Planning Services That Actually Work

Look, we've been doing this for years and honestly? Most planning firms overcomplicate things. We break down zoning nightmares, untangle municipal red tape, and make your project happen without all the fancy jargon.

See What We Do
Planning documents

Real Results

We've pushed through 200+ planning approvals across the GTA. That's not luck - that's knowing how the system actually works and who to talk to.

Save Time

Average approval time? We cut it by 40%. Why? Because we don't waste time on applications that won't fly. We know what'll work before we even submit.

Local Expertise

Toronto's our backyard. We know every neighbourhood's quirks, every councillor's pet peeves, and every zoning bylaw like the back of our hand.

How We Actually Plan Stuff

No cookie-cutter approaches here. Every project's different, every site's got its own story.

Zoning analysis

Zoning Analysis & Municipal Approvals

Here's the thing about zoning - it's basically a puzzle where half the pieces are hidden and the rules keep changing. We've learned to speak "municipal" fluently.

What We Actually Do:
  • Decode zoning bylaws (seriously, they're written like ancient scrolls)
  • Committee of Adjustment applications - we know what they want to hear
  • Rezoning applications when you need to bend the rules (legally, of course)
  • Site plan approvals without the usual back-and-forth nightmare
  • OMB/LPAT appeals when things get messy

Real Talk:

Last month we got a mixed-use variance approved in Leslieville that three other firms said was impossible. The secret? We actually talked to the neighbours first instead of surprising them at the hearing.

Urban planning

Urban Planning Strategy

Cities are living things, y'know? They grow, they shift, they evolve. Our job is figuring out where your project fits into that bigger picture - and making sure it actually enhances the neighbourhood instead of fighting against it.

Our Approach:
  • Neighbourhood character studies (what makes a place tick)
  • Density optimization without cramming too much in
  • Transit-oriented development that people actually want to use
  • Mixed-use programming that creates real community spaces
  • Heritage integration when you're building near old stuff

87%

Community support rate

32

Neighbourhoods worked in
Feasibility study

Feasibility Studies & Due Diligence

Before you drop millions on a site, wouldn't it be nice to know if your vision's actually possible? That's where we come in. We do the homework so you don't get stuck with an expensive plot of land you can't develop.

What We Investigate:
  • Development potential (how much can you really build?)
  • Regulatory constraints (what's gonna slow you down)
  • Market analysis tailored to the specific location
  • Infrastructure capacity (can the streets handle it?)
  • Environmental considerations and contamination risks
Case Study: King West Site

Developer wanted 18 storeys. We ran the numbers, checked the zoning, talked to planning staff. Reality? 12 storeys was the max that'd fly without a multi-year battle.

Result: Saved them 2+ years and probably $500K in application fees. They built 12 storeys, sold out in 3 months.

Community engagement

Community Engagement & Consultation

Okay, so here's something we learned the hard way: You can have the most brilliant design in the world, but if the neighbours hate it, you're gonna have a bad time. Community engagement isn't just checking boxes - it's about actually listening and adapting.

How We Connect:
  • Pre-consultation meetings before official applications
  • Public open houses that don't feel like corporate presentations
  • Resident association outreach and relationship building
  • Online engagement for folks who can't make evening meetings
  • Feedback integration that's transparent and documented
Average Engagement

150+ residents per project consulted through various channels

Opposition Rate

Under 15% (industry average is 40%+)

"The Onyx Vexen team actually changed their design based on our input. That never happens." - Annex Residents Association

Got a Site That Needs Planning?

Let's grab a coffee and talk about what's actually possible. First consultation's on us - we'll tell you straight up if we think it'll work or if you're better off looking elsewhere.

Planning Projects We're Proud Of

Residential project
Residential Zoning Variance
Roncesvalles Infill Development

Tight lot, heritage neighbours, worried residents. We navigated Committee of Adjustment, got approval for a 3-storey contemporary infill that actually complements the Victorian streetscape. Took 8 months instead of the usual 18.

Roncesvalles Village, Toronto
Mixed-use project
Mixed-Use Rezoning
Queen East Transformation

Former industrial site turned into vibrant mixed-use space. Full rezoning from employment to mixed-use, extensive community consultation, secured Section 37 benefits that residents actually wanted. They named a community garden after us (true story).

Leslieville, Toronto

Questions People Actually Ask Us

Honestly? It depends. Minor variances can be 3-4 months if everything's straightforward. Rezoning applications? Think 12-18 months, sometimes longer if there's pushback. We've done it faster when we nail the pre-consultation phase and get community buy-in early. The key is knowing which route to take from the start.

For a basic residential site, you're looking at $8K-$15K. Larger commercial or mixed-use sites with more complexity? Could be $25K-$40K. But here's the thing - it's way cheaper than buying a site you can't develop. We've saved clients from making million-dollar mistakes more times than I can count.

Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Hell yes. Look, you can skip it, but then you'll deal with opposition at public hearings, angry deputations, and councillors who won't support your project. We've seen too many good projects die because developers thought they could bulldoze through without talking to neighbours. Don't be that person.

We've got options. Sometimes we can revise and resubmit with changes that address concerns. Other times we appeal to the LPAT (formerly OMB). We've won about 75% of our appeals, but honestly, we'd rather avoid that route - it's expensive and time-consuming. That's why we put so much effort into getting it right the first time.