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.01 Sustainability Program report CITY OF CUPERTINO 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California 95014 DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT FORM Application: Agenda Date: Cupertino's Sustainability Program March 27, 2007 BACKGROUND: The 2007 Work Program approved by Planning Commission and City Council includes implementation of the sustainability policies in the General Plan. These policies were adopted in November 2005 as part of the comprehensive General Plan review (see Exhibit A). The General Plan policies with regard to sustainability identify a number of strategies in each of the following areas - Energy Conservation, Water Conservation, Green Building Design, Air Quality, Wildlife Conservation and efficient Land Use Planning and Zoning. The implementation strategies outlined In the Environmental ResourcesjSustainability Element are based on principles related to linking Resource Management and Economic Determinations in evaluating projects, conservation and efficiency, reduction of waste, resource management, restoration, preventionj mitigation, innovation, community participation and education. The implementation of the Sustainability Program has been divided into two phases. In the first phase, a summary analysis of the currently existing efforts of the city related to green building and sustainable development will be prepared, which will provide direction for the second phase. The city has contracted with Global Green USA for the first phase of the development of the sustainability program and the audit. Global Green USA is a not-for-profit environmental organization that establishes collaborative partnerships with local governments, affordable housing organizations, and other public and private entities to facilitate the development, adoption, and implementation of sustainable policies, programs, and practices. These partnerships inform and direct education, policy development, and advocacy efforts at the local, state, and federal levels. The city's contact at Global Green USA is Walker Wells. He has worked extensively with several municipalities including the City of West Hollywood and the City of Pasadena in developing and adopting their Green BuildingjSustainability Program and Policies. He has worked as a Senior Urban Designer with Gruen Associates in Los Angeles, an Associate Planner with the City of Santa Monica, and an Urban Planner for the City of Malmo, Sweden. I-I -2- Inventories conducted in other cities indicate that the largest gap they have in their sustainability efforts is the lack of a green building program. Staff anticipates that this will likely be the outcome of the report generated in phase one. This study session is to provide the Planning Commission with an update on the status of the sustainability project and to provide background into the process of developing a sustainability program. Walker Wells will present background information on sustainability and will be available to answer questions that the commissioners have with regard to sustainability and sustainability / green building programs. Enclosures: Exhibit A: General Plan Sustainability Policies Exhibit B: Sustainability Program Development, Scope of Work for Global Green Prepared by: Piu Ghosh, Assistant Planner .' Approved by: Steve Piasecki, Director of Community Development~icA---.€ ~~R c-/~/ (:(/C-- / G: \ Planning \ PDREPORT\MISCELL \ 2007\ Report on Sustainability.doc I";) Exhibit A Section 5 1;....,.""'...,;;:;,<5,.....~.~"'~""."""""-"""""...~l; "".,;'"i. ,_.~iL'.,";!<"...j~,..,~;;;"h'!:i!'..e":. .-;..;"""","_ ..~.;:o_...~"".': ='''''''''' ",-.""",-=-""" Environmell.tal Resources / Sustainabili ty INTRODUCTION CONTENTS .5-1 Introduction 5 -1 Planning for Sustainability 5-3 Energy Conservation / Efficiency 5-7 Air Quality 5-10 Wildlife and Vegetation 5-13 Mineral Resources 5-15 Water Resources 5-21 Solid Waste 5-23 Wastewater 5-25 Resources Sustainable planning and development accommodate the Cily's future changes while recognizing that the community's environ- mental resources are fragile, invaluable and interrelated. Sustainable planning integrates and balances environmental decisions with economic considerations and recognizes the symbiotic relationship between the natural environment, the community and the econo- my. In the long term, protecting and sustain- ing the City's viable ecological communities and environmental resources will result in the protection of both the human and natural environments. PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABILlTY Planning for the location of land use activities is one of the fundamental compo- nents of sustainability. Suburban land use prac- tices isolate housing, retail uses and employ- ment locations from one another, and scatter low-density development that becomes solely reliant on the automobile for access and trans- portation. This inefficient and unsustainable growth pattern has resulted in loss of natural habitat and open space, deteriorating air and water quality, increased traffic congestion and a loss of a sense of community. Sustainability requires a change from past land use planning to a system that creates and maintains compe- tent and efficient community facilities, human scale neighborhoods and a sense of communi- ty while preserving environmental resources. CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN 1,- 3 ENERGY CONSERVATION/EFFICIENCY 5~3 implement energy policies and imple- mentation programs that include the City's planning and regulatory process. 