Green Building Point Rating System New Homes and Substantial Rebuilding Town of Portola Valley March 15, 2009 Tom Vlasic, Deputy Town Planner Town of Portola Valley March 15, 2009 Tom Vlasic, Deputy Town Planner

What is Green Building? Improving our site and building design and construction practices so that the the homes we build today will: last longer cost less to operate won’t harm people’s health Protecting natural resources and improving the built environment for people, communities and ecosystems Improving our site and building design and construction practices so that the the homes we build today will: last longer cost less to operate won’t harm people’s health Protecting natural resources and improving the built environment for people, communities and ecosystems

Why Does the Town Desire/Need a Green Building Rating System? Achieve Town Greenhouse Gas reduction goals. Part of town action plan to achieve climate protection goals. Encourage a new approach to thinking about building and use of space in homes in the town. It’s not about “green” points or score, but it is about homes and rebuilding that result in site improvements and structures better for the environment and healthier for the occupants based on careful consideration of specific factors: -- Energy Efficiency -- Resource Conservation -- Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality -- Water Conservation -- Community Quality Ensure the Town continues its Leadership role in protecting the environment, one of the cornerstones of Town incorporation. The health and quality of the Portola Valley environment make the community the special place it is and the climate action program will ensure the town retains its healthy environment for future generations.

Steps to Selection of PV Green Building Rating System A deliberate and careful process January 2006 San Mateo County “Sustainability Checklist” required as a project design tool. July 2007 Building, Energy Efficiency & Transportation (BEET) Committee of town Climate Protection Task Force recommends adoption of rating & tracking system for new construction & substantial remodels. Part of a multi-front climate protection plan. October 2007 Council tasks Planning Commission, ASCC and BEET committee to develop options for local Green building rating systems. December 2007 PC, ASCC & BEET subgroup begins one year process to develop recommendations for a Green building rating system. April 2008 “Building green” public participation workshop at Corte Madera School. Oct.-Dec Subgroup tentative recommendations shared with full PC, ASCC and town council. PC, ASCC and TC concur and town proceeds with additional Public Outreach Workshops, Feb. 28th & March 15th April 2009 With workshop input, Subgroup to prepare final recommendations to the town council for a Green building point rating system. These would be considered at public meetings later this year prior to adoption.

Subgroup Recommendations for Portola Valley Green Building Rating System New Homes Build it Green (BIG) GreenPoint Rated -- New Homes Adjust minimum base score for energy and conservation “up” with increase in size of project. Substantial Build it Green (BIG) GreenPoint Rated -- Existing Homes Rebuilding Set energy/conservation score at BIG minimums. (Use BIG checklist for small additions, but without any point mandates) April 1, 2009 Completed BIG checklists to required with New Projects BIG checklists replace the current San Mateo Co.“Sustainable Building” checklists. Initially, no mandatory point total or green building minimums. Checklist compliance self-certified. Aug. 1, 2009+/- Build it Green (BIG) GreenPoint Rated--New & Existing Homes Minimum Energy/Conservation Thresholds to take effect. To coincide with provisions of new State green building code Title 24 provision and BIG checklist updates.

Why BIG GreenPoint Rated System? BIG Build it Green (BIG) widely recognized, non-profit membership organization Developed for consumers & building professionals in California Proven system endorsed by the Home Builders Assoc. of Northern CA. Tested BIG in use for several years and has been tested in a System number of Cities throughout the State Locally used in Palo Alto, Los Altos, San Mateo County, Brisbane, & San Francisco Available BIG has an extensive web site with significant resources Resources directly linked to the GreenPoint rated system categories Links serve both the consumer and building professionals Include design, analysis and modeling tools as well as example projects Other Subgroup considered LEED and development of a town- Programs dedicated system and other options BIG found most cost effective and least cumbersome for applicants and town administration

BIG GreenPoint Rated System Checklist Categories for New & Existing Home Projects. Checklists assign points over a broad range of categories and set minimum levels for projects to be considered “green.” The applicant can choose the elements most appropriate for the project: A.Site I. Renewable Energy B.Foundation J. Building Performance C.Landscaping K. Finishes D.Structural, Frame & Building Envelope L. Flooring E.Exterior Finish M. Appliances & Lighting F.Insulation N. Other G.Plumbing O. Community Design & Planning H.Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning P. Innovation Minimum Rating Points for BIG Green Certification. New Homes ______________________ 50 points (maximum possible 382 points) Existing homes: “Whole” home project _________ 50 points (maximum possible 224 points) “Element” of home project _____ 25 points (maximum possible 224 points) Checklist Categories for New & Existing Home Projects. Checklists assign points over a broad range of categories and set minimum levels for projects to be considered “green.” The applicant can choose the elements most appropriate for the project: A.Site I. Renewable Energy B.Foundation J. Building Performance C.Landscaping K. Finishes D.Structural, Frame & Building Envelope L. Flooring E.Exterior Finish M. Appliances & Lighting F.Insulation N. Other G.Plumbing O. Community Design & Planning H.Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning P. Innovation Minimum Rating Points for BIG Green Certification. New Homes ______________________ 50 points (maximum possible 382 points) Existing homes: “Whole” home project _________ 50 points (maximum possible 224 points) “Element” of home project _____ 25 points (maximum possible 224 points)

