Our Land Use Planning Services

Professional Land Use Planning Services for Simcoe County and Beyond

Morgan Planning provides strategic land use planning and development consulting services for property owners, developers, and professionals navigating Ontario’s complex planning framework. Based in Orillia and actively working throughout Barrie, Muskoka, and surrounding municipalities, we help clients move projects forward with clarity, precision, and a clear understanding of local planning realities.

Land use planning is not theoretical. It is municipal, political, and policy-driven. Success depends on knowing how provincial policy, official plans, zoning by-laws, and committee processes are actually applied—municipality by municipality. Our work is grounded in this practical understanding, ensuring applications are not only technically sound, but positioned for approval.

Our services are tailored to both small-scale property owners and larger development teams. From early feasibility assessments to formal submissions and public hearings, Morgan Planning delivers clear advice, defensible planning rationale, and professional representation at every stage.

Our Land Planning Services

Site Plans

MP&D excels at understanding both the needs of our clients and the underlying planning contexts that govern and direct their projects. With both these understandings in mind, we are able to effectively organize and illustrate physical layouts and site plans. A site plan drawing delineates the arrangement of existing and proposed site conditions. MP&D prepares site plan drawings defined by their attention to detail, their clear and cohesive physical design, and their ability to achieve approvals.

Subdivisions

MP&D has a proven record of preparing Plans of Subdivision in a variety of contexts for a diverse set of clients across Ontario. A Plan of Subdivision is required when a large tract of land is divided into a set of lots for development. Our approach to Plans of Subdivision relies on our ability to navigate regulatory frameworks and work closely with fellow consultants and approval authorities.

Condominiums

On the basis of our broad experience with residential and commercial development projects, MP&D has developed a strong record of preparing Plans of Condominium. We rely on our ability to understand relevant planning legislation, to collaborate with community stakeholders, and to devise creative solutions to prepare sound Plans of Condominium.

Zoning By-Law Amendments

If a proposed development conforms to a municipality’s official plan but conflicts with its zoning by-law, an application to amend the zoning by-law is required to move the development forward. MP&D has extensive experience with the planning analysis, project management, and negotiation skills inherent to obtaining zoning by-law amendment approvals.

Official Plan Amendments

An Official Plan Amendment application is required If a property owner wishes to use or develop their land in a way which conflicts with a municipality’s official plan. MP&D’s approach relies on our deep knowledge of planning policy and our strong communication and negotiation skills to achieve official plan amendment approvals.

OLT Hearings

The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) is an independent tribunal which operates under the authority of provincial legislation. In the context of the planning process, the OMB provides an independent public forum in which land use disputes are heard and decided upon. MP&D has a strong record of experience in preparing and delivering expert testimony backed by our professional planning expertise.

Minor Variances

Severences

The process required to authorize the division of property into a smaller number of lots (usually less than five) is known as consent, or sometimes, land severance. A consent application is required when a property owner wants to sell, mortgage, charge or enter into an agreement for a portion of their land. MP&D has the experience and ability to produce supporting materials and provide sound planning rationale to approval authorities. In this way, we ensure the efficient and accurate division of land.

Development Feasibility Analysis

A development feasibility analysis is a document we prepare to summarize and assess the quality and range of opportunities and constraints presented by a certain development scenario. MP&D utilizes our understanding of the economic, environmental, and planning contexts that influence development to provide our clients with the information they need to guide their decisions.

Public Engagement

MP&D sees public consultation is an integral aspect of the planning and development process. Our comprehensive understanding of planning policy and our commitment to effective communication result in public meetings where all stakeholders leave feeling well informed.

Planning Justification Reports

A PJR provides a detailed and comprehensive argument supporting a proposed land use change, severance and/or development project. A PJR is submitted as part of the planning application process.

Project Management

We provide strategic advice to achieve municipal approvals, facilitate pre-consultation meeting, prepare meeting minutes and assemble consulting teams to achieve the required planning approvals. This includes surveyors, civil engineers, architects, landscape architects, archeologists and ecologists.