TRCA Voluntary Project Review (VPR): General Requirements for All Applications

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) · version October 31, 2021, Rev. 2.0

This checklist shall be completed for all TRCA VPR applications. Depending on the proposed work, also use the Site Development, Grading and Earthworks checklist and the Bridges, Culverts and Other In-Water Works checklist, together with any comments previously submitted by TRCA specific to the project.

Pre-application meeting with TRCA to provide information on and discuss

1	Overall project information including site location details and proposed work
2	Proposed stages and timing of application, TRCA consultation plan and schedule
3	Confirm TRCA concerns and any additional requirements beyond those identified in the checklists, and as identified in any project agreements and through previous reviews/comments.
4	Detailed project schedule and timing of submissions
5	Confirm scope of required technical reports and documentation
6	Identify requirement for site visit with TRCA staff
7	Identify and obtain necessary data (e.g. model information, etc.)
8	Identify any works by others (e.g. utilities, municipal works, etc.) associated with the proposed work. TRCA permits may be required for these other works, and their timing and permits should be considered in the overall project schedule.

Cover letter including

9	Confirmation of key points from the pre-application meeting, referencing the project schedule and advising if any changes are required.
10	Description of the project and proposed work, including scope, duration of work / scheduled start date, key scheduling milestones, reason/rationale for why the work is required, and prior key correspondence with TRCA
11	If there are any TRCA property requirements beyond those already identified: Description of works/requirements proposed on TRCA property (e.g. grading, laydown, tree removals, etc.) Anticipated duration if TRCA property requirements are temporary Timeline for the TRCA property requirement The approval process for TRCA property acquisitions or easements may take a minimum of 6 months, which should be factored into the overall project schedule. Contact TRCA for further information on TRCA property and archaeology requirements.
12	List of attachments: forms, drawings and reports.

Application form

13	TRCA Voluntary Project Review (VPR) Application Form, completed and signed (see links). Allow for the possibility of submitting multiple Work Order Request Forms (WORFs) over the project.

Administrative documentation

Landowner authorization (submission required prior to VPR letter issuance) confirming which of the following options apply:

Verification of landowner authorization signed by the Proponent, confirming that all works (including construction access) in TRCA Regulated Areas will be conducted on lands owned by the Proponent; or
Landowner authorization signed by the landowner, or other legal documentation, confirming the Proponent has permission to access the land to undertake works within TRCA Regulated Areas; or
Application for Permission to Enter TRCA Property and Application for Archaeological Review (if disturbance to TRCA property is proposed) and associated fees, for all works (including construction access) on TRCA property, completed and signed

Supporting documentation

Work Plan, including but not limited to:

Figure showing site location and construction work area on an aerial photo
Identification and description of natural features and/or hazards that may be affected, if any, and description of mitigation opportunities
Identification of any potential areas of groundwater upwellings and areas of potential flowing artesian conditions, if any, and mitigation opportunities
Construction staging and phasing plan, including: (a) construction schedule; (b) site access and laydown areas that avoid impact to natural features and hazards to the extent feasible; (c) site-specific environmental management measures (e.g. ESCs, water management, flood contingency, refuelling/spill management): (i) Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) report, measures, standard notes and details per the 2019 ESC Guide for Urban Construction; (ii) dewatering and unwatering plans showing how groundwater and surface water from the work area will be managed before release to the natural environment, if required; (iii) stockpiles must be located outside the TRCA Regional flood plain; if within the TRCA Regulated Area, additional details including ESC measures are required, and stockpiles close to valley slopes need adequate setback from the top of slope; (iv) applicable construction timing window, as identified in the TRCA Standard Notes
Details on environmental management (i.e. applicable Environmental Operating Procedures (EOPs))
Restoration schedule
Commitment, confirmed approach and preliminary information on restoration and compensation plans, including native planting and seed mix lists and interim stabilization of disturbed areas (see the TRCA Post-Construction Restoration Guideline, TRCA Guideline for Determining Ecosystem Compensation, TRCA Forest Edge Management Plan Guidelines and any vegetation guideline required by the project owner)

Natural Heritage Study by a qualified ecologist/biologist to confirm existing site conditions/past studies; assess potential impacts of development, construction methods and access; and demonstrate that impacts have been minimized to the extent feasible. Define the appropriate scope of study in consultation with TRCA staff.

