HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2006-173 N.C.S. 10/02/2006 Resolution No. 2006-173 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
ADOPTING THE BUILD IT GREENNEW HOME CONSTRUCTION, HOME
REMODELING AND MULTIFAMILY GREENBUILDING GUIDELINES AS CITY
REFERENCE DOCUMENTS, AND PETALUMA BUILD IT GREEN'S PROGRAM
AND GREEN POINTS RATING SYSTEM
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma's current General Plan sets forth the goal of
preserving and improving the natural and built environment of the City, protecting the health of
its residents and visitors, maximizing energy-efficiency and fostering its economy; and,
WHEREAS, according to studies published by the United States Green Building Council
report "Building Momentum -National Trends and Prospects for High Performance," 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, and 40% of all raw materials
used in the United States. United States buildings also generate 36% of total emissions of
anthropogenic carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas associated with global climatic
change. Those buildings are also responsible for 46% of all sulfur dioxide emissions, 19% of
nitrogen oxide emissions, and 10% of fine particulate emissions; and,
WHEREAS, conventional design and construction methods can produce buildings that
negatively impact the environment; these buildings can be unnecessarily expensive to operate
and contribute to excessive resource consumption, waste generation, and pollution due to
unnecessary landfilling of wasted materials, and inefficient use of energy and water; and,
WHEREAS, emissions from conventional construction materials, including paints,
carpets, and particleboard can lead to a host of health problems associated with poor indoor air
quality; these health impacts can be exacerbated by conventional ventilation technology and can
result in lost productivity and increased costs for maintenance, waste disposal and health care;
and,
WHEREAS, green building is a whole systems approach to the design, construction, and
operation that can nuiumize or avoid these adverse impacts in a variety of ways, including by
incorporating energy and water efficient technologies and landscaping, using recycled content
materials, reducing construction and demolition waste, improving indoor air quality and
promoting long-term economic efficiency; and,
WHEREAS, green buildings benefit the entire community by improving construction
quality; increasing buildirig durability; reducing utility, maintenance, water and energy costs;
creating healthier homes; and enhancing comfort and livability; and,
WHEREAS, Build It Green is a professional non-profit membership organization whose
mission is to promote healthy, energy-efficiency, and resource-efficient buildings in California;
and,
Resolution No. 2006-173 N.C.S. Page 1
WHEREAS, Build It Green has developed voluntary New Home, Home Remodeling and
Multifamily Construction Green Building Guidelines ("Green Building Guidelines") to provide
an educational tool to local governments, building professionals, and the general public and
present a range of voluntary measures for builders to choose from when constructing green
homes in California; and,
WHEREAS, the Green Building Guidelines benefited from extensive input from local
governments, building professionals, State agencies, and recognized green building professionals
and the practices contained in these guidelines were selected for their viability in today's market
and their ability to promote sustainable buildings and communities; and,
WHEREAS, the Petaluma Build It Green program utilizes the Green Building
Guidelines in conjunction with the Green Points Rating System; and
WHEREAS, adoption of the Green Building Guidelines promotes regional consistency
and predictability for building professionals; and,
WHEREAS, the adoption of the Green Building Guidelines as a reference document
would not constitute a "project" within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act
("CEQA"); and,
WHEREAS, the benefits of green building design, construction, and operation should be
enjoyed by the residents, workers, and visitors of the City; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council in September of 2005 adopted a solar policy for all single-
family residential developments of five or more lots or units (Resolution No. 2005-151 N.C.S);
and,
WHEREAS, said solar policy allocated funds from the Petaluma Community
Development Commission (PCDC) budget for the purpose of providing rebates to single-family
residential property owners within the PCDC boundaries that install a photovoltaic system; and,
WHEREAS, the Petaluma Build It Green Program gives "green points" towards the
certification of Green Buildings for the installation of photovoltaic systems; and,
WHEREAS, City's Draft General Plan 2025 has a goal to provide leadership and
guidance to encourage the application of sustainable site planning and green building practices.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council. of the City of
Petaluma hereby adopts the Green Building Guidelines, the Petaluma Build It Green Program
and the Green Points Rating System, as they maybe amended from time to time, as a City
reference document and directs City staff to explore incentives to encourage use of the guidelines
by private developers.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the funds allocated from the Petaluma Community
Development Commission (PCDC) under Resolution No. 2005-151 N.C.S shall also be available
to property owners (residential and commercial) within the PCDC upon receipt of a certification
from the Petaluma Green Building Program and the rebate to an individual property owner shall
Resolution No. 2006-173 N.C.S. Page 2
not exceed $500 per unit or in the case of a commercial property, per project, and the rebates
shall be paid on afirst-come-first-served basis until the $10,000 annual allocation is exhausted.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that private builders and developers should be
encouraged to use green building design, construction, and operational procedures whenever
feasible.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City shall employ green building design,
construction, and operation of public facilities wherever feasible.
Under the. power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REI+ERENCE: [hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the App e s to
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 2"~ day of October, fo
2006, by the following vote:
City Attorney
AYES: Mayor Glass, Harris, Healy, Vice Mayor Nau, O'Brien, Torliatt
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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ATTEST: ~~~N ~
City Clerk Mayor
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