Green Trends in North Florida

I had the honor of presenting to Jacksonville's Meninak Club on Monday, February 1st, on the state of the 'green' union.  The topic was Green Trends in North Florida and the response was really satisfying.  The members asked great questions that revealed interest and critique.  Those are the best kinds of questions.
Included here are some insights that were shared during the presentation and some facts that are relevant to where we are in North Florida. 

First, did you know that we have (as of today) 623 LEED Accredited Professionals in Jacksonville alone?  This time last year, we were at about 160. 

We have 20 LEED Certified projects, including 5 affordable houses and 2 City of Jacksonville buildings that achieved GOLD.  Wow.  (and Go, City of Jax!)  This time last year, we had about 6 total.

Time did not permit sharing the following quotes, but I think it's important to point out that the perception in the area is still a bit conflicted.  When asked how green building would affect individual organizations, the responses were all over the chart. 

From an engineer:  "That segment [green building] of our revenue has continued to grow very steadily over the last several years and we aren't seeing any change in that.  So this is not new to us.  We expect it will continue to be an increasing percentage of our business over the next year.  However, with 'green building' submarkets, we are seeing a significant increase in energy and performance work and commissioning, which we think is reflective of tightening operational budgets and Owner's desires to spend less money on operations and utilities"

From a design professional:  "We are currently working on a LEED registered project and we hope that in 2010 more business owners will look to sustainable design when considering building or renovating space.  Our firm has always been focused on sustainable design practices so our goal is to educate clients about sustainability and introduce them to the concept of sustainable design."

From a university facilities professional:  "We believe building green to be more costly and more time consuming per unit than previous non green building activity.  So, new green buildings for us will simply consume more budget and more time than we are used to - it will be an adjustment"

Interestingly, the University quoted does not have any certified buildings to date, but they are highly receptive to learning more about how to incorporate sustainability on their campus projects while keeping within the budget and schedule.  The experience of my colleagues in the area (and myself) is that the costs and schedule can (and should) be controlled when the team has the following:  passion, education, and experience.  This is true of any project, both institutional and otherwise.  I was thrilled to have such an 'unvarnished truth' response from the university.  Those are door openeners, not closers.

Upcoming trends were also covered, many of which are nation-wide, some of which may be regionally-specific.  Here's my take:

• We will see a departure from using the phrase "green" and hearing more about "high performance" projects.  With more owners seeking out cost-saving strategies, the idea of high performance seems far more palatable.  And, with a savvy design and construction team, green strategies always find their place.

• With stimulus dollars making their way through the pipeline, more green jobs will present themselves.  The solar energy market needs boots on roofs.  Consultants that have expertise in sustainability are opening their own businesses and making a profit where larger, less-movable companies are still stuck doing business the same old way. Vendors and suppliers are setting their sights on R&D that will provide greener solutions and energy savings. 

• Retrofits and renovations are what's happening where new construction has stalled.  Anyone in construction already knows this is happening.  Weatherization programs funded by the government are getting homeowners talking about this, too.

• Renewable energy will become more mainstream as education, supply and cost align.  There still seems to be a disconnect between these three components which is halting the mainstream buying public from stepping into the renewable energy world.  Most people understand that solar thermal hot water heaters are a 'no-brainer', but why doesn't everyone have one?  As the level of understanding tightens up with costs (and the availability of qualified contractors to install.  Read:  green jobs) I expect there will be more renewable energy in the 'burbs.

• Consumers will drive supply and consequently drive decreased costs.  Duh.  I know.  Supply and Demand.  But, as consumers are asking for more recycled products or energy saving strategies, more suppliers are scrambling to meet their needs and want to be the most competitive with pricing.

• Social Responsibility Planning will become the next step beyong green building.  Once your building is green, what do you do with your supply chain, your philanthropy efforts and procurement?  Many firms are writing their CSR programs, especially small businesss which are best positioned to make some significant impact on a national scale.  It's great that the Fortune 5's are measuring their impact, but what would happen it the massive number of small businesses do the same? 

