HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 06 13 Regular 601 LEED GREEN DESIGN
CITY COMMISSION AGENDA
ITEM 601
Consent
Information
Public Hearing X
Regular
June 13, 2011
Meeting
Mgr. / Dept
REQUEST:
The Community Development Department - Planning Division is providing the City
Commission with a summary of information regarding green buildings and conservation design to
determine to what degree wishes to pursue green policies in the City of Winter Springs.
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SYNOPSIS:
This agenda item is to provide the Commission information regarding green buildings
and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), point out existing green government
initiatives from various jurisdictions in the United States, list green options and what the City currently
does to encourage green design, and to request that the Commission determine if it wishes to pursue a
voluntary program for the encouragement of LEED buildings and “green” design principals in the
City by offering a range of incentives to developers of these projects.
DISCUSSION
: Within the past several years, the term “green” has become synonymous with
environmental issues, and it has become commonplace for many in American society to live according
to green principals. These principals can range from driving a hybrid vehicle, to drinking water from
aluminum bottles, and even to the way buildings and even entire communities are designed. After a
2007 tornado that destroyed the town, Greensburg, Kansas residents voted to rebuild their town as an
energy-conscious, resource savvy place utilizing green design concepts. Many of the buildings in the
town are LEED certified, which has brought worldwide attention to the town.
Many cities and counties in the United States now either mandate green building and conservation
design as a sort of code, or heavily incentivize it as a way to encourage economic development.
Common incentives used range from expedited permitting, permit fee reductions, increased densities,
property tax reductions, and even paying companies to relocate to their jurisdiction if they construct a
green building as their base of operations. Many communities see that it makes not only good
environmental sense to encourage green design, but more importantly it makes great financial sense to
encourage green design in regards to lower operating costs for building owners, and more importantly,
in an increase in taxable revenue in their respective community.
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The following report is an overview of green building and conservation design ranging from general
information, the financial and economic benefits of green design, the differing certifications for green
buildings, government action taken in regards to green design, incentives used to encourage green
design, Low Impact Development, and potential green standards and incentives that could be included
the City of Winter Springs Code of Ordinances.
Information from the US Green Building Council (USGBC)
Green buildings are designed to have healthier, cleaner indoor environmental quality, which
means increased health benefits for occupants and potential cost savings on healthcare. Green
buildings are also demonstrating reduced recruitment and retention rates and increased
productivity benefits for employers
Green buildings cost less to operate and maintain. There are also tax benefits and incentives
available for green buildings and green building strategies available
Spending $300,000 for efficiency measures can result in a savings of more than $1 million in
energy costs.
Green buildings provide immediate and measurable results for building managers and occupants.
Benchmarking energy and water use is a critical tactic that is saving companies millions of
dollars, year over year, simply by reducing costs through saved energy, water and other
resources.
Reducing energy consumption has gone from being a "good idea" to a business necessity.
Energy conservation has a positive life-cycle cost impact, and offers a direct reduction in an
organization's "carbon footprint."
A number of studies have shown that energy conservation not only also offers a positive "life-
cycle-cost" investment, but that it's the most cost-effective way to lower society's carbon dioxide
output.
Cost benefits of green building according to building owners:
Operating costs decrease 13.6% for new construction and 8.5% for existing building
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projects.
Building value increases 10.9% for new construction and 6.8% for existing building
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projects.
Return on investment improves 9.9% for new construction and 19.2% for existing
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building projects.
Occupancy increases 6.4% for new construction and 2.5% for existing building
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projects.
Rent increases 6.1% for new construction and 1% for existing building projects.
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Owners of green projects report a 19.2% return on average for retrofit/renovation green projects
as compared to 9.9% on average for new projects.
The new Class A office space is green; lease rates for green buildings typically range from
average to 20% above average.
According to the US Green Building Council, the cost per square foot for buildings seeking
LEED certification falls into the existing range of costs for buildings not seeking LEED
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certification. An upfront investment of 2% in green building design, on average, results in life
cycle savings of 20% of the total construction costs – more than ten times the initial investment.
Building sale prices for energy efficient buildings are as much as 10% higher per square foot
than for conventional buildings.
A 2008 CoStar Group study found that green buildings outperform their non-green peer assets in
key areas such as occupancy, sale price and rental rates sometimes by wide margins. According
to the study, LEED buildings command rent premiums of $11.33 per square foot over their non-
LEED peers and have 4.1 percent higher occupancy.
LEED certified buildings typically pose a 2-4% more cost up front (or 0.50 to $1.00 per square
foot) but can yield a life cycle of 20% or more in total operating costs.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. buildings are responsible for
39% of total energy use, 12% of total water consumption, 68% of total electricity consumption,
and 38% of carbon dioxide emissions.
Buildings account for 40% of the raw materials used in the U.S., and 40% of non-industrial solid
waste.
Government agencies and colleges/universities are the two most prevalent developers of green
buildings.
Financial/Economic benefits of green design
As a way to stimulate economic development, the State of Florida Energy & Climate Change
Action Plan adopted on 2008 states the public and private sector must invest in new
infrastructure, new technology, more efficient homes, buildings, and transportation. These
investments represent real business opportunities in the private sector.
Leads to a reduction in the total ownership costs of buildings.
A green building can use up to 65% less energy than its identical “non-green” counterpart.
For a 100,000 square foot building, there is a reduction of $60,000 per year energy and operating
savings.
A “green” retrofit of a government building in San Diego, CA resulted in a $7,000 per month
energy cost savings, or $84,000 per year.
