Webinar – Choosing the Right City Directory Search for Your Project – Achieving Compliance and Efficiency
In this webinar, a panel of expert practitioners covered their processes for city directory research. While they each covered impacts arising from unique regional requirements, there were commonalities as well.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. Requirements of CSA Z768-01 (R2022):
✓ City directories shall be reviewed in identifying prior uses of a site and its surrounding area.
✓ Assessment must be conducted by a “competent person” described in the standard/document.
✓ The standard does not specify method, extent, level of detail, or level of effort, nor does it prescribe a specific radius from subject property.
2. Ontario specific: Ontario Regulation 153/04 outlines what is required to support filing the Record of Site Condition (RSC) – mandatory when land use is changing to a more sensitive use (e.g., commercial to residential). Unlike the CSA, this regulation specifies a minimum consideration of all properties within 250 metres from the property boundary. For some sites, a larger search distance may be required.
3. Lines of evidence: When data gaps in city directory coverage exist, other sources such as fire insurance records, contaminated site registries, land titles and aerial photos should be consulted.
4. Address changes. Street names and numbered addresses often change over time. Thoroughly researching any of these changes is important to ensure nothing is omitted, other sources, such as fire insurance maps can help with identifying these changes.
5. Local knowledge: Knowing the history of the town or city where the site is located is an asset in determining the scope of historical research.
Disclaimer: ERIS is providing this topic to you for your information purposes only. ERIS has no opinion one way or another regarding the subject matter.
About the Speakers
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Jenny Hoppe, Senior Manager City Directories, ERIS Jenny joined ERIS in 2018 as a historical research analyst for city directories. Now, as the Senior Manager of the City Directory department, she leads her team to provide efficient and high-quality historical research. Jenny has driven improvements to city directory research at ERIS by helping develop better ways of utilizing previously researched information, creating streamlined standards, and ensuring quality is the team’s top priority. She focuses on ongoing training and specific workflows that help each research analyst work to the best of their abilities. Jenny continues to develop new efficiencies and processes in city directory research, including assisting the launch of ERIS’ SmartCD, to provide the highest level of reporting to ERIS clients. |
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Jay Rao, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., CSAP, Director of Environmental Services, exp Jay has 23 years of environmental consulting experience in BC. He is on the Board of Directors for the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies of BC as well as Metro Vancouver’s National Zero Waste Council. He has successfully managed several small to large environmental projects over the years. He has been an Approved Professional in BC since 2011. |
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Vic Saif, B.Sc., C.E.T., EP, Senior Environmental Scientist, Principal, Stantec Vic is currently a senior project manager in the Site Investigation and Remediation group in the Environmental Services practice area in Edmonton for Stantec and has worked in the industry for over 20 years. Vic’s experience includes project management/coordination, field work, reporting, and reviews of Phase I, II, and III Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), remediation projects and tank removals. Vic has also worked on hazardous materials surveys, asbestos, lead and mould abatements, industrial hygiene monitoring and indoor air quality. Vic’s responsibilities include writing proposals, coordination, client account manager, liaising with regulatory bodies, reporting and peer reviews, training and mentoring junior staff and providing technical support. He has experience managing all aspects of environmental field activity requirements such as site reconnaissance, soil quality assessments, drilling investigations, remedial excavations, contractor management, groundwater and air monitoring programs and sampling on large construction projects. As a project manager, Vic’s focus is on meeting the client’s needs, cost controls, and delivering quality services and deliverables. |
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Eric W.E. Denman, Vice President and Partner, D&G Enviro-Group Inc./ Member, CSA Technical Committee ISO/TC 207/SC2 Eric is a chemical engineer, graduate of McGill University, with more than 35 years’ experience in chemical plant management, operations management, project management and environmental risk management consulting. A registered professional engineer, member of the Order of Engineers of Québec, an MBA, and holder of both the Environmental Professional (EP) designation of the Canadian Environmental Certification and Approvals Board (CECAB) and the Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designation of the Global Risk Management Institute (GRMI), he oversees the technical operations of the firm and manages the professional activities of a multidisciplinary team of environmental consulting personnel. Eric has provided a wide range of environmental services from environmental management strategy to compliance auditing. Projects undertaken for industrial, commercial, and residential clients include Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, UST removals, site remediations, environmental due diligence studies for corporate mergers and acquisitions, environmental risk assessments for insurers, and the rendering of expert opinions on non-standard environmental matters. Eric has also served as an expert witness in various litigations involving complex environmental matters. |
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Freesia Waxman, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., QPESA, Senior Project Engineer, Grounded Engineering Freesia has 14 years of experience in environmental engineering with extensive project management, coordination, technical, and field experience in a variety of environmental services including Excess Soil, Phase One and Two Environmental Site Assessments, Risk Assessments, Records of Site Condition (RSCs), remediation programs, soil and fill management plans, underground storage tank removals, baseline environmental studies, hydrogeological investigations, and environmental compliance approvals (ECAs) for liquid soils and Class 1 Soil Management Sites. She is responsible for external peer review, project management, senior review, and guidance on environmental, hydrogeological, remediation, and brownfield development projects, and is regularly retained to consult on excess soil and O.Reg. 406/19. Freesia holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Civil Engineering from McMaster University. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario and is a Qualified Person (QPESA) with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks under Ontario Regulation 153/04 and O.Reg. 406/19. |
About the Moderator:
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Brayden Ford, Director of Sales, Canada, ERIS Brayden’s inspired journey with ERIS began in 2012. Since then, he’s succeeded in a variety of sales roles in both Canada and the United States. His diverse skill set has helped the company foster and grow the business across North America. In his current role, Brayden is responsible for leading the Canadian sales team, managing existing clients and developing new business. |