Design Review Committee Meeting
Location: Police Department Training Room, 909 Machin Avenue
February 21, 2007
Present: Bill Kelly, Chair
Jeff Cavener, Vice Chair
Beth Radovanovich
Patrick MacLeamy
Absent: None
Staff Present: Ron Averiette, Chief Building Official
Paul Bickner, Planner II
Jessica Woods, Recording Secretary
Chair Kelly called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. All Committee Members were present.
M/s, Cavener/MacLeamy (passed 4-0-0) to approve the Final Agenda as amended by discussing Item No. 2 regarding Bank of Marin first on the agenda because the Committee had no issues and that item would move quickly.
Gail Meyers, Carmel Drive resident, reminded the Committee to sign up for the Sustainable Plan meetings that are occurring, and one will be held on Wednesday, February 28th at 9am at Robert Todd.
CONTINUED ITEMS - None
1. GREEN BUILDING ORDINANCE
Consider recommending that the City Council adopt an ordinance adding a new Section 4-16 to the Novato Municipal code to require multi-family residential projects to comply with Green Building measures.
Ron Averiette, Chief Building Official, summarized the staff report and recommended that the Committee recommended that Council adopt the proposed ordinance.
Committee Member Cavener asked staff what the cost of compliance would be, and if there are any cost increases in regard to construction itself. Official Averiette responded that there is no additional construction cost. It takes additional planning in the beginning of a new project due to the “Community Design” section in regard to planning aspects. Staff stated that major renovations fall within the guidelines and requirements of rebuilding. Staff further added that energy, conservation and other materials are used that meet green guidelines.
Committee Member Cavener asked staff the average cost of compliance or percentage of design fee. He asked if there is any impact cost or feedback. Official Averiette indicated that in regard to a $2 million project, the green building paper work is minor. Other jurisdictions utilize green building inspectors and they require those inspectors to certify a building being constructed green. Staff did not take that approach because that is added cost to construction. They do it in-house, City inspectors look for green standards during the plan check phase as well as through the completion of construction. In the end, paper work must be completed, which adds more time to the inspectors workload, but insignificant as far as the end result.
Chair Kelly asked staff about photovoltaic. Official Averiette responded that applicants receive points for domestic water being used by solar. It is not mandatory, but there is a major cost savings in the long-term for tax credits and rebates through various agencies such as PG&E.
Committee Member Cavener asked staff if they received feedback in regard to a tiered benchmark and are they thinking of tightening that benchmark up requiring 75 points to possibly 100 points. Official Averiette stated that in regard to the single-family residential Green Building Ordinance, Council will revisit in 2008 and increase points required based on the survey. A survey will be completed in the next six months to meet Council’s request. Staff will recommend an increase in points for single-family residential. Alameda County has revised and adopted a new checkpoint list for single-family. Once the survey is completed, staff will recommend adopting that as the new guidelines.
Committee Member MacLeamy asked staff to explain the approval process. Official Averiette responded that the normal process starts with the DRC, then the Planning Commission and then to the Housing Building Code Appeal Board and ultimately to Council. Staff stated that all recommending bodies have recommended that Council adopt the ordinance. This process provides an opportunity for the public to include any comments during each stage of the approval process.
Chair Kelly asked staff if this process were fast tracked to Council and Commission, how soon would it be enacted. Official Averiette noted that it was forwarded to the Planning Commission, scheduled for the Housing Board on the 28th and then scheduled for the Council on March 27th. Staff noted that it would be 60 days after adoption, so early summer.
Chair Kelly opened the public hearing on this item.
Donn Davy, Sustainable Novato, urged the Committee to consider the following improvements:
1. Novato’s Green building guidelines have not been updated since 2004. Novato’s ordinance should incorporate the most recent (2006) Build It Green Guidelines.
2. In the future, each year the City should automatically incorporate updates of the Build It Green Guidelines, in the absence of specific City actions to modify them.
3. Raise the required minimum from 50 to 60 points for all new residential construction (as San Rafael’s draft green building ordinance does).
4. For additions greater than 50% of existing building square-footage, require 50 points from the Build It Green Remodeling Checklist.
5. Adopt the updated Remodeling Guidelines when they become available.
6. Following the City of Livermore and others, either send City inspectors to be trained in green points rating, or require third-party rating of projects.
7. Set a Green Building standard for new construction by the City, especially including the City Hall remodel, perhaps LEED Silver.
8. Set Green Building standards for new commercial construction.
9. Reduce fees and speed permits for solar hot water, and other energy-reducing projects (not just solar photovoltaic).
Mr. Davy added that by extending support for green building, Novato can continue to improve indoor air quality, reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, waste and negative impacts on the natural environmental. Also, it can further its reputation as a leader in quality of living and progressive business and investment. He asked the Committee to locally curb greenhouse gas emissions and turn the tide of global warming.
