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City of Portland asking for public input on zoning code changes related to green building
--Civiccents 11:55, 27 June 2009 (PDT)
From Melora Golden, Hello Recode!
Good news for zoning and other green building improvements. We live in an amazing city that is working hard to make changes that count and they need to hear support from us. Below is a message and press release regarding the proposed changes to code. Please send in your comments.
Hello - The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) has issued the first draft of their proposed zoning code changes related to green building. Below is a summary of the other green items included in the package and a link to the discussion draft showing the proposed code language (click on "discussion draft" below).
It's going to be really important for the green community in general to write in support of this package prior to it being taken to the Planning Commission on August 25. The draft is issued as a "discussion draft" and the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability will need to hear from the public that this is the direction they should be going. The attachment shows what pages of the draft deals with which green related items to help you with your review. Comments should be submitted to bopregimp@ci.portland.or.us by July 10th.
MEDIA RELEASE: Portland Citywide Code Amendments Create Green Incentive
Citywide Code Amendments Create Green Incentives
Portland, Ore. —The City of Portland is developing code amendments
that would foster green technologies and practices on a neighborhood
scale. The 2009 Regulatory Improvement Program - Sustainability Work
in Progress contains a “green bundle” to promote the installation and
use of solar panels, water cisterns, wind turbines, eco-roofs and
district energy systems.
The green bundle is part of a larger set of updates, and a “discussion draft” of proposed new zoning code will be reviewed at a Planning Commission hearing scheduled for August 25th, 2009.
“The green bundle is a perfect example of how the City of Portland can ensure sustainable practices while addressing our Climate Action Plan goals and stimulating the growth of our local green industry,” said Mayor Sam Adams.
Portland’s new economic development strategy focuses in part on creating an “incubator environment” around the sustainability industry. The code changes in the green bundle will ensure there are no local obstacles to implementing green technology on the neighborhood scale.
The following zoning code changes are included in the green bundle:
Solar Panels In recent years Portlanders have become increasingly aware of the importance of diversifying their energy sources, reducing dependence on foreign sources of energy, and decreasing the emissions of climate-changing greenhouse gases. While Portland strives to be a leader in the growing solar energy industry, this code amendment would:
Clarify how rooftop solar panels and equipment are treated in building height calculations and create opportunity for installation of panels on buildings that are already built to the maximum height. Exempt solar panels installed on existing buildings from Design Review. A narrower exemption would be created in Historic Districts.
Small Urban Wind Energy Systems
Advances in small-scale wind turbine technology in recent years make
it possible to incorporate wind power into urban areas and building
design, or add small systems to rooftops. Although Portland does not
have the wind conditions to produce large amounts of power from urban
turbines, allowing these devices may help stimulate advancement of the
technology and encourage entrepreneurial efforts in this industry.
This amendment would:
Allow small-scale wind energy systems to exceed zoning code height limits, either as standalone towers or when incorporated into building architecture. Exempt small-scale wind energy systems from Design Review. A narrower exemption would be created in Historic Districts.
Eco-Roofs
Eco-roofs are lightweight, vegetated roof systems that replace
conventional roofs with a layer of foliage over a “growing medium” on
top of a waterproof membrane. They are an important part of Portland's
efforts to manage stormwater with facilities that perform like natural
systems. This amendment would:
Exempt eco-roofs installed on existing buildings from Design Review.
Green Power and District Energy – Zoning Code Use Categories
District energy systems produce hot water, steam or chilled water at a
central plant and distribute the energy through underground pipes to
buildings connected to the system. Similar district systems are
possible for distributing electricity from solar panels or processing
stormwater, grey water, sanitary sewage or even kitchen compost.
Net-metered solar systems are also increasingly common, where the
excess energy produced is sold back to the grid. District systems,
net-metering and other small-scale community renewable energy systems
make it possible for districts and neighborhoods to generate their own
renewable energy, thereby reducing the costs and environmental impact
of drawing energy from large power plants. This amendment would:
Clarify the land use categories in the zoning code to ensure that neighborhood-scale renewable energy production is allowed in residential and commercial zones. (Current rules may classify these facilities, in some cases, as “manufacturing and production.”)
Water Harvesting Cisterns
Harvesting rainwater runoff in barrels (or cisterns) is one way to
reduce water consumption. This amendment would:
Allow water cisterns within zoning code setbacks within reasonable parameters. Exempt water cisterns from Design Review. A narrower exemption would be created in Historic Districts.
Bike Parking
Bicycle transportation is a sustainable alternative to driving, and
the City of Portland – through its transportation and land-use
planning efforts – is making it easier for residents to commute and
travel by bike. Increasing the number of people who rely on bicycles
to get around is an important element in the City’s Climate Action
Plan. These amendments would:
Address the lack of long-term parking in apartments and condominiums by removing exemptions that allow multi-dwelling buildings to avoid installation of long-term bicycle parking for residents. Require new apartment and condominium complexes to provide covered secure bike parking, making them subject to the same rules that already apply to new commercial and employment buildings.
Larger Eaves
Larger eaves help protect buildings from weather and are important for
energy conservation. This zoning code amendment would:
Allow buildings to have larger eaves that project deeper into the setback.
For more detailed information on the “green bundle” and to see photographs illustrating the changes listed above, please see this site: tinyurl.com/greenbundle.
-- Melora Golden Recode Community Organizer
