June 3, 2010
Mr. John Fitzgerald, Project Manager
Boston Redevelopment Authority
One City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201-1007
Subject: Landmark Center North
Dear Mr. Fitzgerald:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Project Notification Form for Landmark Center North. The Boston Groundwater Trust was established by the Boston City Council to monitor groundwater levels in sections of the City where the integrity of building foundations is threatened by low groundwater levels and to make recommendations for solving the problem. Therefore, my comments are limited to groundwater related topics.
As stated in the PNF, the project is located in the Groundwater Conservation Overlay District established under Article 32 of the Zoning Code. I appreciate the proponent’s commitment to meet the requirements of the GCOD. While the PNF states that there will be no construction of below grade space, the proponent should still submit a stamped letter from their consultant demonstrating that the work which will take place will not have a negative impact on area groundwater levels.
At the scoping session, the proponent said that he would treat the addition as a new building and include recharge to capture one inch of rainwater over its entire plan area. In the PNF, the proponent states that there will be an underground water detention and recharging system, shown conceptually on Drawing C-1. The proponent should prepare a plan that shows the calculations for the required recharge and the size of the recharge system. This plan should be submitted to the Boston Water and Sewer Commission for their evaluation and comment prior to any zoning approvals for the project.
I look forward to working with the proponent and the Authority to assure that the project can have only positive impacts on area groundwater levels.
Very truly yours,
Elliott Laffer
Executive Director
Cc: Kathleen Pederson, BRA
Maura Zlody, BED