Requirements of detailed design drawings (digital copy only)

17	Signed and stamped by a qualified or licensed professional in Ontario (stamps required for VPR letter issuance)
18	Consistent numbering system for all drawings or revised drawings, and a revision block that is numbered, dated and initialled, as appropriate
19	Work performed by others identified on the drawings as "by others", if applicable.
20	Key map showing location, drawing numbers, stations and watercourse/wetland crossings
21	Existing site conditions and proposed development and site alteration, including: Property boundaries (i.e. municipal right-of-way, TRCA, other) Plan detailing watercourse and direction of flow Plan and profile of existing and proposed grades as well as representative cross-sections Plan and profile of existing and proposed structures or alterations to structures (including location and use of buildings, vehicular entrances, fences and walls, parking lots, exterior site uses and facilities, bridge and culvert locations) Extent of all disturbances and alterations, including those related to construction such as access, temporary excavations, and all other means and methods Flood hazard assessment to confirm the proposed development will not impact the existing-condition flood plain beyond the property boundary (contact TRCA for flood plain mapping and modelling)
22	Delineation of all relevant natural feature and hazard limits and watercourses on the drawings, including: Flood hazard water surface elevations (greater of Regional storm or 100-year storm) to establish flood hazard limits; modelling and mapping via TRCA data request, if available Limit and setback of wetland, dripline or top-of-bank features; may require site staking with TRCA staff and a surveyor (TRCA Field Staking Protocol) Long-Term Stable Top of Slope (LTSTOS) for a factor of safety of 1.5 through a Slope Stability Analysis, if there is a slope steeper than 3H:1V or a watercourse within 15 m of the toe of slope Coastal hazard limits, where applicable (Lake Ontario Shoreline Hazard Regulated Area) TRCA Regulated Limit (15 m from the combination of outermost feature and hazard limits) All applicable setbacks from the identified natural feature and hazard limits Contact TRCA staff for a preliminary screening of existing features and to obtain mapping layers as needed
23	ESC drawings, including temporary during-construction measures and permanent post-construction stabilization
24	Typical details for all proposed ESC measures, designed in accordance with the 2019 ESC Guide for Urban Construction.
25	Site access route(s) and construction laydown area(s). Identify if access routes are temporary for construction or permanent. If grading is required for access or laydown areas, provide cross-sections and longitudinal profiles of proposed changes.
26	Removals drawings, including vegetation and tree removals (include an inventory of species and area/DBH of vegetation and trees)
27	Include applicable TRCA Standard Notes on the drawings or as a separate sheet

Notes

28	No fees associated with VPR submission
29	Contact TRCA staff for a screening of site features/hazards
30	Obtain relevant computational modelling, mapping layers and data through a TRCA Data Request (mapping and data provided by TRCA; modelling requests may take additional time). Relevant feature and hazard limits and the TRCA Regulated Limit should be included on the drawings. A completed and signed TRCA Data Disclaimer is required.
31	TRCA Voluntary Project Review, Permission to Enter TRCA Property and Request for Archaeological Review forms: trca.ca/planning-permits/projects-that-require-a-permit/infrastructure-planning/
32	All TRCA guidance documents are available on the TRCA Planning and Permits website (trca.ca/planning-permits)
33	2019 ESC Guide for Urban Construction and ESC Submission Checklist – Detailed Design: sustainabletechnologies.ca/home/erosion-and-sediment-control/esc-guide/
34	Supporting TRCA VPR-related information available within your project records should also be referenced. Applicants are encouraged to review further TRCA VPR requirements on the TRCA website. Consultation with the TRCA Planner to confirm requirements at the time of application is required.

Permits this checklist is for

TRCA Permit / Voluntary Project Review (VPR)

Official pages

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