Internap new Boston data center

50 Inner Belt Road: (Applicant: Internap Network Services, Inc., Owner: Penna Realty Trust, Agent: John McDonald)

The Applicant seeks a Special Permit with Site Plan Review for the use as a data center over 25,000 square feet (SZO § 7.11.15.c). Industrial A / Ward 1.
The Applicant discussed the history of the building. It was built in 1971 as a warehouse. The new use would be a data center. The exterior would need to be secure. The Applicant would like to incorporate green design elements. The lease would be for 15 years. The Applicant would like to reduce the size of the generator building if possible. The façade would be corrugated metal and painted concrete masonry units. Rooftop units are now on the elevations but are not in the renderings.
The DRC discussed the following:
There is no space for solar panels with the rooftop installations.
Landscaping: The proposed wildflowers would be attractive in the front of the building. The proposed grass is not an environmentally friendly landscaping material. The site could use more greenery to give it a friendlier appearance. The building could be covered in ivy. More landscaping is needed along Inner Belt. Provide more landscaping.
Façade: The façade is monolithic. The corrugated panels could change direction to break up the mass of the building. The use of color works well in this industrial area. Different colored panels could also break up the mass but it should not be too arbitrary or willful. The building needs more modulation. The doors could creep up into the façade above. There could be lighting under the lip of the building so that the building floats at night. Break up the mass of the building with one or more of these techniques.
The area with the generator building works well because it creates a space.
This is a functional building, which is a forgotten piece of Somerville. The Inner Belt area will have more life in the future and this building could set a precedent for how to design the box-like buildings in the area.
The DRC appreciates the use of color and the improvement that this project would bring to the site.

50 Inner Belt Road (Case #ZBA 2008-21)
Applicant: Internap Network Services, Inc.
Property Owner: Penna Realty Trust
Agent: John McDonald, Consulting
Legal Notice: Applicant: Internap Network Services, Inc. & Owner: Penna Realty Trust seek a Special Permit with Site Plan Review for the use as a data center over 25,000 square feet (SZO § 7.11.15.c). IA zone. Ward 1.
Date(s) of Hearing(s):
5/21, 6/4/08
Planning Board
Action:
Recommends conditional approval pending Design Review Committee meeting of May 22, 2008.
ZBA Action: Voted on June 4, 2008 to grant the Applicant’s request for a continuance to June 18, 2008.
Current Status: Applicant has requested continuance to July 9, 2008 to redesign the façade.