What is an Environmental Site Assessment?
An Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) helps you understand the environmental history of a property. When buying, selling, or redeveloping land in Wrenford, you may need an ESA to identify any past or present contamination. The City of Wrenford can provide a historical land use search to support your assessment.
What the City's search covers
When you request a search from our Planning & Development office, we provide known environmental data held by the City. This includes:
- A historical list of commercial and industrial users on the property, including years of operation and land use types.
- The historical number of petroleum storage tanks registered on the site.
- Titles and authors of any environmental assessment reports previously submitted to the City.
The petroleum tank data comes from historical records dating back to 1996. It is for informational use only and may not reflect current conditions.
Limits of the City's report
The City's historical search is not a comprehensive investigation of the site or the surrounding area. It only shows information the City already has on file. If a report shows no past industrial users, it does not mean the land is clean. It simply means no contamination has been documented. You may still need a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment for your project.
A Phase I ESA is a detailed, professional investigation. The City's search does not replace this. If you need further environmental work, you will need to hire a qualified environmental consultant. You can find consultants through business directories or professional engineering associations.
How to request a search
You can order a City of Wrenford historical environmental search through our online service. The standard fee is $150.00 per municipal address. You can pay by credit card or request an invoice. Once your payment is processed, you can download the report immediately.
If you need an invoice or have questions about the online portal, email [email protected].
Reporting errors or missing information
The City's search is based on records we hold. It is possible that some fields will be blank or that information is incomplete. This does not mean the site is free of issues; it just means the City has not been notified of them. If you notice an error in your report, or if you believe important information is missing, contact the Planning & Development office. We will review the file and correct any mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get this information through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)?
No. The City has a routine release process for historical environmental searches. Under the MFIPPA, we do not need to process these requests through the formal FOIP office. Personal information is removed from all reports before they are released.
How do I find a consultant for a Phase I or Phase II ESA?
The City does not recommend specific consultants. You can find qualified professionals by searching business directories or contacting Ontario's professional engineering associations.
What about underground storage tanks and spills?
The City's standard historical search includes historical petroleum tank data. For current underground storage tank registration, spills, or hazardous material incidents, you should contact the Wrenford Fire Department or call 311. They maintain separate records for active environmental incidents.
What are the setback rules near landfills?
Development near former landfill sites has specific setback requirements. Active landfills require a 450-metre setback, while inactive or closed landfills require a 300-metre setback. For more details on landfill setbacks and development permits, visit the Garbage & Recycling page or call 311.