December 8, 2006
Mr. Tai Lim, Economic Development
Boston Redevelopment Authority
One City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201-1007
Subject: Wilbur Place
Dear Mr. Lim:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Project Notification Form for Wilbur Place.
The Boston Groundwater Trust was established by the Boston Cuty Council to monitor groundwater levels in sections of the City where the integrity of building foundations is threatened by reduced groundwater levels and to make recommendations for solving the problem. As such, my comments are restricted to groundwater related issues.
As is noted in the PNF, the project is located within the Groundwater Conservation Overlay District. I was pleased that the proponent plans to comply with the requirements of the GCOD and will be installing the specified recharge system. I look forward to communicating with them, as they suggest in the document. I do have one concern that I think requires clarification. The PNF often speaks of the Boston Water and Sewer Commissions for the GCOD. While BWSC reviews and approves the plans for recharge, the requirement is for a conditional use permit. Ultimately, this will have to be issued by the Zoning Board of Appeals. This ZBA approval should be included in the list of municipal approvals required by the project.
I look forward to working with the proponents and the Authority to assure that this project can have only positive impacts on the groundwater situation in Boston.
Very truly yours,
Elliott Laffer
Executive Director
Cc: Maura Zlody, BED