According to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US businesses can save up to $58
billion in lost sick time and an additional $200 billion in worker performance if improvements
were made to indoor air quality.
Boston, MA found that job creation and business opportunities were “tangible offshoots of
Boston’s increasing green building activity” as the city would attract businesses that offer green
building services – increasing the number of workers with the design, engineering, construction,
and materials manufacturing skills to meet demand
In British Columbia, Canada, the green economy could be worth more than $27 billion by 2020
according to the GLOBE Foundation of Canada.
British Columbia is expected to realize significant economic and employment gains from the
pursuit of low-carbon business and building opportunities and is expected to gain more than
225,000 direct and indirect full-time equivalent jobs by 2020.
Water reduction can decrease the maintenance and lifecycle costs for building operations and
decrease consumer costs for municipal supply and treatment facilities: New York City invested
$393 million in a 1.6 gallon per flush (GPF) toilet-rebate program that has reduced water
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demand and wastewater flow by 90.6 million gallons per day, equal to 7% of the city’s total
water consumption. The rebate program accomplished a net present value savings of $605
million from a 20-year deferral of water supply and wastewater treatment expansion projects.
Green roofs absorb stormwater runoff on a building by 50-90%. This can reduce the demand on
a municipality’s utility infrastructure such as stormwater conveyance systems and result in cost
savings measures for a jurisdiction in regards to infrastructure.
For Class “A” office space, green credits are a standard. This is especially true for cities looking
to attract multi-national corporations.
Rental rates in Energy Star buildings represent a $2.40 per square foot premium over comparable
non-Energy Star buildings and have 3.6 percent higher occupancy.
In general, municipalities with incentives for LEED and green design levy more taxes than those
municipalities without incentives for LEED and green design.
US Green Building Council
Private 501 (c) (3) established in 1993 by David Gottfried and Rick Fedrizzi.
Goal is to promote sustainability in how buildings are designed, built and operated.
Members of the organization are from every sector of the building industry.
Promotes environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
Developed by the US Green Building Council in 2000.
LEED has 7 different levels of professional certification.
Buildings can obtain levels of certification ranging from Silver, Gold, Platinum or Certified.
14 federal departments and agencies, 34 states (including Florida) and more than 200 local
governments now encourage or require LEED certification in government projects.
The City of Washington, D.C. mandates LEED certification as a sort of a code in both public and
private buildings.
Contains prerequisites in five categories including:
Sustainable site planning
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Improving energy efficiency
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Conserving materials and resources
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Embracing indoor environmental quality
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Safeguarding water
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There are over 4,200 projects registered with LEED in the United States.
It is approximately an additional 2% up-front cost to obtain LEED status that can pay off with a
20% return of the construction cost investment.
It is flexible enough to be used in commercial as well as residential development.
The Empire State Building in New York City will be retrofitted as a LEED certified building.
Energy use will be cut by 38%. The costs to bring the building to LEED standards will pay for
itself in 6 years time through energy savings alone.
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LEED certified projects in Central Florida
LEED Gold
1.City of Oviedo Public Works Building
Opened June 2009
Features low energy lighting
High efficiency air-conditioning
Water saving fixtures
Florida friendly landscaping
Green building materials
Facility was designed as Oviedo’s first LEED-certified building
2.Amway Center
The Amway Center is the first NBA facility to earn LEED new construction certification
from the U.S. Green Building Council. The arena uses 20% less energy and 40% less
water than arenas of similar size.
Amway Center “green” features include:
Preferred parking for hybrids and other energy-efficient vehicles.
High-efficiency heating and cooling systems.
Ultra-low-flow toilets.
A reflective and insulated roof that reduces cooling costs.
High-tech monitoring systems that shut off the lights when a room is empty.
Bicycle racks, showers and changing rooms for workers who bike to work.
Systems to treat storm runoff before it can pollute nearby lakes.
Recycling bins for fans and concertgoers.
Additionally, many of the points toward LEED certification for the Amway Center were
earned during construction. For example, of the facility’s building materials, 15 percent
are recycled and 20 percent come from local sources. About 83 percent of the wood,
concrete and steel construction waste has been recycled rather than sent to a landfill.
3.Burnham Institute for Medical Research at Lake Nona
Owner: Burnham Institute for Medical Research.
Square feet: 175,000.
Cost: $85 million.
Constructed: April 2009.
Why build green: “Burnham was committed to building a LEED-certified facility that
would be consistent with the health promotion mission of the institute and compatible
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with the vision of the ‘medical city’ at Lake Nona,” said Dr. Daniel Kelly, scientific
director at Burnham Lake Nona.
4.Discovery Tech Center II
Owner: Taurus Southern Investments.
Square feet: 62,500.
Cost: $9 million.
Constructed: Summer 2008.
Why build green: “Taurus recognizes and appreciates the environmental benefits
resulting from green design, and we feel this is the proper way to develop,” said Jeff K.
McFadden, managing partner of Taurus Southern Investments LLC.
5.OUC administration building
Owner: Orlando Utilities Commission.
Square feet: 110,000.
Cost: $35.4 million.
Constructed: Fall 2008.
Why build green: An opportunity for the utility to lead the way in energy- and water-
efficient building, the facility is a showcase for green building and is visited frequently
by other organizations, said Sheridan Becht, OUC spokesman.
6.Science & Allied Health building
Owner: Valencia Community College.
Square feet: 80,000.
Cost: $19.5 million.
Constructed: August 2008.
