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Home My WebLink AboutCC Resolution 12299 (Establish Green Building Standards)RESOLUTION NO. 12299 A RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL ESTABLISHING GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS. WHEREAS, the design, construction and operation of buildings and structures within the city can have a significant impact on the city's environmental sustainability, resource usage, energy efficiency, waste management and the health and productivity of residents, workers and visitors; and WHEREAS, the design, construction and operation of buildings and structures also has far- reaching effects on the region and globally through production of greenhouse gases resulting in global climate change and the consumption of resources that impact wildlife habitat; and WHEREAS, green building benefits are spread throughout the systems and features of the building. Green buildings can include, among other things, the use of certified sustainable wood products, extensive use of high -recycled -content products; recycling of waste that occurs during deconstruction, demolition and construction; orientation and design of a building to reduce the demand on the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems; the use of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems that provide energy efficiency and improved air quality; enhancement of indoor air quality by selection and use of construction materials that do not emit chemicals that are toxic or irritating to building occupants; the use of water conserving methods and equipment; and installation of alternative energy methods for supplemental energy production; and WHEREAS, in recent years, green building design, construction and operational techniques have become increasingly widespread. Many homeowners, businesses, and building professionals have voluntarily sought to incorporate green building techniques into their projects. A number of local and national systems have been developed to serve as guides and rating systems for green building practices. The U.S. Green Building Council, developer of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating Systems, has become a leader in promoting and guiding green building, particularly for non-residential structures. The Alameda County Waste Management Authority has developed the New Home, Remodeling and Multi -Family Green Building Guidelines and associated Green Points Calculators, which have been adopted for use in several Bay Area jurisdictions; and WHEREAS, according to recent studies published by the United States Green Building Council and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the construction, demolition and operation of buildings in the United States collectively consume up to 37% of the total energy used, 12% of all fresh water supplies, 40% of all raw materials used, and generate 36% of total emissions of anthropogenic carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas associated with global climatic change, and 46% of all sulfur dioxide emissions, 19% of nitrogen oxide emissions and 10% of fire particulate emissions; and WHEREAS, by requiring buildings within the City of San Rafael to be constructed in an environmentally responsible manner, the City of San Rafael is participating in global endeavors to reduce carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, waste generation and habitat change; and WHEREAS, on July 24, 2006, the City Council held a study session on potential elements of a Green Building Program, providing direction to staff; and WHEREAS, on May 29 and June 12, 2007, the San Rafael Planning Commission conducted public hearings and recommended adoption of Zoning Ordinance amendments to the City Council which included green building regulations and other resource conservation and community health regulations, and recommended approval of the proposed resolution; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Rafael adopts the following Standards for Compliance for administration of Green Building regulations contained in Section 14.16.365 of the San Rafael Municipal Code: Standards for Compliance All covered projects shall be constructed using the following green building standards: a) New single -family and duplex dwellings or major additions, with the exception of second dwelling units, shall achieve at least sixty (60) points using the most recently published edition of the New Home Construction Green Building Guidelines and the associated Green Points Calculator published by the Alameda County Waste Management Authority and Build It Green, and b) New multi-family units or major additions shall achieve at least sixty (60) points using the most recently published edition of the Multifamily Green Building Guidelines and the associated Green Points Calculator published by the Alameda County Waste Management Authority and Build It Green, and c) New non-residential construction of 5,000 to 29,999 square feet of conditioned floor area shall achieve at least a LEED® "Certified" rating (26-32 points) using the most recently published version of the LEED° for New Construction or other more appropriate LEED® rating system as determined by the Chief Building Official based on the proposed construction type, and d) New non-residential construction exceeding 29,999 square feet square feet of conditioned floor area shall achieve at least a LEED® "Silver" rating (33-38 points) using the most recently published version of the LEED® for New Construction or other more appropriate LEED® rating system as determined by the Chief Building Official based on the proposed construction type. Incentives Projects which meet the following enhanced green building standards are entitled to administrative and financial incentives: a) New single -family or duplex dwellings or major additions which achieve at least one hundred (100) points using the most recently published edition of the New Home Construction Green Building Guidelines and the associated Green Points Calculator published by Build It Green, b) New multi-family units or major additions to existing multi-family dwelling units, as defined by Chapter 14.03 of the San Rafael Municipal Code, shall achieve at least one hundred (100) points using the most recently published edition of the Multifamily Green Building Guidelines and the associated Green Points Calculator published by the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, c) New non-residential residential construction shall achieve at least a LEED® "Gold" rating using the most recently published version of the LEED° for New Construction or other more appropriate LEED® rating system as determined by the Chief Building Official based on the proposed construction type. Administrative and financial incentives shall include all of the following: a) Expedited processing of building permit plan checks, b) Reimbursement for costs of a Certified Green Building Rater associated with verification of compliance with green building regulations for residential projects, c) Provision of a plaque certifying the building as meeting the City's "Emerald" Green Building Standards, d) Provision of a City Green Building logo for placement on construction and sales signage, and e) Listing on the City's website for a period of time. I, JEANNE M. LEONCINI, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of said City on Monday, the 2nd day of July, 2007, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips and Mayor Boro NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None JZkRNE M. LEONCINI, City Clerk