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WHAT WE DO

Specializing in land use consulting and development management

Land-Use Consulting

While determining the highest-and-best-use of individual properties is central to what Giesbrecht & Co. does, we pride ourselves on being able to help determine the form that entire communities should take.

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We believe in building complete, sustainable communities, and will only take on projects that we feel contribute to this goal. In the past we have taken on residential in-fill projects, employment land applications, social housing and institutional uses such as schools.

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Vancouver Land Use Consulting

Whether it is a Community Plan, Neighbourhood Plan, or simply a Land-Use update, community participation in the process is the cornerstone of an effective and holistic plan. Through various events as well as direct communication with neighbours and stakeholders, we are able to ensure that the communities affected by potential changes in land-uses are included in the planning process.

Rezoning and Development Management

We handle rezoning and subdivision applications from start to finish, managing the required technical sub-consultants, handling the stakeholder and neighbourhood engagement and working with the local council and municipal staff throughout the whole process.

 

We work with the decision-makers to see the value in our client proposals, and we achieve this by creating an accurate and compelling narrative around a project that stands on its own merit. Acting as advocates on behalf of our clients we ensure that the relevant stakeholders are familiar with the necessary facts to make informed decisions. Dedicated to mitigating misinformation, championing the facts, and building coalitions of support, Giesbrecht & Company focuses on building consensus and delivering wins.

 

While these activities often take place between organizations and the broader community, we also work in between the various arms of government, building bridges and ensuring our clients’ needs are prioritized as needed to move their projects forward.

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First Nations, Local and Regional Government Relations

Over the last couple of hundred years, most land use issues have been governed at the municipal level, and depending on the particulars, other levels of government may also have jurisdiction, and need to be sought for approvals. Based on court decisions over the last few decades it has been recognized that most First Nations in BC never ceded their territories to the Crown and therefore are once again being recognized as having jurisdiction over land use decisions in their territories. Our role is to maintain strong relationships with senior staff and the elected Chiefs, Mayors and Council in our region’s First Nations and Municipalities. We value these relationships very much and selectively choose which projects to get behind and seek support.
 

We have connectivity to nearly all of the Municipalities  and First Nations in BC and Alberta, with a particular focus on the Lower Mainland of BC, Vancouver Island and the Greater Edmonton and Calgary regions.​

Due-Diligence Reports

Knowing which people should be asked which questions before an application is even begun can often save a landowner time and money. In a short amount of time, we can create reports showing options for highest and best use on any given property, providing both current and prospective clients these reports can be critical in them making key investment decisions.

Rezoning and Development Management
First Nations, Local and Regional Government Relations
Due-Diligence Reports

​On many occasions, landowners or prospective developers are keen to know what they might be able to do with their property, and want to determine political opinion of a local First Nation or City Council as well as talking to Lands/Planning staff. Thanks to our wide network of contacts within First Nations and City Councils and their respective Land/Planning Departments, we are able to begin conversations on the topic of potential highest-and-best uses without jeopardizing the public process.

CONTACT US

Business hours

Monday to Friday

9:30 am - 5:30 pm

General Inquiries

Phone

604.772.0008

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