Why build green: A good return on investment in the form of savings realized through
reduced operating costs. With Valencia signing on to the American College and
University Presidents’ Climate Commitment — where colleges and universities have
pledged to reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions — it fits in with how Valencia sees
its role in the community, said Carol Traynor, assistant director of marketing and media
relations.
7.U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services building
Owner: General Services Administration, United States Government.
Square feet: 43,983.
Cost: $11.5 million.
Constructed: August 2008.
Why build green: This project was mandated to be LEED Silver by the General Services
Administration.
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8.UCF Physical Sciences I
Owner: University of Central Florida
Constructed on an old parking lot so no land or untouched habitat was disturbed
Native landscaping covers over 5,500 square feet around the building providing habitat
for animals and shade around the building.
Constructed: 2009
Why build green: In 2007, UCF president John C. Hitt mandated all new campus
construction achieve a LEED Silver rating or better.
LEED Silver
1.Wyndham Vacation Ownership
Owner: Flagler Development Co.
Assessed value: $16.5 million.
Square feet: 112,331.
Constructed: 2007.
Why build green: The company said it is committed to reduce its overall impact on the
environment by incorporating sustainable products, programs and services at
Wyndham’s corporate headquarters, regional offices, call centers and its 150-plus resort
properties worldwide.
LEED Certified
1.Colonial Ninth Grade Center building
Owner: Orange County Public Schools.
Assessed value: Not available; part of a nine-building, $15 million campus.
Square feet: 22,700.
Constructed: August 2006.
Why build green: Orange County Public Schools wanted to trim operating and building
costs and reduce the district’s carbon footprint.
2.IKEA Orlando
Owner: IKEA.
Assessed value: $42.3 million.
Square feet: 309,000.
Constructed: November 2007.
Why build green: The company said it strives to incorporate sustainable practices in its
business, including the construction of new buildings. A commitment to the environment
is reflective of the company’s Swedish heritage.
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3.City of Orlando Fire Stations 14, 15, 16, 17
Owner: City of Orlando.
Square feet: About 11,000 each.
Cost: Station 14, $3.7 million; Station 15, $3.34 million; Station 16, $3.2 million; Station
17, $3.1 million.
Constructed: 2007-2009.
Why build green: “Orlando’s LEED-certified fire stations are part of the city’s Green
Works Orlando program to protect our natural resources, encourage environmentally
friendly lifestyles and business practices, and engage everyone who lives, works and
visits Central Florida in the effort to go green,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
Criticisms of LEED
Renowned architect Frank Gehry says the costs that property owners put into obtaining LEED
certification are enormous and will not pay off in their lifetime.
Gehry contends LEED is political and is awarded for bogus “stuff” like the installation of bike
racks.
According to inhabitant.com, making the average single-family home energy efficient can cost
up to $12,000.
Henry Gifford, a New York energy efficiency expert contends LEED buildings use more energy
than conventional buildings.
Gifford also alleges in a pending lawsuit that LEED lacks scientific basis and misrepresents the
energy efficiency of buildings.
Some new green products or techniques may not be fully tested and thus may not be insurable.
LEED awards certification before a building’s energy savings is proven.
Until recently, buildings could keep their LEED certification even if it did not perform as
predicted.
In response to this, the USGBC unveiled LEED version three. This requires all owners of LEED
buildings to tell the USGBC how their buildings are performing for at least five years as part of
the “existing buildings program.”
For one project to become LEED certified, an organization would have to have invested in a
$150,000 air-handling unit. Instead it installed carbon-dioxide detectors at $200 each to detect
unhealthy levels. Based on the cost, they opted not to pursue LEED certification but still built a
“green” building.
Many projects are highly sustainable without LEED certifications.
LEED ND (Neighborhood Design), integrates the principals of smart growth, new urbanism, and
green building principals into development projects. This certification requires at least 1 LEED
certified building within the project boundary. A potential developer could pursue these
principals without building LEED buildings, but not obtain the LEED ND designation.
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Alternatives to LEED
1.Green Globes
Began in Canada in 1996.
Based on more than 9 years of research and refinement by a wide range of prominent
international organizations and experts.
First used in the US in 2005.
Offers Green Globes New Construction (NC) and Green Globes Continual Improvement of
Existing Buildings (CIEB).
Buildings cannot be promoted as having achieved a Green Globes rating until the information
submitted has been assessed by a qualified third party.
Ratings are based on a score of 1 to 4 globes.
It is a questionnaire driven system.
Following the third party assessment, buildings that receive certification receive a plaque and are
entitled to publicize their achievement.
The ratings system ensures that environmental impacts are assessed on a 1,000 point scale in
categories such as: energy, indoor environment, site, water, resources, emissions, and
project/environment management.
Whole Foods supermarkets and the Bill Clinton Presidential Library are among notables that
have received certifications.
Several major insurance companies give premium discounts on Green Globes buildings
believing them to be at less risk than conventional built buildings.
2.Energy Star
Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE).
The intention is to help Americans save money and protect the environment through energy
efficient products and practices.
In 1992, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced Energy Star as a voluntary
labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
Computers and monitors were the first labeled products. Through 1995, EPA expanded the label
to additional office equipment products and residential heating and cooling equipment. In 1996,
EPA partnered with the US Department of Energy for particular product categories.
The Energy Star label is now on major appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics,
and more. EPA has also extended the label to cover new homes, commercial and industrial
buildings.
Through its partnerships with more than 20,000 private and public sector organizations, Energy
Star delivers the technical information and tools that organizations and consumers need to
choose energy-efficient solutions and best management practices.
