Avoid These Common Mistakes When Proposing a Development

Are you an individual property owner, residential, commercial, or industrial developer, greenhouse grower, farmer, or building contractor in Southwestern Ontario? If so, you’ve come to the right place! At Oakview Land Use Planning, we specialize in providing land use planning services to help you navigate the complex world of development. In this blog, we’ll discuss the most common mistakes made when proposing a development. By being aware of these pitfalls and avoiding them, you can save time, money, and frustration in your development projects. So, let’s dive in and explore how you can overcome these challenges and achieve successful outcomes!

Underestimating the Time Needed to Complete a Project

When it comes to proposing a development, time estimation is crucial. Many planning consultants work with various professionals due to the variations in policies and regulations between municipalities. Before starting a project, it’s essential to engage in pre-consultation with municipal staff. This step provides valuable insights into the expectations and background work that may need to be completed. By underestimating the time needed, you risk delays and potential setbacks. Consulting with experts like Oakview Land Use Planning can help you create a realistic timeline and ensure a smoother project execution.

Not Asking the Right Questions

At the initial stages of development, clear communication is key. It’s important to be direct and ask the right questions. By seeking clarity, you can obtain clear answers and proper direction for your project. Ambiguity and assumptions can lead to misunderstandings and costly mistakes. Our team at Oakview Land Use Planning can guide you through the process, ensuring that you ask the necessary questions to gather the information you need to move forward confidently.

Not Listening

Listening is an art that holds immense importance in the development process. Failing to listen to the requirements and directions of municipal authorities can result in wasted time and money. If a municipality requires specific background work to support your development, it’s crucial to seek clear direction (Terms of Reference) for the required tasks. This can include conducting Traffic Impact, Environmental Impact, Record of Site Condition, Environmental Compliance Approval, or providing Planning Justification. By actively listening and adhering to the municipality’s requirements, you can streamline the approval process. Oakview Land Use Planning has the expertise to guide you through these intricate tasks and ensure compliance.

Not Understanding or Assuming You Know the Process

With recent changes to the Planning Act, the approval process for developments has undergone significant changes. However, many individuals, including planners themselves, may not fully comprehend the details of these modifications. It’s essential not to assume that the rule book has been completely revamped. Instead, it may lead to more emphasis on the pre-consultation phase and the need to submit comprehensive background work as part of the application. At Oakview Land Use Planning, we stay updated with the latest regulations and can help you navigate through these changes, ensuring a smoother approval process for your development.

Not Keeping an Open Mind

Flexibility and open-mindedness are key qualities in successful development projects. It’s common for developers to present their plans without considering potential adjustments or changes. However, it’s rare to encounter a project where some level of adaptation or compromise isn’t required. Being open to modifications can significantly improve both the timeline and the likelihood of obtaining the approval you seek. At Oakview Land Use Planning, we encourage a collaborative approach, working with you to refine your plans and maximize your chances of success.

Proposing a development project can be a complex and challenging endeavor. By avoiding the most common mistakes mentioned above, you can enhance your chances of success. At Oakview Land Use Planning, we have the experience and expertise to guide you through the entire process, from pre-consultation with municipal staff to obtaining necessary approvals. We understand the unique regulations and policies of Southwestern Ontario, including Essex, Chatham-Kent, Lambton County, Elgin County, Middlesex County, and the surrounding areas. Our team is dedicated to providing you with comprehensive land use planning services tailored to your specific needs.

Don’t let these common mistakes hinder your development projects. To learn more about the services we offer, please click here. To get in touch with us, please click here or give us a call at (519) 809-4539. We look forward to assisting you in achieving your development goals!