City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2018
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Establish a Green Building Policy Update Task Force [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a resolution to establish the Green Building Policy Update Task Force.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve the attached resolution establishing the Green Building Policy Update Task Force (‘Task Force’); and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to appoint the 13 members of the Task Force.
BACKGROUND: The City’s current Green Building Policy was adopted by City Council in 2009 as a result of policy research, the latest work at that time by third-party green building certification entities, and the efforts of the Green Building and Sustainable Development Working Group (‘2009 Working Group’). This group was tasked with providing guidance on a policy establishing standards for green building in new development. The 2009 Working Group consisted of 29 members, including environmental advocates/technical experts, development industry professionals and City staff.
City Council has approved an update to the Green Building Policy as a priority in the FY 2019 Long-Range Planning Work Program. As with the previous green building policy effort, it is proposed that a Task Force be established to provide guidance to staff in development of an updated policy.
DISCUSSION: The purpose of the Task Force is to provide guidance on the 2019 Green Building Policy update, considering topics such as:
• increasing LEED or equivalent third-party green building certification standards for new private development and establishing separate standards for new public development;
• prioritizing specific green building elements;
• incorporating incentives to promote green building;
• introducing green building standards for existing buildings and for small buildings not subject to site plan review;
• instituting a building performance monitoring program; and
• establishing a Green Zone in the City.
Composition: The Task Force will be comprised of 13 slots, maintaining the same general representation of stakeholders as the 2009 Working Group:
• (7) Environmental Advocates or Technical Experts
o (2) third-party green building certification organizations (two from different organizations)
o (1) affordable housing developer representative
o (1) Environmental Policy Commission (EPC) member
o (1) environmental group
o (1) architect with LEED certification
o (1) environmental consultant
• (6) Development Industry
o (2) large-scale developers
o (2) residential home builders
o (1) land use attorney
o (1) development association
The EPC will designate its own representative, and the remaining members of the Task Force will be appointed by the City Manager following a call for nominations publicized through the City’s eNews service, notices to respective organizations, and the City’s website. The City Manager will make selections based upon applicants’ stated areas of expertise and will designate the Chair of the Task Force.
Expectation of Members: It is anticipated that the Task Force will meet a minimum of (4) four times during the planning process, beginning in October 2018, in addition to attending work sessions and public hearings of the Planning Commission and City Council, concluding upon Council’s consideration of the updated policy in June 2019. There may be additional staff-led working meetings of the Task Force.
In addition to providing guidance relative to their areas of expertise and as outlined above, Task Force members are expected to assist and support the City’s community engagement outreach efforts and meeting activities by 1) providing updates on the status of the planning activities and tasks to their member commissions, boards, and/or organizations, in addition to community residents at-large; 2) speaking on behalf of those groups and communicating their interests in this process; and 3) attending all meetings prepared by reading assigned materials and information. If unable to attend, members are encouraged to read materials provided and provide any comments in a timely manner.
Responsibilities of the Chair: The Task Force will be staffed by representatives of the Department of Planning and Zoning with support from representatives of Transportation and Environmental Services, General Services, and Alexandria City Public Schools.
Staff Support: The Task Force will be staffed by representatives of the Department of Planning and Zoning with support from representatives of Transportation and Environmental Services, General Services, and Alexandria City Public Schools.
Sunset: The Task Force will sunset upon completion of the update.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with the Task Force.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Proposed Resolution
Attachment 2: Presentation
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Karl Moritz, Director, Planning and Zoning
Ann Horowitz, Principal Planner, Planning and Zoning
Stephanie Free, Urban Planner, Planning and Zoning