How An Owner’s Representative Helps Prevent Change Orders
Change orders often begin with gaps in the scope of work and misalignment between consultants and the construction team. Having an owner’s representative with technical expertise involved early helps ensure subtrade agreements clearly define responsibilities, expectations, and coordination pathways, reducing risk before issues reach the site. As projects progress, delays become increasingly expensive. Carrying costs […]
City Of Surrey And SCDC Release Master Development Plan For Newton
The City of Surrey & Surrey City Development Corporation (SCDC) have released a Master Development Plan for City and TransLink-owned land in Newton. The next phase will include development planning and approvals, including preparing a General Development Permit application and engaging with the development industry to identify potential partners. For more information, read the full corporate report:https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/corporate-reports/CR_2026-R060.pdf
Owner’s Representation On Our Fir St Rental Project In Vancouver
Our Fir St project in Vancouver, near the Granville St Bridge, is a 100-unit rental building with ground-floor commercial space and is one of several projects where we are supporting clients as their owner’s representative during construction. We act as the owner’s representative from pre-construction through occupancy, coordinating consultants and contractors, reviewing drawings, managing schedules […]
Surrey Updating Land Use Designations In The Anniedale-Tynehead Stage 1 Plan
The City of Surrey is updating land use designations in the Anniedale Tynehead Stage 1 plan to align with new OCP designations and expanding the plan boundary to include additional sites. Report: https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/corporate-reports/CR_2026-R067.pdf
Going Beyond Typical Development Management
Each project gives us the opportunity to solve challenges and create more value for our clients. Drawing on experience across a wide range of projects and project types, we bring practical insight to each new project. Our team’s background in development, project management, construction, engineering, and municipal approvals helps guide projects smoothly from early planning […]
Metro Vancouver Votes To Roll Back Development Cost Charges To 2025 Levels
Metro Vancouver has voted to roll development cost charges back to 2025 levels and scale down the planned increase in 2027. Report: https://metrovancouver.org/boards/GVRD/RD-2026-04-15-AGE.pdf
Preliminary Layout Approval And Third Reading For 2-Lot Subdivision In Newton
Earlier this year, we received Preliminary Layout Approval and Third Reading for a 2-lot subdivision in Newton. The subdivision allows the existing home to remain on the property while creating one new lot, and the layout also supports the potential for a future third lot. The timeline from application submission to Preliminary Layout Approval and […]
How Common Ground Consulting Is Using AI In Development
At Common Ground Consulting, we’re using AI to add value by accelerating municipal approvals, improving research, streamlining reviews, and delivering faster, sharper service at every stage of the development process. AI in construction and development is still in its early stages, but its potential to cut costs, compress timelines, and improve communication is real. At […]
Finding The Strongest Path Forward For Your Site
The first step on any project is understanding which plans, policies, and bylaws apply to the site, then identifying both the highest and best use and the most practical path forward for the owner. In some cases, the right strategy is not the maximum density, but the option that best aligns with the client’s timeline, […]
Last Week Developers Secured Significant Savings Before Metro Vancouver DCC Rates Increased on March 22, 2026
Last week, municipalities across the Lower Mainland were busy issuing building permits ahead of the March 22, 2026, Metro Vancouver DCC increase, allowing eligible projects to benefit from the 24-month in-stream protection introduced in March 2024. Projects in the Fraser Valley that secured permits before the deadline saved approximately $17,272 per single-family lot, $15,779 per […]