Projects Completed
sq.ft of Industrial/Commercial GFA
Approved Dwellings
UrbanSolutions Planning & Land Development Consultants Inc. is a team of professionals specializing in securing development approvals for a broad range of residential, commercial, mixed use, institutional and industrial uses. Having proven success with urban infills and public consultation, our firm has over 50 years of combined experience providing planning services to the public and private sectors throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and Southwestern Ontario.
As the premier planning consulting firm operating from Hamilton, Ontario, UrbanSolutions understands development within the municipal approvals context. We are well positioned to assist at the early onset of conceptual ideas and carry projects through the municipal review process to secure final approval. We take a comprehensive and supportive approach to the planning process that is unique to our client’s needs. Our planners cultivate strong relationships with clients, community members and municipal staff, working cooperatively to achieve development results.
Leadership
Accounts Receivable Clerk & Office Administrator
Controller
Director of Finance and Accounting
Senior Planner
Intermediate Planner
Planner
Senior Planning Technician
Senior Planning Technician
Social Media and Operations Coordinator
Principal (Retired)
After 27 years practicing as a Registered Professional Planner, Mr. Manchia retired from consulting and resigned, in good standing, from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute in December, 2022. Over the course of his planning career, he is proud to have been involved in many award winning projects across the province.
As a co-founder and Principal, Mr. Manchia continues providing mentorship to the UrbanSolutions team and continues to be a very active member within the Hamilton community taking part in numerous volunteer projects and associations.
Principal
As a Principal, Mr. Johnston is independently responsible for representing the interest of development clients, both public and private, through the planning and development process. In addition to consulting, Mr. Johnston utilizes experience gained working for development corporations and in public sector municipal planning departments to assist clients in achieving their development objectives. With his varied experience, Mr. Johnston leads teams of consultants and coordinates all aspects of the development process starting at the initial conceptual design through to the final Municipal approval stages. In addition to the planning and development process, Mr. Johnston is responsible for conducting a wide range of land use planning studies for public and private sector clients.
Mr. Johnston is responsible for negotiations and liaison with various levels of Government and technical review agencies as well as leading and coordinating consulting teams comprised of other professionals such as lawyers, engineers and surveyors. This area of practice has brought Mr. Johnston before many municipal and regional committees and councils, conservation authorities and the Ontario Land Tribunal as an expert witness.
mjohnston@urbansolutions.info
Accounts Receivable Clerk & Office Administrator
Bringing a comprehensive background, Jamie Cummings has joined our team as an Accounts Receivable Clerk & Office Administrator. With a strong foundation as an Accounting and Office Administrator in industries spanning media and commercial oil, Jamie has honed expertise in financial administration, customer service, and meticulous record-keeping.Jamie holds a Diploma in Advertising from Mohawk College, complemented by professional development in Introduction to Accounting. Passionate about delivering excellence, Jamie is known for her attention to detail, organizational skills, and proactive approach to problem-solving.Outside of the office, Jamie enjoys pursuing diverse hobbies including in nail artistry, making unique crafts, attending concerts and traveling.
jcummings@urbansolutions.info
Controller
Ms. Ma recently joined UrbanSolutions as the Controller. She obtained her CPA designation in 2010 and has over 15 years of professional experience in financial accounting, real estate property management, and construction management. She has extensive experience in analyzing financial reports, preparing, and maintaining construction budgeting, managing cash flow. Her education includes a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Application from Sichuan University, and Honors Diploma in Business Administration Accounting from Centennial College.In her spare time, Ms. Ma enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, hiking, and trying out new recipes.
jma@urbansolutions.info
Director of Finance and Accounting
As the Director of Finance and Accounting at UrbanSolutions, Ms. Le supports the ongoing growth and success of UrbanSolutions as it relates to financial planning and reporting. She is responsible for managing cashflow and corporate accounting & finance. Ms. Le qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2016 after graduating from the University of Waterloo with a Master of Accounting. In her spare time, Ms. Le enjoys playing basketball, cheering on the Toronto Raptors and exploring diverse cuisines.
ale@urbansolutions.info
Senior Planner
Mr. Beedie is a planner with an academic background in Urban & Regional Planning and Geography. At UrbanSolutions, Mr. Beedie’s work includes writing planning justification reports for development applications, policy research, diligence investigations, project management and guiding complex projects through the Planning Act process. He currently serves as a member of the WE HBA Missing Middle and Infill Subcommittee where he helps to advocate for underrepresented housing forms and gentle intensification. Mr. Beedie is also a member of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Urban Design Review Panel, where he provides design input on development proposals advancing through the municipal approvals process.