Lastly, how can we improve the quality of our environment TODAY  Instead of listing a bunch of things you can do that everyone seems to already know about (like CFLs, aerated faucets, and rain barrels), we discussed bigger-picture concepts:

• Remember that all decisions should be based on Triple Bottom Line decision-making that address People, Profit, Planet solutions.

• Voice your concerns and then seek out information.  You read an article about solar energy not being the solution?  A neighbor wants PV panels on their house but the HOA said 'no'?  Find someone that can help with information and knowledge.  There are so many organizations that make it their business to help you (like USGBC, Sierra Club, NRDC, Green Team)...  seek them out and get your questions answered.

• Write down your goals and create the benchmark for success.  You know that goals aren't real until they hit paper.  So, sit down with your team at the office, or your team at home, and create your plan for social responsibility.  Make it real and follow it throughout the year.  A year from now, you can celebrate your successes and plan for the next year's goals. 

• Lastly, and in my opinion, most importantly, start with "THE ONE THING".  It takes a while to establish a habit and the best way to do so is with one step.  Choose one sustainable practice and commit to it.  Do it diligently.  Say no to water bottles.  Bring reusable bags to the store every time.  Choose the ONE THING and make it a habit. 

Thanks again to our friends at Meninak for inviting the green building perspective and for all the tremendous work they do in our region.  I hope my action items were well-received as this is a group of 'action' people.  They will make things happen! 

Speaking of which, have you started your "ONE THING" yet?  Get to it!

Mayor's Environmental Advisory Committee

Did you know...

The City of Jacksonville's Mayor, John Peyton, regularly meets with members of various environmental groups to discuss the needs of the North Florida region in terms of land use, stewardship, smart growth, conservation, green building, and overall sustainability?

I was pleased to learn that this is the case after receiving an invitation from the Mayor's office to participate on behalf of the US Green Building Council's North Florida Chapter. As many of you know, I serve as the current Vice Chair of the chapter, was chair of the Public Advocacy Committee and briefly served as Regional Representative to the Florida/Carribean Council. Needless to say, my passion for green building was tied closely to legislation and municipal ordinances. After nearly two years of committed focus on assisting with the Sustainable Building Ordinance, I am pleased to say it passed and Jacksonville is now among many other cities embracing green building and offering incentives to those pursuing a third-party certification.

Go Jacksonville!

As you can imagine, I was thrilled to receive the invite to participate.

Among those organizations represented:

• US Green Building Council North Florida
• The Jacksonville Arboretum
• Greenscape
• St. Johns Riverkeeper
• North Florida Land Trust
• The Trust for Public Land
• The River Alliance
• Sustainable Jacksonville
• Sierra Club
• Timucuan Preserve
• The Public Trust
• Museum of Science and History

The format was a round table discussion with Mayor Peyton leading the conversation which addressed the master plan for the Riverwalk, the Stormwater Fee program, stimulus money, Reality Check, and the City's commitment to conservation measures on an administrative level. Derek Igou, COJ's Sustainability Officer, and Vince Siebold with the Environmental Quality Division, were also on hand to offer insight.

The bottom line is there's a lot of great things happening in the City yet we still have far to go.

As was stated at the meeting, with so little in the way of budget and available money, the best thing we can do right now is plan for a sustainable future. What should the plan look like for when the cash is flowing again? How do we plan for smart growth and low impact development before development ramps up again?

What do we need to do right NOW to ensure future development is executed responsibly?

The Mayor's Environmental Advisory Committee is meeting again in July to continue this conversation and keep up the momentum.

So, what do we need the City to know and what what we can provide for them so that they can execute our plan for environmental stewardship, smart growth and green building?

Let's start talking!

Ellen

Green Building Ordinance Update

A reminder to my fellow Jacksonville-ians:

The City of Jacksonville's Environmental Protection Board is drafting a Sustainable Building Ordinance which will require COJ new construction and major renovations to achieve LEED certification and incentivize private development for achieving LEED certification.

This draft needs your support to ensure it has the best possible chance before City Council. Here's what you can do:

Attend the Public Forum: The Public Forum for the proposed ordinance will be held Tuesday, January 22nd at 430pm in Conference Room 3C, City Hall - St. James 117 West Duval Street.

