The Hamilton Spectator’s Post

Permit and Zoning Activity: The Underappreciated Key to Unlocking Real Estate Growth For real estate investors and policymakers alike, permit and zoning activity may be one of the most reliable indicators of future market growth. Too often overlooked, changes in zoning laws and the issuance of building permits can provide invaluable insights into where to invest next. As local governments approve new residential or mixed-use developments, these decisions signal upcoming population growth. High demand for zoning changes, particularly for high-density projects, is often an early indicator that developers are preparing for housing shortages. In these instances, savvy investors can anticipate rising property values and increasing demand. Zoning and permit approvals are the canary in the coal mine. When developers begin pushing for changes that allow for higher-density developments or new mixed-use spaces, it’s a sign they’re confident in the area’s future growth. Investors should pay particular attention to peripheral areas of cities or developing suburbs. These regions are often the first to undergo significant zoning changes, signaling early-stage growth that precedes broader commercial and residential expansion. Those who act fast in these areas can secure properties at lower prices before a population influx drives values higher. Building permits also provide a crucial measure of developer confidence. When developers flood the local government with permit applications, it indicates their belief that demand is about to rise. For investors, this presents an opportunity to get ahead of the curve before housing shortages push prices even higher. The message for investors and policymakers is clear: don’t wait until the cranes go up. By closely monitoring permit and zoning activity, you can predict where growth is headed and act before the market catches on. #RealEstate #ZoningLaws #BuildingPermits #GrowthIndicators #InvestmentOpportunities #HousingDemand #RealEstateDevelopment

The Government of British Columbia is introducing the Building Permit Hub, a new digital permitting tool, with a goal of reducing red tape for homebuilders, local governments, and First Nations, ultimately saving money and speeding up construction. The Building Permit Hub will streamline and standardize local permitting processes, making it easier and faster to build homes. The digital tool contains a total of 190 jurisdictions in its database, including City of Burnaby, City of Vancouver, City of Surrey, City of Langley - The Place to Be!, District of Squamish, Musqueam Indian Band and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) and City of White Rock; 12 jurisdictions have been included in the pilot launch. Communities will have the ability to customize the tool to meet their specific local requirements and permitting processes. Later this summer, features such as applications for secondary suites and accessory dwelling units will also be added. #bcrealestatedevelopment #realestatedevelopment #bchousing #projectdevelopment #constructionmanagement Stadga Development Management https://lnkd.in/g-BHr8W4

Where is the asset in this photo? If you ask the owner, it’s the house and land. If you ask the bank, it’s the house and land. If you ask a passerby, they'd probably say the same—it's the house and land. If you ask the Council, it’s the street trees. Street trees can often become significant obstacles to in-fill and small developments. They may block access to a site, necessitate changes to building designs, or, in some cases, halt a development entirely. While street trees play an important role in urban environments, the way many Councils manage them during development projects often feels one-sided and short-sighted. Look at the photo again. Let’s assume we’re looking at a potential two-lot subdivision site. The Council might see the street trees as the main assets to preserve. But are they missing the bigger picture? I see additional "assets" in this scenario that are worth considering: The other assets I see are: * In-fill development leverages existing infrastructure, saving the Council money compared to building new infrastructure in greenfield areas. * More homes mean more ratepayers, which boosts the Council's revenue without the need for significant new investment. * Development stimulates economic activity, creating a vibrant, dynamic community. * New lots mean new homes, which is essential as we face a housing crisis. While this issue is complex and has no single solution, there are numerous opportunities to streamline development processes to deliver more homes, more efficiently. On our example site, there is the opportunity to add one more lot and therefore one more home. Yet if one of the street trees conflicts with the access, Council may restrict the development, saying "Sorry, you need to retain that street tree". What are your thoughts? Should we be keeping street trees at any cost? Have you experienced similar challenges? What changes to this process would you make? #subdivision #civilengineering #development #townplanning #streettrees

My Abt colleague, Naganika Sanga, and I have written a new commentary that examines state policies that are needed to complement zoning reform in order to boost #housingsupply. #Zoningreform is an important start, but it's not enough. States also need to focus on #infrastructure, #workforce development, #modularhousing and other offsite construction strategies, and developing comprehensive #state #housing strategies. https://lnkd.in/eDjHPGn8

