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.

Jason is a Registered Professional Planner with the City of Mississauga. He joined the organization in 2018 and is responsible for directing policy planning initiatives throughout the City. This includes the City’s Official Plan and a vast array of housing and employment data. Prior to joining Mississauga, Jason worked at Hemson Consulting for over ten years.

Nadia Chandra was called to the bar in 2002 after articling at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing. Nadia has been an Assistant Solicitor for the Town of Oakville for the past 16 years. She provides legal advice to Town Council and staff on all aspects of planning and municipal law, and represents the Town before various tribunals and courts.

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.  

Kelly Matsumoto is the Practice Lead in the Planning and Administrative Tribunal Law Section of the Legal Services Division of the City of Toronto. She has an honours degree in History from McGill University and a Bachelor of Laws from Queen’s University. Practicing mainly in the area of planning and land use law, Kelly represents the City of Toronto before various administrative tribunals. She advises City staff and members of City Council on a wide range of matters pertaining to planning and municipal law.