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MUNICIPAL AND LAND USE PLANNING LAW

Organizations building in today’s real estate and commercial development market need the assistance of a highly experienced and dedicated Municipal and Land Use Planning Law Firm with the know-how, resources and connections to successfully navigate the complex municipal approvals process.

McMillan’s Commercial Real Estate Group is a recognized leader in land use planning and development regulation law. Since 2003, we have consistently ranked as one of the Top 10 municipal law firms in Toronto and the GTA by Novae Res Urbis — a distinction that reflects McMillan’s client-focused approach, astute knowledge of Canadian and municipal zoning and planning laws, and success rate.

McMillan’s real estate team has extensive experience appearing before committees of adjustment, municipal councils and administrative tribunals, such as the Ontario Municipal Board, as well as all levels of court, including general division, provincial courts and courts of appeal. That is why our municipal and land use planning team is regularly sought out by a wide range of organizations, including corporate entities, developers, land and property owners, ratepayers, governments at all levels, religious organizations, and community and charitable groups.

McMillan’s experts in land use, planning and development regulation law are known for coordinating the submission of expert reports, architectural and engineering plans, surveys, draft agreements and other documentation; representing clients before administrative tribunals and the courts; negotiating and drafting settlement, servicing, development, section 37, and site plan approval agreements; liaising with government staff and local representatives; advising and representing clients in expropriation proceedings; assisting clients with heritage preservation matters; obtaining environmental approvals and assisting with brownfield redevelopments; advising and defending clients in safety code compliance matters; and representing clients on judicial review applications and planning appeals.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Opportunities abound in commercial real estate development, but the most attractive real estate opportunity can be significantly devalued if not developed properly. Our national team of real estate lawyers deliver expert counsel throughout the commercial development planning process, including the due diligence phase. Our overriding goal is to help our real estate clients turn their property into profit while adhering to laws and regulations that govern land use planning and development across jurisdictions.

McMillan’s professionals help by negotiating with, and appearing before, government and public agencies, and public interest groups; providing advice on environmental and regulatory issues that may affect the use and development of real property, both brownfield and Greenfield; advising on heritage or architectural landmark preservation issues; ensuring safety code compliance; and counselling on environmental assessment, licensing and other development approval issues.

 

Primary Contacts

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Annik Forristal

Partner, Construction & Infrastructure | Municipal, Land Use Planning & Development

Marc Kemerer

Partner, Municipal, Land Use & Planning

Kailey Sutton

Partner, Construction & Infrastructure | Municipal, Land Use Planning & Development

Deals and Cases

Insights (10 Posts)View More

Featured Insight

Provincial Government Telling Developers to “Use It or Lose It” in Respect of Certain Ministerial Zoning Orders, and Consulting on New MZO Approvals Process

Province recently announced that it will be critically considering projects with lands subject to MZOs to ensure that substantial progress is being made.

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Jan 10, 2024
Featured Insight

Montreal Large-Show Venue Ordered To Better Control The Noise It Generates

This bulletin summarizes a recent decision ordering the cessation of activities causing a noise-related nuisance

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Dec 14, 2023
Featured Insight

The Quick and Dirty on Ontario’s Proposed 2024 Amendments to the Excess Soil Regulation

The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks has proposed amendments to the excess soil regulation, which will come into effect on January 1, 2024

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Oct 24, 2023
Featured Insight

The Core of Montreal’s Chinatown Receives Heritage Status: Process and Implications

This article explains the process and implications of heritage classification, and discusses the recent classification of Chinatown’s core.

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Sep 6, 2023
Featured Insight

Ontario’s Old Construction Lien Act is Still With Us – Here’s What to Do About It

We identify best practices that contractors and others providing construction services should adopt to avoid missing lien periods in Ontario.

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Aug 11, 2023
Featured Insight

Bill 112: The Hazel McCallion Act, 2023 and Potential Impacts of the Proposed Dissolution of the Peel Region

On May 18, 2023, Ontario passed Bill 112 proposing the dissolution of Peel Region, and similar legislation could impact other regions in the near future.

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May 31, 2023
Featured Insight

Ontario Seeks to Remove Barriers and Promote Inclusivity for Women on Construction Worksites

Ontario has taken a significant step forward to promoting the inclusion of women in the construction sector.

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Apr 26, 2023
Featured Insight

Client News Alert: Ontario Introduces Bill 97 and Says Goodbye Growth Plan, Hello New PPS – Bill 97 and the new Proposed Provincial Planning Statement

Further changes have been proposed to Ontario's land use planning regime, which will collapse the Growth Plan and Provincial Policy Statement into one document

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Apr 12, 2023
Featured Insight

Major changes proposed to Quebec’s land use planning and development regime: focus on environmental impacts

This bulletin summarizes the proposed amendments to Quebec’s land use and development regime that have environmental implications.

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Apr 3, 2023
Featured Insight

Competing Claims for Construction Holdback – Whose Money is it, anyway?

The Court reviews the application of trust claims to construction projects on Federal lands, and illustrates the importance of a carefully drafted contract.

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Apr 1, 2023