(Image source from: Fenway Realty)
The Boston Planning & Development Agency on Thursday approved new rules in making buildings more resilient to the effects of climate change, while memories of storm last winter that flooded parts of downtown Boston are still fresh are still fresh at City Hall.
The city officials hope the measures taken will aid minimize flooding, power outages, and make it easier to upgrade street lights and other public works.
"We think we've identified a way forward that appears to be the first of its kind in the nation," said Brian Golden, the agency's director.
Initially, for a two-year period the rules are being tested and differ for projects based on size. For the largest developments, at least 1.5 million square feet, developers will require to assess installing an on-site power plant, and build one of it's financially feasible. They has well have to consolidate all wiring for internet, cable and else telecom services into one underground tube, so for streets and sidewalks during repairs there us less disruption.
To help prevent runoff during storms from contributing to floods in the surrounding area, any new development above 100,000 square feet will have to retain more rainfall than currently required.
Interim, above 50,000 square feet projects, developers would need to set up extra wiring and technology for smart traffic signals and street lights if the projects require new or reinforced signals or lights.
About two years ago the agency's work on this policy has began, merely recent storms have added to the urgency.
Golden said the rules could also help reduce traffic jams caused by construction, by requiring more coordination for underground utility work.
He said developers offered input during the process, HYM Investment Group, for example, expects to use these standards for a complex it will build at the old Suffolk Downs track.
NAIOP Massachusetts, the development industry's chief local lobbying group, is pushing back, opposing on-site power and stormwater retention requirements.
"To increase this holding capacity is a bit problematic," chief executive David Begelfer said of the new rainwater rule. "Boston's an old urban city. It’s very dense."
Matthew Kiefer, a development lawyer with Goulston & Storrs, said it could be hard to connect on-site power supplies with the local electricity grid. "We've talked to clients who have tried to do it in different settings," Kiefer said. “It’s kind of challenging.”
While Kiefer applauded some of the agency's goals, he said city officials should in exchange allow developers to build bigger projects to compensate for the added expense.
"I would be careful about adding too many costs to developments," Keifer said. "When the market starts to soften a little bit, can you really support the costs of these things?"
By Sowmya Sangam
