WE PLAN.
Projects
742 Bayfield Street North
Residential Units
2000
Approvals
Minister’s Zoning Order
427 Yonge Street
Residential Units
373
Approvals
Zoning Bylaw Amendment
Site Plan
425 Bayly Street West
Residential Units
3,727
Approvals
Official Plan Amendment
Zoning Bylaw Amendment
Mobility Orbit
Residential Units
300 acres
Approvals
Official Plan Amendment
The Orbit is a vision for a Next Generation Community located 60 km North of Canada’s largest City, Toronto. The planned project has the capacity to absorb over 40 million square feet (4 million square meters) of newly built modern community. It will truly be a place to grow. The Orbit is a cutting-edge community where small town and rural lifestyles coexist with the benefits and attributes of urban living. The public realm is at the forefront with housing density & affordability, mobility, transit, arts, culture, technology, connectivity, business, healthcare, social cohesion & infrastructure. Innovative Planning Solutions represents several landowners within the orbit, totalling approximately 300 acres and is working collaboratively to advance this innovative community forward.
Beeton
Residential Units
474 acres
Approvals
Official Plan Amendment
The master plan has been developed to reflect the ongoing ambition of creating a vibrant new cultural quarter for Beeton – a sustainable, complete community that balances places to live, work and enjoy the public realm around the existing natural environment with new trails and routes. This evolution of Beeton’s sense of place continues the transformation of a previously inaccessible, agricultural site into a welcoming and accessible new neighbourhood. The master plan includes 192 ha (474 acres) and plans for 6,636 new homes with 1,260 employment opportunities. The master plan introduces the creation of an Eco Park, Transit Station, Urban Agricultural Area, Community Center and Urban Plaza/Town Square.
140 Lockhart Road
Units
33 industrial lots
Approvals
Official Plan Amendment
Zoning By-law Amendment
Draft Plan of Subdivision
The proposed development consists of an industrial subdivision with 33 industrial lots that are municipally serviced. This will support the economic development in the City of Barrie. The proposed employment uses are connected to the Barrie Collingwood Railway for industrial operations further promoting these lands as premier employment lands.
306 Yonge Street
Residential Units
1,029
Approvals
Zoning By-law Amendment
Plan of Subdivision
Site Plan Application
The proposed development consists of a mixed-use mid-rise building. The development consists of three blocks: one block with a 6-storey mixed-use condominium building with ground floor commercial units fronting onto Yonge Street, a second central block containing two 6-storey condominium buildings, and a third western block with two 3-storey condominium buildings and ten 3-storey townhouse units. The residential component will provide for a total of 1,029 residential units, comprising 10 townhouse units and 1,019 condominium units. Commercial units will accommodate 1,281.6 square metres on the ground floor with frontage onto Yonge Street.
126 Bradford Street
Residential Units
136
Approvals
Zoning By-law Amendment
Site Plan Application
The proposed development consists of one (1) mixed use building with two residential towers, each forty-five (45) storeys in height and a shared six (6) storey podium, with parking and commercial uses at grade. As a whole, the proposal will result in a total gross floor area of 51,383 m2. The proposal will also provide approximately 1,509 m2 of indoor amenity space and 14,810 m2 of outdoor amenity space (including private balconies). In total, the proposed development offers 912 residential units, in the form of 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom options. The proposed development seeks to provide 15% of units, for a total of 136 units, as affordable housing units. This site is located near the Allandale GO Transit Station Area.
10258 Airport Road
Residential Units
72
Approvals
Official Plan Amendment
The proposed development consists of a condominium apartment and commercial development proposal is located at 10258 Airport Road, in Brampton. It is on the southwest side of Airport Road near the south corner intersection at Airport Road and Sandalwood/Humberwest Parkway. The Site is connected to a commercial plaza on the northwest and backs onto a ravine on the southwest end of the property. The proposed development includes one building with 3 commercial units for general office use, a condominium apartment lobby, a garage on the first floor, 72 apartment units across the second floor to the ninth floor, and condominium amenity rooms on the tenth floor. The lot area is 0.5 hectares (1.24 acres) in an irregular shape. The lot frontage on Airport Road is 94.81m and the lot depth is 63.45m
175 Essa Road
Residential Units
4,054
Approvals
Official Plan Amendment
A master-planned community has been designed to facilitate the development of 4,054 residential units, provided through high-rise mixed-use buildings and 98 townhouses, as well as commercial uses and a school block. A total of 13 towers are proposed with heights from 15-storeys to 40-storeys.
