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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-11-2007-11a~n~fv~ ma-~i on ~-~--2m ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING & INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT Craig N. Benedict, AICP, Director Administration (919) 245-2575 (919) 644-3002 (FAx) www.co.orange.nc.us 306E Revere Road P. O. Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 -- MEMORANDUM TO: The Orange County Board of County Commissioners Laura E. Blackmon, Orange County Manager FROM: Susan Mellott, Building Services Manager Glenn Bowles, Planner II COPY: Craig N. Benedict, Planning Director DATE: December 3, 2007 SUBJECT: Orange County Board of County Commissioners Environmental Responsibility Goal On April 12, 2007 the BOCC adopted five priorities to enhance the implementation of the Environmental Responsibility Goal, which addressed elements of Smart Growth and Green Building. Please find attached the Planning and Inspections Department Smart Growth /Green Building Standards Report. Staff is available to provide a brief presentation early next year. At that time we can discuss direction from the Board regarding proposals for regulatory and educational opportunities related to Smart Growth and Green building guidelines. Smart Growth /Green Building Report ~-,. , ~~ -- ~, ~ _~ . ~. ~;::~. , -,~ ?..K. -:, ``,:. ~ .. Submitted by: Orange County Planning and Inspections Department November 21, 2007 Table of Contents A. Background 7 B. Mission 7 C. Research 7) Smart Growth Principles 2 2) Green Building Standards 3 3) Inventory of existing `green' policies and standards 3 4) Green building programs 4 D. Local Application 7) Building Code 5 2) Site Aspects 6 E. Recommendations Process 7) Task Force 7 2) Recommendations a) Mandatory 8 i. Public ii. Public and Private b) Voluntary 8 c) Incentives 9 d) Education 9 Smart Growth /Green Building Report Orange Turning Green A. Background The BOCC first adopted two objectives under its Environmental Responsibility Goal on December 5, 2005. The first objective was to develop a countywide environmental leadership policy and institute a standing Environmental Action Committee. The second was to continue, expand, and formally adopt the use of green building standards; construct new facilities and deconstruct outdated facilities in a way that is eco-friendly, utilizes energy conserving measures, and minimizes impacts. on the environment. On April 12, 2007 the BOCC adopted five priorities to enhance the implementation of the second objective of its Environmental Responsibility Goal. The five priorities are: 1. Research and provide suggestions for green building standards through the Comprehensive Plan process and the Planning and Inspections Department regulations for both public and private sector development by the end of 2007. 2. Implementation of green building standards through the Planning and Inspections Department, Building Division regulations for both public and private section development by the end of 2008. 3. Participate in education opportunities related to SEED guidelines through training of building and planning employees and eventually education of the general public and private sector builders. 4. Adopt `smart growth' principles of land development and site planning including `low impact design' guidelines in appropriate sectors of County policy by the end of 2007. 5. Adopt `smart growth' principles of land development and site planning including `low impact design' guidelines in planning and erosion control regulations by the end of 2008. B. Mission Statement This report responds to BOCC priorities adopted on April 12, 2007 to initiate implementation of its 2005 environmental and energy conservation goals. The BOCC Environment Responsibility Goal directs staff to, "PerForm all County governmental functions, both internal and external, with a sensitivity and ethic that promotes environmental responsibility and leadership, and an understanding of the actions of government activities as they affect the natural and cultural resources of the County, region, state, nafiion and world." 2 The adopted Energy Conservation Goal was restated on April 24, 2007 as Principle #3 of eight Principles that underlie the process of updating the various elements of the Comprehensive Plan. The Goal states the following, "Encouraging energy efficiency, lower energy consumption and the use of non-polluting energy resources while promoting air quality protection and an effective transportation system." C. Research How do smart growth, sustainability and green building standards relate? County government has a responsibility to address both global warming and hazard mitigation to identify how local citizens are most susceptible to climate change and to best minimize local energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions levels. Conventional building construction, use., and demolition, together with the manufacturing of building materials, have multiple impacts on local, regional, and global environments. Nationally, when life cycle costs are accounted for, buildings account for 65% of all electricity consumption, 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions, 30% of all raw material consumption, 30% of all landfill waste generated, and 12% of all potable water consumption. Typical residential cost centers and energy consumption are heating and cooling (46%), water heating (17%), electrical appliances, including computers (31 %), and lighting (6%). Focusing on local energy conservation through green building programs is a community sustainability issue because it addresses energy and water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and landfill waste. 1) Smart Growth principles can be summarized in ten categories, as follows: a. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices to provide quality housing for people of all income levels. b. