Urban Design and Development Consulting Ltd.

Jim Lehto is a helpful resource for Vancouver developers dealing with complex zoning issues and development permits that are required before construction can begin on a property.

“It is a specialty business,” says Lehto, who has a Masters Degree in Architecture and Urban Design. “I assist with the design of the project to make sure it conforms to the zoning in that location, and help with development permit appeals and rezoning.”

Jim has worked for architecture firms in Toronto and Vancouver, as well as the City of Calgary, doing land use planning around LRT stations, and the City of Vancouver as a downtown policy planner.

With an understanding of developer’s requirements from his work in the private sector, as well as his expertise on the public side navigating city development and planning departments, Jim decided to open his own consulting firm and combine these skills to help developers work through the system.

As a consultant, Jim is most often called in to help developers apply for conditional development permits and rezoning.

Many properties have standard and outright zoning rules attached by the City, which can include regulations on the maximum height of the building, area of permitted development, land uses, etc.

The City of Vancouver’s discretionary or conditional zoning regulations allow developers to apply to build beyond the confines of the outright rules. But it’s up to the City to decide if this application for conditional zoning will be approved.

That’s where Jim comes in.

“There can be many hoops to jump through to get conditional zoning,” he explains. “You have to show that the developer is following the intent of the guidelines, understands the city context they are working in, and is responding to real social and economic need with the project.”

Jim also consults when a developer wants to get a property rezoned. This is a lengthy process involving much context analysis of the site; documentation of public and private benefits; and serious time lines and public input.

“From time to time I tell the property owners what they want to do doesn’t have a chance of being approved and then offer them ideas of what they can build that is likely to be accepted,” Jim explains. “Rezoning is expensive and the outcome isn’t guaranteed so you want to bet on horses that have a chance.”

Jim’s business is about as small as they come -- he works alone, although when he takes on a project, he forms a team with the property owners architects and engineers and whoever else may be required.

Up until recently, Jim ran Urban Design and Development out of a small office in downtown Vancouver. About five months ago he received a promotion in the mail detailing Allstream Small Business’ telecommunications solutions.

Allstream Small Business has designed four phone and phone + Internet packages geared especially for small companies which typically do not require a large volume of telecommunications services, but still deserve a competitive price.

“Allstream Small Business prices were half of what I was paying for my phone, fax and Internet with a competitor,” says Jim. “That’s a huge savings.”

Jim switched his office over to Allstream Small Business, choosing the Phone + Net 1 bundle which includes High Speed Internet Service, two phone lines, plus 1,000 U.S. and Canadian long distance minutes. The package also includes email accounts, webmail access, and security features.

“I don’t need any fancy plans or three cent calls to Chile,” he says. “All that means nothing to me – with no offense to Chile. All I want is a reliable phone, fax and Internet service at an affordable price.”

The switch to Allstream was also hassle-free, Jim adds. He didn’t have to sign a contract or change his business phone number. And all his services are combined in one monthly bill.

But Jim says the true test of Allstream Small Business’ technical expertise and customer service came a month ago when he decided to move his business to a home office.

This required moving all the phone, fax and Internet lines and Jim was worried as to whether Allstream Small Business would be able to handle the switch-over quickly and efficiently.

“I had some fears because I was now with a smaller telecommunications provider and I wasn’t sure if there would be problems or delays in moving my service to a new location,” he explains.  “My firm is small so every communication event or decision has major business consequences. If my phones and email are down, my whole business is down.”

But Jim had nothing to worry about. Allstream Small Business passed the test with flying colours.

“It was incredible,” says Jim. “On a Friday afternoon I had six people at my house dealing with my communications and everything was up and working the next day. I am so impressed with the level of service. This move was very stressful for me but Allstream Small Business made it so much easier. The relocation happened quickly and smoothly.”

Jim didn’t even get a day off, for that matter.

“My office communications were up and running so quickly I had no excuses not to work,” he says, laughing.