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Rental rates in Energy Star buildings represent a $2.40 per square foot premium over comparable
non-Energy Star buildings and have 3.6 percent higher occupancy.
Energy Star has successfully delivered energy and cost savings across the country, saving
businesses, organizations, and consumers about $18 billion in 2010 alone.
Over the past decade, Energy Star has been a driving force behind the more widespread use of
such technological innovations such as efficient fluorescent lighting, power management
systems for office equipment, and low standby energy use.
Energy Star also provides easy-to-use home and building assessment tools so that homeowners
and building managers can start down the path to greater efficiency and cost savings.
Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved enough energy in 2010 alone to avoid
greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 33 million cars — all while saving nearly $18
billion on their utility bills.
According to the EPA, nearly one-third of the energy used to run a typical government building
goes to waste. EPA provides local and state governments, as well as federal agencies, a proven
energy management strategy and no-cost tools to save energy and money and demonstrate their
environmental leadership.
Governments can take the Energy Star challenge. The Energy Star Challenge can help improve
the energy efficiency of America's commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent or more
by:
Designing commercial buildings to be energy efficient.
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Measuring and tracking energy use
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Developing a plan for energy improvements
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Make energy efficiency upgrades
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Helping spread the energy efficiency word to others.
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Becoming an ENERGY STAR Partner
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To earn the Energy Star, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), making them 20–30% more efficient than standard
homes. Homes achieve this level of performance through a combination of energy–efficient
improvements, including,
Effective Insulation Systems
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High–Performance Windows
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Tight Construction and Ducts
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Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
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Energy Star Qualified Lighting and Appliances
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To ensure that a home meets Energy Star guidelines, third–party verification by a certified Home
Energy Rater (or equivalent) is required. This rater works closely with the builder throughout
the construction process to help determine the needed energy saving equipment and construction
techniques and conduct required on site diagnostic testing and inspections to document that the
home is eligible to earn the Energy Star label.
The buildings in which we work, shop, play, and educate our children use about $200 billion
worth of electricity and natural gas each year.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that if the energy efficiency of
commercial and industrial buildings in the U.S. improved 10 percent, Americans would save
about $20 billion and reduce greenhouse gases equal to the emissions from about 30 million
vehicles.
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When lights are left on and the heating and cooling system runs in an unoccupied commercial
building, energy is wasted. When this happens, a power plant down the road burns fossil fuels to
generate that energy and sends emissions into our environment.
There is no cost to become an Energy Star partner. A partner agrees to measure, track, and
benchmark energy performance.
3.Sustainable Sites Initiative
Is an interdisciplinary effortby the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the United
States Botanic Garden to create voluntary national guidelines and performance benchmarks
, c
for sustainable land designonstruction and maintenance practices.
Over 150 projects in 34 states are participating in the two year pilot program which ends in
June 2012.
These projects represent a diverse cross-section of project types, sizes and geographic locations
in various stages of development from design to construction and maintenance.
Work with the Initiative shifts conventional landscape design, construction, and maintenance
practices toward greater sustainability.
These guidelines apply to any type of designed landscape, with or without buildings, ranging
from shopping malls, streetscapes, subdivisions, corporate and academic campuses,
transportation corridors, parks and recreation areas, all the way to single family homes.
Green building rating systems developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and
other organizations offer excellent tools for new and existing buildings, but relatively little
beyond a building’s skin. Correctly built landscapes that mimic the natural world will help fill
this critical gap.
The Initiative seeks to apply sustainability principles to any site, with or without buildings,
which will be protected, developed or redeveloped for public or private purposes. The
Sustainable Sites Initiative Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks can apply to all landscapes
including commercial and public sites, parks, campuses, roadsides, residential landscapes,
recreation centers and utility corridors.
What are the Sustainable Sites products designed to achieve?
Elevate the value of landscapes by outlining the economic, environmental
o
and human well-being benefits of sustainable sites
Connect buildings and landscapes to contribute to environmental and
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community health
Provide performance benchmarks for site sustainability
o
Link research and practice associated with the most sustainable materials and
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techniques for site development construction and maintenance
Provide recognition for high performance in sustainable site design,
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development and maintenance
Encourage innovation
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Florida Sustainable Sites projects include:
parc24
o
Location: Vero Beach, Florida
Project Type: Commercial
Project Team: Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.; Merrill Pastor Colgan Associates:
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
parc24 is a 5-acre office campus which includes 112,000 s.f. of professional office
space. The project utilizes native and drought tolerant plants, low volume irrigation
and pervious pavement. Two separate green roof areas have been incorporated into
Phase 1, which includes Kimley-Horn's office. The project will serve to showcase
sustainable design features to Kimley-Horn clients and the general public.
New U.S. Federal Office Building
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Location: Miramar, Florida
Project Type: Governmental complex
Project Team: General Services Administration (GSA)
Office building and related facilities will house a single federal agency on a 20-acre
site. The project will be certified through the USGBC Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system with a minimum target
rating for this project of Silver level. The GSA minimum target rating in the
Sustainable Sites (SITES) Pilot Program, is Two Stars
Low Impact Development
Low Impact Development (LID) is an approach to land development that uses various land
planning and design practices and technologies to simultaneously conserve and protect natural
resource systems and reduce infrastructure costs. LID still allows land to be developed, but in a
cost-effective manner that helps mitigate potential environmental impacts.
