.02 Green Building workshop OFFICE OF COMML"NITY DEVELOPMENT
' ' � C1TY H.4LL
10300 TORRE AVENIJE • CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
� l.J P E RT" I N O (408) 777-3308 • FAX (408) 777-3333 • planningflcupertino.or�
PLANNING COMMJ[SSION STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. � Agenda Date: Tuly 13, 2010
Application: Green Building Ordinance V��orkshop
Applicant: City of Cupertino
SUBJECT
This Green Building Ordinance workshc�p is being held as an additional educational
resource for focus group participants who would like to learn more about the Phase II
recommendations, the LEED and GPR rai:ing systems, the upcoming Cal Green building
codes, and how all of these relate to the City's development of a draft Green Building
Ordinance.
BACKGROUND
On June 7, 2010, the City held its first Green Building Ordinance Focus Group meeting at
De Anza College's Kirsch Center. The m�eting was attended by over 60 participants in
addition to staff inembers and Plannin,; Commissioners. The focus group meeting
consisted of the following key component �:
➢ A tour of the LEED Platinum certifie�� Kirsch Center (presented by faculty member
Julie Phillips)
➢ Introductory presentation of the concE�pt/purpose of green building and the Phase II
recommendations (Presented by Walk��r Wells of Global Green)
➢ Small group breakout sessions intend��d to allow participants to focus on one of four
topics (thresholds/ applicability, stan dards/ levels of certification, incentives, and
implementation strategies). Each gro ap reported out its comments and ideas at the
conclusion of the meeting. - - �`"
A summary of the key comments and ideas from these focus groups is attached in this
report (see Attachment 1).
. DISCUSSION
Additional Feedback
Following the focus group meeting, sta=f received positive and useful feedback from
many participants. Suggestions included �ccess/links to additional educational materials
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Green Building Ordinance Workshop July 13, 2010
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to enhance participants' understanding oi� the Phase II recommendations and the LEED
and GPR rating systems that were presented during the June 7� meeting. Additionally,
participants recommended that any re�,ource and educational materials needed in
preparation for the next focus group meeting be provided in advance to allow
participants time to better prepare for disc .zssions.
As a result, staff has updated the ��ity's Green Building Ordinance webpage
(www.cu�ertino.or�/ greenbuilding) with the PowerPoint presentation by Walker Wells
of Global Green from the June 7th focus gr�up meeting, and resource links to the Phase II
recommendations, LEED, GPR, and the ��ating checklists. The webpage has also been
updated to include a summary of comme:lts from the June 7� focus group meeting, and
information about the upcoming second fc cus group meeting on July 29�.
Green Buiiding Ordinance Educational W��rkshop
The workshop will be structured as follows:
1) Shiloh Ballard of the Silicon Valley Lea �ership Group will be providing a presentation
on:
➢ The Phase II background and reconunendations by the Santa Clara County Cities
Association
➢ An overview of the LEED and GPR rating systems
2) David Kaneda, Planning Commissione r, will provide a presentation on:
➢ The upcoming Cal Green state builcling codes that will require mandatory
green building measures for all nev�� development beginning on January 1, 2011
NEXT STEPS
Based on input received at the first focu:; group meeting, staff is working with Global
Green to develop an ordinance framewor�:, and a list of policy options. At the next focus
group meeting, the participants will subsequently discuss these options. A draft
ordinance will be forwarded to the I'lanning Commission and City Council for
consideration. The timeline is as follows:
julu 29, 2010 - Final Green Building Focu:; Group meeting to be held at Community Hall
from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Ordinance framev�ork and options will be reviewed.
August 24, 2010 - Tentative date for Planning Commission public hearing to consider the
draft Green Building Ordinance.
September 21, 2010 - Tentative date for City Council public hearing to consider the
adoption of the draft Green Building Ordi:lance.