Official Averiette pointed out that solar hot water and windows are currently in effect.
Chair Kelly asked Mr. Davy the payback in regard to photovoltaic. Mr. Davy responded that it varies depending on the array. He further added that rebates are going down as well as costs.
Ed Mainland, Sustainable Novato/Sustainable Marin, appreciated the Committee that staff, the Commission and City officials formed to move this process forward. He complimented staff on this serious endeavor. He pointed out that the Chronicle and IJ printed an article indicating that Green Building is taking off. It is Bay Area wide, nationwide and global, so it is accelerating. He called the Committee’s attention to a web cast video that one can view at: www.2010imperative.org. He explained that it is a three-hour presentation by leading architects and scientists. They are making a connection between increasing global warming, the reasons for that global warming and how green building ties into this. In the United States as much as 40% of all energy wasted is wasted through housing, built structures and office buildings. AIA has an initiative and the AIA wanted all to face up to this tremendous energy that is wasted in the United States. The AIA wanted to see a national standard in the United State going to zero net buildings by the Year 2030. He further hoped the DRC takes a moment to view this video.
Gail Meyers, Carmel Drive resident, asked if a person must incorporate green building standards. Chair Kelly responded that there are a number of items to pick from to assemble a building and receive credit. Chair Kelly noted that if it is an ordinance, then one must comply with that ordinance.
Ms. Meyers did not see the reason for this ordinance when people have harmful items inside homes and buildings such as air conditioning units and new carpet. She did not think global warming had anything to do with green building. She wanted to know why single-family residences are being singled out. Official Averiette noted that air quality is covered under green buildings and high quality standards apply.
Mr. Mainland stated that indoor air quality is not a trivial item and this is not a joke. He further added that it has to do with people’s health.
Committee Member Cavener asked staff what triggers green building for a single-family home. Official Averiette responded that it is the same for both ordinances, which is 50% of interior wall space or over 50% increase in square footage of the existing home.
Committee Member Cavener discussed the potential for 20 points in regard to innovation and asked staff how that will be reviewed and judged. Official Averiette responded that it would be reviewed and judged by City staff. During that type of analysis of a submittal, it is judgmental. Staff explained that remodeling of existing buildings is more difficult than new construction due to limitations and that is why there is a lower point required for remodel. The remodel threshold is 30 points.
Ms. Meyers asked staff to discuss rebates. Official Averiette responded that site innovation includes water saving conservation for toilets as well as drip irrigation, which are all major items that are required by the Water District.
Mr. Davy discussed the date of the current checklist, which were developed back in 2004 and since then there have been two updates. Alameda Water District passed it onto Build It Green, which operates as a nonprofit third-party provider. He further noted that a 2006 checklist exists and should be used. Official Averiette responded that at the end of this year the multi-family new version checklist would be available. The 2007 update would be ready later this year for multi-family. Based on comments about updating on an annual basis or a regularly basis, the checkpoint list, because it is an issue with Council adopting by reference a document, they have no control over it. They must amend the ordinance every time there is an update and have Council review and adopt the amendment to the original ordinance.
There being no further public testimony on this item, Chair Kelly brought the matter back to the Committee for discussion and action.
Committee Member MacLeamy believed it is a sensible and practical ordinance. He further noted his support. The Committee concurred.
Chair Kelly asked for a motion.
M/s, MacLeamy/Cavener (passed 4-0-0) to recommend that Council adopt the proposed ordinance.
2. BANK OF MARIN SIGN
10701P; PRECISE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AMENDMENT
APN: 160-150-65; 504 REDWOOD BOULEVARD
Consider making a recommendation to the Planning Commission on an amendment to the Pell Plaza Precise Development Plan to allow a wall-mounted sign on the floor of an office building facing the freeway.
Paul Bickner, Planner II, summarized the staff report and recommended that the Committee recommend approval of the request. Staff also recommends that future sign applications be part of an overall sign program to be reviewed and approved at DRC level rather than through the mechanism of a Precise Development Plan Amendment.
Chair Kelly opened the public hearing on this item, and seeing no one wishing to speak, he brought the matter back to the Committee for action.
Chair Kelly asked for a motion.
M/s, Radovanovich/Cavener (passed 4-0-0) to recommend to the Planning Commission an amendment to the Pell Plaza Precise Development Plan to allow a wall-mounted sign on the floor of an office building facing the freeway.
PROJECT DESIGN WORKSHOP - None
GENERAL BUSINESS - None
ADJOURNMENT
BY ORDER OF THE CHAIR, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:16 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Recording Secretary