3. City,Wide Inventory. Conduct a City- wide sustainabiHty inventory in order to identify issues, opportunities and plan- ning altematives. 4. Sustainable Energy and Water Conservation Plan. Prepare and imple- ment a comprehensive sustainability energy plan as a part of the City's General Plan. This plan will specifically include recommendations regarding: a. Reduction of energy consumption. b. Reduction of fossil fuels. c. Use of renewable energy resources whenever possible. d. Improve City-wide water usage and conservancy. e. Reduce water consumption by the City. f. Promote residential and business water reduction. 5. Community Gardens. Encourage com- munity gardens, which provide a more livable' environment by controlling physical factors such as temperature, noise, and pollution. The Task Force/Commission will work with Staff to keep the Sustainability Energy and Water Conservation portion of the General Plan current and abreast of beneficial cost- effective technologies. ENERGY CONSERVATION/ EFFICIENCY Cupertino reliance on the use of non- renewable energy supplies has serious environ- mental consequences. For our community to be sustainable, it must reverse this situation. The City of Cupertino receives electri- cal power fwm Pacific Gas and ElectriC (PG&E). PG&E's power is derived from sev- eral sources such as wind turbines, hydro- electric dams and nuclear generation. The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) power consortium provides the City with natural gas. In the State of California and the San Francisco Bay Area, approximately 95 percent of the residential units are heated by natural gas, the remain- der by electricity and propane. Since the severe energy shortages of the 1970's, which culminated in the critical statewide electrical power shortages of 2001, Californians (and particularly Bay Area resi- dents) have become acutely aware of the need to reduce energy demand for both the short and long term in order to achieve a sustainable future. This was further reinforced by the severe blackouts in the Northeast U.S. and Canada in the summer of 2003. The continuously ris- ing cost of energy production, together with diminishing fossil fuel sources (non-renewable resources), has required public agencies to conserve, efficiently use and search for alterna- tive energy resources. Overall energy use in the Bay Area Use Commercial 7 Residential 17 Industrial 35 Transportation 31 Other 10 100 % Sources; PG&E, Planning Resource Associates Planning and Regulatory Processes Urban areas in California, (including Cupertino) contain approximately 85 per- cent of the State of California's population. CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN 1'- t.f ENERGY CONSERVATION/EFFICIENCY 5~5 cable City codes, ordinances, and pro- cedures for inclusion of local, state and federal policies and standards that pro- mote the conservation and efficient use of energy and for consistency with the goal of sustainability. Change those that will promote energy efficiency without a punitive effect. 4. Energy Efficient Replacements. Using life cycle cost analysis, identify City assets for replacement with more energy efficient replacements. 5. Incentive Program. Implement an incentive program to include such items as reduced permit fees for building projects that exceed Title 24 require- ments. Promote other incentives from the State, County and Federal Governments for improving energy effi- ciency by posting information regarding incentive, rebate and tax credit pro- grams on the City's web site. Let's make learning about this easy and help those interested get started! 6. Solar Access Standards. Ensure com- pliance with the State of California Subdivision Map Act solar access stan- dards in order to maximize natural heat- ing and cooling opportunities for future residences. Encourage the inclusion of additional shade trees and landscaping for energy efficiency. 