May 16, 2007
Mr. John Fitzgerald, Project Manager
Boston Redevelopment Authority
One City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201-1007
Subject: Lansdowne Street Music Hall
Dear Mr. Fitzgerald:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Small Project Review Application for the Lansdowne Street Music Hall. 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 lowered groundwater levels and to make recommendations for solving the problem. As such, my comments are limited to groundwater related issues.
Although it is not noted in the application, the project is located in the Groundwater Conservation Overlay District and will have to comply with the requirements of the GCOD, including those to show no potential reduction in groundwater levels and to provide recharge. It will also require the GCOD related conditional use permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
According to the plans, the project will have one basement level. However, it is not possible to determine the elevation of the basement. There is also no information on the foundation design, nor is there any mention of the likely impact on groundwater. Because these issues are not addressed in the application, they will need to be clarified in the GCOD process.
I look forward to working with the applicant and the Authority to assure that the project is built in a way that complies with the GCOD and can have only a positive impact on local groundwater levels.
Very truly yours,
Elliott Laffer
Executive Director
Cc: James W. Hunt III, City of Boston
Kathleen Pederson, BRA
Maura Zlody, BED
