Reporting to the Director of Development Review, the Planner, Development Review is responsible for leading and coordinating the Town’s development approvals process and providing professional land use planning advice to Council, the Committee of Adjustment, the Niagara Escarpment Commission, the Ontario Land Tribunal, and other boards and committees.

Accountabilities:

• Responsible as project manager for coordinating all development processes of assigned development projects from the time of pre-consultation to the point preceding application for a building permit.
• Functions as the primary point of contact for communication between all parties involved in the development approvals process.
• Facilitates resolution of conflict, identifies and pursues the resolution of key issues emerging through the course of a development project.
• Establishes deadlines and monitors progress of projects targeting delivery of decisions and outcomes as required by the Town policy, Bylaws, Provincial legislation and policies.
• Monitors the development approvals process and recommends improvements to the Manager of Development Review that promote optimal effectiveness and efficiency.
• Identifies issues in the interpretation of the policy and regulatory framework and proposes solutions to advance development projects and identifies projects that need to be red flagged and escalated to department heads for a decision.
• Works with consulting staff retained by the Town to provide specialized advice on development projects.
• Engages a diverse range of public and private customers in an effective and efficient response to phone, e-mail and front counter inquiries.
• Provides professional planning advice on matters related to various development projects to customers, other Departments, agencies, Senior Management, Town Council and associated boards and committees in accordance with obligations and competencies specified as a professional planner certified to practice in the Province of Ontario.
• Holds and facilitates meetings as necessary involving Planning and other Town staff and customers and provides general counsel on the development approvals process in order to advance development projects process through the approvals to agreement and construction stages.
• Formulates, negotiates and/or articulates the Town’s position on matters related to the implementation of development projects as well as assists project proponents in advancing development projects through approval stages with regard to Provincial planning legislation, regulations and policy statements, other Provincial legislation and plans, Regional planning policies and Town policies, processes and by-laws.
• Prepares detailed planning reports to General Committee and Council on development review matters and attends General Committee/Council meetings to present/explain these reports including formal presentations.
• Manages public and agency notification and meeting processes and holds/facilitates special meetings as required to engage the public on development applications of particular interest or complexity.
• Proactively works to resolve issues emerging from the circulation process.
• Provides comment and recommendations on the urban design quality of projects to Council, senior management, related boards and committees and participates in the development of urban design policy and regulations.
• Prepares and negotiates conditions of approval and implements legal instruments including development agreements, site plans, and bylaws.
• Conducts site inspections in evaluating conditions of specific development proposals.
• Attends on-site, off-site and evening meetings with customers, the public, other agencies and fulfills an advisory role for Committees and Town Council both with regard to specific applications and various elements of the development approvals process.
• Attends on behalf of the Town Ontario Municipal Board hearings and other hearings conducted under Provincial legislation and provides oral and written evidence and defends the same under cross-examination.
• Performs other job-related duties as required.

• Four-year university degree in Urban and Regional Planning or a related field
• Eight (8) years of planning experience, preferably in a municipal environment
• Membership in, or eligibility for membership in, the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute as a Registered Professional Planner (RPP)
• Thorough knowledge of provincial planning legislation, regulations, policy statements, regional planning policies, and Town policies and by-laws
• Effective time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize competing demands, manage conflicting deadlines, and meet legislated and corporate timelines
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills and the ability to present evidence before the Ontario Land Tribunal, other boards and committees, and the courts on development review matters
• Project management experience
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Strong understanding of the policy and regulatory framework governing land use planning and development approvals
• Ability to think creatively and apply sound judgment to resolve complex land development issues
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Proficiency in computer software applications, including intermediate-level skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint
• Strong mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills to address disputes related to complex development applications and support corporate objectives through the approvals process