Latest update from our Planning Team! Housing Minister Chris Bishop has announced an update on the Going for Housing Growth (GfHG) programme. The plan focuses on freeing up land, improving infrastructure funding, and providing growth incentives to increase developable land and improve housing affordability. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gU2wAPYh Faster consenting processes have been proposed with remote inspections: The Government is progressing with a requirement for building consent authorities to use remote inspections as the default approach so that building a home is easier and cheaper. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gNsdrnjk A streamlined approach for Granny flats: More than 1,300 people have submitted on a recent proposal to make it easier to build granny flats. Consultation is still open, and feedback can be provided to MBIE up to 5pm on Monday 12 August 2024. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g2TDR-7e Stay tuned for updates on how these changes will impact urban development. For expert advice on what this means for your projects, contact Cato Bolam's planning team, free call 0800 2 CATOBOLAM. #HousingCrisis #HousingGrowth #Infrastructure #LandDevelopment

Here is a quick clarity on the government’s Going for Housing Growth (GfHG) programme.

The Solution to Ontario's Housing Crisis: An injection of mid-rise housing We’re excited to announce the release of our latest report, "The Mid-Rise Manual: Five Steps to Unlock Mid-Rise Housing and End Ontario's Housing Shortage." Written by senior associates at LGA Architectural Partners and SvN Architects + Planners, this comprehensive report offers an expert-driven approach to addressing our province's pressing housing needs while prioritizing environmental protection and sustainable urban development. The report outlines five critical steps for policymakers, urban planners, and industry professionals to unlock the potential of mid-rise housing: 1. Legalizing labour-efficient designs and methods 2. Simplifying and speeding up approval processes 3. Reducing the cost burden of government fees, taxes, and charges 4. Transitioning small-scale developers to mid-rise projects 5. Implementing supportive zoning and policy changes We have a unique opportunity to reshape Ontario's urban landscape. By advocating for and implementing these recommendations, all levels of government in Ontario can work to create more sustainable, livable cities while addressing our critical housing needs. Download the report here: https://lnkd.in/gGUgBX9J

🚨 £68M for brownfield redevelopment – but is funding alone enough? 54 councils across England are set to transform neglected brownfield sites into 5,200 new homes. But here’s the catch: without the right tools, are we making the most of this opportunity? 🌍 Challenges like policy constraints, site viability, and environmental factors need more than money—they demand precision and data-driven insights. 📊 Explore how digital tools are transforming site prioritisation and planning, turning every pound of funding into meaningful, long-term impact. Read our take on #BrownfieldPassports, and the way technology is paving the way for efficient and effective redevelopment → https://lnkd.in/exrCHDRM #BrownfieldRedevelopment #UrbanRegeneration #DigitalPlanning #PlanningInnovation #SustainableDevelopment

A new expert report highlights how mid-rise apartments—six-story buildings on major streets—are key to solving Ontario’s housing crisis. To reach the goal of 1.5M homes by 2031, we need bold reforms like: ·      Eliminating parking minimums ·      Legalizing mid-rise housing in more areas ·      Simplifying approvals and cutting red tape ·      Using cost-efficient construction methods This isn’t just about policy—it’s about creating livable communities across Ontario. Let’s work together to unlock mid-rise housing and build a better future for everyone. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gGUgBX9J Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gPr3pr5 

Developers Say Denver Policies Are Stymieing Projects Developers highlighted "legislative unpredictability," such as linkage fees, Energize Denver impacts, and the Green Buildings Ordinance, as factors increasing costs and hindering projects. High construction costs and interest rates over the past two years have further strained development efforts. Though costs have stabilized, high interest rates remain a challenge. Developers, like those from Ryan Cos. and Mortenson, emphasized that these regulations and costs make it difficult to meet return thresholds, causing many to pause speculative development despite market demand.  Building permits have significantly declined, and the city acknowledges its slow response in recent years. Denver's Community Planning and Development (CPD) is working on improving the permitting process and communication. The city council is also striving for transparency by creating an online permit tracking platform. Litigation is ongoing regarding the building performance mandates of Energize Denver and the state's Regulation 28, which may clarify the regulations' long-term impacts. https://lnkd.in/g8enJc_j