TITLE
Receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the hearing and adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to submit amendments to the Long Beach Zoning Regulations to the California Coastal Commission for its review and approval as an implementing ordinance of the Local Coastal Program. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The term "Green Building" refers to the emerging practice of designing, constructing and operating buildings to meet a higher standard of energy and resource efficiency while making them healthier and more comfortable for their occupants. The first example of this type of building in Long Beach is the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library, completed in August 2007. Built in adherence to the City's Green Building Policy for Municipal Buildings, which was adopted by City Council in 2003, the library used the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system.
Seeking to further expand the practice of green building to cover private development projects, the City Council approved a process to explore and develop a green building program for private development in November 2006. At the same time, the City Council also adopted an Interim Green Building Policy for Private Development that required large development projects (50+ units for residential or 50,000+ sq. ft. for non-residential) to meet minimum green building standards by using the LEED green building rating system. Since then staff has worked with community stakeholders and Green Building policy experts to develop Zoning code amendments that will bring Green Building techniques to a wider variety of development projects. On October 21, 2008, the City Council was presented a draft Green Building policy outline and authorized staff to craft an ordinance to enact it.
The attached proposed Zoning Code amendment will:
1. Make the current Interim Green Building Policy permanent by establishing it in a Green Building Section within Title 21 (Zoning Regulations) of the Municipal Code;
2. Include new construction and substantial rehabilitation projects for which the City provides funding in the universe of projects that need to meet the intent of LEED;
3. Update the Municipal Green Building Policy by raising the minimum level of achievement for City projects to the LEED Silver level; and
4. Introduce four new mandatory Green Building strategies that will be required of all projects that are subject to the Site Plan Review process.
On April 2, 2009, the Planning Commission recommended that the City Council adopt the proposed amendment.
This letter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Michael Mais on April 2, 2009 and by Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on April 1 ,2009.
SUSTAINABILITY
The establishment of Green Building regulations is a key component of becoming a sustainable city. In addition to making buildings more environmentally friendly (according to the U.S. Green Building Council, green buildings can, on average, reduce energy use by 2450 percent, water use by 40 percent, and solid waste generation by 70 percent), Green Building regulations stimulate new markets and knowledge-based industries that support the development of green buildings.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
This item is not time sensitive.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no fiscal impact as a result of the recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO SUBMIT AMENDMENTS TO THE LONG BEACH ZONING REGULATIONS TO THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL
Respectfully Submitted,
CRAIG BECK
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
NAME |
APPROVED: |
TITLE |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |