Draft Project Impact Report - Boston Redevelopment Authority

Exeter Residences/888 Boylston
\\Mabos\projects\09916.00\docs\Permits\DPIR\Text\DPIR Chapter 5
Environmental.docx
intensity. Compared to the 155-feet condition results, impacts along the Exeter Street
sidewalk disappeared. Several small areas of minor glare are anticipated along
Boylston Street which may affect pedestrians and/or motorists. However, the angle
of the sunlight along Boylston Street is not perpendicular to the object therefore the
discomfort will be minimal.
March 21, 6pm EST: Figure 5-38 depicts sunlight reflected onto the rooftop of the
Hynes Convention Center, Lord & Taylor, and the Boston Public Library with a
minor level of intensity. Very thin and long shafts of glare will strike building
rooftops on the northern side of Boylston Street extending to the southern portion of
Newbury Street, ranging from minor to moderately intense levels of glare. A small
collection of average to moderately intense scattered glare will hit the western façade
and rooftop of the Mandarin Oriental Boston during this time and date.
Furthermore, the western portion of the Boylston Arcade in front of 888 Boylston will
experience a panel of reflected sunlight that will be diminished by plaza tree
plantings.
June 21, 9am EST: Consistent with the 155-feet scenario results for this day and time,
sunlight is reflected onto the rooftops and streets with thin tracks of light due to the
low angle of the morning sun. Glare effects are expected on rooftops such as the
Hynes Convention Center, Prudential Center Arcade, Mandarin Oriental Boston, and
the Boston Public Library. As shown in Figure 5-39 thin panels of reflected sunlight
will strike the north façade of the Gloucester building with minor intensity. A small
panel of solar glare is expected on the northern portion of Boylston Street, the
sidewalk and adjacent building front. The glare will not be a factor to east-bound
one-way traffic, cyclists or pedestrians on Boylston Street since it is perpendicular to
pedestrian and vehicular movement. At this hour, a thin shaft of glare depicted on
Exeter and Blagden Streets may be a factor to south-bound and west-bound traffic
and pedestrians.
June 21, 12 noon EST: The high angle of the sun at this date and time, as indicated in
Figure 5-39, almost completely eliminate glare effects. The Prudential Center Arcade
rooftop and the entrance to the Prudential Center Garage will receive several small
areas of minor intensity glare.
June 21, 3pm EST: Large shafts of reflected sunlight are shown in Figure 5-39
striking the rooftop of the Hynes Convention Center and Lord & Taylor. Variegated
panels of minor to intense levels of solar glare are dispersed along the Boylston
Arcade and extending into Boylston Street. At this hour and angle of sunlight, these
effects would not be expected to affect one-way traffic on Boylston Street, and plaza
trees would be expected to noticeably diminish the glare.
June 21, 6pm EST: Figure 5-39 identifies low sun reflecting off the northwest facades
of Exeter Residences and 888 Boylston which creates far reaching shafts of glare in
northerly, easterly and westerly directions. The largest panel of glare is expected on
DRAFT - Environmental Protection 5-37