January 30, 2008
Ms. Kristin Kara, Project Manager
Boston Redevelopment Authority
One City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201-1007
Subject: 30 North Margin Street
Dear Ms. Kara:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Application for Small Project Review for 30 North Margin Street. 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. As such, my comments are confined to groundwater related issues.
As confirmed in a conversation with Richard Shaklik, Deputy Director for Zoning, 30 North Margin Street is located in the section of the North End that was added to the Groundwater Conservation Overlay District last year. In this area of the GCOD, projects that will include construction below Elevation 7 relative to Boston City Base are required to show that "any Proposed Project result in no negative impact on groundwater levels within the lot in question or adjacent lots". Since the proposed four level underground garage appears, according to Drawing CA 3.1 to extend 36’9" below the surface, it is likely that it extends below Elevation 7.
Because there is no discussion of geotechnical/groundwater issues in the SPRA, it is impossible to tell how the proponent plans to meet the GCOD requirements. There is also no acknowledgement in the zoning analysis that the project is in the GCOD. I believe that this omission should be corrected.
I look forward to working with the Authority and the proponent to assure that the project will have no adverse impacts on groundwater levels.
Very truly yours,
Elliott Laffer
Executive Director
Cc: Kathleen Pederson, BRA
Maura Zlody, BED
