September 18, 2008
Ms. Katelyn Sullivan, Project Assistant
Boston Redevelopment Authority
One City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201-1007
Subject: Wheelock College Riverway House Renovations and Addition
Dear Ms. Sullivan:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Small Project Review Application for Wheelock College. The Boston Groundwater Trust was established by the Boston City Council to monitor groundwater levels in areas 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 issues.
As noted in the SPRA, the site is located within the Groundwater Conservation Overlay District. I appreciate the proponent’s commitment to comply with the recharge requirements of Article 32. The SPRA states that recharge plans will be reviewed with the Boston Water and Sewer Commission and the Trust. The information submitted for review should show clearly the calculations of the required recharge system volume and the amount of recharge system volume to be provided.
It is unclear from the document whether any of the construction will extend below Elevation 7, relative to Boston City Base. If it does, the proponent should also show, as required in Article 32, how the construction will not have any negative impact on groundwater levels.
I look forward to working with the proponent and the Authority to assure that this project can have only positive impacts on groundwater levels.
Very truly yours,
Elliott Laffer
Executive Director
Cc: Kathleen Pederson, BRA
Maura Zlody, BED
