WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In an effort to develop earth-friendly land use policies and fight global warming, the West Hollywood City Council will consider final approval of the Green Building Requirements and Incentives for Private Development Ordinance (Green Building Ordinance) for both residential and commercial development at its regularly scheduled meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 16, 2007, at West Hollywood Park Auditorium, 647 N. San Vicente Boulevard. If adopted, the ordinance will establish one of the first mandatory "green building" programs in the country. "The City has been a leading force in enacting policies to promote the environment. Passage of the Green Building Ordinance continues this legacy and represents a truly collaborative effort between the public and private sectors," said West Hollywood Councilmember Abbe Land, who co-sponsored the item. "Together, we will continue to make West Hollywood a sustainable place to live and work for our future," she continued. The Green Building Requirements and Incentives for Private Development Ordinance focuses on the following: 1. Establishes new development standards that apply to all development, including all new residential and commercial projects as well as remodels and tenant improvements; 2. Develops a point system for new construction with incentives for projects that achieve "exemplary" status; and 3. Implements "green building" education and outreach program. The "green" development standards are green building requirements for remodels, tenant improvements, additions and new construction. These standards will be incorporated into the Zoning Ordinance so that all projects incorporate elements such as drought-tolerant landscaping, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and energy efficient appliances. The green building point system will be incorporated in all new structures, with incentives for projects that go above and beyond minimum requirements. The requirements are structured as a point system to allow for maximum flexibility and the points allowed each reflect West Hollywood’s unique opportunities and constraints. Specifically, the point system was designed to emphasize locally-available materials, encourage green elements to be incorporated early into project design and provide flexibility to alter green elements as the project evolves. The education and outreach component of the Green Building Ordinance includes the establishment of a Green Building Resource Center at West Hollywood City Hall which will include educational materials and provide information and outreach to the development community, homeowners, renters, and businesses. This includes a manual for the City’s Green Building Ordinance to explain each requirement. Since its incorporation in 1984, the City of West Hollywood has embraced "Responsibility for the Environment" as one of the City of West Hollywood's core values. The City of West Hollywood has made many notable achievements in support of sustainability and green practices including: * Greening West Hollywood Plan - The Greening West Hollywood Plan was created to protect and enhance the urban forest by identifying public-rights-of-way to create increased green space within the City. The plan identifies multiple strategies - some of which are large such as new parks and some of which are small such as planting of trees within the City. * Food Waste Recycling Program - The Food Waste Recycling Program was established in 2004. It's an innovative program that collects food waste from more than 200 restaurants in the City which is then processed into compost for agricultural uses. The program has won a number of awards for its earth-friendly practices. * Committing to purchase hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles - Since 2003 the City of West Hollywood has made a commitment to energy efficient vehicles. Currently, more than 90 percent of the City's parking enforcement vehicles are hybrids. As older vehicles go off line they are replaced with hybrids. * Green Rooftops Program - The Green Rooftop Program adds vegetative rooftops to future city buildings in order to promote occupant health and comfort while minimizing negative impacts on the environment. * Joining the California Climate Action Registry - In 2006, the City joined the California Climate Action Registry to voluntarily monitor and quantify its greenhouse gas emissions particularly carbon dioxide on an annual basis. This helps to identify ways to reduce emissions that could lead to global warming. * Electronic and Household Waste Disposal - The City of West Hollywood provides electronic and household waste disposal information on its website. The City also regularly provides drop-off locations for residents to dispose of electronic and household waste that has many highly-toxic components such as mercury, PCBs, PVC coated cables, cadmium and lead.
