Says it right in the article. That being said the fascinating part of the article for me was his concern for noise levels. Those ventilation units are not only tall they can get very, very, loud.
but I don't see how the average neighborhood resident is going to have any idea how to judge whether or not a proposed life-science lab is good or bad.
These buildings are often approved before they have tenants and start researching. At the point at the building is approved no one knows if the lab will be studying houseplants or murder hornets.
And these things will change over time regardless.
You are confusing building code and permitting with zoning.
While the change of use may be allowed either through zoning or variance, whoever leases the space and builds it out will still need to meet several agencies' codes before just moving in.
But at the same time, now that residents are living, or could soon be living, cheek to jowl with labs researching any number of diseases, residents deserve to be heard about the potential impacts of such research, both in terms of public health and safety and other effects on the neighborhood, everything from construction noise to the ways that lab workers might not stick around after work in the same way that traditional office workers might, Flynn said.
Some genetics dork sitting at his computer thumbing through genetic marker data for multiple sclerosis next door while you're making a ham sandwich for lunch in your uninsulated triple decker probably has more to worry about your kerosene space heater lighting his lab on fire than you have from catching "any number of diseases" from his lab.
Also, what is this bullshit about "lab workers might not stick around after work"? Is he complaining they won't spend money at a local bar to stimulate the hyperlocal economy of the neighborhood? Because what? Lab workers don't drink after their work day like a "traditional office worker"? Why? Are they automatons? Nerds, therefore they don't drink or shop or go to dinner with significant others or colleagues? What the ever-loving random fuck is Flynn insinuating?
This whole "life science labs are different and we must act in a new way!" bullshit is fucking stupid. These places aren't leaking diseases. Most R&D is on model systems or a specific protein target. You can't catch diabetes from a ventilation system...and we're all lucky these councilors' stupidity isn't directly contagious either.
Dear Southie, your councilor is a moron. Clean your shit up.
And Flaherty...you're just lucky we take more than 2 at-large councilors each election.
Haha...these people bought a condo next to land that is ZONED FOR INDUSTRIAL USE with no public hearing required before development. Somebody could build an aluminum smelter or a paint thinner factory next door and they'd have no recourse. They should be ecstatic that it's life sciences R&D - no noise, no pollution, no smells, 9-5 M-F working hours, and also absolutely no risk since there's no way this facility would have clearance to work on anything at over BSL2 level. The only risk to these NIMBYs would be if they broke into the facility, walked into a lab, and poured random chemicals into their eyes.
Comments
Oversight? How would a
Oversight? How would a neighborhood provide oversight?
Community hearings.
Says it right in the article. That being said the fascinating part of the article for me was his concern for noise levels. Those ventilation units are not only tall they can get very, very, loud.
Input is not oversight.
Input is not oversight.
Because average neighborhood people
are such experts in providing oversignt of life-science labs.
Noise Levels
Noise doesn't need community input. It needs enforcement via an inspector with a decibel meter.
I'm not opposed to some input
but I don't see how the average neighborhood resident is going to have any idea how to judge whether or not a proposed life-science lab is good or bad.
Furthermore
These buildings are often approved before they have tenants and start researching. At the point at the building is approved no one knows if the lab will be studying houseplants or murder hornets.
And these things will change over time regardless.
You are confusing building
You are confusing building code and permitting with zoning.
While the change of use may be allowed either through zoning or variance, whoever leases the space and builds it out will still need to meet several agencies' codes before just moving in.
If you can't pronounce it, it
If you can't pronounce it, it must not be good. /s
NIIIIIIM
BYYYYY!!!!, how else?
Fucking stupid
Some genetics dork sitting at his computer thumbing through genetic marker data for multiple sclerosis next door while you're making a ham sandwich for lunch in your uninsulated triple decker probably has more to worry about your kerosene space heater lighting his lab on fire than you have from catching "any number of diseases" from his lab.
Also, what is this bullshit about "lab workers might not stick around after work"? Is he complaining they won't spend money at a local bar to stimulate the hyperlocal economy of the neighborhood? Because what? Lab workers don't drink after their work day like a "traditional office worker"? Why? Are they automatons? Nerds, therefore they don't drink or shop or go to dinner with significant others or colleagues? What the ever-loving random fuck is Flynn insinuating?
This whole "life science labs are different and we must act in a new way!" bullshit is fucking stupid. These places aren't leaking diseases. Most R&D is on model systems or a specific protein target. You can't catch diabetes from a ventilation system...and we're all lucky these councilors' stupidity isn't directly contagious either.
Dear Southie, your councilor is a moron. Clean your shit up.
And Flaherty...you're just lucky we take more than 2 at-large councilors each election.
Cosigned!
Cosigned!
Also, this has been a year
that should impress upon people the benefits of having lots of pathogen research facilities.
Five cars spewing
And he's worried about a very well regulated and controlled industry?
Haha...these people bought a
Haha...these people bought a condo next to land that is ZONED FOR INDUSTRIAL USE with no public hearing required before development. Somebody could build an aluminum smelter or a paint thinner factory next door and they'd have no recourse. They should be ecstatic that it's life sciences R&D - no noise, no pollution, no smells, 9-5 M-F working hours, and also absolutely no risk since there's no way this facility would have clearance to work on anything at over BSL2 level. The only risk to these NIMBYs would be if they broke into the facility, walked into a lab, and poured random chemicals into their eyes.
Oh, just let the tax money
Oh, just let the tax money and jobs go to Cambridge, why should Boston have anything nice.
Aluminum...
The Hub of the Universe.