Sept. 21, 2006
Mr. Mark McGowan
Boston Redevelopment Authority
One City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201-1007
Subject: Jacob Wirth’s/31-45 Stuart Street
Dear Mr. McGowan:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Project Notification Form for the Jacob Wirth’s project. The Boston Groundwater Trust was established by the Boston City Council to monitor groundwater levels in sections where building foundations are threatened by lowered groundwater levels and to make recommendations for solving the problem. As such, my comments are restricted to groundwater related issues.
As the PNF states, the project is located within the Groundwater Conservation Overlay District established under Article 32 of the Boston Zoning Code and is covered by its provisions. Among the requirements of the code are that the proponent demonstrate that the project will have no negative effect on groundwater levels within the lot or on any adjoining lots and that the project be designed to capture for recharge within a properly designed system a defined amount a defined amount of the rainfall that falls on the project. While the PNF commits to fulfilling both of these requirements, it does not indicate how it will do so. Since the project includes a multistory underground garage and plans an underslab drainage system, it is important that the engineers show in the DPIR in detail how the design will not cause a reduction in groundwater levels. It is also important that the size and location of the recharge system be shown.
I was very pleased that the proponent committed in the scoping session to meet these requirements in the PNF and look forward to reviewing them when that document is issued. I am confident that, with the best efforts of the proponent and the Authority, these requirements will be met and the project will have only a positive impact on groundwater levels. Please contact me if there is any way that the Trust can be helpful in these efforts.
Very truly yours,
Elliott Laffer
Executive Director
Cc: Maura Zlody, BED
