Green Building Requirements and Incentives for Private Development - West Hollywood, CA
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On July 16, 2007, the West Hollywood City Council voted unanimously to pass the Green Building Requirements and Incentives for Private Development Ordinance that applies a suite of energy conservation and renewable energy requirements to both residential and commercial development. Some provisions apply to new building projects while others apply to remodeling projects at existing buildings.
Democratic Energy notes that one of these nearly 20 green building requirements in the city's Ordinance 07-762 is a requirement to prepare the building for the installation of future photovoltaic systems. It requires the builder to install a conduit from an electricity room or panels to the roof, and document how solar power could be accommodated.
"The City has been a leading force in enacting policies to promote the environment. Passage of the Green Building Ordinance continues this legacy and represents a truly collaborative effort between the public and private sectors," noted West Hollywood Council member Abbe Land in their press release.
This new policy also outlines a point system used to regulate “all new commercial developments and residential developments with three or more units.” These developments must include a minimum of 60 points from the West Hollywood Green Building Point System Table. Projects exceeding 90 points will enjoy one of the 8 listed incentives. The intent of the point system is that it will stress locally-available materials and promote the inclusion of green elements early in the project design. Also, it will provide the ability to adopt green elements throughout the design process.
The new ordinance is tied to existing green building certification standards. Projects receiving “a minimum rating of ‘Certified’ with the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) shall be exempt from the point requirements of the West Hollywood Green Building Program.”
All projects scheduled for completion after October 1, 2007, must adhere to the provisions of Ordinance 07-762.
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Great Concept
What a great way to "force" the green issue and try to get everyone on the same page. Ideas like this definitely help in the promotion of our world and trying to make things better for our future generations. Way to go West Hollywood. No doubt others will follow suit.
A brilliant strategy I would
A brilliant strategy I would say! its high time people get there act together and do something about it! Well done! and I will make sure people will see this! cheers!
I agree with Chris, it is
I agree with Chris, it is great concept, indeed. It is last moment to start to think on green way... We should take more care about nature, so I completely support this and similar projects.
Power for all
Great information! Nice to see the city push a requirement for owners to contribute towards their power requirements. Can most owners cope withe cost is the obvious question, still peopel expect certain things from the city so maybe they can be seen to be also contributing by this idea.
The Point System is a win-win for everyone
"These developments must include a minimum of 60 points from the West Hollywood Green Building Point System Table" - This is great for getting businesses to get on the green bandwagon and help out the environment. It will also help them to save money in the long run as well. This point system is a win-win for everyone.
Is there an update for the building requirements?
Although I know this article is dated and I am not sure what the outcome of it was, I am glad to see West Hollywood take this step in the right direction. I can only hope that in the current economic climate of 2011 that cities have not lost their will to press for building with less impact on the environment. I know the debate today must be far different for the City Counsel. It would be interesting to see what green programs have been sidelined by economic pressures and which ones have forged ahead. Thanks for the West Coast for leading the way... again. It would be an interesting update to read if the counsel would update this post about this building requirements.
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