Subdivision Design, Review, Approvals and Development

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Navigate the subdivision and land development approval process while meeting regulatory and legal requirements.

• Evaluate how planning policy, legislation, municipal regulations, financing considerations, and market conditions influence development decisions.

• Identify the appropriate consultants, specialists, agencies, and stakeholders required at each stage of a project and coordinate their involvement effectively.

• Assess technical, financial, and scheduling risks that can affect project timelines, approvals, and overall viability.

• Apply practical strategies to support successful subdivision planning, design, review, servicing, and implementation.

Description

Land development projects are shaped by a complex combination of planning requirements, engineering considerations, financial constraints, regulatory approvals, and stakeholder interests. Even well-conceived projects can encounter delays, increased costs, or approval challenges when the relationships between these factors are not fully understood. Successfully navigating the development process requires a clear understanding of both the technical and non-technical drivers that influence project outcomes.

This course provides a comprehensive examination of the subdivision development process from multiple perspectives, including those of developers, regulators, consultants, lenders, and approving agencies. You will explore the legislative and regulatory framework governing land development, planning approvals, engineering development standards, site plan applications, infrastructure servicing requirements, development financing, and project delivery. The course also examines emerging policy initiatives, evolving development standards, and changing market conditions that affect development practice.

Through practical examples and case studies, you will develop a broader understanding of how decisions made throughout the planning, design, approval, servicing, and construction phases influence project performance. Particular emphasis is placed on stakeholder coordination, risk management, approval strategies, infrastructure requirements, and the financial realities that shape successful subdivision development projects.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for:

• Land use planners and planning consultants

• Civil, municipal, transportation, environmental, water resources, and development engineers

• Engineering technologists and technicians involved in land development projects

• Development project managers and development review professionals

• Developers, investors, property managers, and lenders

• Surveyors, appraisers, and other professionals supporting development projects

• Municipal planning, development, and approvals personnel

• Real estate professionals involved in subdivision and community development

• Individuals seeking a practical understanding of the subdivision and land development process

Syllabus

Welcome, Introduction, Workshop Preview, Learning Outcomes and the Assessment Method

Land Development Business - A Developer’s Perspective
The process for developing raw land to residential subdivision: Demand, opportunity, land acquisition, proformas, consultants, financing, sales & marketing, and construction.

Land Development Business - A Municipality’s Perspective
The process for developing raw land to residential subdivision: Regulatory regime, changes in local official plan policies, zoning and subdivision law and its regulatory agencies provincial policy and interests including smart growth.

Planning Process

• Legislative and regulatory framework

• Roles and responsibilities of the provincial government, municipalities, and agencies

• Municipal planning policies, by-laws, and regulations

• Strategies for planning approvals

• Submission requirements for planning applications

• Public involvement in the planning process

• Permit issuance

• Development charges

• Questions and answers

Engineering Development Standards

• Evolution of Engineering Development Standards

• Market demand and public sector response

• Innovation and alternative development standards

• Relationship with urban design

• Resulting engineering considerations: underground utilities, surface improvements, stormwater management

• Municipal infrastructure

• Development disciplines

• General private drainage and grading

• Complaints

• Site alteration permits

• Water and sanitary

• General policies- public works

• Questions and answers

Consulting Team Roles & Responsibilities

• Planners

• Surveyors

• Civil Engineers

• Environmental

• Geotechnical

• Landscape

• Legal

• Marketing & Sales

• Appraiser

• Banker

• Legal

Adjournment

Day II

Site Plan Application

• Site plan submission: drawing requirements, background study requirements

• Application circulation: internal agencies, external agencies

• Consultation with applicant and agent

• Conditional site plan approval

• Clearance of conditions

• Site inspections and cancellation of security deposits

• Minor modifications

• Questions and answers

Engineering Design Process

• Economic/demographic trends

• Changing housing preferences

• Choosing the appropriate type of market analysis

• Assessing development potential

• Land survey

• Streets and sidewalks

• Stormwater Drainage

• Sanitary sewers

• Manholes

• Water distribution

• Hydrants

• Substation/transformers

• Street lighting

• Traffic signs and signals

Case Study/Assignment

Day III

Cost of Development

• Costs related to process changes

• Costs related to engineering standards changes

• Costs related to the type of development - conventional vs traditional neighbourhood development

• Scheduling and cost control during the design and construction phase

• Municipal cost/benefit and asset management

Development Financing

• A lender's perspective on financing

• Financing sources

• Preparing proposals for financiers

• Environmental risk

• Interim financing

• Criteria for assessment

Registration, Sales & Marketing, Construction & Completion

• What comes first, the construction or the registration?

• Fees & Charges

• Sales & Promotion

• Realities of Construction

• Project Completion & Success

Functional Servicing Requirements

Water, Wastewater, Drainage

• Expectations & Requirements

• Responsibilities & Cost of Infrastructure

Watershed Management

• Subwatershed management

• Drainage plans

• Stormwater management: water supply development and sewage disposal for subdivision development in unserviced areas

• Effective Environmental Impact Statements

• Case study

• Questions and answers

Traffic Implications of Land Development

• Internal site design

• External traffic analysis

• Mitigating measures

• Street widening, auxiliary lanes, signalization

• Application of standards and techniques to produce an acceptable resolution

Questions and Answers and Feedback to Participants on Achievement of Learning Outcomes

Concluding Remarks and Final Adjournment