LID reexamines traditional development practices and technologies and focuses on identifying
project-specific site solutions that benefit the municipality, the developer, the home buyer, and
the environment.
Examples include saving trees on the site, not building on designated sensitive areas, orienting
roads and lots to allow for passive solar orientation of homes, and enhancing the effectiveness of
on-site wastewater treatment systems. Such efforts have resulted in rapid home sales, enhanced
community marketability, and higher-than-average lot yields.
To developers, LID can offer both infrastructure cost savings and a way to respond to
increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
For municipalities, LID can help contain burgeoning street and stormwater management costs.
For community residents, LID can encourage local environmental stewardship.
Equipment such as a sand filter is an example of a structural technology used to treat wastewater.
Nonstructural LID technologies often use natural features or are land use strategies. An example
of a nonstructural technology is the disconnection of rain gutters from storm water drains and
redirection of rainwater toward rain gardens or grass swales.
Homeowners frequently seek assurances that their community enjoys easy access to
undeveloped areas located nearby
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For municipalities LID reduces municipal infrastructure and utility maintenance costs (streets,
curbs, gutters, sidewalks, storm sewers) and fosters public/private partnerships
For developers LID reduces land clearing and grading costs, reduces infrastructure costs (streets,
curbs, gutters, sidewalk), reduces stormwater management costs, increases lot yields and reduces
impact fees and increases lot and community marketability
For the environment LID preserves integrity of ecological and biological systems, protects site
and regional water quality by reducing sediment, nutrient, and toxic loads to waterbodies,
reduces impacts to local terrestrial and aquatic plants and animals and preserves trees and natural
vegetation
LID has successfully been used in the Somerset Community in Prince George’s County, MD,
and the Kensington Estates Community in Pierce County, WA.
Government Action taken
Federal
In October 2009, President Obama signed Executive Order 13514, known as Federal Leadership
in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance.
This mandates steep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, with a goal of cutting
emissions by 28% across all federal agencies.
The order requires improvements in water efficiency and management, waste reduction, and
other areas with an emphasis on cost-effective strategies that minimize consumption.
The order also mandates all new federal buildings entering the planning process on or after 2020
must obtain zero-net energy (a building that produces as much energy as it requires) status by
2030.
President Obama’s executive order is backed by the requirement that all new federal buildings
meet criteria for LEED Gold certification.
After December 19, 2010, no federal agency can enter into a leasing contract for a building that
has not earned the Energy Star label in the most recent year. This means that private building
owners must meet the government’s requirements or risk losing a government tenant.
State of Florida
On July 13, 2007, Governor Charlie Crist signed Executive Orders 7-126, 7-127, and 7-128
which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adopt California motor vehicle emission
standards, and requires all state agencies under the direction of the Governor to contract meeting
and conference space only in hotels that have received the DEP “Green Lodging” certification.
House Bill 7135 codified these executive orders. This stipulates that buildings constructed and
financed by the State meet LEED, Green Globes, or Florida Green Building Code standards.
Florida Statute 163.04 prohibits the adoption of an ordinance by a governing body and prevents
deed restrictions, covenants, declaration, or similar binding agreement prohibiting the
installation of solar panels, clotheslines or energy devices based on renewable resources.
Florida Statute 553, part 5 (Thermal Efficiency Standards) require an increase in the energy
performance of the 2010 Florida Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction to increase
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the energy performance of new of buildings by at least 20% as compared to the energy efficiency
provisions of the 2007 Florida Building Code.
This will increase by 10% increments every three years until the 2019 Florida Energy Efficiency
Code for Building Construction will require at least a 50% increase in energy efficiency
requirements over the 2007 Florida Building Code.
Elements in new construction that will increase energy efficiency will include but not be limited
to: solar water heating, energy-efficient appliances, energy-efficient windows, doors, and
skylights, low solar absorption roofs (cool roofs), enhanced ceiling and wall insulation, reduced
leak duct systems, programmable thermostats, and energy-efficient lighting systems.
Florida Statute 553, Part 8 requires each public building (defined as owned or leased by the state,
a state agency, or a governmental subdivision, including, but not limited to, a city, county, or
school district) proposed for construction, renovation, or acquisition to be rated pursuant to the
energy-efficiency rating system prior to contracting for construction, renovation, or acquisition.
The public body proposing to contract for construction, renovation, or acquisition of a public
building shall consider the energy-efficiency rating when comparing contract alternatives.
City of Winter Springs
Xeriscapic garden behind City Hall.
In 2010, the City adopted an irrigation ordinance that regulates the schedule of irrigation.
However, there is no ordinance that provides rules for landscaping and irrigation design.
The City currently offers residents a free irrigation audit to help them improve the efficiency of
their irrigation system. The audits can also provide cost analysis data to help residents determine
their potential cost savings and payback period for retrofitting their landscaping/irrigation to
conserve water.
An audit has been conducted of all City properties to determine the water use of toilets and
faucets. Upgrading toilets and faucets within City facilities will conserve water and reduce
annual water costs. A cost analysis is needed to determine the payback period for replacing all
toilets and faucets with higher efficiency models. Along with saving water and money, utilizing
high water efficiency products promotes water conservation to our residents.
A targeted industry in the Greenway Interchange District (GID) is technical and research
services including Green Biotech.
Resolution 2008-17.
A resolution of the City of Winter Springs to pursue measures to become a
“green local government” through improved environmental performance using standards
developed by the Florida Green Building Coalition. Adopted March 10, 2008.
Winter Springs Strategic Plan for FY 2010-FY2012
The has a goal to develop a Winter
Springs “Green Policy” for energy conservation, both internally and externally.