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration to create great places to live, work, and play that respond to the community's sense of how and where it wants to grow. c. Create walkable communities that are desirable places to live, work, learn, worship, and play. d. Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place and craft a vision and set standards for development and construction, which respond to community values or architectural beauty and distinctiveness. e. Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective. f. Integrate mixed land use into communities as a critical component of achieving better places to live. g. Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas. h. Provide a variety of transportation choices and therefore provide citizens with mare choices in housing, shopping, communities, and transportation, i. Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities already served by infrastructure, seeking to utilize the resources that existing neighborhoods offer, and conserve open space and irreplaceable natural resources. 3 j. Take advantage of compact building design by incorporating more compact building design as an alternative to conventional land consumptive development. 2) Green building standards acknowledge these ten Smart Growth principles and introduce energy conservation and efficiency in conjunction with community sustainability, as additional essential principles. Green building is a holistic process that addresses a broad range of issues, which include a. Community and site design, b. Energy efficiency, c. Water conservation, d. Resource efficient material selection, e. Indoor environmental quality, f. Construction management, g. Building maintenance and monitoring of building efficiency. A variety of green building standards are embedded in existing County Code that implement county environmental goals and policies. These various ordinances and regulations are consistent with and derive their basis from the County Comprehensive Plan. The Plan was first adopted in 1981 and has been amended several times since then. The County, through its many advisory boards, commissions, and task forces, is presently updating its Comprehensive Plan. The following documents compose a suite of land development regulations that presently impose a level of green building standards on private landowners and developers. a. Zoning Ordinance through minimum lot sizes, set backs, stream buffers, impervious cover restrictions, outdoor lighting, and special use permit approval conditions. b. Subdivision Regulations through required open space, tree and natural area protection regulations, recycling requirement, and landscaping requirements. c. Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance that prohibits new construction in flood hazard areas and requires retrofitting for all substantial improvement or substantial repair to existing buildings. d. Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance to regulate erosion and sedimentation arising from public and private sector land development. e. Environmental Stewardship Action Team is developing a number of environmental policies, which may include new BOCC policy initiatives, objectives and a set of action statements and metrics to guide future Orange County governmental business decisions. f. The Environmental Resources Conservation Department administers the Lands Legacy program and helps produce the State of the Environment report. g. Solid Waste Ordinance developed to regulate construction and demolition debris generated from new~construction requiring separation of corrugated cardboard, clean wood, and scrap metal. h. The North Carolina State Building Codes require a myriad of energy and water conservation regulations, which are currently being required in all new construction and some existing buildings that are components of the green building umbrella. 4 4) Several green building programs have been introduced nationally and regionally over the past several years. Most have guidelines for new and existing residential and commercial construction. Most programs are point-based systems to validate a chosen level of `green' in site selection, structure orientation, resource and materials usage, energy efficient buildings systems, compliance with the EPA's Energy Star program, indoor air quality, water consumption, and education. Most programs require third party certification by design professionals who have special knowledge and or training in a chosen green building program. Among the better-known green programs are the fallowing: a. U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Environment and Energy Conservation (LEED) -Probably the best known green building program is a point based system where projects earn points for satisfying specific green building criteria. The number of points the project earns determines the level of LEED certification the project receives. LEED certification is available in four progressive levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. A LEED certification in a chosen level requires third party verification.www.usgbc.org b. National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Model Green Home Building Guidelines were designed with the mainstream home builder in mind. The purpose of these guidelines is to highlight ways in which a home builder can effectively and holistically weave environmental concerns into a new home and provide a tool for local home builder associations to create a green building program. The Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties has developed a point based green building program based on the national guidelines and is already being utilized by some builders in Orange County. Third party verification is required for a home to be designated Bronze, Silver or Gold. www.nahb.org/qbq c. Green Globes Design is an online building assessment tool that evaluates and rates the environmental performance of, new and existing buildings, and interior fit-ups. The program is questionnaire based and consists of