7. Educational Programs. · Develop conservation/efficiency edu- cational programs serving all utility users. · Provide informational materials and participate in energy conservation workshops. · Provide educational materials, semi- nar and staff training on energy con- servation/efficiency for those who design, build and manage building facilities, and for those who regulate building design and construction. · In partnership with De Anza College develop Cl "SustainClble Buildin,g Practices" guide tor Cupertinu resi- dents and businesses. The Guide should include information regard- ing current rebates and subsidies to make implementing a sustainable building more financially attractive with references back to the City, State, Federal and other web sites for up-to-date information. · Provide education materials, seminars and a certification program for con- tractors and architects who have par- ticipated in "Sustainable Building" courses. Many of the curriculums are currently available at De Anza College. As an incentive for partici- pating the "Sustainable Building" pro- gram the City will maintain a "Sustainable Builder/ Developer" page on their current City website. This page will not be an endorsement of the individual or company listed, but a resource center for the community. · Establish and maintain an Energy Information Center or Kiosk at City Hall where information concerning energy issues, building standards, recycling and assistance is available. · Require residents and businesses that are remodeling to review and sign as acknowledgment that they have reviewed the "Sustainable Building Practices" guide prior to permits being issued. CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN /-5 AIR QUALITY 5~7 ~ Policy 5-3: Green Building Design Set standards for the design and con- struction of energy and resource con- serving/efficient building (Green Building Design). Strategies 1" "Green Building" Program, Prepcnc and implement "Green Building" stan- dards for all major private and public projects that ensure reduction in energy consumption for new development through site and building design. 2. Building energy audits. Participate in and encourage building energy audits, where feasible, for commercial, indus- trial and city facilities and convey to the business and industrial communities that energy conservation/efficiency is, in the long term, economically benefi- cial. PG&E also offers energy evalua- tion tools and services free of charge. 3. "Green Buildings" Evaluation Guide. Prepare a "Green Buildings" evaluation guide based upon the above listed "essential components" for use by the city staff when reviewing projects. 4. Staff Training. Train appropriate staff in the design principles, costs and ben- efits of energy conservation/efficient buildings and landscape design. 5. "Green Buildings" Informational Seminars. Conduct and/or participate in "Green Buildings" informational semi- nars and workshops to include people involved in the design and construction industry, land development, real estate sales, lending institutions, landscaping and design, the building maintenance industry and prospective project appli- cants. We recommend modeling this program after the CERT program. 6. Public Communication: Become a reg- ular feature article in the Cupertino Scene, do media outreach to the Courier and the Guide (San Jose Mercury) tape the Sustainable Building and other conscrv3tiun cuurses, or sem- inars and broadcast them on the City Channel as well, and make them avail- able at the Library. AIR QUALITY Air quality remains a serious health haz- ard for residents in the Bay Area Air Basin. Even after three decades of efforts to cleanse the air, air pollution still causes a significant amount of discomfort, illness and sometimes death in the region. Particularly vulnerable are children, the elderly and people with heart or lung problems. Sometimes healthy adults may experience breathing problems during periods of intense outdoor exercise. Air pollu- tants may also have an adverse effect on vege- tation, animals and property. In addition, national or world-wide pollution issues, the depletion of the ozone layer and world-wide climatic changes pose serious challenges for communities seeking a sustainable future. ~<I :z~.#t.<<....'\;I. "'.I I , lL .' ..1'/ CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN ,....{o Exhibit B CITY OF CUPERTINO Sustain ability Program Development wrj) March 1, 2007 GLOBAL GREEN USA SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM - PHASE I The purpose of the Phase I effort is to prepare a summary analysis of the currently existing efforts in the City of Cupertino related to green building and sustainable development. The work completed in this phase will support efforts expected to be conducted in a future phase that are likely to focus on the development of either a green building program or a more comprehensive sustainable city program. SCOPE OF WORK Task 1: Plan nine Commission Presentation Global Green will prepare and conduct a presentation to the Planning Commission in a study session context. The goal of the presentation is to increase awareness of both I) how sustainability can be supported by government planning efforts, 2) what other cities are currently doing, 3) what is currently underway in Cupertino, and 4) options for both increasing the effectiveness of current efforts and adopting additional policies or creating new programs to fill gaps