Development approvals
Planning and project management for residential, retail commercial and industrial projects, including official plan and zoning amendments, subdivision and condominium applications, site plans, minor variances and consents.
Partner
Catherine Spears
MCIP, RPP
Registered Professional Planner
Professional background
Catherine has been with gsi since its establishment in 1991 and brings more than 41 years of private-sector experience in land use planning, development, expropriation and project management. Her work combines planning analysis with practical experience managing development proposals and municipal approvals.
She advises on highest and best use, development feasibility, planning justification, official plan and zoning amendments, minor variances, consents, subdivisions, condominiums and site plans. Her practice also includes forensic planning investigations and planning evidence for property disputes and expropriation matters.
Catherine has appeared before the Ontario Land Tribunal and its predecessors, the Toronto Local Appeal Body, the Superior Court of Justice (Ontario), the Board of Negotiation and arbitration hearings. Her work includes witness statements, visual evidence, reply reports and supporting material for counsel.
Areas of practice
- Land use policy, planning due diligence and development potential
- Development approvals and project management
- Highest and best use studies and development pro formas
- Expropriation planning, reply reports and expert evidence
- Minor variances, consents and building permit coordination
Selected experience
Expropriation and valuation support
Planning analysis of development potential with and without a taking, including hypothetical development schemes that inform highest and best use and valuation assumptions.
Building permit coordination
Experience includes building permit work for a distribution and fulfilment centre in Vaughan and retail warehouses across Ontario.
Planning evidence and property disputes
Preparation of planning opinions, witness statements, visual evidence and reply material for development applications, land disputes, assessment matters and ground lease arbitrations.
Career experience
- Vice President, Land Group — Bramalea Limited, 1990–1991
- Director of Planning — Inducon companies, 1988–1990; Development Co-ordinator, 1986–1988
- Planner — Leon Kentridge & Associates Limited, 1983–1986