Shawn Legere BCD Hons., MCIP, RPP
Vice President / Senior Planner
Shawn holds an Honours Bachelor Degree in Community Design, Major in Urban Design Studies, is a Registered Professional Planner and is a full member of the Canadian Institute of Planners. Shawn joined the RFA Planning team in 2010; however, had previously worked with the firm on various projects since 2008. At RFA, Shawn holds a unique skill set – equal parts urban designer and planner.
Shawn is responsible for preparing development plans as well as conducting site analysis and planning research and preparing planning documents and visuals along with all planning applications. He has commanding skills in all industry-leading design and mapping applications (Adobe Illustrator, SketchUp, AutoCAD, and ESRI ArcMap) and delivers high quality work.
Shawn has a passion for creating complete streets and how new development integrates with surrounding land uses. His key strength is site planning and he has prepared plans for numerous resort and tourist developments as well as infill residential and other commercial projects. He prefers working in a team atmosphere and feels this is how the best results are achieved.
“As a planner, my goal is to help our clients through the planning approvals process and make their experience as painless as possible. Planning is about people, and cutting through all the jargon makes it more accessible. Explaining the impact planning decisions have in real terms is very important. As a designer, I am passionate about getting the basics of the public realm in place. To borrow from Jane Jacobs, streets and public spaces are the city. Once we have a handle on the basics – street trees, sidewalks, crosswalks, transit stops, lighting etc. – it will act as a catalyst for greater positive change.”
Shawn puts his skills as a planner and designer to good use as a volunteer for the school council in the neighbourhood where he lives and the school that his children attend, particularly with making improvements to the school yard and playground.
- Fine Arts Foundation Drawing – Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (2005)
- Bachelor of Community Design, School of Planning – Dalhousie University (2006)
- Bachelor of Community Design Honours Major in Urban Design Studies, School of Planning – Dalhousie University (2013)
- Member, Canadian Institute of Planners – since 2015
- Member, Ontario Professional Planners Institute – since 2015
Mr. Legere holds an Honours Bachelor Degree in Community Design, Major in Urban Design Studies, is a Registered Professional Planner and is a full member of the Canadian Institute of Planners. Mr. Legere joined the RFA Planning team in 2010; however, had previously worked with the firm on various projects since 2008. At RFA, Mr. Legere holds a unique skill set – equal parts urban designer and planner. He is responsible for preparing development plans as well as conducting site analysis and planning research and preparing planning documents and visuals along with all planning applications. He has commanding skills in all industry-leading design and mapping applications (Adobe Illustrator, SketchUp, AutoCAD, and ESRI ArcMap) and delivers high quality work.
Mr. Legere has a passion for creating complete streets and how new development integrates with surrounding land uses. His key strength is site planning and he has prepared plans for numerous resort and tourist developments as well as infill residential and other commercial projects. He prefers working in a team atmosphere and feels this is how the best results are achieved.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) & Computed Aided Design (CAD)
- Extensive knowledge of Adobe Illustrator/InDesign applications
- Have a working knowledge of ESRI ArcMap applications and site analysis
- Proficient skills with AutoCAD applications
Design Methods
- Evaluate issues of place, formulate solutions, ensure project effectiveness and budgetary constraints
Neighbourhood Assessment
- Analyse key neighbourhood concepts such as sense of community, place, and spirit of place
- Analyse density and land use mixture in the context of the surrounding land uses, pedestrian traffic circulation, both internal and external, as well as road network and vehicular circulation
- Neighbourhood boundary delineation including census data analysis
Environmental Landscape Analysis
- Understanding of the physical, biological and cultural landscape evolution to assess land capability, type of development and site placement
- Consideration of ecology relating to the interaction of natural and cultural processes to formulate solutions
- Ability to explore relationships between environmental components in the landscape, such as slope, soil, structure, vernacular, water drainage, orientation and cultural elements
Streetscape/Urban Landscape Analysis
- Use of the principles, theories, and methods of urban form analysis in the urban and rural context
- Interpret the meaning of contemporary urban and rural form and how it has evolved
- Ability to apply three-dimensionally analysis of the “right-of-way” and make design recommendations for improvement
Planning Law
- Understanding of the legal process and statutory requirements and an insight of Canadian legal issues from a planning prospective
Recent Projects
- Belleville Transportation Master Plan, City of Belleville
- Subdivision Development Manual, City of Belleville
- Marina Waterfront Development Feasibility Study, Town of Deseronto
- 680, 702 & 726 Ontario St (residential infill), Town of Cobourg
- Cobourg Shell Development, Town of Cobourg
- Parkview Hills – Phase III (residential subdivision), Town of Cobourg
- Downtown Intensification Plan, City of Belleville Mayor’s Downtown Task Force
- Municipal Planning Consultant, Municipality of Brighton
- Sandbanks Summer Village (237-cottage resort), Athol Ward, County of Prince Edward
- Settlers Ridge Community (523-dwelling unit residential subdivision), City of Belleville
- Belleville Arena Campus Master Plan, City of Belleville
- St. Peter Catholic School Relocation, City of Quinte West
- Official Plan Update, Township of South Frontenac
- Zoning By-law Update, Township of South Frontenac
- Zoning By-law Update, Township of Madoc
- Zoning By-law Update, Township of Wollaston
- Chairperson, Sir John A. MacDonald School Playground Renewal Committee, City of Belleville (2012 – Present)
- Vice-Chairperson, Street Smarts Advisory Committee, County of Prince Edward (2009 – 2010)
- 2010 – Present
RFA Planning Consultant Inc., Belleville, Ontario – Urban Designer/ Planner - 2007 – 2010
Ainley Group, Belleville, Ontario – Urban Designer/ Planner - 2007
Lakeside Planning & Design, Picton, Ontario – Land Development Consultant