Air Quality: Yellow
City of Alexandria, VA
Green Building in AlexandriaWHAT'S NEW?Green Building Workshop #6 - Green Operations for Retail, Restaurants, and Small OfficesWednesday, October 26, 2011 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. The green operations workshop is carried out in partnership with the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association, and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership and will provide local businesses with the basics on how to save operating costs, increase comfort for employees and customers, and gain an eco-friendly marketing advantage, while lowering energy and water bills, reducing waste, and creating healthier indoor environments. The featured presenter is Jerry Lawson, National Manager, ENERGY STAR Small Business & Congregations Network, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as local businesses that have adopted green practices. Participants are encourage to RSVP by email to erica.bannerman@alexandriava.gov. Previous Green Building Workshops
Need to see videos, presentations, or handouts from a previous workshop? Click here for additional resources! City 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 detail about the policy is provided below.
The City recognizes that a commitment to green buildings does not stop with the adoption of this Policy. A second phase is underway 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 as it progresses.
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. As part of the development of the policy, the City held a Green Building Form on January 28, 2009. Click to view the forum Program and Video.
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