Business Tools: Green Building and Smart Growth
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Principles of smart growth promote strategic placement of the built environment, compact development that preserves open space, and walkable communities where residents can access services without dependence on vehicles. Infill developments are a great way to support the smart growth of our community. |
Master Planned Communities These planned communities generally contain a full range of residential and nonresidential land uses, open space, and public services and facilities. Recent master planned communities associated with neo-traditional design or new urbanism stress open space preservation, integration of land uses to reduce auto trips, a walkable pedestrian network that leads to an “urban village center,” and other design and architectural details that foster social interaction. Civano is an example of a master planned community in Tucson. Mayor and Council adopted the RCP in 2006. The purpose of RCP is to provide greater flexibility and creativity in the design of clustered residential development by: providing incentives to achieve community goals, such as historic and archaeological preservation, preservation of natural vegetation, barrier-free housing, development within low-income areas, and in-fill housing projects; consolidating open space; efficiently using land and public facilities by means of a more economical arrangement of buildings, circulation systems, land uses, and utilities; preserving to the greatest extent possible existing landscape features and amenities, such as significant topography, protected peaks and ridges, natural vegetation, and floodplains, and integrating such features with structures and other improvements, among other goals. The RCP is currently being revised. Mayor and Council initiated the Infill Fee Waiver Program in 1997. They identified an area encompassing approximately 22% of the city, where a reinvestment strategy could be used to spur building and rehabilitation. The program waives fees for plan check and building permits for single family homes. Mayor and Council created this Incentive District on October 24, 2006 to encourage development in the downtown area. Developments that occur within the district boundaries may be eligible for fee waivers and expedited permit processing as well as other incentives. Development Standard NO. 9-10.0 establishes design standards for development in the Rio Nuevo and Downtown Zone. The Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan is an innovative and far reaching blueprint for growing in an intelligent and graceful manner in Pima County. The Plan is designed to benefit the natural systems and residents of Pima County and to save our best lands and most precious resources for future generations to enjoy. EPA helps communities grow in ways that expand economic opportunity, protect public health and the environment, and create and enhance the places that people love. This site has information related to smart growth including: research, tools, partnerships, case studies, grants, and technical assistance. | |
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Green building principles promote resource efficiency, the use of renewable and non-toxic building materials, and an overall reduction of the built environment’s impact on human heath and the natural environment; structure orientation, Green roofs, rainwater harvesting, grey water system native landscaping, renewable/recycled materials, low/no VOC paints, permeable surfaces |
Green Building Programs and Rating Systems Pima County Green Building Program ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. The Guarantee program is a new home program utilizing the systems approach to home construction. The systems approach deals with health and safety, comfort, durability and energy efficiency. Saving water also saves energy because it takes energy to deliver water. Look for the WaterSense label to choose quality, water-efficient products and fixtures. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) GreenScapes program provides cost-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for landscaping. Designed to help preserve natural resources and prevent waste and pollution, GreenScapes encourages companies, government agencies, other entities, and homeowners to make more holistic decisions regarding waste generation and disposal and the associated impacts on land, water, air, and energy use. Under its environmental initiative, Bank of America will emphasize the business opportunities created by "green" economic growth by providing critical financing to encourage the development of environmentally sustainable products and technology; accelerate the deployment of existing technology; and increase energy efficiency. Residential Gray Water Ordinance Requires the installation of gray water “stub-outs” in all new residential construction beginning on June 1, 2010. Requires all new commercial development to prepare a landscape water budget and supply 50% of the landscape water needs with harvested rainwater beginning on June 1, 2010. The City amended the 2006 International Residential Building Code to include Section R614: Earthen Wall Structures. This section of the Code begins on page 3 of the amendments. A full copy of the International Residential Code is available in the City Clerk’s Office. Mayor and Council adopted this code with amendments on June 12, 2007. The provisions of this code seek to maximize energy efficiency. A full copy of the Code is available in the City Clerk’s Office in Chapter 6, sec. 6-40 of the Tucson Code. In 1998, the City adopted the Sustainable Energy Standard (SES) for all new City buildings. The SES consisted of a modification to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and was developed to serve as the