20081007_es

COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT

DATE:

September 2, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

October 7, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Lisa Grote, Director of Community Development

SUBJECT:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Consideration of an amendment to Division VII, Chapter 14, of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code (the Building Regulations) to amend the “Green Building Program” requiring minimum standards for new construction or substantial remodels of residential single-family, low-rise multi-family buildings, commercial and industrial buildings.

RECOMMENDATION

Approve the proposed amendments to Chapter 14 of the Building Regulations by adopting the required findings and the proposed amendments to the ordinance.

VISION ALIGNMENT

Commitment: The proposed amendments keep the commitment of “Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment.”

Goal 14 states: “Important natural resources are preserved and enhanced through environmental stewardship.”

The proposed modifications to the “Green Building” Program continue to encourage, among other things, the use of recycled materials and energy efficient appliances in building projects. The program will lower energy usage, reduce the operating and maintenance costs for buildings, provide a healthier indoor environment, and reduce waste in landfills.

PROPOSAL

The Planning and Building Department, in collaboration with the San Mateo County Green Building Task Force, is proposing amendments to the Green Building Program Regulations to clarify certain standards and requirements which will improve the effectiveness of the Program.

SUMMARY

On January 23, 2008, the Planning Commission recommended to this Board the establishment of the Green Building Program for unincorporated San Mateo County. On February 12, 2008, the Board adopted an ordinance establishing the Green Building Program (Ordinance No. 04411). This ordinance went into effect on March 27, 2008. The regulations established the minimum standards for new construction or substantial remodels (major remodels - 50% valuation or greater as determined by the Building Official) of residential single-family, low-rise multi-family, commercial and industrial buildings. Incentives for projects include expedited building permit processing and guaranteed building inspections within two working days of a request.

At the conclusion of the Board’s February 12, 2008, public hearing, you directed staff to return after six months and report on the effectiveness of the Program. Specifically, the number of applications received that require compliance with these regulations, expenses incurred by applicants for third-party raters, potential impacts to other building permits (minor type building permit applications), community outreach, and implementation effectiveness.

In summary, 38 applications for construction have been submitted; 37 residential applications and one commercial application. These applications represent less than 4% of the total workload (977 total permits). Only 13 applications qualified for expedited services. This is approximately 1% of the Department’s workload. There have been no appreciable impacts on the Department or on other applications. Initial cost estimates for third-party raters were between $700 and $1,000 per project. Based on recent surveys of Bay Area third-party raters, these services are now estimated between $1,000 and $1,400 per project. Regarding community outreach, the Department has convened approximately one public meeting per month to provide information about the Program and regulations. At the suggestion of the Task Force, in June, staff contacted all applicants participating in the Program to solicit feedback. Feedback addressed two primary issues: (1) the required $10,000 bond for projects at the 75 point and above level is a disincentive; and (2) third-party raters are difficult to find. Given this feedback, staff, the Task Force, and the Planning Commission propose modifications to simplify the process and provide a greater opportunity for applicants to invest these monies in their projects and benefit from Program incentives. Staff has also competed and is distributing an updated list of third-party raters at our public counter.

Planning Commission Action: At their September 10, 2008, public hearing, the Commission voted to recommend approval of the revised ordinance with clarifying language and requested that staff and the Task Force report back to it in six months to research and discuss potential “fee bate” alternatives and additional types of projects to include within the scope of the Program and regulations.

FISCAL IMPACT

The fiscal impact on the County is negligible.



COUNTY OF SAN MATEO Inter-Departmental Correspondence

PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT

DATE:		September 2, 2008
BOARD MEETING DATE:		October 7, 2008
SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:		None
VOTE REQUIRED:		Majority

TO:	Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:	Lisa Grote, Director of Community Development

SUBJECT:	EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Consideration of an amendment to Division VII, Chapter 14, of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code (the Building Regulations) to amend the “Green Building Program” requiring minimum standards for new construction or substantial remodels of residential single-family, low-rise multi-family buildings, commercial and industrial buildings.

RECOMMENDATION
Approve the proposed amendments to Chapter 14 of the Building Regulations by adopting the required findings and the proposed amendments to the ordinance.

VISION ALIGNMENT
Commitment: The proposed amendments keep the commitment of “Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment.”
Goal 14 states: “Important natural resources are preserved and enhanced through environmental stewardship.”

The proposed modifications to the “Green Building” Program continue to encourage, among other things, the use of recycled materials and energy efficient appliances in building projects. The program will lower energy usage, reduce the operating and maintenance costs for buildings, provide a healthier indoor environment, and reduce waste in landfills.

PROPOSAL
The Planning and Building Department, in collaboration with the San Mateo County Green Building Task Force, is proposing amendments to the Green Building Program Regulations to clarify certain standards and requirements which will improve the effectiveness of the Program.

SUMMARY
On January 23, 2008, the Planning Commission recommended to this Board the establishment of the Green Building Program for unincorporated San Mateo County. On February 12, 2008, the Board adopted an ordinance establishing the Green Building Program (Ordinance No. 04411). This ordinance went into effect on March 27, 2008. The regulations established the minimum standards for new construction or substantial remodels (major remodels - 50% valuation or greater as determined by the Building Official) of residential single-family, low-rise multi-family, commercial and industrial buildings. Incentives for projects include expedited building permit processing and guaranteed building inspections within two working days of a request.

At the conclusion of the Board’s February 12, 2008, public hearing, you directed staff to return after six months and report on the effectiveness of the Program. Specifically, the number of applications received that require compliance with these regulations, expenses incurred by applicants for third-party raters, potential impacts to other building permits (minor type building permit applications), community outreach, and implementation effectiveness.

In summary, 38 applications for construction have been submitted; 37 residential applications and one commercial application. These applications represent less than 4% of the total workload (977 total permits). Only 13 applications qualified for expedited services. This is approximately 1% of the Department’s workload. There have been no appreciable impacts on the Department or on other applications. Initial cost estimates for third-party raters were between $700 and $1,000 per project. Based on recent surveys of Bay Area third-party raters, these services are now estimated between $1,000 and $1,400 per project. Regarding community outreach, the Department has convened approximately one public meeting per month to provide information about the Program and regulations. At the suggestion of the Task Force, in June, staff contacted all applicants participating in the Program to solicit feedback. Feedback addressed two primary issues: (1) the required $10,000 bond for projects at the 75 point and above level is a disincentive; and (2) third-party raters are difficult to find. Given this feedback, staff, the Task Force, and the Planning Commission propose modifications to simplify the process and provide a greater opportunity for applicants to invest these monies in their projects and benefit from Program incentives. Staff has also competed and is distributing an updated list of third-party raters at our public counter.

Planning Commission Action: At their September 10, 2008, public hearing, the Commission voted to recommend approval of the revised ordinance with clarifying language and requested that staff and the Task Force report back to it in six months to research and discuss potential “fee bate” alternatives and additional types of projects to include within the scope of the Program and regulations.

FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact on the County is negligible.