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Green Building Ordinance Workshop July 13, 2010
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Prepared by: Aki Honda Snelling, AICP, SE�nior Planner
Reviewed by: Approved by:
� f
a Aarti Shrivastava
ity Planner Community Development Director
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 Summar � of comments from the June 7, 2010 Green
Building Focus Group meeting
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G/Planning/PDreport/ORD/Green Building Edu�:ational Workshop
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Attachment 1
Key Comments from the Green Building Ordin ance Focus Group Meeting
Kirsch Center, De Anza College
june 7, 2010
Standard Rating Systems & Levels of Certification
Focus Grou Comment Staff Res onse
Consider having a basic, consistent Green As directed by the City Council, the draft Green
Building policy standard throughout the Building Ordinance (GBO) will be based on the
county Phase II recommendations recommended by the
Santa Clara Coun Cities Association.
Provide flexibility in the point rating system City will consider this concept in drafting the
based on variations in building forms, energy GBO.
and im lementation
Create equitable standards across all building City will consider this concept in drafting the
t es in the ratin s stem GBO.
Create clear and unambiguous codes and The GBO will include clear guidelines regarding
rating systems that are workable & the requirements and implementation.
implementable by architects, builders and
develo ers
Thresholds
Focus Grou Comment Staff Res onse
Thresholds should be "business-friendly" and City aims to develop a"business-friendly"
aligned with other local cities ordinance and will review ordinances in local
cities in draftin the GBO.
Apply a minimum standard that applies to all The GBO will be based on Phase II requirements
development types up to a certain which include this concept.
level/increase number of thresholds and more
stringent requirements as building size
increases
Base thresholds on characteristics of the The GBO will be based on Phase II requirements
building (i.e., size, number of units, type of which include this concept.
construction, ener usa e
Allow for a phased approach (have the most The GBO will outline broad requirements so that
expensive options last, target the "lowest applicants have the flexibik,ty to pick the options
han 'n fruit" first most suitable for their ro'ect.
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Incentives to Encourage Green Building Measu.res
Focus Grou Comment Staff Res onse
Types of incentives:
Fee waivers, reductions, exemptions, The draft GBO will consider this concept in the
expedited permitting and inspection processes analysis of incentives.
both during the planning and building permit
sta es
Taxes - Reduce (property, utility & school City has no jurisdiction over property, utility or
district) or provide credits school district taxes; therefore, the City cannot
include this as an incentive.
Reduce utility costs and process (e.g. City has no jurisdiction over utility costs;
PGE)/create rebates therefore, the City cannot include this as an
incentive.
Density/ square footage bonuses The draft GBO will consider this concept in the
anal sis of incentives.
Higher fees for projects not doing the The draft GBO will consider this concept in the
minimum een standards anal sis of incentives.
Parking reductions The draft GBO will consider this concept in the
anal sis of incentives.
Goals to incentivize:
Remove obstacles of building green (how it The draft GBO will consider options for a variety
can save time & money)/make it desirable to of incentives to encourage green building.
follow green building ("carrot" approach)
Implementing the Green Buildin� Ordinance
Focus Grou Comment Staff Res onse
Education:
Start educating architects, designers & City anticipates incorporating this concept in the
developers of requirements at the design stage process.
reliminar a lication sta e
Provide informational guides to the public via City anticipates incorporating this concept in the
the website, mass mailings (flyers), brochures, process. - -�
video, graphics, directory of green
materials/resources, checklists & classes to
hel them throu h the rocess
Outline "what's in it for me," or benefits of City will consider this concept.
green building, including a cost spectrum --�
showing cost and energy savings with
implementation of green building measures .
and rewards for com liance
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Focus Grou Comment Staff Res onse
Enforcement:
Ensure penalties are not too drastic that it City will consider this concept in drafting the
revents eo le from develo in in Cu ertino GBO.
Streamline & limit bureaucracy of the process City will consider this concept in drafting the
GBO.
Have strong city enforcement of the City anticipates incorporating this in the process.
regulations by building staff and code
enforcement
Use third party verification, commissioning & City will consider this concept in drafting the
certification re uirements LEED, GPR GBO.
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