HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/11/2010 - Proposed Commercial And Residential Code Green Building Amendments - Natural Resources Advisory BoardMEMORANDUM
FROM THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BAORD
Date: December 11, 2010
To: David Roy and Council Members
From: Liz Pruessner on behalf of the Natural Resources Advisory Board
Subject: Proposed Commercial and Residential Code Green Building Amendments
The NRAB reviewed the proposed Commercial and Residential Code Green Building
Amendments at our November 17, 2010 meeting. The Board voted unanimously in support of
the concept of the proposed Commercial and Residential Code Green Building Amendments with
one proviso regarding the water efficiency and conservation section of the Commercial code
amendments. The draft dated 11/4/2010 included specifics measures for water conservation
including water meters for multi-family dwellings. The draft presented at our meeting dated
11/17/2010 listed only one item under water conservation: Maximum fixture flow rates and
referenced a table which was not presented in the draft. NRAB feels it is important for families
to be cognizant of their water usage. This information is provided to residents living in single
family homes. NRAB recommends that water should be metered in multi-family dwellings.
When such information is available people can make informed choices to conserve which results
in saving money and resources.
We like the recommendations aimed at promoting recycling and reducing construction waste for
both commercial and residential buildings. Diverting this waste stream would go a long way
toward helping Ft. Collins achieve our goal of reducing solid waste going into the landfill by
50%.
NRAB is supportive of the approach taken by Staff to strategically tailor the amendments to make
existing code “greener” and to incorporate both a code element and market-driven element. This
will result in a better package for city residents and businesses. We enthusiastically support the
Green Building Program goal to increasingly align Fort Collins’ built environment with the
community goals of reduced carbon emissions, reduced energy use and reduced water use.
Further, we are very excited to see that Sustainability principles are being incorporated into the
Green Building Program and that the Benefits and Costs analysis will include a triple-bottom-line
approach that reflects social, economic and environmental impacts.
We look forward to reviewing the package as it develops and urge Council to keep Ft. Collins
moving forward with our Green Building Program by incorporating Commercial and Residential
Green Building Amendments into code. We do want to continue to be a leader in Colorado on
this issue.
Please feel free to contact me regarding the NRAB’s comments.
Respectfully Submitted,
Liz Pruessner, Chair
Natural Resources Advisory Board
cc: John Stokes, Director, Natural Resources Dept.
Susie Gordon, Staff Liaison