41 Essa Road
Residential Units
1,259
Approvals
Zoning Bylaw Amendment
232 Cameron Crescent
Residential Units
380
Approvals
Zoning Bylaw Amendment
The development proposed development consists of a 20-story building including a 7- storey podium with a 2-storey commercial building. A total of 380 residential units with a roof-top terrace is provided along the shores of Lake Simcoe. An extensive amenity area is integrated into the plans. This is a landmark project for the community which is themed after a traditional lighthouse design.
Tollendale Village
Residential Units
388
Approvals
Minister’s Zoning Order
The proposed development sought approval of a Minister’s Zoning Order for a 388-unit retirement home, a 160-bed long-term care home and a 52-bed special care facility for those living with dementia. The site consists of 3 buildings for the retirement home, a building for the long-term care/dementia care facility and an amenity building. The senior’s community envisions walking trails, shuffleboard, pickleball and courts.
8859 Beachwood Road
Residential Units
510
Approvals
Official Plan Amendment
Zoning Bylaw Amendment
Plan of Subdivision
40 Beach Drive
Units
150 Hotel Units
Approvals
Site Plan
A project where we are to unveil a highly anticipated artist’s renderings of the proposed redevelopment of Wasaga Beach’s iconic beachfront and downtown commercial area. The proposed project builds on the latest, innovative urban planning principles and includes smaller flats to 3+ bedroom units and townhouses, a 150-room boutique-style hotel, commercial shops, and residences balanced with family-friendly, age-friendly public spaces. The beachfront redevelopment project focuses on the beachfront commercial area around Beach Drive, the economic spinoffs will benefit the entire community.
RiverWalk Master Plan
Approvals
Minister’s Zoning Order
Riverwalk is a master-planned community that is designed to be a walkable community integrating a variety of built forms and densities the along the Scugog River waterfront. The Marina Plaza will represent central landmark for the Town. The development proposal surrounding the plaza consists of 400 townhouses, 1400 residential within 4 to 8 storey mixed-use buildings, a hotel, senior’s homes and 10,000 sqft of commercial space connected through an extensive trail network.
Mearns Ave
Residential Units
275
Approvals
Official Plan Amendment
Zoning By-Law Amendment
The proposed development consists of a 275 unit 12-storey mixed-use building, 63 three-storey stacked townhouse units and a park located at the intersection of Mearns Ave and Concession Road 3. The proposed 12-storey building has been positioned within Bowmanville to appropriately densify the intersection of two major transportation corridors.
Team
Tahmineh Feyzabi
John Albert
Ray Budiwarman
Abby Pakyanathan
Cynthia Daffern
Adam Fiorini
Ashley Blow
Renee Caloiero
Allison Seeber-Shaver
CAD Designer/Technician
Mohitha Desu
Cristina Pivato
We provide Planning Services in the following disciplines:
Planning
Minister’s Zoning Order
Official Plan Amendment
Zoning By-law Amendment
Draft Plan of Subdivision/Condominium
Site Plan Application
Minor Variance, Consent and Severance Applications
Pre-consultation
Urban Design and Plans
Subdivision Plan/ Condominium Plan
Secondary Plans
Block Plans
Massing Study
Site Plan
Specialized Land Use Planning
Property Due Diligence
Land Use Project Management
Community Engagement
Indigenous Consultation
Urban Boundary Expansion
Ontario Land Tribunal
Expropriation
Landowner Group Management
Aggregate Resources
Employment Conversion
Darren Vella
Darren Vella founded IPS in 2004 and is the President and Director of Planning. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Planning from the University of Northern British Columbia in 2000. He is a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and is a Registered Professional Planner. Prior to forming IPS, Darren was a well-respected municipal planner in the capacity of Junior Planner and Director of Planning. Having worked in both the public and private sector, Darren’s vast knowledge and experience, coupled with his innovative concepts, have earned him a solid reputation within the planning and development community. Over his career, he has provided expert testimony as a qualified land use planner before the Ontario Land Tribunal. Darren works with a number of clients in the private sector, ranging from small builders with intensification projects to some of the largest land developers in Ontario.
