Plans for construction of the $80 million Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies crossed a critical hurdle last Thursday, but not without controversy.
Since Troy Planning Commission approved its finding statement on the Biotech segment of the Institute’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement, groups opposed to the proposal have begun organizing a response which could include legal action.
The Environmental Impact Statement produced by RPI for the Planning Commission details steps the Institute will take in order to lower the impact of the South campus construction project in the surrounding community.
The finding statement approved by the Planning Commission contained conditions which RPI will need to address before applying for the Biotech site plan approval.
Requirements handed down in the finding statement include the use of “astronomy-friendly” lighting practices, off-site parking and a shuttle service for construction crews, use of electric cranes to reduce noise, and prevention of construction mud and other debris from clogging the streets.
“Our main contention with the process is that the environmental review process was segmented and thus subverted. It was a bad decision by the Planning Commission and it weakened the entire review process by limiting it to just a site plan review,” said Troy resident and special project director for the Rensselaer County Greens, Eric Daille.
Daille went on to state that he believes the Rensselaer County Greens could argue their contention—that the way in which the Planning Commission segmented the Environmental Impact Review process is not legal—successfully based on previously established case law.
Currently the Greens are debating the feasibility of raising the funds required to hire an attorney. In the meantime they are exploring other options. “We also plan to reach out to Mayor Pattison, push for changes on the Planning Commission, and start a petition,” said Daille.
The Greens’ plan to hold an organizing meeting at Rosa House located at 2251 Old Sixth Avenue at 7 pm on March 11. At the meeting Daille looks to educate members of the local community on the how the Environmental Impact Review process works. In the meantime RPI looks to move forward with its construction plans.
“Approval of the finding statement allows us to move forward with site plan approval. We are first looking to have to site plan approved for the Biotech construction and then the Parking garage,” said Vice President for Administration Claude Rounds.
Rounds added that the Institute will ask for a height exception for the Biotech construction before submitting design plans for the Electronic and Media Performing Arts Center.
The Greens’ other major opposition points to the South campus construction project include the height of the Biotech building, the inclusion of an animal research facility inside the Biotech building, and the visual impact of EMPAC.
“The construction proposal process was in this case was about complacency and expediency. No one knows how tall the Biotech building will be, the Commission ruled on the visual impact of EMPAC without having visual aids, and at the last minute they removed key conditions intended for the animal research facility,” said Daille.
