Jan 24, 2008

Green building plan headed to supervisors

By Shaun Bishop / Daily News Staff Writer

Developers who score high on a "green" building checklist could be fast-tracked through the San Mateo County permitting process under a new ordinance on its way to the Board of Supervisors for consideration.

The ordinance approved Wednesday by the county's planning commission will affect remodels and new construction in unincorporated areas. Officials say it will make the county a leader in green construction.

Projects can receive points for everything from drought-tolerant plants to insulated water pipes to solar panels. Developers will be required to score at least 50 points on the checklist, but getting extra credit will mean their permits and building inspections will be prioritized.

"It's a pretty practical and reasonable approach," said Lennie Roberts, legislative advocate for the environmental group Committee for Green Foothills. "It's actually going to make a difference. It's not just voluntary. Voluntary measures can only go so far."

The nonprofit developer of the checklist, Build It Green, has created a rating system based on a building's energy use and impact on the environment. The list is designed to let developers choose the items that best fit their plans.

Under the recommendations passed Wednesday, new homes and remodels that would add more than 50 percent of the value of a home would be required to fill out the green checklist. Commercial buildings would also be included.

Projects that get 75 points on the checklist would be guaranteed a 30-day turnaround for comments on the initial building permit - a process that usually takes two to three months, said Matt Seubert, a senior planner for the county.

If a developer scores 100 points, county building inspectors will go to the site in two business days, compared to the usual four business days.

Some residents have said the ordinance makes the process too complex and should not be mandatory.

But getting the required 50 points should not be a major burden because many developers already use "green" techniques such as energy-efficient appliances and low-flow showerheads, said building inspector Michael O'Connell.

"We're fortunate to live in an area that is supportive of efforts to protect the environment," said Supervisor Mark Church, who proposed exploring a green building ordinance in July. "So the feedback has been very positive from both builders and consumers."

While cities have implemented similar programs, Church said the move would make the county one of the first in the state with such an ordinance.

Seubert said that only about 20 percent of the 500 permits the county issues annually for residential projects would fall under the green building program. The others are for more minor remodels, he said.

The Board of Supervisors is expected to take up the ordinance for final approval in February.



E-mail Shaun Bishop at sbishop@dailynewsgroup.com.