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Founded in 1997, SGL Planning and Design Inc. (SGL) specializes in land use policy, urban design, landscape architecture, and large-scale development projects. SGL is a boutique planning firm with 12 full-time employees and interns throughout the year. The firm is widely known for its expertise in the creation of land use plans and policies, zoning by-laws, landscape architecture plans and urban design solutions, which are realistic, feasible, implementable and defensible.
Our vision is to create planning tools that are tailored to specific communities and ultimately celebrated by residents. At SGL, we strive to integrate proven planning and design principles with unique community context and innovative public engagements, to foster a better future for all residents of the community. Ultimately, our goal is to contribute to strong vibrant communities that are memorable places to live, work, and play.
SGL has prepared numerous official plans, secondary plans, downtown studies, urban design guidelines, landscape concept plans, master plans, zoning by-laws and other policy studies for our public and private sector clients.
While we do a variety of public sector projects, a good portion of that work is secondary plans and official plans with a specific focus on Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) in urbanizing municipalities. These projects include ensuring consistency/conformity with Provincial, Regional and local policy; balancing urban development standards with existing built form; providing a range of housing types that address diverse housing needs; understanding the complex issues associated with development; protecting existing neighbourhood character; and producing documents that are easy to read, understand and implement.
Our firm is often called upon to lead interdisciplinary teams of consultants on complex public and private sector projects for which innovation, collaboration and negotiation are essential. From many of these projects, our principals and associates have extensive experience with public engagement. The Principals of SGL frequently provide evidence at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).
Catherine Jay is a Principal and Head of Urban Design at SGL.
As a Landscape Architect/Urban Designer and registered Planner, Catherine has over 26 years of experience. Skills range from conceptual design to implementation and include Park Planning and Design, Site Planning, Urban Design Guidelines, Urban Design Briefs, Community Master Plans, Secondary Plans and project management. Bringing 20 years of public sector experience, Catherine has led complex, multi-disciplinary projects giving her the experience and ability to take on both small and large-scale projects related to Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Planning. Catherine has prepared budgets and managed projects within budget and scope. With a strategic approach, Catherine uses the design process to solve problems and provide sustainable solutions to today’s urban issues. Catherine is regularly called upon to provide expert testimony.
Catherine is currently a mentor for OPPI Provisional Members and an OALA Professional Development Reviewer.