Subject: Examples for Benicia builders to go green
Date: 2007-12-30
The Benicia Planning Commission has discussed developing a "green building" ordinance. There are an increasing number of examples of such ordinances that could be used. The City of Watsonville's approach is interesting in that it provides an incentive to builders to go beyond the mandated standards of the new ordinance. The incentive is that if the design incorporates several "green" approaches, the applicant gets extra points. The higher the points the faster an application can be processed. In other words, the applicant moves to the head of the line for city processing. In planning for the New Year, we should set a goal for fast tracking an ordinance that fits Benicia, but without spending months and months of development. Thus, this example and others should be studied for the best ideas.
Watsonville builders going green
The Watsonville Register-Pajaronian
Posted: Wednesday, Dec 5th, 2007
BY: TODD GUILD
New building codes soon to be adopted by the Watsonville City Council will encourage builders to follow green regulations by requiring them to meet certain criteria before being issued building permits, according to Watsonville city planners.
The system mirrors a similar one already in place in the city of Santa Cruz that was adopted from a system used in Alameda County.
For new projects and remodels over a certain size, builders earn points by adding environmentally friendly elements to their projects. These include eliminating wood-burning fireplaces and using sustainable wood substitutes like bamboo, among other things. In addition, building designs that utilize water efficiency and use recycled materials are awarded extra points.
Before being considered for a permit, builders must earn a certain number of points. Any points achieved after that would speed up the permitting process. Builders incorporating enough green elements into their projects can earn a Green Building Award.
“It really doesn’t take a great deal to do it,” said Community Development Director John Doughty. “It just takes some forethought.”
The Community Development department will present a list of elements builders can adopt to earn points at the next City Council meeting Dec. 11. Doughty expects the green building ordinances to become effective early next year.
“It forces people to start thinking through these issues,” he said. “It’s a start. We believe it’s the right thing to do.”
Green building practices have been mandatory in the city of Santa Cruz for about two years, but they have been common practice in the building industry for at least 10 years, according to Jared Bogaard, vice president of Santa Cruz-based Bogard Construction.
“Green building is kind of the wave of the future,” he said. “Many of the new developments have been incorporating green elements anyway. Making it a code requirement is great. It makes those of us who already do it more competitive, because the extra cost is no longer an issue.”
Making the transition to mandatory green building codes has been easy, because most builders agree with them, said Bogaard.
“Everybody is on board,” he said. “If we have to pay a little extra, that’s OK, because it’s helping the environment. It’s a good process.”
“We saw this coming for a long time,” said Keith Severson, marketing services manager for Graniterock in Watsonville. The idea is that you build it once, you build it right and it lasts a long time.” |
