Land Use and Planning

Land use planning in Ontario is guided by Provincial legislation and policies, implemented through municipal official plans and zoning by-laws.

Loopstra Nixon LLP has assisted in the preparation of official plans and zoning by-laws, and acted for municipalities, developers, and public interest groups in respect of municipal comprehensive reviews, new official plans and comprehensive zoning by-laws, countless amendments to official plans and zoning amendments, and minor variances to zoning by-law requirements.

Land use planning is frequently impacted by issues of cultural heritage, and we have frequently represented both public and private clients in connection with matters under the Ontario Heritage Act and heritage issues as they intersect with planning applications.

We assist clients with navigating numerous changes to Ontario’s planning framework and have assisted with the implementation of a number of Minister’s Zoning Orders. We have guided clients through major planning projects including the Seaton development in Pickering and major waterfront re-development projects.