The Troy City Planning Commission plans to review the Institute’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement during a public hearing scheduled for this Tuesday at 7 pm at Troy City Hall.
The DEIS addresses possible environmental impacts that might result from the proposed erection of a biotechnology center, an electronic media and performing arts center, a 500-car parking garage, an electric substation, a chiller facility, and additional south campus improvements. It must be approved by the City of Troy before the construction of the buildings can proceed.
"The process provides the City of Troy and the community—including the community here at Rensselaer—with the opportunity to provide comments so that we can better understand how the project might impact the community and to help us better address those impacts as we go into project design," said Claude Rounds, vice president for administration.
According to the DEIS, significant environmental impacts that could possibly result from construction of the buildings, including:
— Soil erosion created by construction on steep slopes near the site of the proposed electronic media and performing arts center.
— A long construction period of approximately three years during which there is an increased susceptibility to erosion, extended construction traffic on community roads, a longer exposure of workers to on-the-job safety hazards, and parking shortages.
— Storm flow runoff created by increased construction and the development of buildings.
— The removal of approximately 1.5 acres of vegetation of
second and third growth deciduous woodlands.
— Possible accidental spills of chemical and/or petroleum products during construction.
— Excessive water consumption during the construction phase.
— Air quality affected by emissions from the biotech building, the chiller plant, and the new boiler plant.
— The removal of rocks and other excavated materials from the construction site.
The document outlines a number of alternatives that would prevent or minimize the effects of those environmental impacts.
After the 39-day public comment period ends on September 24, the City Planning Commission plans to submit all public comments received to RPI, so that the Institute can revise the DEIS and submit a final environmental impact statement. Upon its receipt of the FEIS, the city government would then decide what additional measures to take.
