The 5 Ws of Planning

Why Hire a Professional Planner

When you retain the services of a Registered Professional Planner you are in the hands of a skilled professional with a wide range of knowledge and experience in the area land use development and control. Professional Planners can guide you through the development of your property or advise you on the potential and pitfalls of a property you are looking to buy or develop. Planners help you understand the policies and laws that affect your land as well as the activities planned by your neighbours or within your community.

What is a Professional Planner

Professional Planners that are members of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) and the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) are awarded letters to their names (RPP and MCIP respectively), as well as Institute issued stamps and seals. Membership in these institutes which are governed by legislation which requires a rigorous initiation process, including testing, specific education and experience. Members, as in other professions are required to perform continuous professional learning and have minimum annual targets for structured learning. They are required to be familiar with all the current legislation affecting their profession.

Professional Planners operate under a strict code of conduct and ethics. They are subject to scrutiny and are responsible for acting in the public interest not as legal advocates. Their performance and execution of their profession is subject to review and discipline by a committee of their peers and the Institute itself.

Members of OPPI and CIP are fully insured. They are also bound by a strict Code of Conduct requiring that they foremost perform their duties in the public interest and with respect and diligence. A disciplinary committee enforces the Code.

So when you are hiring a professional planning consultant remember that you are hiring a high level of trained, experienced, monitored, and insured professional service with the peace of mind that you are in the best possible hands.

Who Hires a Professional Planner

Professional Planners are available for work with homeowners, developers, municipalities, business owners, as well as community, environmental and heritage groups. Sometimes planners are hired as staff while others are retained as consultants, as is the case with Marie Poirier Planning and Associates Inc.

As a planning consultant, we are frequently retained by developers and businesses to create, expand or re-design residential and commercial developments. We have assisted industrial land owners, and ratepayers affected by industrial and commercial operations. Planners often act as mediators and facilitators of land use compatibility.

Here is this area of the Province, vacation and second home property owners, as well as resorts and tourist commercial operators rely on us as professional planners to advise and assist with development and redevelopment of property through re-zoning, site plans and land division processes and procedures.

When You Should Hire a Professional Planner

A professional planner can assist you at every stage of a development. Of course, the earlier in the process, the better. There may be options that you should consider before you make your final planning decision. Engaging a planner to prepare and help you navigate through the often convoluted planning process with the municipality including working with the neighbours and coordinating other professional required for the success of the process will save time, resources, and a lot of frustration. Don’t wait until you find yourself in a negative situation; engage a professional sooner than later.

Where Can You Find a Professional Planner

Look no further than Marie Poirier Planning and Associates Inc. We are a full service professional planning firm that provides on-time, professional, personal and successful results. We are experienced, knowledgeable and well acquainted with the staff, Councils and the professional that complement our services in the areas that we serve. The relationships that Marie Poirier Planning and Associates has established are invaluable to the level of service and rate of success that this firm can provide.

You can find us in Dwight, and at various times throughout Muskoka, Parry Sound, Almaguin, Haliburton and the Kawarthas.