Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWG_Final_Rec_Worksheet_GreenComm1CCWG_Final_Rec_Worksheet_GreenComm1 1 of 2 10/12/2018 CITY OF CHULA VISTA Climate Change Working Group Worksheet for Recommended Climate Change Reduction Measures Measure Number: 15 Original Short Text of Measure: Require LEED/Architecture2030 or equivalent standards for commercial or industrial projects. Short Text of Measure (with any minor modifications necessary, 50 words max): The implementation of mandatory green building standards for new and renovated commercial and industrial development based on the Architecture 2030 principle, recently adopted by the CEC and CPUC, of building homes with increasingly higher energy efficiency requirements until net zero energy capability is achieved for all new commercial/industrial development. No building permit would be issued without meeting these standards. Recommended Performance Metrics for Measure (50 words max): The implementation of this measure requires an addition to the City’s municipal code stipulating the new green building standard. Performance would be gauged by the number of building permits applied for, the number accepted, and the number of compliant buildings built. Recommended Long Text for Measure (250 words max) (Please include the following:  Important Background Information (explain acronyms like AFV or PPA)  A clear description of the measure itself  A brief summary of “prior execution” of this measure in other cities. The city of Chula Vista Climate Change Working Group recommends that the City of Chula Vista adopt a series of green building standards based on the principles of Architecture 2030 which have recently been adopted by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Energy Commission (CEC) as part of their CCWG_Final_Rec_Worksheet_GreenComm1 2 of 2 10/12/2018 energy efficiency initiatives. The standards would require all new and major renovations of commercial and industrial development to submit and follow plans that fulfill the Architecture 2030 principle that “all new buildings, developments, and major renovations be designed to meet fossil fuel, greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting, energy consumption performance standard” of, initially, 60% of the regional average of that building type1. The City would then be required to periodically increase the standards, to 70%, 80%, and 90% until requiring zero net energy capability, meaning the ability to produce as much energy as it consumes if on-site generation were added, for all new buildings by 2030. No building permit shall be issued without evidence that the covered buildings will meet these standards. Buildings that do not conform to the standards will be deemed “non- compliant” with Chula Vista’s building code. . The concept of mandatory green building, that is requiring developers to build projects based on strict energy efficient and renewable energy criteria, is reaching a high level of popularity throughout the country. Several major cities have adopted or are about to adopt far-reaching mandatory green building requirements for commercial buildings- Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Washington, DC and San Francisco. In addition to cities that have already adopted some sort of green building, several other cities including the City of San Diego are undertaking serious debate on the subject. Please provide concise answers for how the project will have/be: (complete sentences) Fiscally Feasible: The city of Chula Vista currently has building code requirements that must be met in order to attain a building permit. These proposed standards would be simply a small and modest addition to these existing building standards, thus taking advantage of already existing implementation and enforcement mechanisms. Additional training for existing staff may be required. However, it is not likely for there to be significant additional costs connected to this proposal. The City is already requiring LEED certification as part of the Eastern Urban Core Specific Plan, the establishment of a specific green building standard would be a less cost-intensive than LEED since certification fees are not applicable. Short Timeframe: The implementation of these standards- given their modest scope could occur as soon as adequate notice is given to the public. The fact that the implementation and enforcement process is already in place, allows the standards to be up and running immediately. Quantifiable Results: Reductions in energy use by buildings are among the easiest things to quantify in the City’s GHG emissions inventory. Mandatory green building requirements have proven throughout the nation and according to credible sources such 1http://www.architecture2030.org/2030_challenge/index.html CCWG_Final_Rec_Worksheet_GreenComm1 3 of 2 10/12/2018 as the DOE, AIA, and the California Attorney General, as an effective means to dramatically lowering carbon emissions. Prior Execution: Mandatory green building standards have been adopted in West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Boston, and Washington, DC. No Adverse Effects: While these standards add an additional requirement in order to be issued a building permit within the city, these standards are no different than other building requirements currently imposed on developers- including structural, lighting, earthquake safety, ventilation requirements, etc. Such standards have proven to have little if any adverse effects on the number of permits sought. The fact that the proposed standard allows developers the flexibility and autonomy to determine how best to meet these requirements will offset the burden associated with meeting an additional procedural requirement. Finally, considering these goals are based on those being adopted by two state agencies illustrates how feasible these principles so as to be adopted in California.