On December 16, 2008 the Santa Rosa City Council accepted the Green Building Advisory Committee Report. Guidelines for new construction were adopted, and RETROFIT (existing buildings) guidelines/requirements are being developed now.
The City has removed the link for the Advisory Report from their website. We are providing this information to you so that you may become involved in the process.
Recommendations C & D are relevant to existing properties. THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE QUOTES FROM THE GREEN BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT:
"Recommendation C: Establish a Citywide Program of Energy Conservation Audits, identifying needed improvements to individual properties.
Recommended Council Action, 2008-9: Adopt an ordinance establishing the following program:
1. After a phase-in period, require all residential and commercial properties, not otherwise exempted, to complete an energy-conservation audit prior to transfer of title from seller to buyer, with the results of the audit to be made available as a local disclosure item to buyer prior to close of escrow.
2. Require completion of the audit to identify eligible improvements under the energy conservation and solar financing districts, as described above.
3. In consultation with PGE and other organizations as appropriate, establish a standard form for the audit, and establish criteria for authorized, certifying energy auditors. Current experience suggests the price to consumers will be approximately $200 to $300 for a visual-only inspection, and $600 to $700 (updated to $750) for a comprehensive evaluation that includes blower door testing and 'testing out' to ensure the effectiveness of energy efficiency measures undertaken in response to the audit.
4. Exemptions from the audit requirements will be established at the time of ordinance development, after the fairness and effectiveness of potential exemptions are fully evaluated.
Recommendation D: Establish energy efficiency requirements for existing residential and non-residential buildings, to be triggered by a transfer of title or major renovation.
1. Require that residential and non-residential buildings, unless otherwise exempted, be brought up to specified energy standards when they transfer title or undergo a major renovation. A major renovation for the purpose of this program will be defined as a major improvement to the building's shell, rather than mere capital replacements and maintenance items.
4. Cap the amount required to be spent on energy efficiency improvements to .5% of a home's estimated final sale price, until such time that an energy conservation financing district or similar mechanism allows sellers to finance required improvements, at which time the cap will be raised to 1.5%. No measure shall be required that is not cost-effective.
6. Compliance with the program will be the responsibility of the seller, but can be transferred to the buyer with the seller's agreement. A seller will need to provide, at the close of escrow, certification of program compliance or an agreement from the buyer to accept responsibility for complying with the ordinance within 1 year. An enforcement mechanism minimizing city costs and intrusion will be developed to ensure meaningul compliance with these requirements."
The City Manager, Jeff Kolin, has posted a response to our informational flyer on the city's website. Here's what he says:
As part of their work, the Green Building Advisory Committee recommended the City adopt a mandatory audit, and energy efficiency improvements triggered by a transfer of title or major renovation; however, neither of these recommendations was approved. Instead, the City Council adopted work plans which envision a broad based evaluation of these and other topics related to the retro-fit of existing buildings. No policy adoption, or staff work has occurred regarding the existing building retro-fit program, other than the preparation of the work plans and submittal of grant applications.
The Planning Commission is now recommending changes to the 2035 General Plan that are nearly identical to the Green Building Advisory Committee Report Recommendations C & D.
We all recognize that there are advantages to using energy wisely and reducing our dependence on foreign oil, but our local government seems to be in the process of enacting requirements that are invasive, expensive, and ineffective in attaining the goals they seek. There are other ways to incentivize making upgrades to existing homes that we believe have not been fully exhausted. Mandatory programs should be a last resort. NO other city in the entire nation has made this a mandatory program. We do not support this extreme action.
Get involved. Call Mayor Gorin 707 543 3010 or email her at [email protected]
Recommendations C & D are relevant to existing properties. THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE QUOTES FROM THE GREEN BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT:
"Recommendation C: Establish a Citywide Program of Energy Conservation Audits, identifying needed improvements to individual properties.
Recommended Council Action, 2008-9: Adopt an ordinance establishing the following program:
1. After a phase-in period, require all residential and commercial properties, not otherwise exempted, to complete an energy-conservation audit prior to transfer of title from seller to buyer, with the results of the audit to be made available as a local disclosure item to buyer prior to close of escrow.
2. Require completion of the audit to identify eligible improvements under the energy conservation and solar financing districts, as described above.
3. In consultation with PGE and other organizations as appropriate, establish a standard form for the audit, and establish criteria for authorized, certifying energy auditors. Current experience suggests the price to consumers will be approximately $200 to $300 for a visual-only inspection, and $600 to $700 (updated to $750) for a comprehensive evaluation that includes blower door testing and 'testing out' to ensure the effectiveness of energy efficiency measures undertaken in response to the audit.
4. Exemptions from the audit requirements will be established at the time of ordinance development, after the fairness and effectiveness of potential exemptions are fully evaluated.
Recommendation D: Establish energy efficiency requirements for existing residential and non-residential buildings, to be triggered by a transfer of title or major renovation.
1. Require that residential and non-residential buildings, unless otherwise exempted, be brought up to specified energy standards when they transfer title or undergo a major renovation. A major renovation for the purpose of this program will be defined as a major improvement to the building's shell, rather than mere capital replacements and maintenance items.
4. Cap the amount required to be spent on energy efficiency improvements to .5% of a home's estimated final sale price, until such time that an energy conservation financing district or similar mechanism allows sellers to finance required improvements, at which time the cap will be raised to 1.5%. No measure shall be required that is not cost-effective.
6. Compliance with the program will be the responsibility of the seller, but can be transferred to the buyer with the seller's agreement. A seller will need to provide, at the close of escrow, certification of program compliance or an agreement from the buyer to accept responsibility for complying with the ordinance within 1 year. An enforcement mechanism minimizing city costs and intrusion will be developed to ensure meaningul compliance with these requirements."
The City Manager, Jeff Kolin, has posted a response to our informational flyer on the city's website. Here's what he says:
As part of their work, the Green Building Advisory Committee recommended the City adopt a mandatory audit, and energy efficiency improvements triggered by a transfer of title or major renovation; however, neither of these recommendations was approved. Instead, the City Council adopted work plans which envision a broad based evaluation of these and other topics related to the retro-fit of existing buildings. No policy adoption, or staff work has occurred regarding the existing building retro-fit program, other than the preparation of the work plans and submittal of grant applications.
The Planning Commission is now recommending changes to the 2035 General Plan that are nearly identical to the Green Building Advisory Committee Report Recommendations C & D.
We all recognize that there are advantages to using energy wisely and reducing our dependence on foreign oil, but our local government seems to be in the process of enacting requirements that are invasive, expensive, and ineffective in attaining the goals they seek. There are other ways to incentivize making upgrades to existing homes that we believe have not been fully exhausted. Mandatory programs should be a last resort. NO other city in the entire nation has made this a mandatory program. We do not support this extreme action.
Get involved. Call Mayor Gorin 707 543 3010 or email her at [email protected]
