point cover jan 13 - Boston Redevelopment Authority

Introduction
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Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
The Point, Boston
4-1 Environmental Protection
Environmental Protection
This chapter presents information on the environmental conditions in the vicinity of the Project Site and the
potential changes that may occur as a result of the Project, as described in the Project Description chapter. A
key goal of the Project is to redevelop the Site for higher and better uses, while avoiding or minimizing
potential adverse environmental impacts.
As discussed in more detail below, the Project-related impacts, which are to be expected in any high-rise
development of this scale, are counterbalanced by the significant benefits for the neighborhood and city,
including the realization of many of the City’s planning goals for the Fenway neighborhood. Temporary
construction-period impacts will be managed to minimize disruption to the surrounding neighborhood.
In compliance with the Article 80 Large Project Review guidelines of the Boston Zoning Code, this expanded
PNF considers the potential of project impacts in the following categories:
Pedestrian Wind Water Quality Construction
Shadow Flood Hazard Rodent Control
Daylight Groundwater and Geotechnical Green Building/Sustainability
Solar Glare Solid and Hazardous Waste
Air Quality Noise
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A pedestrian wind analysis is required because the Project is over 150-feet in height. There is no wildlife
habitat located with or in the vicinity of the Project Site. Chapter 2, Urban Design, provides detailed
descriptions of architectural characteristics, including height, massing, and ground-level treatments, such as
pedestrian ways, amenities and landscaping. Chapter 3, Transportation, provides the detailed traffic and
access impact study. Chapter 5, Infrastructure Systems, provides detailed descriptions of the infrastructure and
utilities required to support the Project. Chapter 6, Historic Resources, identifies and describes historic
resources in the vicinity of the Project Site and evaluates potential Project-related impacts to them.
As demonstrated in the following sections as well as in the above-referenced chapters, the Project has been
designed to mitigate its environmental impacts.