Revised Fan Pier plan clears hurdle

BOSTON – State Environmental Affairs Secretary Robert Durand has given initial approval for a revised plan for development of the Fan Pier in South Boston by the Pritzker family, the Boston Globe reported. It is the first of a series of environmental and zoning permits the Chicago-based developers need to proceed with the project. Changes include reduced density, lower building heights and more public space. Despite the reduced density, accomplished partially by reducing the number of hotels from two to one in the plan, the number of housing units increased from the original 300 proposed to 675. The Pritzker family, owners of the Hyatt Hotel chain, plan a 650 room Grand Hyatt for the development.