approximately 150 questions that take between 2 to 3 hours to answer. Because Green Globes assessment occurs in two stages, it relates to the development approval process: during preliminary assessment at the Concept Design stage (which corresponds with planning approval), and during final assessment at the construction document stage (which typically corresponds with building permit approval).. Once a design has been assessed, a third party review may be conducted. Once verification is complete, the project is awarded a Green Globes certificate. www.greenglobes.com d. High Performance Guidelines: Triangle Region Public Facilities -The Guidelines are both a design guide and a means to quantify how well high performance principles have been applied to a building's design, construction, and maintenance. The Guidelines are based on a point system. Different aspects of a high performance facility are defined, and specified point totals are awarded when they are achieved. The points are assigned under seven general topic headings: Quality management, site, water, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor 5 environment, and innovation. There is currently no system for formal awards for achieving levels of performance under the Guidelines. It is our understanding that these Guidelines have been used in the design process for several new County buildings. www.ncgreenbuildinq.orq The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) `Energy Star' program was developed to improve energy efficiency in homes and commercial construction. The program focuses on using energy efficient appliances, better insulation techniques, and well- designed heating and cooling systems. While `Energy Star' is not astand-alone green building program, it is a component required by most green building programs (www. e n e rg ysta r, go v) . According to studies, The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Building, performed for the California Sustainable Building Task Force, which examined existing data surrounding the costs and financial benefits of 33 LEED certified projects in California, concluded that the average premium for all 33 studied green buildings is slightly less than 2 percent ($3 to $5 per square foot). For buildings that obtained a LEED's Certified (lowest level of LEED certification) level did so with little or no cost premium. Based on information obtained from local homebuilders that are already building green certified homes, the cost for building a home that is energy star compliant would range between $1300 and $1,500. The additional cost to achieve a basic level of green certification (e.g. Bronze level, NAHB Model Green Building Home Guide) fora 2,200 s.f. home would be approximately $6,000 to $8,000, which does include energy star certification. With a savings of 15 to 30 percent on energy bills these cost would be recovered in a relatively short period of time. D. Local application Utilizing appropriate portions of these green building programs, the following aspects of site development can be addressed through enhancements to existing County land development regulations. The following include a short narrative listing the rationale for addressing each issue. 1) Green building incorporates environmental considerations into every phase of the building process. During the design, construction, and operation of a home or building, energy and water efficiency, lot development, resource efficient building design and materials, indoor environmental quality, building maintenance, and the building's overall impact on the environment are all taken into account. The benefits from using green building guidelines are lower operating cost, increased comfort, improved environmental quality, and enhanced durability, less maintenance and overall less environmental impact through system operations and product selection. 6 2) Site planning. To protect environmentally sensitive sites do not build structures, roads, or parking areas on portions of sites that meet any or of the following criteria: floodplains, rare or endangered species habitat, within one hundred feet of a wetland, parkland, or prime farmland. Green homes should be built in locations that are safe for inhabitants and the surrounding community, both human and ecological, and should not contribute to the degradation or loss of our agricultural and natural resource lands. Avoid building on sites that are environmentally sensitive or precious resources. Construction recycling. The reduction of waste generation level should be below the industry norm. Waste management planning, which investigates and documents local options for diversion of all anticipated major constituents of the project waste stream and document rate of diversion, record diversion rate for land clearing and/or demolition. Waste reduction diverts waste generated from new construction activities from landfills and incinerators. Because landfill space is rapidly diminishing, incineration produces pollutants, and waste of materials in itself carries negative environmental impacts, waste should be avoided to the extent possible. The National Association of Home Builders has collected data nationally and estimates that the construction of a typical 2,000 square foot home generates about 8,000 pounds of waste,'occupying roughly 51 cubic yards of landfill space. This equates to an average of about four (4) pounds of waste per square foot of conditioned space. Landscaping and irrigation standards. Water reuse offsets central water supply through the capture and controlled reuse of rainwater and/or grey water. Rainwater harvesting systems collect and store rainwater for landscape irrigation use or indoor water use. Grey water recycling systems collect water from designated plumbing fixtures to be treated and re-used. Install high efficiency irrigation systems with the following features: central shut-off valve, sub-meters for the irrigation system, at least half of the planting beds have a drip irrigation