Green Building in Alexandria

City Council Adopts Green Building Policy

At its April 18, 2009 public hearing (link to Council docket), the City Council unanimously voted to adopt the proposed Green Building Policy. Per this Policy, the City expects that all new development requiring a Development Site Plan or Development Special Use Permit will achieve a LEED Silver or an equivalent rating for non-residential development and LEED Certified or an equivalent rating for residential development. More details about the policy and how it was developed are provided below.

The City recognizes that a commitment to green buildings does not stop with the adoption of this Policy. A second phase is anticipated to identify methods that will encourage existing buildings to incorporate green improvements, such as through improved outreach and incentives. Continue to check this website to learn more about this phase once it begins.

Green Buildings in Alexandria Policy Recommendations report

The draft Green Buildings in Alexandria - Policy Recommendations report includes a two-page policy statement for the City at the outset of the report. The body of the report explains each point in the policy in more detail.

Highlights of the proposed policy include:

The policy is a strong statement of expectations by the City. It is not a mandatory regulation.
The policy will apply to all development projects that require a site plan or development special use permit;
LEED-Silver will be the expected level of achievement for all nonresidential buildings;
The policy includes the possibility of phasing and room for flexibility for nonstandard buildings and uses;
The policy anticipates significant outreach and education and requires a partnership with the building and development community.

Green Buildings in Alexandria Policy Recommendations report February 5, 2009

While there is agreement on a large part of the draft green building policy by the Green Building Working Group, there is not unanimity, especially with regard to whether LEED-Silver, or a lower level, should be the City’s green building standard. Another significant issue that is being discussed is whether the City should provide incentives to make building green attractive to developers and, if so, what those incentives should be. One idea for the incentives is to create a separate system of exchange based on a correlation between City infrastructure savings from the reduced consumption of the new development. If there are to be incentives, working them out will take time to develop.

Background

Green Buildings have been identified by the City as a major component of its commitment to sustainable development. The City’s initiatives through its strategic plan, commitment to Green Building of City facilities, and the adoption and phased implementation of the Eco-City Charter lay the foundations for the wider adoption of Green Building practice in the City of Alexandria.

In July, 2007, as the first step in developing an overall approach and policy of Green Building standards for development throughout the City, the Department of Planning and Zoning commissioned a study of Green Building development standards, best practice case studies, and implementation programs, in order to help formulate a recommended course of action. A report titled The Green Building White Paper for the City of Alexandria, dated December 25^th 2007 was prepared as a result of that study. One of the major recommendations of the White Paper was that the City reach out to the development industry and the community to develop a sound understanding and reinforce its commitment to Green Building and sustainable development in the City.

A working group consisting of City staff (drawn from a cross section of relevant departments), builders, developers, and not-for-profit organizations was consequently established, and its members have been participating in structured meetings since June 2008, in order to lay the foundations for a Green Building policy.

Green Building Working Group Meeting Notes

Key Dates in Development of Green Building Policy

City Council Public Hearing, April 18, 2009, Green Building Docket Item
Planning Commission Public Hearing, April 7, 2009, Planning Commission Docket
City Council Work Session, March 9, 2009
Planning Commission Work Session, February 3, 2009, Presentation
Green Building Forum, January 28, 2009, Program and Video

More Information

Additional Green Building Links

Builders Guide to Reuse & Recycling
US Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council developed and implements the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system. Links to the LEED process and scorecards can be found on this web site.
National Trust for Historic Preservation - Sustainability page
Architecture 2030. Architecture 2030, a non-profit, non-partisan and independent organization, was established in response to the global-warming crisis by architect Edward Mazria in 2002. 2030’s mission is to rapidly transform the US and global Building Sector from the major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions to a central part of the solution to the global-warming crisis. Our goal is straightforward: to achieve a dramatic reduction in the global-warming-causing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the Building Sector by changing the way buildings and developments are planned, designed and constructed.
Building Science Corporation. provides on-line information on a variety of green building topics, publications, seminars and consulting.
Earthcraft House. EarthCraft House,™ created in 1999, is a residential green building program of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association in partnership with Southface. This program serves as a blueprint for energy- and resource -efficient homes.
The Energy & Environmental Building Association. Mission statement: To provide education and resources to transform the residential design, development and construction industries to profitably deliver energy efficient and environmentally responsible buildings and communities.
Energy Star. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star home page.