statement of energy requirements for all buildings in Civano. The intention of the SES is that it would also serve as a voluntary sustainable energy standard for other buildings throughout Tucson and Pima County. The SES requires that building energy efficiency is improved by at least 50% over the IECC guidelines. A full copy of the Code is available in the City Clerk’s Office in Chapter 6, sec. 6-40 of the Tucson Code. City of Tucson Solar Fee Credit Incentive The Solar Fee Credit Incentive will credit (or waive) a portion or all permit fees on a new building or when retrofitting existing buildings with a qualifying solar energy system. The program will credit the amount paid by an applicant for a building permit up to a maximum of $1,000 for the installation of a qualifying solar energy system or the actual amount of the permit fee, whichever is less. Impact Fee’s and Plan Check Fee’s will remain the same. The state of Arizona offers a solar tax credit for 25% of the cost of an approved solar device or system. The maximum allowable credit is $1,000 to be carried forward up to five years: it is deducted directly from state taxes owed. The state of Arizona offers a tax credit for 25% of the cost of the installation of a grey water conservation system. The maximum allowable credit is $1,000 to be carried forward up to five years: it is deducted directly from state taxes owed. The tax credits are available through 2011. Effective January 1, 2007, Arizona taxpayers who install a “water conservation system” (defined as a system to collect rainwater or residential greywater) in their residence may take a one-time tax credit of 25% of the cost of the system up to a maximum of $1,000. Builders are eligible for an income tax credit of up to $200 per residence unit constructed with a water conservation system installed. One stop informational hub for federal tax credits and IRS forms available for: Consumers- home improvements, cars, solar energy systems, fuel cells Home Builders Appliance Manufacturers Commercial Buildings Building from the Best educates citizens about planning and design policies; works with professionals to promote quality projects; recommends policy to local officials; and honors design and development that respect the area’s environment and character. The Green Guide for Rehab is an in-depth tool to help affordable housing owners and their consultants integrate green building and energy efficiency into the upgrades of their multifamily properties. Provides information designed to help building-industry professionals and policy makers improve the environmental performance, and reduce the adverse impacts, of buildings, such as design strategies and product guides. Highlights of the forthcoming ICC/NAHB National Green Building Standard, development of Green Building Certification for Inspectors, and other related information. In 1999, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, a small network consisting of public and private organizations, was founded as a direct result of a research project on the benefits of green roofs and barriers to industry development Technologies for building and construction professionals including construction waste management and recycled products. In most non-urban landscapes, rainwater percolates into the ground where it falls, slowly making its way through plant roots and soil to the groundwater reservoirs and aquifers which hold our drinking water. In developed areas, millions of square feet of concrete, asphalt, roofs, and other impermeable surfaces create enormous quantities of runoff which can overwhelm natural drainages, flood the areas where water does collect, and divert water away from groundwater reservoirs. These surfaces are considered impermeable because they are not porous enough to allow water to penetrate and soak into the ground below. New technologies exist to replace traditionally impermeable surfaces, such as parking lots, sidewalks, and streets, with permeable alternatives that allow water to soak into our aquifers. | |
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If your business occupies a space that has already been developed and built, there are still steps you can take to incorporate green building principles into your workplace. Reducing energy use can be as easy as changing your light bulbs and choosing energy efficient office products. Using no-VOC paint can improve indoor air quality and replacing landscaping with native vegetation will reduce water use. Also visit our Energy and Climate Change page for more related information. |
These EPA resources are designed to assist procurement officials in smart purchase decisions. Take advantage of online training to understand the full range of purchasing opportunities. Products in more than 50 categories are eligible for the ENERGY STAR. They use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment. RPN produces Purchasing Guides for a range of products and services, including: Bottled Water, Cleaners, Computers, Green Power, Fleets, Light-Duty Tires and Wheel Weights, Lighting, Office Electronics, and Paint. | |
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Studies show that green buildings improve productivity because they are healthier, resulting in fewer employee illnesses and sick days. The ascetics of green buildings can also improve performance and create a more content workforce. Educating your employees about the steps your business is taking to incorporate elements of green building into the organization will help them make better decisions about conserving energy and water use, the products and paints they use in their homes, and transportation choices. If you have employees that work from home, encourage them to incorporate your green building business strategies into their home office. |
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