Provide a Written Comment: For those unable to attend, send your thoughts to Mr. Robert Schuster, Environmental Protection Board, 117 West Duval Street, Suite 225, Jacksonville, FL 32202, no later than January 29, 2008.

Notify your City Council Representative: Remind your city council representative that your future votes depend on their current votes. Send an e-mail stressing that this issue is critical to Jacksonville's future. Here are a few statistics that your city council representative may not know:

• USGBC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which is dues-based representing over 10,000 companies from 12 membership categories.
• With more than 1000 certified buildings and over 7300 registered buildings, USGBC has extensive experience in assessing, documenting, and administering what has become the leading green building rating system in the United States.
• As a third-party certification system, LEED validates achievement and establishes leadership in the green building sector. LEED provides a clear roadmap for sustainable design and then ensures its performance by documenting that the building is constructed as designed.
• More than 90 local governments have adopted LEED.
• 24 states have adopted LEED.
• 41 countries have LEED projects.
• According to the US EPA research, by cutting energy use by 30% tenants can save 50 cents per square foot per year.
• LEED Green Building Rating Sytem is available for New Construction, Existing Buildings, Commercial Interiors, Core & Shell, Homes, Schools, and Neighborhood Development.

To e-mail your city council representative: http://www.coj.net/City+Council/City+Council+members.htm

Take the time to raise your voice for sustainability! How often do we have the chance to truly make a difference in our city? Make it your priority to support this draft and attend the Public Forum on Tuesday.

We need YOU!

Green Building Ordinance Draft, rev. 2

Below is the most recent draft of Jacksonville's Sustainable Building Ordinance. See the post below this for details on the next public forum in January:


In the Public workshop, there was a request for a periodic review and update of this ordinance to stay current with Local, State and National priorities and technologies. I am unsure where or how to incorporate this. The EPB, at the December meeting, verbally agreed with this concept of periodic review and update.

Introduced by Council President at the request of the Mayor:

ORDINANCE 2007-
AN ORDINANCECREATING A NEW CHAPTER ___, ORDINANCE CODE, ESTABLISHING A SUSTAINABLE BUILDING PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE; SETTING FORTH INTENT, APPLICABILITY, DEFINITIONS, STANDARDS, AND INCENTIVES FOR PROGRAM; CREATING A TEMPORARY SUSTAINABLE BUILDING CERTIFICATION REFUND GRANT PROGRAM; APPROPRIATING $100,000 FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TRUST FUND FOR THE GRANT PROGRAM; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

WHEREAS, sustainable development helps balance the expansion of the City and preservation of our quality of life; and
WHEREAS, Jacksonville has demonstrated its commitment and leadership through the Green Homes Initiative; and
WHEREAS, architects, developers, builders and owners are voluntarily making the commitment to design and construct sustainable buildings and homes in Duval County; and
WHEREAS, Jacksonville commits to high performance building practices that protect the quality of our air, water and other natural resources; provide employees, the public and the owners with safe and healthy indoor and outdoor environments, reducing developments impact on our God-given environment: and
WHEREAS, the Florida Green Building Coalition has developed voluntary programs for the development and operation of sustainable commercial, residential buildings and planned use developments; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Green Buildings Council has developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating systems for new and renovated commercial buildings, and new residential buildings and developments; and
WHEREAS, standards adopted for the Sustainable Building Program will advance the Jacksonville Green Homes Program, the Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Program, the Water Management District Florida Water Star Program, and other programs advancing the goals of the Jacksonville Sustainable Building Program; now therefore
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Jacksonville:

Section 1. Creation of New Chapter ____, SUSTAINABLE BUILDING PROGRAM. There is hereby created a new Chapter ____, Ordinance Code, entitled SUSTAINABLE BUILDING PROGRAM, to read as follows:
CHAPTER ____. SUSTAINABLE BUILDING PROGRAM

Section ___.101. Intent.
It is the intent of the Council in creating this Sustainable Building program to demonstrate a substantial commitment on the part of the City to finance, plan, design, construct, manage, renovate, commission, maintain and deconstruct County Buildings with sustainable building standards and to support development of privately owned buildings in Jacksonville to sustainable standards. The purpose of this program is to provide the City with a certification-based "Sustainable building" program to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly practices of design, construction, commissioning, maintenance and retirement for buildings.