Policy 1.14 Future Land Use Element
- Innovative Design. Encourage energy-efficient and
innovative land use patterns (such as, multimodal horizontally and vertically integrated mixed
use development, cluster development, low impact development, LEED, Green Globes, Florida
Green Building Coalition standards, and other such environmentally- friendly development
practices).
Policy 3.2.6 Future Land Use Element
- allows density bonuses in the Greenway Interchange
District for green buildings, and roofs. Development bonuses which allow a higher FAR (up to a
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maximum FAR of 2.0), may be granted for projects within the Greeneway Interchange District
which demonstrate environmental stewardship through one or more of the following:
Environmentally sensitive site planning; (Cross Reference: See Conservation Element,
o
Policy 1.8.2)
Green building design and energy efficient buildings as determined by USGBC LEED
o
Certification or equivalent;
Incorporation of Low Impact Development (LID) practices, such as green roofs, capture
o
and use of stormwater for irrigation and/or other grey water type uses, and rain gardens;
(Cross Reference: See Conservation Element, Policy 1.3.4)
Energy efficient land use which minimizes impervious surfaces, such as inclusion of one
o
or more parking garages; (Cross Reference: See Conservation Element, Policy 1.8.1)
Restoration or enhancement of degraded wetlands, native ecosystems, or preservation of
o
extra upland buffers around critical habitat; (Cross Reference: See Conservation
Element, Policy 1.7.2) and
Waterwise practices including sustainable site design through natural landscaping with
o
Florida native plants. (Cross Reference: See Conservation Element, Policy 1.2.6)
(previously Policy 3.2.5; Ord. 2010-18; 10-25-10)
Policy 3.3.3Future Land Use Element
- Private Investment and Economic Incentives.
Encourage private investment in the GID by enacting policies, to the extent allowed by law, to
provide economic or streamline processing incentives to private developers utilizing green
technology standards (such as LEED) within the GID, provided such development is consistent
with the GID Goals, Objectives and Policies.
Objective 1.5Housing Element
- Energy Efficiency and Sustainability. The City shall support
sustainability and energy conservation in new housing development and redevelopment.
Policy 1.5.1 Housing Element
- New construction, structure rehabilitation, and future
o
developments shall be encouraged to implement Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) principles established by the US Green Building Council
(USGBC).
Policy 1.5.2 Housing Element
- Develop a scale of incentives for the different levels of
o
LEED Certification; i.e. a LEED Platinum rated project should receive a greater
incentive than one rated as LEED Silver. Consider incentives for
buildings/developments that are determined to be LEED compliant.
Policy 1.5.3Housing Element
- Encourage the use of specific building options and
o
elements available to meet the City’s energy performance goals such as:
Solar water heating;
Energy-efficient appliances such as “Energy Star”;
Energy-efficient windows, doors and skylights;
Low solar-absorption roofs, also known as “cool roofs”;
Enhanced ceiling and wall insulation;
Reduced-leak duct systems;
Programmable thermostats; and
Energy-efficient lighting systems.
Policy 1.5.4Housing Element
- Encourage the use of cost-effective energy-efficient
o
technologies. Facilitate and promote the use of cost-effective energy conservation,
energy-demand management and renewable energy technologies in buildings and
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encourage energy performance which complies with the Florida Energy Efficient Code
for Building Construction.
Policy 1.5.5 Housing Element
- Identify specific building and landscaping options and
o
elements available to meet the City’s storm water management performance goals such
as: (Cross Reference: See Infrastructure Element, Policy 5.2.3; and Conservation
Element, Policy 1.2.9)
Green roofs;
Bio-swales;
Permeable or porous pavers;
Use of cisterns and rain barrels;
Native species landscaping.
Policy 5.1.2 Infrastructure Element -
Explore the feasibility of a resource protection
ordinance, which would provide incentives for developers to minimize impervious surfaces.
(Cross Reference: See Future Land Use, Policy 1.2.1; and Conservation Element, Policy 1.2.3)
Policy 5.2.3 Infrastructure Element
- Encourage provision of environmentally friendly
features such as “green roofs”, cisterns, water gardens, porous pavement, and natural landscapes
(with native plants), as appropriate. (Cross Reference: See Conservation Element, Policy 1.2.9;
and Housing Element, Policy 1.5.5)
Policy 1.2.3 Conservation Element
- Explore the feasibility of a resource protection ordinance,
which would include incentives for developers to minimize impervious surfaces. (Cross
Reference: See Infrastructure Element, Policy 5.1.2; and Conservation Element, Policy 1.2.3).
Policy 1.2.9 Conservation Element
– Encourage provision of such environmentally friendly
features as, “green roofs”, cisterns, water gardens, porous pavement, and natural landscapes
(with native plants), as appropriate. (Cross Reference: See Infrastructure Element, Policy 5.2.3;
and Housing Element, Policy 1.5.5)
Policy 1.3.4 Conservation Element
- Incorporate Low Impact Development practices for
stormwater management. Amend the City’s Code of Ordinances to incorporate Low Impact
Development (LID) practices to stormwater management that conserve and protect natural
resource systems, reduce infrastructure costs, and mitigate potential environmental impacts. In
general, the LID approach includes practices that:
Encourage preservation of natural resources;
o
Allow development in a manner that helps mitigate potential environmental impacts;
o
Reduce cost of stormwater management systems;
o
Use a host of management practices to reduce runoff; and
o
Reduce pollutants into the environment.
o
Policy 1.8.1 Conservation Element
– Provide incentives through the City’s land development
code and fee structure to encourage energy efficient land use patterns and other environmentally-
friendly development practices (e.g. multimodal vertically integrated mixed-use development,
LEED, Green Globes, Florida Green Building Coalition standards, Low Impact Development,
Energy Star, WaterSense and Florida Water Star).
