Cambridge Forum on Land Use Planning _{2nd Generation}

Eldon Theodore is a Partner with MHBC, specializing in land use planning, urban design and sustainability. Eldon joined the firm in 2002, holds an Honours Bachelor Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Waterloo and a Masters Degree in Urban Design Studies from the University of Toronto. Eldon’s land use planning experience includes over 20 years of obtaining development approvals (Subdivisions, Condominiums, Site Plans, Official Plan and Zoning By – law Amendments, Consents, and Minor Variances), project coordination and management, undertaking special studies and associated research, expert witness at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal and presentations to Committees, Council and the general public. Eldon also specializes in providing design and sustainable development services to public and private sector clients across Ontario. His experience includes the application of urban design and sustainable initiatives through policy preparation, site design analysis, community visioning, design briefs and community design guidelines. Mr. Theodore is also trained in conducting intensive design charrettes to help establish places of distinction and create value in a community. Eldon is a full member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and a registered professional planner. Eldon also serves as a Director on the Design Industry Advisory Committee of Toronto.

Michelle Banfield is currently the Executive Director of Development Services at the City of Barrie, overseeing all land use planning for a municipality in a rapid growth phase. She is a Registered Professional Planner with over 25 years of public and private experience, and a big picture thinker and strategic leader with expertise in policy development, project management and community building. Michelle has worked for municipalities across Canada and for the Government of Bermuda, focusing on a wide range of issues such as conservation, intensification and growth management. She has a degree in Urban & Regional Planning from the University of Waterloo and a Masters of Arts from Athabasca University.

Sarah Jacobs is principal of Jacobs Dispute Resolution, Ontario’s first exclusively online mediation and arbitration service for land-related disputes. Sarah brings to her practice more than 20 years of expertise in the fields of land use planning, municipal law, and expropriation. As one of the youngest appointees to the former Ontario Municipal Board (now the Ontario Land Tribunal), Sarah is recognized as a skilled arbitrator and mediator, as well as an innovator in the field. During her time at the Tribunal, she adjudicated, case-managed, and mediated a variety of complex, multi-party disputes in planning, expropriation, and municipal matters. Sarah has worked at the intersection of land development and the law throughout her career. She holds an undergraduate degree in Planning (University of Windsor), a Master in Environmental Studies with a focus in planning (York University), and a Bachelor of Laws (Osgoode Hall Law School). Sarah’s experience also includes working with the City of Toronto’s Legal Services Division and later advising municipalities as Township Solicitor, as well as private sector clients, while she was a partner in a law firm in Fergus, Ontario. In addition to her arbitration and mediation work, Sarah enjoys teaching. She has taught in the law schools of both the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy, and she has extensive experience creating and delivering continuing professional development programming. 

Caity is an MBA graduate from the Schulich School of Business in Toronto. 

Prior to joining Cambridge Forums, she worked for the Government of Canada in various communications, website and research analyst positions. She has a passion for continuous learning, strategy development and relationship building. 

In her spare time, Caity enjoys hiking, being in nature and spending time with her Australian Shepherd pup.