GREEN BUILDING AND GREEN DEVELOPMENT Glastonbury Conservation Commission/Inland Wetlands Agency and Town Plan & Zoning Commission April 29, 2008 Robert J. Sitkowski, Esq., AIA, AICP Robinson & Cole LLP
What is Sustainability? Balance and Integration of Economic Goals Social (Equity) Goals Environmental Goals The Three E s
What is Responsible Growth? According to the February 4, 2008 Report of the Responsible Growth Task Force to Governor Rell:
What is Responsible Growth? Responsible growth is economic, social, and environmental development that uses land and resources in ways that enhance the long-term quality of life for Connecticut s current and future generations. Responsible growth supports a vibrant and resilient economy and preserves the natural resources upon both of which that quality of life depends. Responsible growth maximizes previous investments in existing infrastructure while preserving distinctive landscapes, historic structures, landmarks, and villages.
What is Responsible Growth? Responsible growth requires leadership and governance of the highest caliber to prioritize public decisions in a manner that maximizes the long-term benefits to the state s residents and communities. It demands a collaborative approach to analysis, decision-making, and evaluation between and among all levels of government to ensure consistency with integrated local, regional, and state-wide vision, plans, and strategies.
What is Sustainable Development? Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. United Nations. 1987. "Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development." General Assembly Resolution 42/187, 11 December 1987.
Framework: Buildings v. Development Pattern Buildings account for 30% to 40% of global energy use, be it in construction, operation or demolition. Less attention has been focused on patterns of development, but this is changing Different focus than other climate change discussions in the news
Green Building United States Green Building Council s (USGBC) LEED System Green Building Initiative s Green Globes System National Association of Home Builders National Green Building Program
What is LEED? Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
USGBC LEED Rating Systems
Green Building Rating System Sustainable Sites Water Efficiency Energy & Atmosphere Materials & Resources Indoor Environmental Quality Innovation in Design
Ratings Certified: 26 32 points Silver: 33 38 points Gold: 39 51 points Platinum: 52 69 points
CT Statutes Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 16a-38k For Public Buildings Rulemaking Public Hearing on April 11, 2008 Public Act No. 07-242 Section 78(b) For Private Buildings LEED Silver/Green Globes/Equivalent NOTE: May be repealed by pending Connecticut Global Warming Solutions Bill
What is LID? Low Impact Development
LEED-ND Rating System Smart Location & Linkage 30 possible points Neighborhood Pattern & Design 39 possible points Green Construction & Technology 31 possible points Innovation & Design Process
Ratings Certified: 40 49 points Silver: 50 59 points Gold: 60 79 points Platinum: 80 106 points
Pilot Projects in CT Storrs Center (Mansfield) Georgetown (Redding) 745 Chapel Street (New Haven) Metro Green (Stamford) Harbor Point (Stamford) River Oaks (Simsbury)
Compact Development is Green Development Such Plan of Conservation and Development shall... be designed to promote, with the greatest efficiency and economy, the coordinated development of the municipality and the general welfare and prosperity of its people and identify areas where it is feasible and prudent (i) to have compact, transit accessible, pedestrian-oriented mixed use development patterns and land reuse, and (ii) to promote such development patterns and land reuse,.... General Statutes Section 8-23(d)(1)(C)
The only thing people like less than sprawl is density.
Ways to Regulate Via Flexible Zoning Glastonbury s Planned Area Development (PAD) Via Design Guidelines Precision and Enforcement Issues Via More Prescriptive Controls Form-Based Codes
One Definition According to the Form-Based Codes Institute: A method of regulating development to achieve a specific urban form. Form-based codes create a predictable public realm by controlling physical form primarily, with a lesser focus on land use, through city or county regulations. www.formbasedcodes.org
Conventional v. Form-Based Approach From Parolek, et al., Form Based Codes (Wiley 2007) Use Segregation, Auto Orientation Organized by Use Use is Primary Reactive to Individual Development Proposals Generally Proscriptive Creates Buildings Mixed-use, Walkable, Compact Organized by Spatial Hierarchy Physical Form is Primary Proactive Community Visioning Generally Prescriptive Creates Places
Implementation Techniques Most Common Special Districts Permissive ( Parallel v. Floating) Mandatory (Mapped) Others Wholesale Rewrite of Regulations Strategic Intervention
Examples of FBCs Parolek, et al. Form Based Codes (Wiley 2008) Driehaus Form-Based Codes Awards www.formbasedcodes.org/awards_2008 www.formbasedcodes.org/awards_2007 FBCI 101, 201 & 301 Courses SmartCode Workshops
Components of a Form-Based Code Regulating Plan Urban / Building Form Standards Public Space Standards Administration Definitions
Context-Specific Components Block Standards Building Type Standards Landscape Standards Architectural Standards Not Exclusive to FBCs Signs Sustainability
Seaside Regulating Plan
The SmartCode Transect as Organizing Mechanism Version 9.2 available from www.smartcodecentral.com Includes Sustainability Module Works in Progress available from www.smartcodecomplete.com/learn/links Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, LLC.
Regular Plan / Conceptual Plan Land Use Plan Regulating Plan
Transect-Based Regulating Plans Montgomery, AL
Building Type-Based Regulating Plans Blue Spring, MO
Street Type-Based Regulating Plans Hercules, CA
Frontage-Based Regulating Plans Peoria, IL
Frontage-Based Regulating Plans Peoria, IL
Urban Standards Height Siting Elements Uses
Public Space Standards Parks & Squares Streets Sidewalks Parking Landscaping
Architectural Standards Exterior Building Walls Roofs & Parapets Street Walls Garden Walls Windows and Doors Signage Lighting and Mechanical Equipment
Web Resources www.usgbc.org www.ctgbc.org http://clear.uconn.edu/tools/lid/index.htm www.law.du.edu/rmlui/programs/codereform www.farrside.com/book www.cnu.org www.lincolninst.edu/subcenters/vd/