Smart Real Estate Development: Navigating York’s Approval Process

Feeling overwhelmed by all that goes into a real estate development project? It’s totally understandable! 

With all the steps like obtaining zoning and planning approvals, and securing formal approvals, each part can drastically affect your costs and timeline.  

But working with the right partners who can help you map out a plan and be there with you throughout the process can make all the difference!

Real Estate Development Turns Ideas into Successes

Before you commit to a site, it helps to understand how planning and zoning requirements shape what you can build, how dense it can be, and how it must fit surrounding properties. 

Once you’ve got those basics in mind, you’ll then move through concept planning, staff review, and presentations to boards or commissions that evaluate everything.

Peel & Company’s real estate development works with owners to make these steps align with the design teams and local expectations.

That way, everyone involved can have realistic calendars so entitlement work and project finances move hand in hand.

Hurdles We’ll Help You Watch Out For

Even projects with a solid plan can still experience some challenges, like:

• Zoning questions, like whether a proposed use is permitted by right or needs a special exception.

• Site layout issues involving access, parking counts, traffic circulation, or loading areas.

• Design concerns in sensitive or historic locations where character is closely watched.

We’ll help you plan ahead for these speed bumps so you don’t have to spend extra time redesigning later. 

Real estate consulting can also help with entitlement strategy, document preparation, and coordination with municipal staff.

But What Really is a Real Estate Developer’s Role?

What is a real estate developer doing throughout this process? They bring together land, capital, professional teams, and community input to move a project along. 

Peel & Company consulting pairs that big picture perspective with detailed compliance work so owners understand when to adjust a program, revise a plan set, or phase a project to move approvals forward without losing core value.

Feel Confident Starting Your Next Project

Real estate development moves more smoothly when, from day one, zoning, planning, and approvals are built into your strategy.

If you're exploring a new project in or around York, contact us to discuss your goals and start building a strategy today!