or increase synergy. The presentation will be approximately 20 minutes, followed by an open discussion and question and answer session. Deliverable: Presentation to Planning Commission Task 2: Review and Analvsis of Existine City and Reeional Policies and Proerams Global Green USA will review the environmental, sustainability, and green building related components of existing city plans, ordinances, regulations and programs. Relevant documents, such as the General Plan, Specific Plans, ordinances, and program descriptions will be provided by City staff. The review will be based on the criteria of the US Green Building Council's LEED rating program for New Construction. Some specific topics to be addressed in the review are: Zoning ordinance provisions for compact and transit-oriented land use Zoning and Building codes that support energy conservation and efficiency Programs to promote water conservation and efficiency in landscape and in buildings Requirements for the City's stormwater management program Status of current recycling programs, particularly construction and demolition waste City of County incentives for the use of recycled-content materials Existence of toxics use reduction or environmentally preferable purchasing programs City support for global initiatives such as the Montreal Protocol (ozone protection) Compliance with Regional agencies policies and programs, such as BAAQMA. Kyoto Protocol, Sustainability (Local Agenda 21), or ban on tropical hardwoods A matrix will be prepared that compares the City efforts to the LEED-NC criteria. Global Green USA - Draft Scope of Work I ,- 1 Deliverable: Presentation to Planning Commission Matrix comparing current city policies and programs to LEED Task 3: Interviews with City Staff GG USA will contact key City staff member in the Planning, Building and Safety, Public Works, and other departments or divisions that are involved in permitting or managing either private sector or City development projects. These interviews will be used to determine that degree to which the existing policies are being implemented and identify opportunities to improve implementation or increase synergy with other programs. These interviews will be conducted over a one or two day period at City Hall or other City offices. City staff will be responsible for coordinating the meetings and assisting Global Green in documenting the discussion. Deliverable: Summary of Interview notes Task 4: Prepare Draft Report GG USA will prepare a report that summarizes current City green and sustainability efforts. The report will be structured around the five main categories (site, water, energy and atmosphere, materials, indoor air quality) and specific criteria of the LEED rating system. The analysis will identify the following: 1) Existing efforts are generally compatible with or meet the intent of the LEED criteria 2) Existing efforts meet the LEED criteria 3) Existing efforts exceed the LEED criteria 4) LEED criteria are not addressed by current City efforts 5) Opportunities to augment existing policies or programs to create greater consistency with LEED criteria, to fill gaps, or create greater synergy among existing programs. The report will identify both strengths and gaps in the City of Cupertino's existing policies and programs. Specific action items - such a code modifications, new polices, or new programs - will be recommended for consideration as a way to meet these gaps. The report will be submitted to City for review and comment. Deliverable: Presentation to Planning Commission of Draft Report Draft Report (estimated length 15-25 pages) Task 5: City Council Presentation Global Green shall present the findings of the report to the City Council. It is envisioned that the presentation content and format will be largely the same as for the Planning Commission. Deliverable: Presentation to City Council Task 6: Final Report Based on feedback from staff and Planning Commission, Global Green will revise the Draft Report and submit a final version to the City. City staff and Global Green will identify priorities that need to be addressed in the following Phase of the project in the Final Report. Deliverable: Final Report Global Green USA - Draft Scope of Work 2 1-6 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE Task 1: Tasks 2 & 3: Task 4: Task 5: Task 6: Phase II: March 27: Planning Commission Presentation - Kick-off March: Review Documents and Conduct Interviews March - May: Prepare Draft Report and Presentation to Planning Comm. June: City Council Presentation July: Final Report & Determine Priorities for Phase II August: Begin Implementation of Priorities PROPOSED BUDGET Task 1: PC Presentation Task 2: Document Review Task 3: Staff Interviews Task 4: Draft Report and Presentation to Plan.Comm. Task 5: City Council Presentation Task 6: Final Report Expenses (Airfare, rental car, food, misc office): Total: $1,600 $2,800 $1 ,900 $6,850 $1,300 $2,250 $1,595 $18,295 Global Green USA - Draft Scope of Work 3 I-q