Policy 1.8.2 Conservation Element
– Incorporate incentives in the City’s land development
code and fee structure to encourage developers of subdivisions, site plans, and building plans to
best use natural heating and cooling, natural light, solar energy, rainwater management,
intelligent buildings/community design, as well as incorporation of the natural topography and
native noninvasive vegetation.
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Policy 1.8.3 Conservation Element
- Consider endorsing the U.S. Conference of Mayors
Climate Protection Agreement.
Policy 1.8.5 Conservation Element
- Incorporate a draft “Smart Growth Concept Map” of
planned or potential smart growth locations by 2011and adopt by 2012. The Map is to be
dynamic and will be updated periodically to reflect changes in local land use and transportation
plans that may influence the designations of the smart growth locations. To the extent
reasonable, the Map will be coordinated with adjacent governments and pertinent agencies.
Policy 1.8.6 Conservation Element
– Apply for Florida Green Building Coalition Local
Government status by 2011.
Policy 1.8.7 Conservation Element
– Have at least one employee obtain LEED certification by
2012, to the extent practical, and shall attempt to continue having at least one LEED certified
employee.
Policy 1.8.9 Conservation Element
- Recycle office materials, to the extent practical.
Policy 1.8.10 Conservation Element
– Incorporate incentives for on-site reuse and recycling of
construction and demolition materials into its land development code.
Policy 1.8.12 Conservation Element
- Encourage community gardens on appropriate locations
in existing and new residential subdivisions and encourage edible landscaping in appropriate
locations.
Incentives and information used to encourage green design
Arlington, VA has a Green Building Density Incentive Program that allows developers to
request a slightly larger building than would normally be allowed by county code if the project
receives official LEED certification from the USGBC at one of the four LEED award levels.
Fast track permitting (accelerated permitting process for builders who build green). This was the
main incentive that worked in developing a Green Building program in six cities: San Diego,
CA, Arlington County, VA, San Francisco, CA, Scottsdale, AZ, Seattle, WA and Chicago, IL.
Reduced permit fees. The University of Massachusetts Lowell Building and Professionals
Survey and the Homeowners Survey mentioned this incentive as enticing to developers.
The city of Gaithersburg, MD, for example, offers a building permit fee reduction incentive to
developers who design and construct green buildings as outlined by the LEED rating system.
Gaithersburg, MD also requires commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential building site
plan/building permit applications to include a completed LEED scorecard. This scorecard allows
the developer to assess the options for including green components in a project’s overall
performance and to collect data on the environmental status of buildings in the city.
Logo certification (trademark symbol recognizing important ‘green building’ features). The
above-mentioned cities found that this was the second biggest incentive.
Continuing education and outreach efforts which are essential to ensure achievements are shared
and everyone is aware. According to the City of Boston, the lack of awareness about the benefits
and opportunities of green building may be the single greatest challenge to implementing a
program.
Create a user-friendly website for easy access to information.
Conduct workshops, green building clinics, and seminars. For example, Boston, MA does
industry specific conferences and panel meetings. They have also held “Green Building 101” in-
house half-day workshops for city staff and “LEED” workshops.
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Use a one-page “Homeowners’ Green Building Check List” similar to one being created by
Green Homes Northeast for the City of Boston.
Develop education brochures/tip sheets for homeowners detailing energy efficiency options.
Distribute green building information through the Community Development Department, the
Public Library, and through mailings (information could be put in with sewer and water bills).
Encourage developers to have a greater say in the development of the incentive process.
Property tax reductions for a period of time.
Density bonuses and entitlement assurances.
Accelerated building permit review process.
Examples of incentives offered by Local Governments in Florida for Green Development
Sarasota County
Has a policy for buildings to meet LEED or equivalent requirements through private sector
incentives.
Carries a priority permitting program.
Has an expedited review incentive. Site plans are processed in 10 working days, commercial
building permit applications are processed in 5 working days, and residential permit applications
are processed in 3 working days.
Offers reduced building permit fees/plan review fees as incentives.
Gainesville
Has a policy for buildings to meet LEED or equivalent requirements.
Offers training.
Carries a priority permitting program.
Has an expedited review incentive.
Offers marketing materials/publicity.
Offers reduced building permit fees/plan review fees as incentives. This ranges from a 75%
discount on 1 and 2 family units, to 50% on all other development.
Evaluates work through third-party certification, LEED or equivalent.
Evaluate work through performance monitoring and reporting.
Miami-Dade County
Has an expedited review incentive for commercial, residential, industrial, and green projects.
Target Jobs Incentive Fund. This is an incentive for relocating or expanding businesses as well
as start-ups when they are in LEED certified buildings or engage in clean energy production.
The incentives range from $3,000 per job created, or $9,000 per job created in an enterprise
zone.
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Potential standards and incentives the City of Winter Springs can offer in the Code of
Ordinances and ways the City can encourage green design and conservation:
Green roofs – Helps to reduce the heat island effect in cities. Notably used in Chicago at City
Hall. Can reduce stormwater runoff, greenhouse gas emissions and cooling loads on a building
by 50-90%. Green roofs are encouraged in the Comprehensive Plan.