Section ___.102. Applicability.
(a) All new civic or office construction projects owned by the City, including its independent agencies or authorities, will follow the requirements of this Chapter, unless the Council makes a determination that the costs of compliance with this Chapter significantly outweigh the benefits to the City of compliance. All new City-owned civic or office construction projects shall, at a minimum, obtain LEED certification for any buildings in the project. An exception to the requirements of this Ordinance shall be considered by Council for any project with a return on investment of less than 10% of the total capital cost of the proposed project.
(b) All modifications to existing City-owned buildings where the total renovations includes more than 50% of the total building square footage will follow the requirements of this Chapter.
(c) For all other construction projects, including all private construction projects, compliance with this Chapter is voluntary.

Section ___.103. Definitions.
For purposes of this Chapter, the following terms, words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
FGBC means the Florida Green Building Coalition.
FSEC means Florida Solar Energy Center, a unit of the University of Central Florida.
GHDS means the Green Home Designation Standard of the Florida Green Building Coalition.
Sustainable building means generally the resource efficient design, construction, and operation of buildings by employing environmentally sensible construction practices, systems, and materials. Sustainable building also means an office, residential or civic structure which has obtained LEED certification.
LEED means the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Rating System of the U.S. Green Building Council. Program certification means the final designation awarded to a program participant for satisfying all requirements associated with the program for a particular project.
Third party rater means an independent third party certified by the USGBC as a Sustainable building rater qualified to verify that the building project has satisfied all of the requirements associated with the standards applicable to a particular project.
USGBC means the U.S. Green Building Council.

Sec. _____.104. Administration.
(a) The Public Works Department Engineering and Construction Management Division is responsible to ensure compliance with applicable requirements of this Chapter in the construction of new City-owned civic and office buildings. The Engineering and Construction Management Division is also responsible for reviewing, assessing and making recommendations concerning existing City owned buildings being considered for participation in the Sustainable Building Program and, in the event such buildings are so included, for ensuring compliance with the requirements of this Chapter.
(b) The Environmental Protection Board shall review and approve requests for Sustainable Building Certification Refund Grants pursuant to section ___.107. The Environmental Protection Board shall also hear appeals from persons or entities denied access to future fast track development review pursuant to section ___.106(a).
(d) The Environmental Quality Department shall, in cooperation with the FSEC and others, coordinate at least one training workshop per year for the purpose of educating current and potential participants and City Staff in the Jacksonville Sustainable Building Program on the program and its benefits and requirements. Annual training shall be funded from the Environmental Protection Fund.
(e) The Planning and Development Department shall provide fast track development review pursuant to section ___.106(a).
(F) The Sustainable Building Program shall be administered on either a per-unit or per-development basis, as specified at the time of permitting. "Per-unit" means each unit built, except that any multi-family dwelling or similarly clustered structure may count as one unit. “Per-development” means each Planned Use Development, subdivision, or business park.

Sec. _____.105. Standards.
Published LEED standards of the USGBC shall be used to measure compliance of buildings participating in the Sustainable Building Program.

