Sustainability Website - Laserfiche WebLink

New Search

building projects or existing buildings not required to achieve certification, commissioning should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and implemented if there will be an overall positive benefit. Commissioning is not expected to be of benefit for non-occupied buildings, due to the minimal electrical and mechanical systems typically used in un-staffed facilities. What are the Exemptions? _ ~~echr~ical e~empt,ons havo been d,scu45ec~~ilxwe~related to limitations due to fun~lin~~ :;uurcesF~and tyi~c of constructi~~n lhatlacks buildings~~st~is ne~cdcc~certiFication. For `certiliable" projcctsl any policy may have unintended ,consequences when applied to "real life" situations. Exemptions should be designed to allow resolution of unforeseen problems, while supporting the underlying goal of the original policy. ~ An important underlying assumption is that sustainable buildings hake significantly lower ongoing operations and maintenance costs. Some sustainable building pry tices may ktave higher initial costs, compared to standard construction practices. The more "cutttm edge" iL1.~e F:technology-such as photovoltaics or building-scale wind generation the hi her this initial cost preuiiun~ may be. Using LEED criteria as a standard will help achieve the exp d long-t cost savings, ~ t LED rating system emphasizes efficiencies in building heating, c~olin~ -and elec , al systems, reduced ~ ater use and low-maintenance finishes and grounds that significantly reduce olnratir ghosts. However, the expectation that sustainable 1uilding practices caii ,bc "cost neutral" may not be true in all cases. The recommendation is that, in the case ~~iere certification at e Silver level is not cost-neutral, the requirement for certification may be deceased to a "Certified" lov~el r Waived a) if those costs are more than 10%. above the estimated cost of cc1T Struction ~4 i'rhout. those , asures or b) if the additional costs are not eligible to be covered by the proje fundir ~ouie: To nsure the application of this ex- emption is used judiciously, a ~iding of the need f~~r cc` ificatio~~ at }over than the Silver level or waiver of the certification requirement w,l l be made availableto the public prior to construction of a project. x [Alternate exemptio ~n~ua~e suggest d by Brad& B~b~ b)!,if the snstainability and certification goals and requirements have :not f~ecn t7~rii~lly accepted b ° the organization providing external funding, c) there is a significant r-cciuction in ~,pe r capital funds due to unforeseen external conditions; art~3 d) i~t}~e C'ii.~ llana~cr- rfete~ that the interest of the public is best served by an exemption; j ~ _ Politi , The Cite c>f C_;uRen~~e shall iria~rporate principles of sustainability in the planning, fmancing, design, consmiction. d~~ration and ~rraintenanee of City buildings and associated facilities. 'ln addition, tu~j projects lowhich cation is technica}1v f~.asihl a. All new construction and additions encompassing 5,000 gross square feet or more of building area shall achieve the equivalent of a Silver certification level 'of the U.S. Green Building Council's LEEDTM Green Building Rating System for New Construction (LEED-NC). A higher equivalent rating (Gold or Platinum) should be sought where practicable. b. Building renovation projects of 5,000 gross square feet or larger will be evaluated for certifica- tion on a case-by-case basis, and the feasibility of incorporating sustainable features within the context of the existing building will vary widely from project to project. New construction, additions, renovations and additions encompassing less than 5,000 gross square feet of building area shall use LEED-NC as a guide. 6