In his spare time, he volunteers and sponsors community organizations and is an avid traveller and fisherman.
To contact Darren Vella please reach out to: [email protected]
Cameron Sellers
Cameron Sellers brings extensive experience working in fast-paced multi-stakeholder environments in the Planning, Engineering, and Business sectors. With over two decades of experience, he has lead multidisciplinary teams locally, nationally, and internationally. Cameron is a passionate problem solver whose planning approach includes creating innovative and logical solutions to the many challenges of land development. A skilled project manager and planner, Cameron’s focus at IPS includes a strong emphasis on obtaining results. Geographically, his projects now encompass the Golden Greater Horseshoe and beyond, having experience in all planning sectors and applications. Since joining the firm in 2009, Cameron’s role has evolved into a Partner at the firm and has proven to be an excellent facilitator, possessing a diverse background and strong technical analysis abilities.
In his spare time, Cameron is involved in many activities with his children and enjoys active recreational sports and travel.
To contact Cameron Sellers please reach out to: [email protected]
Cameron Sellers
Cameron Sellers brings extensive experience working in fast-paced multi-stakeholder environments in the Planning, Engineering, and Business sectors. With over two decades of experience, he has lead multidisciplinary teams locally, nationally, and internationally. Cameron is a passionate problem solver whose planning approach includes creating innovative and logical solutions to the many challenges of land development. A skilled project manager and planner, Cameron’s focus at IPS includes a strong emphasis on obtaining results. Geographically, his projects now encompass the Golden Greater Horseshoe and beyond, having experience in all planning sectors and applications. Since joining the firm in 2009, Cameron’s role has evolved into a Partner at the firm and has proven to be an excellent facilitator, possessing a diverse background and strong technical analysis abilities.
In his spare time, Cameron is involved in many activities with his children and enjoys active recreational sports and travel.
To contact Cameron Sellers please reach out to: [email protected]
Greg Barker
Greg joined IPS in 2008 in the role of Junior Planner and has expanded his role to Partner. Over this timeframe, Greg has gained considerable planning experience spanning a large geographic area within Ontario on behalf of private sector clients. Often working as part of a multidisciplinary team, Greg has been involved in numerous successful Planning Act applications including approvals for Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments; Draft Plans of Subdivisions/Condominium, Severances, Minor Variances and Site Plans. Greg has experience with the OLT and has been qualified to provide expert land use planning evidence. Working in the private sector, Greg has experience in many disciplines of the planning and development industry including Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Agricultural, Rural and Recreational across the Province. Greg strives to apply a technical, practical and sensible approach to his projects in order to meet the goals and objectives of clients; this approach has provided results regardless of scale and scope while fostering relationships with clients, municipal staff and other stakeholders.
In his spare time, Greg volunteers as a minor hockey coach and spends as much time as possible with his young family including a range of recreational activities such as hockey, skiing, golfing, basketball and baseball to name a few.
To contact Greg Barker please reach out to: [email protected]
Kevin Bechard
Kevin Bechard is a Senior Associate with Innovative Planning Solutions and is a seasoned lead planner having worked in both the private and municipal planning environments. He has over 35 years experience working as a planner on large-scale, complex land use planning projects having previously held the senior managerial and director level roles. He has gained insight over his career to on how to tactfully navigate the planning and development approval processes in Ontario. Kevin is a registered professional planner holding a designation with the Ontario Professional Planning Institute (OPPI) and has served as an expert witness at Ontario Land Use and Environmental tribunals on several occasions.