Sec. _____.106. Incentives.
The incentives contained in this section are intended to encourage the construction of Sustainable buildings. For any program participant seeking program certification for new residential or commercial construction, residential or commercial retrofitting/remodeling or new City-owned civic or office construction, the following incentives shall be made available:
(a) Fast track development review:
(1) Development Services, including “10-set” and Concurrency Management, Land Use Change and Construction permit applications submitted or resubmitted for review for Sustainable Building projects shall be given priority over projects which are not Sustainable Building projects by all City departments reviewing such applications.
(2) Applications for administrative deviations pursuant to section 656.109, when submitted to facilitate Sustainable Building program certification, shall be given priority over other applications which are not Sustainable Building projects, to the extent possible consistent with the time requirements of section 656.109.
(3) Applications for plat approval pursuant to Chapter 654 shall be given priority over other applications provided the developer records on the public records of Duval County covenants or other restrictions sufficient to require that all homes in the subdivision will be constructed so as to qualify for LEED certification.
(4) Requests for relief from the requirements of section 656.607(i), when submitted to facilitate Sustainable Building program certification, shall be liberally construed to promote such certification.
(5) Applicants who obtain priority status pursuant to this section shall provide proof of LEED certification to __________________ within 180 days of construction completion as defined by Occupancy Permit issue date. Applicants who obtain priority status but fail to obtain program certification may be will be subject to disciplinary action by the City of Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board under the provisions of Sec._____._____ of the City Code.. Any person or entity so denied priority status may appeal such determination to the Environmental Protection Board. Eligibility for priority status may also be restored upon proof of LEED certification of a building permitted through regular review after denial of priority status.
(b) Designation: The Environmental Quality Division shall coordinate a program of recognition, on the internet or through other additional means, identifying permitted construction as a Sustainable building project with benefits to the community and the environment.
(c) Refund of certification expenses: Subject to, and within the limits of, funds appropriated by the Council for the purposes set forth in this subsection, owners or developers of Sustainable Building projects may receive a refund of the actual costs of Sustainable Building program certification pursuant to section ___.107.

Sec. ___.107. Sustainable Building Certification Refund Grant Program.
(a) Creation and Purpose. There is hereby created a Sustainable Building Certification Refund Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to establish a temporary source of funds to be used to create an incentive to achieve Sustainable Building program certification through refunds of the actual cost of such certification. The program is intended to be a start-up program to encourage initial participation in the Sustainable Building program and shall terminate upon disbursal of any funds appropriated by the Council for this grant program.
(b) Responsibility. The grant program established by this section shall be administered through the Environmental Protection Board, which shall review and approve disbursements from such funds as may be appropriated by the Council for this program.
(c) Application for certification refund grants. Property owners desiring to participate in this grant program shall submit an application to the Environmental Protection Board on a form prescribed by that Board or its staff. Application shall be made following certification of Sustainable Building status and shall be accompanied by proof of certification and evidence of the actual costs associated with obtaining such certification. Certification shall be made by an independent third party rater that the owner has received LEED Sustainable building program certification for the buildings that are the subject of the application. Grants pursuant to this program shall be made by the Environmental Protection Board and shall be for reimbursement of actual cost of obtaining certification, which costs may include fees for application and inspection for LEED certification, but shall not include cost of any construction necessary to achieve LEED certification or permitting or other fess associated with such construction. Grants made pursuant to this program shall me limited to the following amounts:
Certification Level Maximum Amount per Building
LEED Certification $500
LEED Silver $1000
LEED Gold $1500
LEED Platinum $2000
Section 2. Appropriation. For the 2007-2008 fiscal year, within the City’s budget, there are hereby appropriated the indicated sum(s) from the account(s) listed in subsection (a) to the account(s) listed in subsection (b):
(B.T. ______ attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and incorporated herein by this reference)
(a) Appropriated from:
See B.T. ______ $100,000.00
(b) Appropriated to:
See B.T. ______ $100,000.00
Section 3. Purpose. The purpose of the appropriation in Section 1 is to provide funding for a Sustainable Building Certification Refund Grant Program established by Sec. ___.107, Ordinance Code, which program is temporary in nature and intended to create incentives to achieve Sustainable Building program certification as provided in Chapter ___, Ordinance Code.
Section 4. Carryover. The funds appropriated in this ordinance shall not lapse but shall carryover to fiscal year 2008-2009.
Section 5. Waiver. Section 111.755 (Environmental Protection Fund), subsection (f), Ordinance Code, is hereby waived so as to allow the use of the Environmental Protection Board Trust Fund for the purposes set forth in Section 3, notwithstanding the existing limitations on use of the funds.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective upon signature by the Mayor or upon becoming effective without the Mayor's signature.
Form Approved:

__________________________________________
Office of General Counsel
Legislation Prepared By: Tracey I. Arpen, Jr.

Green Building Ordinance Update

For those of you that are following along, here is the latest update from the desk of Ms. Veleta at the Environmental Protection Board:

Greetings:

The Water Committee of the Environmental Protection Board will host a public meeting with the purpose of hearing comments on the latest draft of the proposed Green buildings Ordinance. It is the desire of the Water Committee to finalize the latest version of the draft ordinance and submit it to the Mayor's Office for introduction to City Council in February. You presence at this public meeting and/or your comments are vital to the forward progress of the proposed ordinance. The latest draft is attached for your information and comment.

