point cover jan 13 - Boston Redevelopment Authority

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Analysis Conditions \\MABOS\projects\11381.00\reports\Article80\ Expanded_PNF\04_Environmental_FINAL.do c Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. The Point, Boston This expanded PNF compares the future no-build and build year conditions in order to identify the potential for the Project to impact the resources listed above. Where applicable, the existing conditions are considered for comparison. In order to compare the effects of the proposed development, the following analysis conditions were identified: 2012 Existing Condition represents the baseline analysis conditions for comparison to future conditions. 2017 No-Build Condition represents the anticipated development conditions based on known planned/approved development projects scheduled to be completed within five years without the Project. 2017 Build Condition represents the 2017 No-Build Conditions with the anticipated development conditions as a result of the Project. Pedestrian Wind Pedestrian level winds conditions were evaluated as a part of this expanded PNF document, as required by Section 80-B3 of the Boston Zoning Code. The objective of the wind study was to assess the potential effect of the Project on local wind conditions in pedestrian areas around the Project Site and provide recommendations for minimizing unacceptable effects, if any. Summary of Key Findings The Project has been designed to minimize or, where possible, eliminate negative effects on the pedestrian wind environment, as it incorporates mitigating elements into its design. Due to wind exposure and the constrained size and shape of the Project Site, eliminating Project-related wind impacts has proven to be particularly challenging. Over 20 iterations of wind tunnel mitigation testing was conducted in an effort to improve upon local wind conditions. Based on these tests it has been determined that the construction of any building taller than the existing single-story building at the Project Site will be exposed to the uninterrupted prevailing winds from the northwest compass quadrant. A large number of mitigation options were considered and analyzed, and the ones that achieve the best results are proposed and compared against the baseline conditions. Given the challenge with winds at the Project Site, significant consideration was given to the building design with regard to minimizing wind effects in the vicinity. The currently proposed configuration almost completely addresses unacceptable wind conditions. The final design of the project will include additional refinements such as landscaping, awnings, and wind screens to adjust conditions for specific ground level uses. 4-2 Environmental Protection
Overview \\MABOS\projects\11381.00\reports\Article80\ Expanded_PNF\04_Environmental_FINAL.do c Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. The Point, Boston Introduction of new building massing, especially when it extends above the surrounding context, may cause increased local wind speeds at the pedestrian level. Typically, wind speeds increase with elevation above the ground surface, and taller buildings interact with the upper level air flow which in turn can change wind conditions in the pedestrian environment. The funneling of wind through gaps between buildings and the acceleration of wind around corners of buildings may also cause an increase in wind speed. These varying conditions and geometries may also decrease wind speed and create variability across a site. Building design is an important factor in limiting wind impacts. Building configuration can limit wind impacts through orientation of the building massing, the provision of articulated massing, ground level appurtenances, such as canopies and landscaping, and even elements of the building face. The most effective way to assess potential pedestrian-level wind impacts around a proposed new building is to conduct scale model tests in a wind tunnel, which Rowan, Williams Davies and Irwin (RWDI) has conducted for the Project, the results of which are summarized in this section. The consideration of wind in planning outdoor activity areas is important since high winds in an area tend to deter pedestrian use. For example, winds should be relatively light in areas where people would be sitting, such as outdoor cafés or playgrounds. For bus stops and other locations where people would be standing, somewhat higher winds can be tolerated. For frequently used sidewalks, where people are primarily walking, stronger winds are acceptable. For infrequently used areas, the wind comfort criteria can be relaxed even further. The actual effects of wind can range from pedestrian inconvenience, due to the blowing of dust or other loose materials in a moderate breeze, to severe difficulty with walking due to the wind forces on the pedestrian. Methodology The pedestrian wind study involved wind simulation on a 1:400 scale model of the project area. The simulations were conducted by RWDI in a boundary-layer wind tunnel for the purpose of estimating local wind speed conditions under the No-Build Conditions and Build Conditions (with the Project). Both the No- Build and Build Conditions take into account planned projects in the immediate project area, including 1325 Boylston Street, 132 Brookline Avenue, 121 Brookline Avenue and Landmark North. The study identifies specific changes in wind patterns and velocities. The study modeled the wind conditions at 94 ground level locations, including pedestrian routes and public streets surrounding the Brookline Avenue and Boylston Street buildings, and 8 locations on the proposed building, including rooftop areas. The study locations were reviewed by the BRA prior to conducting the study. Information concerning the Project Site and its surroundings were derived from: site photographs, information on surrounding buildings supplied by the Proponent and/or project design team, and site plans and elevations of the Project provided by the design team. The following configurations were simulated: 4-3 Environmental Protection
Page 1:
Expanded Project Notication Form Su
Page 5 and 6:
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. The P
Page 7 and 8:
Page 9 and 10:
Page 11 and 12:
Page 13 and 14:
Page 15 and 16:
Page 17 and 18:
Page 19 and 20:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Vanas
Page 21 and 22:
Page 23 and 24:
Summary of Project Impacts Vanasse
Page 25 and 26:
Daylight Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, I
Page 27 and 28:
Construction Vanasse Hangen Brustli
Page 29 and 30:
Page 31 and 32:
\\MABOS\projects\11381.00\graphics\
Page 33 and 34:
\\vhb\proj\Boston\11381.00\graphics
Page 35 and 36:
Page 37 and 38:
Page 39 and 40:
Page 41 and 42:
Page 43 and 44:
Legal Counsel Goulston & Storrs, P.
Page 45 and 46:
Page 47 and 48:
Page 49 and 50: Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. The P
Page 53 and 54: Character and Materials Vanasse Han
Page 55 and 56: \\MABOS\projects\11381.00\graphics\
Page 61 and 62: AMENITY CORE RESIDENTIAL \\MABOS\pr
Page 63 and 64: Introduction Vanasse Hangen Brustli
Page 73 and 74: Build Condition \\MABOS\projects\11
Page 75 and 76: \\MABOS\projects\11381.00\reports\A
Page 81 and 82: \\vhb\proj\Boston\11381.00\graphics
Page 99: Introduction \\MABOS\projects\11381
Page 105 and 106: Shadow \\MABOS\projects\11381.00\re
Page 109 and 110: Summary of Key Findings \\MABOS\pro
Page 111 and 112: Summary of Key Findings \\MABOS\pro
Page 117 and 118: Emission Rates \\MABOS\projects\113
Page 125 and 126: Groundwater \\MABOS\projects\11381.
Page 151 and 152:
Boylston Street Brookline Avenue Fi
Page 153 and 154:
Page 155 and 156:
Introduction \\MABOS\projects\11381
Page 157 and 158:
progresses, updated information on
Page 159 and 160:
Domestic Water and Fire Protection
Page 161 and 162:
Protection of Utilities Existing pu
Page 163 and 164:
Introduction Vanasse Hangen Brustli
Page 165 and 166:
Page 167 and 168:
Audubon Circle Area Vanasse Hangen
Page 169 and 170:
Page 171 and 172:
Page 173 and 174:
Page 175 and 176:
Page 177:
show all

point cover jan 13 - Boston Redevelopment Authority

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?