Community Gardens - St. Petersburg has incorporated this concept into their LDC. They are
permitted in any zoning district and are required to be 5-feet from the side or rear property line
and 10-feet from the front property line. Food produced in these gardens is not permitted to be
sold. The City of Orlando has 3 community gardens which have been successful. Policy 1.8.12
of the Conservation Element of the City of Winter Springs Comprehensive Plan encourages
these on appropriate locations in existing and new residential subdivisions and encourages edible
landscaping in appropriate locations.
Cisterns – Used to catch and store rainwater for irrigation and drinking water which relieves
strains on the potable water supply. Cisterns are encouraged in the Comprehensive Plan.
Pervious Concrete – Permits water to pass through the concrete due to high porosity. Reduces
runoff from a site and allows recharge into the groundwater supply.
Use of low maintenance groundcover instead of additional turf on development sites (i.e.
encourage an alternative to St. Augustine grass in new developments).
Allow incentives for solar panels on roofs to reduce dependency and load on electrical grid
(permitted by FL Statute 163.04).
Allow incentives for the use of recycled building materials (i.e. drywall, pavement, insulation,
recycled plastic lumber, and roofing materials) to encourage sustainable development in the
City.
Revise the Code of Ordinances to permit Low Impact Development (LID) practices and all
green/conservation practices noted in the Comprehensive Plan.
In 2010, the City adopted an irrigation ordinance that regulates the schedule of irrigation.
However, there is no ordinance that provides rules for landscaping and irrigation design has been
incorporated into the Code of Ordinances.
Make green/conservation design an option for developers by offering incentives such as
expedited permitting, reduced permitting fees, increased density of what is permitted by Code,
free publicity for the project in City publications, community outreach efforts, and an Incentive
Fund for relocating or expanding businesses as well as start-ups when they are in LEED certified
buildings or engage in clean energy production.
Incentives, such fast track permitting, is offered to builders who implement Florida Friendly
Landscaping principles in their landscape/irrigation design.
Incentives, such as fast track permitting, is offered to builders for designing a home to receive
Florida Water Star certification.
Similar to the irrigation audits, an indoor water audit can assist residents in conserving water
inside the home. These audits can also provide cost analysis data to help residents determine
their potential cost savings and payback period for upgrading to higher efficiency appliances and
plumbing fixtures.
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The City currently adopts the State plumbing standard for new development. An updated
plumbing code could be developed recommending that high efficiency plumbing fixtures be
installed in all new homes.
Irrigation of City maintained rights-of-ways, medians, and parks accounts for some of the
highest water use in the City. Most of our parks and medians are irrigated with reclaimed water.
After the Lake Jesup Reclamation Facility is constructed, reclaimed water will be a mixture of
treated wastewater and water from Lake Jesup. Redesigning our City landscaping to include
drought tolerant landscaping and efficient irrigation systems will help conserve surface water
resources and reduce annual expenditures for water, mowing, and fertilization. St. Augustine
grass would gradually be replaced with attractive, drought tolerant ground covers, shrubs, and
flowers. The irrigation systems would be redesigned to utilize more drip and micro irrigation
and rain/soil moisture sensors. This would also serve to educate residents on proper plant
selection and irrigation design and promote water conservation. A recent study conducted by the
University of Florida indicates that residents are statistically more likely to conserve water if
they feel their City is making an effort to conserve water as well.
Many municipalities, including Volusia County and City of Oviedo, limit the amount of high
volume irrigation allowed within a landscape to 35-50% of the landscaped area. Providing clear
recommendations on the acceptable types of plants, soil preparation methods, proper irrigation
design, and fertilization will promote water conservation and increase water quality.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
Trends showcommunities with incentives for LEED certified buildings or
“green” development have higher assessed taxable value, higher ad valorum taxes, and a more diverse
tax base than those communities without incentives for LEED certified buildings or “green”
development incentives.
COMMUNICATION EFFORTS:
This Agenda Item Has Been Electronically Forwarded To The
Mayor And City Commission, City Manager, City Attorney/Staff, And All eAlert/eCitizen Recipients;
And Is Available On The City’s Website, Laser Fiche, And The City’s Server. Additionally, Portions
Of This Agenda Item Are Typed Verbatim On The Respective Meeting Agenda Which Has Also Been
Electronically Forwarded To The Individuals Noted Above; And Which Is Also Available On The
City’s Website, Laser Fiche, And The City’s Server; Has Been Sent To City Staff, Media/Press
Representatives Who Have Requested Agendas/Agenda Item Information, Homeowner’s
Associations/Representatives On File With The City, And All Individuals Who Have Requested Such
Information; And Has Been Posted Outside City Hall; Posted Inside City Hall With Additional Copies
Available For The General Public; And Posted At Five (5) Different Locations Around The City. This
Agenda Item Is Also Available To Any New Individual Requestors. City Staff Is Always Willing To
Discuss This Or Any Agenda Item With Any Interested Individuals.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Commission give direction to staff for the
implementation of a voluntary “formal” program for incorporating “green” design principals in the
City by offering a range of incentives to developers of these projects as detailed in this report. Staff
also requests that the City Commission provide recommendations if they want to target specific
incentives or if they want to add incentives above and beyond those detailed by staff in this agenda
item and those already being promoted by staff at the permitting level. If the Commission approves
the incorporation of “green” design principles for use in the City, staff will finalize a list of incentives
and will bring these incentives along with an implementation policy to the Commission for final
approval.
ATTACHMENTS
: None