The Public Meeting the proposed Green Buildings Ordinance will be held Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 4:30 P.M. in Conference Room 3C, City Hall
- St. James, 117 W. Duval Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202.

Should you have any questions or require further information, please contact the undersigned or Ruby Tucker at 630-3692. Written comments may be submitted via email to me or via snail mail to Mr. Robert Schuster, Environmental Protection Board, 117 W. Duval Street, Suite 225, Jacksonville, Florida 32202, no later than January 29, 2008.


Christi Veleta
Program Administrator
Environmental Protection Board
117 W. Duval Street, Suite 225
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Phone: 904-630-3692
Fax: 904-630-3638
Email: veleta@coj.net

(The draft of the ordinance is posted separate from this notice.)

Please mark your calendar and plan to attend the meeting on January 22nd. Your support provides the strength required to make this happen.

Green Building Ordinance Update

For those of you that are following Jacksonville's proposed Green Building Ordinance, I spoke with Christi Veleta, program administrator for Environmental Protection Board, this morning and she told me to keep an eye out for the middle of January for the next public workshop.

Right now, they are considering the public comments received and making the appropriate revisions which will be available for review at the workshop in January. If you provided comment and included your e-mail address, you will be notified of the date and time. If not, (why not?) keep an eye on Sustainabuild for updates.

Also, the state will be rolling out a proposal around the same time so part of the review process will include ensuring that both are in harmony and there are no conflicts.

In the meantime, keep it green!

Green Building Ordinance: Make your voice heard!

Today is the last day to offer public comment on the proposed Green Building Ordinance drafted by the Environmental Protection Board for the City of Jacksonville.

Here is the ordinance as it is currently drafted.

Please take the time to read it and submit comment to:

Robert Schuster, P.E.
Environmental Protection Board
117 W. Duval Street, Suite 225
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Or, Christi Veleta will accept e-mail correspondence at veleta@coj.net

If you're reading this, that means you already have a commitment to sustainability. Be sure our government know, too. Take a moment today to make a difference.

Jacksonville's Proposed Green Building Ordinance

We need you!

From Christ Veleta, programs administrator for Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board:

"On November 15th at 5:00 P.M. the EPB will host a public meeting to discuss
the proposed ordinance. The meeting will be held in Conference Room 3C,
City Hall - St. James. Please feel free to pass the proposed ordinance
along to your colleagues or any group that you feel may be interested."

Here's the proposed wording (in draft form):

Introduced by Council President at the request of the Mayor:

ORDINANCE 2007-
AN ORDINANCECREATING A NEW CHAPTER ___, ORDINANCE CODE, ESTABLISHING A GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE; SETTING FORTH INTENT, APPLICABILITY, DEFINITIONS, STANDARDS, AND INCENTIVES FOR PROGRAM; CREATING A TEMPORARY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION REFUND GRANT PROGRAM; APPROPRIATING $100,000 FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TRUST FUND FOR THE GRANT PROGRAM; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

