Air Quality: Green
City of Alexandria, VA
Green Building in AlexandriaCity Council Adopts Green Building PolicyAt 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 reportThe 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:
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 25th 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
More Information
Additional Green Building Links
For More Information: Contact Katye Parker 703-746-3819
|