Municipal and Land Development
Goodmans Municipal and Land Development practice group is deeply rooted in the commercial real estate and land use planning sectors, with a diverse administrative law practice that has played an integral role in the firm since its inception.
Our lawyers are strong client advocates with rock-solid credibility among property owners and governing bodies alike. We practice with fairness and integrity, and our approach is grounded in responsive, transparent and clear communication, fostered through decades-long relationships with clients, government officials and industry stakeholders. Clients trust our smart, strategic, practical, solution-driven style, and officials respect our flawless track-record, industry knowledge and straightforward professionalism.
Our clients range from individuals to large corporations, institutions and municipalities. We provide legal advice and representation which encompasses every stage of the development approval process, and often extends to complex planning issues related to the environment, natural and cultural heritage, servicing, civil engineering, infrastructure financing, transportation, market impact, community services and growth management, among many others.
We regularly appear before municipal committees and councils, administrative tribunals and courts in respect of development appeals, property tax assessment disputes, expropriation proceedings and a wide range of other municipal and regulatory matters.
Our lawyers have an impressive record of hearing successes – particularly before the Ontario Land Tribunal (formerly the Ontario Municipal Board / Local Planning Appeal Tribunal) in respect of land use policy disputes and development applications. However, we also have the judgment to understand when our clients’ desired outcomes are better achieved through negotiated resolution than through a contested hearing, and the skill to deliver favourable results in those circumstances.
As an example of our ability to combine creative techniques with successful traditions, Goodmans was the first law firm to hire a full-time land-use planner in the 1970s. Our collective experience and collaborative mindset sets us apart from our peers, and we approach every client matter with an open mind and a steadfast commitment to providing the highest quality advice and representation.
Expertise
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Development Changes and Infrastructure Financing
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Environmental
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Expropriation
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Property Assessment and Taxation
Explore People in Municipal and Land Development
Meet our teamFeatured Work
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Municipal and Land Development
First Capital REIT to redevelop properties in Yonge-Eglinton area
Goodmans LLP acted for First Capital REIT in connection with the approval of the official plan amendment and rezoning application to permit the future redevelopment of 13 neighbourhoods-designated… -
Real Estate
Waterfront Toronto partners with Quayside Impact Limited Partnership
Goodmans LLP advised Quayside Impact Limited Partnership (“QILP”), a partnership between Dream Unlimited and Great Gulf, in connection with Waterfront Toronto’s international search for a development… -
Real Estate
Knightstone Group of Companies’ student residence development matters
Goodmans LLP acts for the Knightstone Group of Companies as developer and tenant in the long-term ground leasing of real property from colleges and universities and the subsequent rezoning and… -
Mergers and Acquisitions
Group led by Michael Andlauer buys Ottawa Senators
Goodmans LLP acted for an entity controlled by Michael Andlauer in its purchase of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club from the Melnyk Estate… -
Municipal and Land Development
Madison Properties Inc. Redevelopments at Yonge and Eglinton
Goodmans LLP is acting for Madison Properties Inc. in connection with various high-profile redevelopments near the intersection of Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue in the City of Toronto… -
Municipal and Land Development
Oxford Properties Group Redevelopment at Scarborough City Centre
Goodmans LLP is acting for Oxford Properties Group in connection with the official plan and zoning by-law amendment applications for a mixed-use redevelopment west of Scarborough City Centre…
Insights
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Municipal and Land Development
We Know What You Did Last Summer: Land Use Planning Edition
The late spring and summer of 2024 brought yet more changes to Ontario’s land use planning framework as the province continued to refine the regulatory context for development. Among other changes… -
Municipal and Land Development
Shifting Sands – Ontario Proposes More Changes to the Land Use Planning Framework through Bill 185
On April 10, 2024, the Province of Ontario introduced the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024, which proposes a number of amendments to the Planning Act and related legislation that would… -
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Director Duties and Climate Change
Decisions earlier this year from the English courts in ClientEarth v Shell Plc et al., and the recent appeal decision from the Court of Appeal of England and Wales, shed light on climate change issues… -
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Downstream GHG Emissions and Sierra Club Canada Foundation v Canada (Environment and Climate Change)
The Federal Court’s recent decision in Sierra Club Canada Foundation v. Canada (Environment and Climate Change) highlights the continuing focus in Canada on climate change litigation. The case… -
Environmental
Ontario Amends the Mining Act to Streamline Closure Planning and Mineral Recovery Requirements
On May 18, 2023, the Province of Ontario granted Royal Assent to various amendments to the Mining Act through Bill 71, the Building More Mines Act, 2023 (“Bill 71”). The government’s stated purpose of… -
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Limits of Climate Change Suits Against the Government: Mathur v. Ontario Decision
The Superior Court of Justice has now released its decision in Mathur v. Ontario, a case we wrote about earlier this year and which is now a further example of an unsuccessful claim against a…
Awards & Recognition
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Chambers Canada Band 1, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use Ontario 2025
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Chambers Canada Band 1, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use Ontario 2024
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Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 17 Goodmans lawyers recognized 2024
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The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory Most Frequently Recommended, Property Development 2024
News & Events
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Mergers and Acquisitions
Chambers and Partners Once Again Honours Goodmans with Top-Tier Recognition
We are delighted to announce Goodmans LLP continues to receive top-tier recognition from Chambers and Partners in the Chambers Canada 2025 Guide.Recognition from Chambers and Partners is based on… -
Banking and Financial Services
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2024 Continues to Recognize Goodmans
We are proud to announce Goodmans LLP has once again been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.91 Goodmans lawyers have been recognized as top-tier in their… -
Banking and Financial Services
Who's Who Legal Continues to Recognize Goodmans in the Canada 2023 Guide
We are pleased to share Goodmans lawyers have been recognized across Who's Who Legal's National Guide: Canada 2023. WWL National Guides identify national or regional leaders in a sector, industry…