WHEREAS, sustainable development helps balance the expansion of the City and preservation of our quality of life; and
WHEREAS, Jacksonville has demonstrated its commitment and leadership through the Green Homes Initiative; and
WHEREAS, architects, developers, builders and owners are voluntarily making the commitment to design and construct green buildings and homes in Duval County; and
WHEREAS, Jacksonville commits to high performance building practices that protect the quality of our air, water and other natural resources; provide employees, the public and the owners with safe and healthy indoor and outdoor environments, reducing developments impact on our God-given environment: and
WHEREAS, the Florida Green Building Coalition has developed voluntary programs for the development and operation of sustainable commercial, residential buildings and planned use developments; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Green Buildings Council has developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating systems for new and renovated commercial buildings, and new residential buildings and developments; and
WHEREAS, standards adopted for the Green Building Program will advance the Jacksonville Green Homes Program, the Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Program, the Water Management District Florida Water Star Program, and other programs advancing the goals of the Jacksonville Green Building Program; now therefore
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Jacksonville:
Section 1. Creation of New Chapter ____, GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM. There is hereby created a new Chapter ____, Ordinance Code, entitled GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM, to read as follows:
CHAPTER ____. GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM
Section ___.101. Intent.
It is the intent of the Council in creating this Green Building program to demonstrate a substantial commitment on the part of the City to finance, plan, design, construct, manage, renovate, commission, maintain and deconstruct County Buildings with sustainable building standards and to support development of privately owned buildings in Jacksonville to sustainable standards. The purpose of this program is to provide the City with a certification-based "green building" program to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly practices of design, construction, commissioning, maintenance and retirement for buildings.
Section ___.102. Applicability.
(a) All new civic or office construction projects owned by the City, including its independent agencies or authorities, will follow the requirements of this Chapter, unless the Council makes a determination that the costs of compliance with this Chapter significantly outweigh the benefits to the City of compliance. All new City-owned civic or office construction projects shall, at a minimum, obtain LEED certification for any buildings in the project.
(b) For all other construction projects, including all private construction projects and existing City-owned buildings, compliance with this Chapter is voluntary.
Section ___.103. Definitions.
For purposes of this Chapter, the following terms, words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
FGBC means the Florida Green Building Coalition.
FSEC means Florida Solar Energy Center, a unit of the University of Central Florida.
GHDS means the Green Home Designation Standard of the Florida Green Building Coalition.
Green building means generally the resource efficient design, construction, and operation of buildings by employing environmentally sensible construction practices, systems, and materials. Green building also means an office, residential or civic structure which has obtained LEED certification.
LEED means the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Rating System of the U.S. Green Building Council. Program certification means the final designation awarded to a program participant for satisfying all requirements associated with the program for a particular project.
Third party rater means an independent third party certified by the USGBC as a green building rater qualified to verify that the building project has satisfied all of the requirements associated with the standards applicable to a particular project.
USGBC means the U.S. Green Building Council.
Sec. _____.104. Administration.
(a) The Public Works Department Engineering and Construction Management Division is responsible to ensure compliance with applicable requirements of this Chapter in the construction of new City-owned civic and office buildings. The Engineering and Construction Management Division is also responsible for reviewing, assessing and making recommendations concerning existing City owned buildings being considered for participation in the Green Building Program and, in the event such buildings are so included, for ensuring compliance with the requirements of this Chapter.
(b) The Environmental Protection Board shall review and approve requests for Green Building Certification Refund Grants pursuant to section ___.107. The Environmental Protection Board shall also hear appeals from persons or entities denied access to future fast track development review pursuant to section ___.106(a).
(d) The Environmental Protection Board, in cooperation with FSEC and others, coordinate at least one training workshop per year for the purpose of educating current and potential participants in the Jacksonville Green Building Program on the program and its benefits and requirements.
(e) The Planning and Development Department shall provide fast track development review pursuant to section ___.106(a).
(F) The Green Building Program shall be administered on either a per-unit or per-development basis, as specified at the time of permitting. "Per-unit" means each unit built, except that any multi-family dwelling or similarly clustered structure may count as one unit. “Per-development” means each Planned Use Development, subdivision, or business park.
Sec. _____.105. Standards.
Published LEED standards of the USGBC shall be used to measure compliance of buildings participating in the Green Building Program.