Mr. Beedie received his Bachelors of Urban and Regional Planning from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2019. Following graduation, Mr. Beedie worked briefly as a policy analyst for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in the Building and Development Branch. Scott has been a registered professional planner with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute since 2022 and has helped to secure approvals for a wide variety of projects across the region. Additionally, Mr. Beedie is proficient in strategic policy analysis, allowing him to lend his skills to ensure project objectives are realized. He has a passion for sustainable design, strategic thinking, the public realm, and the potential to make the world a better place through impactful urban design.
Outside of the office, Scott is a movie buff who loves to hike, play soccer, travel, and support his beloved Toronto Raptors.
sbeedie@urbansolutions.info
Intermediate Planner
Matthew LeBlanc is a Planner with a strong academic background in urban planning and development. At UrbanSolutions, his work includes policy analysis, diligence investigations, report preparation, and project management in support of residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional development applications.
Matthew earned his Bachelor of Arts in Urban Development from Western University in 2020, where he received the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) Award in recognition of his academic achievement. During his third year of study, he gained industry experience as an intern with Jones Lang LaSalle’s (JLL) Office Leasing team in Toronto.
After graduating from Western, Matthew completed his Master of Urban and Regional Planning at Queen’s University, specializing in Land Use and Real Estate Development. While at Queen’s, he contributed to a range of applied planning and development projects and completed a four-month internship with the City of Kingston’s Planning Department.
Matthew obtained his Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation through the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) in 2024 and currently holds a full membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP).
Outside of the office, Matthew enjoys travelling, running, camping, and golfing.
mleblanc@urbansolutions.info
Planner
Mr. Rosatone is a planner with an academic background in urban planning and environmental studies. Mr. Rosatone attended the University of Waterloo’s School of Planning to achieve his Bachelor of Environmental Studies degree. In his academic studies, Mr. Rosatone achieved a minor in geography and environmental management as well as a specialization in urban design alongside his major of Planning (Hons., Co-op). At UrbanSolutions, Mr. Rosatone’s role is comprised of conducting diligence investigations, policy research, liaison with various City Staff and project team members, and preparing materials for a range of planning application submissions.
As a result of his diverse work experience, Stefano has gained many skills and competencies in the field of planning and land development consulting. His experiences as a student intern at various local and global consulting firms has reinforced his passion for planning and has helped him find ways to implement his design knowledge to create well-informed, practical solutions. Stefano was able to achieve two co-op positions with UrbanSolutions prior to being brought on full-time, and is ecstatic to be back alongside the team at US.
srosatone@urbansolutions.info
Senior Planning Technician
Ms. Drennan is responsible for performing design and drafting assignments regarding site plans, conceptual drawings, draft plans of subdivision and zoning bylaw schedules. She is involved in conducting research and investigations into sites to develop proposals through the municipal planning application process and onward during Ontario Land Tribunal hearings. Ms. Drennan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Brock University in 2017.
Ms. Drennan graduated from the Urban & Regional Planning, GIS Technician program at Mohawk College of Applied Arts & Technology in 2019. During her time at Mohawk College she learned land use planning principles, planning law and GIS technologies. She is a full member of the Canadian Association of Certified Planning Technicians (CACPT) and is a member of the CACPT Council.
ldrennan@urbansolutions.info
Senior Planning Technician
Mr. Erickson is a Certified Planning Technician specializing in design and planning, with academic training in Geography, Urban Planning and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). At UrbanSolutions, Mr. Erickson's work includes designing Concept Plans, Site Plans and Draft Plans of Subdivision, completing due diligence investigations for clients and project management. Mr. Erickson is a proud Hamiltonian who moved to the city in 2011 to attend McMaster University, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Geography with a minor in GIS. Following graduation from McMaster, Mr. Erickson completed the Urban and Regional Planning Technician program at Mohawk College, where he developed technical drafting and site design skills that form the foundation of his daily practice. Mr. Erickson is a full member of the Canadian Association of Certified Planning Technicians (CACPT) and serves on the CACPT Council. He is passionate about urbanism, infill development and pedestrian-oriented design, principles he actively incorporates into his project work.
Outside of the office, Stephen enjoys going to concerts, spending time with friends and family and cheering on his favourite Toronto sports teams.
serickson@urbansolutions.info
Social Media and Operations Coordinator
Leila Da Poupada earned her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Toronto Metropolitan University, where she studied in the university’s renowned RTA (Radio & Television Arts) Media program. During her studies, she co-founded Rebelle Zine, an online magazine that served as the catalyst for her passion for social media strategy and digital storytelling. Over four years as Social Media Manager, she honed her skills in content creation, audience engagement, and brand development.
In addition to her creative expertise, Leila has cultivated a strong background in operations, including customer service, sales, and data management. Which allows her to bridge the gap between creativity and efficiency in her work. She thrives in dynamic environments that blend strategy, coordination, and communication to produce meaningful, results-driven media.
Outside of work, Leila enjoys hiking in nature, dancing, exploring new cafés, and spending time with animals.
lpoupada@urbansolutions.info
