services.

Due Diligence Report
A Due Diligence Report can provide a high-level, preliminary analysis of the applicable planning policy framework. This will include as-of-right development potential for the lands as well as key strategic recommendations and next steps to create value through the planning process.

Development Options Report
This report is a collaborative product involving design and planning services, delving deeper into the potential options for a site. It is often used as part of a marketing package for our clients or to advance valuation assessments. It includes a comprehensive evaluation of a property by showcasing development concepts with pertinent policy and regulatory framework analysis, including an assessment of feasibility from a planning and design perspective.

Our experience in the management of and the participation in landowners groups has been proven over several decades in many jurisdictions throughout the GTA. Our unique skill in navigating the complexities of landowner group partnerships and active participation on behalf of landowners within existing groups have been successful in many municipalities. We provide strategic advice and leadership in landowner groups to see shared outcomes and the benefits of collaboration and partnerships realized.

As a group manager, we have the ability to manage an array of multi-disciplinary technical services including finance and accounting, while providing a range of project management services and deliverables including financial reporting, budget tracking, HST management and preparation of cost sharing principles and agreements along with the group Trustee and Cost Sharing Engineer. Our services also include recurring group meetings, minutes and actions, and representation of the group in various municipal settings. We also have experience in dispute resolution, conflict management, and collaboration strategies to achieve shared results.

Weston provides a full range of project management services associated with Planning Act approvals and many other types of development approvals to assist in expediting project completion. Our project management services can be provided independently to, or in addition to our other services and include:

• Recurring Team Meetings
• Gantt Chart
• Critical Path Project Analysis
• Project Team Coordination
• Project Deliverables Matrices
• Comment Response Matrices
• Recurring Project Updates
• Communication Logs
• Submission Coordination
• Rolling Meeting Minutes and Action Response

Weston provides expert testimony supported by detailed written and verbal evidence and professional descriptive graphics for various tribunals and the courts. These services include the following:

Planning Application Hearings
Weston team members routinely appear before the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) (formerly OMB and LPAT) and the Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB) and the Courts. The OLT deals with all matters relating to Planning Act Applications within the province other than Committee of Adjustment applications in the City of Toronto, which are dealt with by the TLAB. There are also other tribunals that exist where expert testimony can be provided in other municipal jurisdictions. Our services for hearings include the preparation of Witness Statements or Affidavits, detailed evidence materials, document books, visual exhibits, and other related items to hearing materials and proceedings.

Expropriation Hearings

Weston also provides representation and expertise to private landowners and public authorities in relation to expropriation matters to assist in achieving fair market compensation for the land by using various tools in an effort to identify optimal use considerations from a planning perspective through planning and design analyses. Weston is able to provide expert testimony at a Hearing of Necessity Board of Negotiation or OLT hearing under the Ontario Expropriation Act and can provide strategic support in relation to mediation, negotiation, or arbitration matters.

In addition, we also have extensive experience in attending mediation sessions as an expert for matters under the Planning Act and Expropriation Act.

Our approach to municipal monitoring updates and initiatives ensures a comprehensive approach to the strategic advice we provide to our clients. We are able to monitor, participate in, and make submissions on behalf of our clients in relation to the following processes:

• Planning Act changes
• Provincial Coordinated Review
• Provincial Policy update
• Official Plan Review
• Zoning By-law Review or Comprehensive Update
• Secondary Plan Process
• Tertiary Plan Process
• Development Charges By-law Review
• Urban Boundary Expansion
• Employment Land Conversion
• Minister’s Zoning Order
• Municipal Budget Update
• Avenues Study
• Urban Design Guidelines Updates

We assist public, private, and not‑for-profit clients in advancing affordable housing, attainable housing, and purpose-built rental projects (both affordable and market). We lead projects from early strategy and site selection analysis through to conceptual design, planning analysis, development approvals, and public consultation. We deliver supporting studies for development applications, integrating planning, urban design, landscape architecture, and consultation to align projects with municipal policy and community priorities. We also prepare Affordable Housing Strategies, advise on program pathways and potential financial incentive opportunities to receive funding for projects. These may include CMHC funding, regional or county incentives, and municipal incentives to structure partnerships that balance economic feasibility with long‑term stewardship. We tailor tenure, unit mix, and governance choices to advance projects from concept to approval with clear and experienced guidance. We strive to deliver projects that assist in creating complete communities by supporting the development of affordable and attainable rental housing, social housing, and ownership housing.