BIG GreenPoint Rated Process & Resources Design project using GreenPoint checklist & guidelines. Submit application to planning department with completed checklist on one of the sheets of the project plans. Obtain approvals through design review (ASCC) and building permit process demonstrating project compliance with checklist items. Build project in compliance with approved plans. Certify compliance with BIG checklist using certified GreenPoint Raters. ********************************** BIG Resources: Available for downloading at or -- New and Existing Homes Guidelines and Checklists -- Listing and directory of Green Products -- Building certification program -- Design/Analysis/Modeling Tools -- Cost data and case studies Also visit for excellent San Mateo Countywww.recycleworks.org/greenbuilding Green building resources & for statewide studies of green projects Design project using GreenPoint checklist & guidelines. Submit application to planning department with completed checklist on one of the sheets of the project plans. Obtain approvals through design review (ASCC) and building permit process demonstrating project compliance with checklist items. Build project in compliance with approved plans. Certify compliance with BIG checklist using certified GreenPoint Raters. ********************************** BIG Resources: Available for downloading at or -- New and Existing Homes Guidelines and Checklists -- Listing and directory of Green Products -- Building certification program -- Design/Analysis/Modeling Tools -- Cost data and case studies Also visit for excellent San Mateo Countywww.recycleworks.org/greenbuilding Green building resources & for statewide studies of green projects

BIG GreenPoint Rated New Home Checklist

BIG New Home Building Performance Provisions

BIG New Home Landscape Provisions

For the Inspired Going Beyond Build it Green!! Energy Star for New Homes LEED for Homes American Lung Association Health House Living Building Challenge National Wildlife Federation, Certified Wildlife Habitat Energy Star for New Homes LEED for Homes American Lung Association Health House Living Building Challenge National Wildlife Federation, Certified Wildlife Habitat

Costs v. Benefits of GreenPoint Rating Program A comprehensive “green building” analysis by the State of California in 2003 concluded that, at that time, an initial “minimal upfront” investment of 2% of construction costs typically yields life cycle savings of over 10 times the initial investment. Since 2003, the “upfront” costs have been decreasing rapidly and BIG has found that in many cases costs for green are equivalent to or less than for “standard” building practices. The financial benefits of green building include lower energy, waste disposal and water costs, lower environmental and emissions costs, lower operation and maintenance costs and healthier and more productive living environments. In October of 2008, a cost.v benefit analysis for the City of Santa Rosa evaluated the BIG program. It set Tiers for single family homes, based on GreenPoint system & estimated incremental costs related to point tiers, pay-back time & annual Ghg savings. For a single family house, roughly 2,600 sf (largest evaluated), the study found implementing Tier 1 (50 pts. BIG), to Tier 3 (80 pts. BIG) could cost $1 to $8 per sf (low to high), with a payback period between 5-12 years. The C0 2 savings, on an annual basis, were found to range from.5 to 1 lb. per sf. For a 2,600 sf home the C0 2 savings would be from 1,300 lbs. - 2,600 lbs. annually For an average size house in town, it would likely be double the Santa Rosa example. According to subgroup findings, i.e., data from local architects, the cost to add the GreenPoint Rating system into a local house planning project should be minimal, but there would be some added construction cost. This would depend, however, on the specific proposals and complexity of the project. Typical cost for GreenPoint Rating Certification would be in the range of $800 to $2,000 depending on the size of the project. For BIG processing, a there is an additional fixed cost of $400. The town is exploring options to off-set the costs for the certification process. A comprehensive “green building” analysis by the State of California in 2003 concluded that, at that time, an initial “minimal upfront” investment of 2% of construction costs typically yields life cycle savings of over 10 times the initial investment. Since 2003, the “upfront” costs have been decreasing rapidly and BIG has found that in many cases costs for green are equivalent to or less than for “standard” building practices. The financial benefits of green building include lower energy, waste disposal and water costs, lower environmental and emissions costs, lower operation and maintenance costs and healthier and more productive living environments. In October of 2008, a cost.v benefit analysis for the City of Santa Rosa evaluated the BIG program. It set Tiers for single family homes, based on GreenPoint system & estimated incremental costs related to point tiers, pay-back time & annual Ghg savings. For a single family house, roughly 2,600 sf (largest evaluated), the study found implementing Tier 1 (50 pts. BIG), to Tier 3 (80 pts. BIG) could cost $1 to $8 per sf (low to high), with a payback period between 5-12 years. The C0 2 savings, on an annual basis, were found to range from.5 to 1 lb. per sf. For a 2,600 sf home the C0 2 savings would be from 1,300 lbs. - 2,600 lbs. annually For an average size house in town, it would likely be double the Santa Rosa example. According to subgroup findings, i.e., data from local architects, the cost to add the GreenPoint Rating system into a local house planning project should be minimal, but there would be some added construction cost. This would depend, however, on the specific proposals and complexity of the project. Typical cost for GreenPoint Rating Certification would be in the range of $800 to $2,000 depending on the size of the project. For BIG processing, a there is an additional fixed cost of $400. The town is exploring options to off-set the costs for the certification process.