Through the GVHBA Development Committee, I serve on a subcommittee responsible for developing and delivering a teaching seminar called “Development 101”. This is a seminar designed for Municipal government staff and politicians to help them understand property development from a business perspective.
In the seminar we build a project proforma or budget based on a hypothetical project. We then demonstrate how changes to various government policies can impact a project’s bottom line and viability. It is an extremely useful tool to assist municipalities in understanding how various policies or processes can have a real impact on affordability and development viability in their jurisdiction . The subsequent question and answer period results in discussion which helps us, in turn, understand the Municipal point of view.
The intention is that this increased understanding of each other will allow for a more collaborative approach to development planning. Over the years I have experienced both good and bad. Being treated as a ‘big bad developer’ in an ‘us vs them’ environment results in a situation where it feels like we have to develop good projects in spite of the municipal requirements. Much preferable, and becoming more common, is a collaborative environment where input is supplied by the municipality, public stakeholders and the developer. The results of this approach are truly superior. A great example is the Bedford Landing Community in the Township of Langley where I had the pleasure of being part of a truly collaborative process.
To allow this collaborative environment to occur requires trust and that all parties be trustworthy.