HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 354-0815
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT
SEPTEMBER 8, 2008 CMR: 354:08
ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE ADDING A NEW CHAPTER
16.18 TO THE PALO ALTO MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHING
LOCAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS FOR CERTAIN
BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS COVERED BY THE 2005
CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached ordinance adding a new Chapter
16.18 (Local Energy Efficiency Standards for Certain Buildings and Improvements Covered by the
2005 California Energy Code) to the Palo Alto Municipal Code.
BACKGROUND
On June 2, 2008, the Council passed Ordinance No. 5006, adopting mandatory green building
regulations for residential and commercial building projects. Additionally, the Council adopted a
companion Resolution No. 8825, establishing specific green building standards to comply with
the ordinance. The green building ordinance specifies use of the United States Green Building
Council (USGBC) LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) rating system for
commercial building projects and the Build it Green GreenPoint Rated system for residential
projects. Both rating systems specify minimum energy efficiency standards for buildings that
exceed the requirements of the current (2005) California Energy Code (Part 6 of Title 24 of the
California Code of Regulations) that the Council adopted on November 26, 2007 by Ordinance
No. 4980. The proposed ordinance is intended to make the energy efficiency requirements of
the locally adopted Energy Code consistent with those of the green building regulations.
DISCUSSION
Although the California Energy Code prescribes minimum energy performance standards for
new buildings, requiring increased energy efficiency at the local level will further reduce energy
costs for building owners, further reduce energy consumption during periods of peak demand
and further reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The proposed ordinance would apply to all new
CMR: 354:08 Page 1 of 3
residential and non-residential construction and would establish increased energy efficiency
standards that are roughly 15% greater than minimum standards in energy current code
requirements.
California Public Resources Code Section 25402.1(h)(2) states that modifications to the
California Energy Efficiency Standards by a local jurisdiction may be done only after a study has
been undertaken and findings made that determine that the proposed modifications are cost
effective. Upon introduction of the ordinance, the study and findings must be presented to the
California Energy Commission (CEC) prior to implementation of the proposed local standards.
After CEC review and approval, which could take up to three months, staff will bring the
ordinance back to Council for final adoption and the ordinance will be effective 30 days
thereafter.
Because, locally adopted energy efficiency standards also constitute amendments to the
California Buildings Standards Code,. after final adoption by Council, the ordinance
(amendments) must be filed with the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) and
must include additional findings that demonstrate how the amendments are reasonably necessary
due to unique local climatic, geologic or topographic conditions pursuant to California Health
and Safety Code Section 17958.5. To date, only 11 jurisdictions in the state have amended the
2005 Energy Code to establish increased local energy efficiency standards (see
http:/iwww.energ’g.ca.gov/title24/2005standards/ordinances exceeding. 2005 building, standard
s.htln!). Also, this process will be updated when the CEC publishes the next (2008) edition of
the California Energy Code.
A copy of the recently completed study ofPalo Alto’s proposed local Energy Code amendments,
"Palo Alto Green Building Ordinance Energy Cost-Effectiveness Study" prepared by Gabel
Associates, LLC, is attached and will be presented more fully to the Council at the September 8th
meeting. The study concludes that the increased energy efficiency standards of the City’s green
building regulations are cost-effective and would justify to the CEC increasing the City’s energy
standards.
The ordinance will be forwarded to the CEC following Council introduction at this meeting. The
ordinance will return for second reading following CEC review.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The Energy Code amendments are consistent with and directly support the City’s recently
adopted green building regulations.
RESOURCE IMPACT
Resource impacts from the adoption of the ordinance are limited to staff training costs and
implementation of public outreach efforts. As with the enforcement of the existing Energy Code
standards, these costs are recovered through Building Permit fees.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed ordinance preserves and enhances the environment, in that it would set forth
minimum energy efficiency standards within the City of Palo Alto for all new residential and
CMR: 354:08 Page 2 of 3
commercial construction. Thus, staff has determined that this action is exempt from the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with Public Resources Code
Section 15061(b)(3), because "it can be seen with certainty.that there is no possibility that the
activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment."
PREPARED BY:
LARRY I. PERLIN, PE
Chief Building Official
DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW:
CURTIS WILLIAMS
Interim Director of Planning and Community Environment
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
JAMES KEENE
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1.Ordinance adding a new Chapter 16.18 to the Palo Alto Municipal Code
establishing local energy efficiency standards for certain buildings and
improvements covered by the 2005 California Energy Code.
2.Palo Alto Green Building Ordinance Energy Cost-Effectiveness Study" prepared by
Gabel Associates, LLC.
COURTESY COPIES:
Chamber of Commerce
Stanford - Jean McCown
Home Builders Association
Board of Realtors
League of Woman Voters
Silicon Valley Leadership Group
Santa Clara Valley Chapter AIA
CMR: 354:08 Page 3 of 3