Clayton Research has undertaken numerous studies for public and private sector clients examining the need for residential, industrial and commercial land in many municipalities. These in depth examinations of land requirements and supply are used in many ways:

Does an Official Plan designate sufficient land to accommodate demand for single detached homes over the next decade?

In calculating land needs, should an allowance be made for market contingencies?

Are sufficient sites designated for retail development to provide for a competitive market place?

How much additional land will be required to accommodate the demand for additional housing over the next twenty years?

Is more land designated for future industrial development than is likely to be required over the next twenty years?

From a market perspective, is there a need to permit a specific non-agricultural activity, such as a gas station, on designated farmland?

The following assignments illustrate the types of land needs studies that Clayton Research has undertaken:

Clayton Research examined the supply of designated industrial land in the Halton Hills, short and long-term demand, and the market characteristics of various industrial districts in the Town. Vacant industrial lands in the Georgetown South community were found to be less attractive than other industrial districts in the Town and not necessary to accommodate long-term employment growth. Clayton Research also demonstrated that the Town's residential land supply was not sufficient to accommodate long-term housing needs and that the redesignation of the Georgetown South lands has the potential to address the shortfall.

Clayton Research examined the supply and demand for industrial land in Niagara Region, with a focus on the sufficiency of prestige industrial lands adjacent to the QEW and Highway 406 corridors. Clayton Research concluded that the development of a portion of the Glendale industrial area for a residential community would not result in a shortage of prestige industrial land in the Region or the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Clayton Research critically reviewed the residential land needs analysis prepared by the City of London in support of its Official Plan, and found that an error had been made in converting net land requirements to gross land requirements. At the Ontario Municipal Board hearing for the Official Plan, Clayton Research explained why the City's long-term population and housing projections should not be changed to reflect short-term economic fluctuations and why the urban boundary had to be expanded to accommodate projected demand.

Clayton Research examined the potential economic and fiscal implications of a new plan for the Markham industrial district that incorporates a mix of residential and industrial uses. The analysis demonstrated that the Town had sufficient land to accommodate employment growth over the planning horizon of Markham's Official Plan.

Clayton Research examined the supply and demand for industrial land in the Town of Grimsby. Based on a review of the features of vacant industrial parcels along the QEW expressway corridor, it was concluded that the limited selection of available industrial land in Grimsby has been curtailing the rate of industrial development in the Town.

Frank Clayton, President, Jeannette Gillezeau, Vice President, Robert Feldgaier, Vice President, Residential Services and our team of research analysts offer a sound understanding of the factors that shape economic and demographic trends, real estate and housing markets and the development industry. We also bring to this work a solid appreciation of the underlying land use policy framework and context. Read more about Frank Clayton, Jeannette Gillezeau, Robert Feldgaier, and other senior staff members.