Project management is a central part of any development application process. There are a lot of moving parts, multiple tasks, target dates, and several team members that require coordination. Having provided PM services for over ten years, I am well versed in navigating municipal approvals, with all the expected hurdles and hoops. Through the use of time-tracking programs, GANTT charts, and other project management tools, Q9 can efficiently move your project towards completion.

Feasibility is a critical step in the development process. Determining the feasibility of a project includes surveying the site for unstable slopes and endangered species among other obstacles. Another component of a Feasibility Review is assessing the area external to the immediate site. These external considerations involve evaluating the transportation infrastructure, scale of nearby development, pedestrian connections, and much more. Lastly, a major component of any Feasibility Review is the policy and provisions, that are in place to guide development, as set out by the Province, Township/Counties, or Municipality. Q9 works in tandem with your developer to ensure that the desired program is sound and feasible for construction.

The next step to a project after conceptualization is to determine which approvals are necessary and who the approval authority is. Q9 can advise clients on what the likely approvals are and draft a list of requirements, but the best step is to meet with the approval authority and obtain any information about the proposal that will assist in finalizing a workable and approvable concept. Common development approvals and other related processes that the Q9 team has had considerable experience with are: Zoning By-law Amendments, Site Plan Control Approval, Plan of Subdivisions, Plan of Condominiums, Official Plan Amendments, and more. For a fairly complete list of application types, please see the City of Ottawa's website. It is important to note that bumps and hurdles may occur on even the most simple of projects and additional costs may be incurred. Our experience is a valuable asset and we can leverage our expertise to your advantage!

Urban design is a multidisciplinary process that combines planning, transportation, architectural design, engineering, and more to create a vision for an urban area that is both functional and attractive. Q9 offers a multitude of urban design services from developing initial concepts to preparing an urban design plan in support of a development proposal. The following list is an example of some of the urban design services we provide: Urban Design Plans Urban Design Guidelines & Policy Highest & Best Use Analysis Urban Design Reports Urban Design Workshops and Training Sessions Design-based Community Engagement Form-based Zoning 3D massing modelling

Policy review can be as simple as determining the zoning parameters for a given site, or it can be as involved as analyzing the details of a Growth Management Strategy for a new Official Plan and assessing a site based on several criteria to determine if could be a candidate for inclusion into an expanded Urban Boundary. Christine McCuaig has performed reviews of new Zoning By-laws, Official Plan Amendments, Community Design Plans, and Municipal Design Guidelines, among other forms of policy documents. ​ Every single project requires some degree of policy review, whether to assess zoning compliance or to determine if an Official Plan Amendment is required. It is a daily activity at Q9 Planning + Design and therefore we are very well versed this integral component of the planning discipline. ​ When a project encounters a compliance issue - with either zoning or an official plan policy, it is our experience and expertise that allows us to identify if the non-compliance aspect is still considering good planning based on the unique merits of the project or if it requires some rethinking. ​ It is important to know that every project is different and every site is different. Context plays a very important role, but it must always be viewed alongside a site's constraints and opportunities and how these foundations for development fit into the applicable policies and provisions that apply to it. All of the above components create a story that will guide the highest and best use for a particular piece of property. ​