Sec. _____.106. Incentives.
The incentives contained in this section are intended to encourage the construction of green buildings. For any program participant seeking program certification for new residential or commercial construction, residential or commercial retrofitting/remodeling or new City-owned civic or office construction, the following incentives shall be made available:
(a) Fast track development review:
(1) Construction permit applications submitted or resubmitted for review for Green Building projects shall be given priority over projects which are not Green Building projects by all City departments reviewing such applications.
(2) Applications for administrative deviations pursuant to section 656.109, when submitted to facilitate Green Building program certification, shall be given priority over other applications which are not Green Building projects, to the extent possible consistent with the time requirements of section 656.109.
(3) Applications for plat approval pursuant to Chapter 654 shall be given priority over other applications provided the developer records on the public records of Duval County covenants or other restrictions sufficient to require that all homes in the subdivision will be constructed so as to qualify for LEED certification.
(4) Requests for relief from the requirements of section 656.607(i), when submitted to facilitate Green Building program certification, shall be liberally construed to promote such certification.
(5) Applicants who obtain priority status pursuant to this section shall provide to proof of LEED certification to __________________ within 30 days of obtaining such certification. Applicants who obtain priority status but fail to obtain program certification may be denied future priority status by the Director of the Planning and Development Department. Any person or entity so denied priority status may appeal such determination to the Environmental Protection Board. Eligibility for priority status may also be restored upon proof of LEED certification of a building permitted through regular review after denial of priority status.
(b)
(c) Refund of certification expenses: Subject to, and within the limits of, funds appropriated by the Council for the purposes set forth in this subsection, owners or developers of Green Building projects may receive a refund of the actual costs of Green Building program certification pursuant to section ___.107.
Sec. ___.107. Green Building Certification Refund Grant Program.
(a) Creation and Purpose. There is hereby created a Green Building Certification Refund Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to establish a temporary source of funds to be used to create an incentive to achieve Green Building program certification through refunds of the actual cost of such certification. The program is intended to be a start-up program to encourage initial participation in the Green Building program and shall terminate upon disbursal of any funds appropriated by the Council for this grant program.
(b) Responsibility. The grant program established by this section shall be administered through the Environmental Protection Board, which shall review and approve disbursements from such funds as may be appropriated by the Council for this program.
(c) Application for certification refund grants. Property owners desiring to participate in this grant program shall submit an application to the Environmental Protection Board on a form prescribed by that Board or its staff. Application shall be made following certification of Green Building status and shall be accompanied by proof of certification and evidence of the actual costs associated with obtaining such certification. Certification shall be made by an independent third party rater that the owner has received LEED green building program certification for the buildings that are the subject of the application. Grants pursuant to this program shall be made by the Environmental Protection Board and shall be for reimbursement of actual cost of obtaining certification, which costs may include fees for application and inspection for LEED certification, but shall not include cost of any construction necessary to achieve LEED certification or permitting or other fess associated with such construction. Grants made pursuant to this program shall me limited to the following amounts:
Certification Level Maximum Amount per Building
LEED Certification $500
LEED Silver $1000
LEED Gold $1500
LEED Platinum $2000
Section 2. Appropriation. For the 2007-2008 fiscal year, within the City’s budget, there are hereby appropriated the indicated sum(s) from the account(s) listed in subsection (a) to the account(s) listed in subsection (b):
(B.T. ______ attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and incorporated herein by this reference)
(a) Appropriated from:
See B.T. ______ $100,000.00
(b) Appropriated to:
See B.T. ______ $100,000.00
Section 3. Purpose. The purpose of the appropriation in Section 1 is to provide funding for a Green Building Certification Refund Grant Program established by Sec. ___.107, Ordinance Code, which program is temporary in nature and intended to create incentives to achieve Green Building program certification as provided in Chapter ___, Ordinance Code.
Section 4. Carryover. The funds appropriated in this ordinance shall not lapse but shall carryover to fiscal year 2008-2009.
Section 5. Waiver. Section 111.755 (Environmental Protection Fund), subsection (f), Ordinance Code, is hereby waived so as to allow the use of the Environmental Protection Board Trust Fund for the purposes set forth in Section 3, notwithstanding the existing limitations on use of the funds.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective upon signature by the Mayor or upon becoming effective without the Mayor's signature.
Form Approved:

__________________________________________
Office of General Counsel
Legislation Prepared By: Tracey I. Arpen, Jr.
G:\SHARED\LEGIS.CC\ARPEN\Green Buildings Odinance draft 11.7.2007.doc

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