Property development requires careful planning, from timelines to budgeting. In addition, land usage plays an important role in how each aspect of planning impacts the rest of the project. With sustainability at the core of our guiding principles, we’re always looking for ways to reduce our environmental footprint while ensuring our buildings meet the highest standards for rental development. Our green initiatives are incorporated into many of our properties, including the installation of electric car charging stations and thorough recycling programs. 

In this blog, we’ll dive into CLV Group’s innovative land usage strategies and how we maximize space while minimizing our environmental impact.

What is Land Use and Planning?

Strategic land use and planning can promote sustainability through ecosystem conservation. By meeting housing needs while preserving natural resources and nearby ecosystems, thoughtful land planning can reduce urban sprawl. Urban sprawl consumes excessive land for housing or commercial purposes, encroaching on natural habitats and necessitating greater fuel consumption for transportation. Strategic land use and planning also benefit the community.

Planning Process

Land usage planning starts before any other steps begin. Location is everything in real estate, and identifying buildings that can be easily revamped, rather than built from the ground up, is a crucial strategy. Many investors search for vibrant, high-traffic communities close to transit and amenities, which are ideal for mitigating urban sprawl. 

Office-to-Residential Conversions

Building a brand new building takes plenty of time and precious resources. A tactic we at CLV Group employ is to invest in office-to-residential conversions. Since the pandemic began in 2020, there has been a shift to remote and hybrid work, leaving many office buildings in Ottawa vacant. One such example is at 360 Laurier Avenue W. We took an adaptive reuse approach and modified the building to create apartments for rent. 

Conversions like these are excellent for streamlining construction, conserving materials, and repurposing vacant office buildings without changing a city skyline. Since most of these office buildings are in the city centre, residents get to enjoy the urban lifestyle with critical connections to amenities and transit.

Local Government Rules for Land Use Planning in Ontario

The Provincial Planning Statement (PPS) for 2024 outlines policy frameworks for building new homes. This statement helps municipalities with the following:

• Planning transportation, water, sewer and other infrastructure necessary to accommodate current and future housing development needs across Ontario.
• Finding available land for development.
• Ensuring developments can compete in the current housing market and are a worthy investment.
• Protecting agricultural lands and the surrounding environment (petroleum, cultural heritage, farmland, water).
• Collaborating with Indigenous communities to share knowledge, inform land-use planning decisions, and uphold Aboriginal and treaty rights.

Strategic Planning in Upcoming Projects

CLV Group continually strives to find new and innovative land-use strategies. From office conversions to sustainable planning, we demonstrate our commitment to minimizing environmental impact while meeting housing needs. We aim to create vibrant, eco-conscious communities by prioritizing innovative development and adhering to provincial guidelines. Together, we’re building a greener future without compromising convenience or quality.

Learn more about CLV Group’s upcoming developments