system to minimize evaporation, turf and each type of bedding area should be separately zoned, a timer and controller system, pressure regulating devises, high efficiency nozzles, check valves in heads, and moisture sensor or rain delay controller. Parking lots. Shading of hardscapes through landscape features that will reduce local heat island effects. Locate trees to shade hardscapes and the design and installation of trees and shrubs, or preservation of existing trees and shrubs, so that at least fifty (50%) percent of sidewalks, patios, and driveways within fifty (50') feet of the house will be shaded; or install light colored hardscapes with light-colored, high albedo materials for at least fifty (50%) percent of site's non-roof impervious surfaces.. Outdoor lighting. The elimination of light trespass from outdoor buildings, parking lots and landscaping illumination will improve night sky access and reduce development impacts on nocturnal environments Stormwater management. Design site features to minimize erosion and run-off from the home site. Permeable sites that design lots such that at least seventy percent of the site, not including area under roof, is permeable or designed to manage water run-off. Erosion represents the loss of a valuable resource from the home site -topsoil -that can overload storm sewers, and may cause stream clouding and siltation, with potential harm to wildlife. Permeable surfaces also assist in recharging local aquifers and may reduce irrigation needs. E. Recommendation Process 1) Task force The building division brought together a diverse group of volunteers from the public and private sectors to develop recommendations for `green' building strategies for Orange County. The group consisted of local architects, builders and developers, representatives from local power providers, building inspectors, planners, and public works staff. This group held four meetings ending on November 13, 2007. • Susan Cashion, Piedmont Electric • Chuck Lee, Piedmont Electric • John Hines, Piedmont Electric • Susan Mellott, Orange County • Don Knight, Orange County • Jeff Peloquin, Jeff Peloquin Construction • Glenn Bowles, Orange County • Michelle Myers, MSquared Builders • Michael Chandler, Chandler Design Build • Wayne Fenton, Orange County • Margaret Hauth, Town of Hillsborough • James Baxter, Orange County • Dave Brown, Corley, Redfoot, and Zack Architects • Jeff Hopper, Hopper and Byrd Construction • George Horton, Telesis Construction Recommendations Staff would suggest that smart growth and green building standards should apply through mandatory or voluntary compliance to all construction requiring permits in the Orange County planning and building jurisdiction as noted below. The Town of Hillsborough's building jurisdiction could be added, at the Town's discretion. Implementation process for smart growth /green building standards would follow the general timeline shown below: • Report to BOCC on December 11, 2007 • County Administration and Multi-departmental Review Team (2008) • Quarterly Public Hearing item(s) (February 2008) • Referral to Planning Board (March 2008) • BOCC Adoption (Fali 2008) The following mandatory and voluntary standards are recommended for adoption: a) Mandatory -Ordinance revisions to enhance: i. Public Adopt a Green Building Ordinance with smart growth addendum requiring mandatory compliance with a Green Building program such as, SEED, Green Globe, or the High Performance Guidelines established for Triangle Region Public Facilities for all new construction and renovations of public buildings in Orange County starting 2008. ii. Public and Private 1. Zoning Ordinance standards to address site development criteria to limit maximum site disturbance, landscaping, irrigation efficiencies, parking lot shading and surfacing, and outdoor lighting efficiencies; 2. Subdivision Regulations to address site development criteria to limit maximum site disturbance, landscaping, irrigation efficiencies, construction recycling, and the use of the Upper Neuse Site Evaluation Tool (SET) for all regulated subdivisions, 3. Require mandatory compliance with Energy Star for all commercial and residential construction in 2009 b) Voluntary 1. Begin incentive based voluntary compliance with `Green Building' program and `Energy Star' for residential and private commercial construction in Fall of 2008 with goal of 50 percent of new construction participating by Fall of 2009. 2. Evaluate voluntary program at end of 2009. Report on progress and lessons learned from first year. Establish new goals for 2010. If voluntary participation in green program does not reach desired goals, begin mandatory compliance in 2010. 9 c) Incentives 1. Fast track permit processing and partial fee waivers or rebates for compliant green building projects and/or alternative power systems (solar, wind). 2. Recognition of private builders and developers who voluntarily opt to build green. a. Such recognition could include a listing of green buildings at Inspections Department (e.g. `Green Building Wall of Fame' in Inspections Department) and/or, b. Recognition as Green Builders on the Orange County Inspections Website. c. `Orange Turning Green' sign located on building site. 3. Hosting or sponsoring an annual `Orange County Green Building tour'. d) Education 1. Provide `building green' educational opportunities for staff. 2. Provide funding for `building green' education programs through the budgetary process and or through grants to fund education and marketing programs for `Orange Turning Green' initiative. 3. Green education program implemented in 2008 and provided through Planning and Inspections utilizing trained staff and local professionals with expertise in `green' building guidelines. 4. Orange County would sponsor green educational program in 2008 to target builders, developers, remodelers, architects, engineers, residential designers, real estate professionals and the public. This education component would be funded through grants.