According to the proposal, 100 Berkeley St., which is parcel 17 would be 33 stories while 101 Clarendon Street, which is parcel 16, would be 38 stories. The project, called Columbus Center, would lease air rights from the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, which is exempt from zoning laws. The Citizens Advisory Committee, which was recently formed by the Boston Redevelopment Authority to develop air rights zoning ordinances, opposes these heights.

"It's such a step away from the zoning laws," Albert Rex, executive director of the Boston Preservation Alliance, tells GlobeSt.com. "We oppose it as well." The Boston Preservation Alliance is a non-profit advocacy group. According to Rex and other local activists opposed to the towers, the height of the towers will adversely impact the neighborhood in terms of blocking the sun and casting shadows. "Towers are often not well-placed or well-planned," notes Rex.

The developers could not be reached for comment but they are quoted as saying that this project has the potential to revitalize an area of the city by bringing together two sides of a submerged roadway. They have also stated in the past that the height of these towers is required to be able to pay for the project.