Tom is the Principal Planner and President of Storey Samways Planning Ltd.He has over 34 years of experience in municipal and advocacy planning in Southwestern Ontario, mainly in the Chatham-Kent and
Essex
County areas.As a consultant to a number of municipalities over the years, he has gained valuable experience in the day-to-day management of planning affairs in rural/small town environments. As Principal Planner he is the main contact at SSPL and oversees the operation of the firm, ensuring that appropriate resources are applied to each planning application to ensure a high quality service.He also takes the lead role in large scale development projects and projects subject to considerable public controversy, such as the wind farm project processes in the area.
Tom also has a long history of service to his community outside of his profession, including:
·Presently an active member and former president of the Chatham Rotary Club;
·Former member and chair of the Historic Chatham on the Thames Downtown Committee;
·A former member and chair of Public General Hospital Board and the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Executive
Committee.
Robert Brown, Hon. B.A., MCIP, RPP
Senior Planner
Robert Brownholds the position of Senior Planner and has been with Storey Samways for the past 8 years. His primary role is in the review of development applications in the
Municipality of
Chatham-Kent and the Town of
Lakeshore. Over the past 8 years he has developed a well rounded knowledge of the challenges faced in a largely rural community addressing the key issues facing the protection of agricultural lands as well as urban issues with new and expanding residential and commercial development. Responsibilities have also included pre-consultation with property owners, the preparation of planning reports, by-laws, official plan amendments, plans of subdivision, mapping, site inspections as well as attendance at Committee of Adjustment and Council meetings. A very important part of the development review process is consultation with the municipal Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) which Robert has been and will continue to be responsible for on a weekly basis. He has played a role in assisting in the research and development of a number of comprehensive policies in Chatham-Kent including the Rural Consent Policies, Nutrient Management By-law, Minimum Distance Separation By-law, Greenhouse By-law and the transfer of the former Township, City and Town By-law mapping to an electronic format. He has developed a good working relationship with municipal staff, business people, developers, various professionals and property owners with whom our office comes in contact on a daily basis. Prior to joining Storey Samways Robert had experience in a number of fields including working for the former County of Kent in the implementation of the 911 Civic Addressing Project, travelling to South Korea as a conversational English teacher and working for the University of Guelph as a Research Assistant.
Mr. Brown has lived in Chatham-Kent for much of his life and is married with two young children. Robert is an active church volunteer and Neighbourhood Watch Block Captain in Pain Court. He is also a volunteer with the Chatham-Kent Fire Department as a fireman in the Community of Dover.
David French, B.A., C.P.T.
Certified Planning Technician
David French holds the position of Planning Technician and has been with Storey Samways since July of 2007. He holds Full Membership in the Canadian Association of Certified Planning Technicians and sits on the governing Council of this organization in the capacity of Treasurer. As a Planning Technician, David’s main role is to provide support to the Principal and Senior Planners through all phases of the Planning Act process, which includes front-line interaction with new and existing clients, processing and reviewing new Planning Act applications, performing pre-consultation research and interviews, drafting of various maps, reports and notices, as well as preparing both print and electronic media presentations for various public and municipal Council meetings.
Mr. French is married and has two children. He has a strong belief in community and that one should lead by example. Throughout his life, he has made an effort to help his community by volunteering his time and resources to community projects and committees, which include:
·Currently a Charter-member and Charter Director with the Rondeau Optimist Club;
·Past-Commodore and Advisor of Rondeau Yacht Club which provides sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, and swimming instruction for children;
·Past Director of the Rondeau Cottagers’ Association;
Greg Gilbert, Hon. B.A., CEPIT
Junior Planner
Greg Gilbert currently holds the position of Junior Planner and has been a member of Storey Samways since April 2009. He is currently a Certified Environmental Practitioner in Training (CEPIT) and a Provisional Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI). Recently a graduate of The University of Western Ontario, Greg's position is currently sponsored through the International Environmental Youth Corp. (EYC) Internship Program through the Environmental Careers Organization of Canada. As a Junior Planner, Greg's role is to supplement senior staff and provide support in all aspects of the daily functions of Storey Samways Planning. These tasks may include review of Planning Act applications, file management, drafting of notices, preparation of electronic presentations for Council meetings, report writing and being a liaison among key stakeholders throughout the entire planning and development process.
Greg has grown up in Southwestern Ontario predominantly in the Community of Tilbury and Lighthouse Cove and currently resides here in Chatham. He is an active member in the community whether it be in athletics, coaching, or volunteering with the YMCA and Habitat for Humanity as a sitting member of the Site Selection Committee.
