EVERETT – New municipal buildings would be constructed following earth-friendly, energy-efficient standards under an ordinance the City Council is scheduled to vote on tonight.
If passed, the rule will require new municipal buildings to follow green-building standards. Going green will fight global warning and save the city money in reduced energy costs.
The rule wouldn’t apply to private buildings or state, federal or county buildings, but officials say they hope it will encourage private developers to embrace similar practices.
“The city needs to sort of put its money where its mouth is,” said council President Brenda Stonecipher, one of the ordinance’s main sponsors.
The council is scheduled to consider the policy at a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the City Council Chambers, 3002 Wetmore Ave.
In 2006, the council set as a top priority establishing a sustainable building policy.
If passed, new municipal buildings larger than 5,000 square feet will have to seek attainment of a Silver rating with the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.
The point-based program scores new construction based on sustainable site selection, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, indoor environmental quality, materials and resources.
While building to LEED standards is expected to tack an additional 1 percent to 5 percent on construction costs, the criteria is expected to save money through reduced operating costs, Stonecipher said.
Using natural light from windows and skylights and using treated wastewater to irrigate landscaping are just a few ways the city can lower operational costs.
The ordinance gives the city an out if it is not feasible to follow environmentally friendly building rules. The council can bypass the rule if deemed necessary.
This is not Everett’s first brush with the LEED program.
San Diego developer Oliver-McMillan is proposing to use LEED standards while transforming a former dump and pulp mill into a mix of shops and condos at a 221-acre site straddling a bend on the Snohomish River.
The City Council also passed a rule last summer that gives private developers a “density bonus” for constructing LEED-certified buildings downtown. It is one of a handful of incentives that allows builders to construct taller or larger than buildings than otherwise allowed.
Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com.
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