To contact Kevin Bechard please email: [email protected]
Katie Pandey
Originally trained as an architect, Katie began her career in India before completing postgraduate studies in Urban Planning at the School of Planning and Architecture (New Delhi) and later earning a Master’s degree in Planning from the University of Waterloo.
Katie’s professional background spans senior roles in both municipal and private consulting environments, where she has led and managed complex development applications, secondary planning exercises, and multi-disciplinary project teams. She has been qualified several times as an expert witness in land use planning before the Ontario Land Tribunal and the Toronto Local Appeal Body. Katie is well regarded for her analytical clarity, strategic thinking, and ability to navigate multi-stakeholder processes with precision and professionalism.
Beyond her project work, Katie is a dedicated mentor and educator. She has taught urban planning–related courses at Seneca College, Mohawk College, and Centennial College. She actively contributes to the profession through volunteer roles with the Urban Land Institute, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), and Skills for Change. In 2021, she was recognized by the Urban Land Institute’s Women’s Leadership Initiative and previously received TRCA’s Champion of Diversity Award.
Katie also lends her expertise through professional advisory appointments, serving as a member of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Urban Design Review Panel and the Haldimand County Urban Design Panel.
James Hunter
James holds a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from the Metropolitan University of Toronto (formerly Ryerson University). Outside of work, James spends his time playing all sports, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.
Dafne Gokcen
In her spare time, Dafne enjoys figure skating, curling, skiing, and going hiking with her dog.
Kyle Galvin
Nick Skerrat
Through his previous municipal experience spanning over 20 years, Nick has fostered a diverse background in land use development, led complex project initiatives, and prides himself on detailed project management approaches to bring development proposals to completion. Nick brings experience from the public sector, knowledge from multiple educational institutions, and leadership most recently through the Schulich School of Business at York University.
On his free time, he enjoys traveling and living an active lifestyle.
Bishoi Shinoda
Alfiya Kakal
Lauren Jeffrey
Outside of work, Lauren enjoys snowboarding, yoga, and golfing.
Saba Mohammadian
Saba has worked on a wide range of projects across Canada and internationally, including serving as an Urban Designer and Technical Advisor on major city-building initiatives in Toronto such as the Ontario Line transit plazas and transit-oriented developments. She is passionate about shaping inclusive, sustainable, and people-centered urban environments.
Outside of work, Saba enjoys exploring Toronto’s neighbourhoods, staying active, traveling, and learning about different cultures and languages.
We Plan & Design
About Us
Our belief is that building relationships in turn builds better communities. Innovative Planning Solutions (IPS), as a business model, ensures a direct hands-on approach which we believe is essential to achieve results in the development industry. Generally servicing southern Ontario, with projects in urban and rural settings, IPS has dependably built a reputation for quality professional services that are receptive to the unique character of individual communities and environments.
IPS offers full services to all private sectors for assistance with official plan amendments, zoning by-law amendments, site plans, subdivision agreements, master plans, community improvement plans, budget creation and review, development review, public consultation, conflict resolution, urban design, drafting and more. Our services are directed toward the development and revitalization of Ontario’s communities through balanced, sustainable solutions to planning and community building.
Our work typically involves working with regulatory agencies, conservation authorities, provincial ministries, civic leaders, community residents, institutions, developers, landowners, businesses and private consultants. At IPS, we realize every project is unique and requires integrity, innovative design, and attention to detail. IPS has vast experience dealing with various planning challenges ranging from the simplistic to extremely complex. Such challenges may include urban and rural development, residential, commercial, industrial developments, agriculture, environmental planning, natural resources, economic development, community improvement, heritage, health and safety, and healthy living. We realize planning is a complex process, with a diversity of interests which require innovative solutions.









































