The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About3 Sustainability SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: January 30, 2009 AGENDA ITEM: DEPARTMENT: City Manager’s Office CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson PREPARED BY: Barbara Powell DIRECTOR: Assistant City Manager SUBJECT: Community Sustainability OVERVIEW: The City of Saratoga has undertaken a number of actions related to creating a more sustainable community. This report includes: 1. A discussion of how sustainability is defined; 2. A review of measures already taken by the City of Saratoga to promote community sustainability; 3. Some additional measures that could be taken to further long-term community sustainability; and 4. Examples of sustainability measures underway in other local jurisdictions. BACKGROUND: What is Sustainability? One way to define sustainability is “. . . related to the quality of life in a community – whether the economic, social and environmental systems that make up the community are providing a healthy, productive, meaningful life for all community residents, present and future”. 1 “Sustainability requires managing all households – individual, community, national and global – in ways that ensure that our economy and society can continue to exist without destroying the natural environment on which we all depend.”2 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1 ”An introduction to sustainability”, www.sustainablemeasures.com/Sustainability/index.html, 2008. 2 ”A better view of sustainable community”, www.sustainablemeasures.com/Sustainability/ABetterView.html, 2008. 1 2 What has Saratoga done to promote sustainability? Economy: Village improvements (streetscape, lighting, traffic calming) Gateway project Chamber support Proposed Conditional Use Permit fee waiver Society: Affordable housing (Housing Element) Community Development Block Grants (plus Council’s Community Grant Program) SASCC support Recreation classes, sports fields, parks, trails, open space, community based theater Artsopolis community calendar Sheriff’s Office involvement in schools (Code Red, Code Blue, Bicycle Safety) Highway 9 Safety Improvements CERT training Historic property designations City Commissions and Committees/Civic engagement Environment: City’s “Greening” efforts (see Attachment “A”) Chapters & Sections of Municipal Code Related to Sustainability (see Attachment “B”) Note: A report to the City Council concerning compiling/referencing these chapters & sections in a new section of the Municipal Code is forthcoming.) Heritage Orchard Preservation What additional measures could Saratoga undertake to promote sustainability? General: Create a Sustainability “Vision” Develop Sustainability indicators and track progress Economy: Infrastructure/economic stimulus improvements (see Attachment “C) Residential solar financing via City loans paid through property assessments Grant-funded projects (dependent upon state & federal funding) Additional fee waivers Others? Society: Increase Council’s Community Grant Program Others? 3 Environment: Water conservation measures (e.g. waterless urinals in City parks, upgrading old fashioned irrigation controllers to weather station variety, and converting some turf areas to mulch or gold fines, as we have done at El Quito Park -- could save over 12,000 gallons of water/year) “Green” Infrastructure improvements (see Attachment “C” – highlighted in yellow) Purchase of additional hybrid vehicles Environmentally-friendly purchasing policy Increased green building requirements for residential and commercial construction Ban/fees on non-biodegradable/compostable/recyclable materials (e.g. polystyrene, other plastics) Others? What are other local jurisdictions doing to promote sustainability? Attachment “D” illustrates sustainability efforts currently underway in neighboring jurisdictions. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment “A” – City’s Greening Efforts Attachment “B” – Chapters/Sections of Municipal Code Attachment “C” – Proposed Economic Stimulus Projects Attachment “D” – Other Jurisdictions’ Sustainability Efforts 4 Attachment “A” Greening the City of Saratoga Current Environmentally-friendly Projects/Programs 1. WASTE MANAGEMENT Funding a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program Entered into a new Waste Management Franchise Agreement; achieved over 60% waste diversion rate for Saratoga Construction & Demolition Debris Recycling Program in place Paperless City Council agenda packets 2. PEST MANAGEMENT Integrated Pest Management Program, providing for reduction or elimination of chemicals to the maximum extent practicable 3. ENERGY EFFICIENCY Working with PG&E, the City retrofitted exit lights, and replaced lighting ballasts and light bulbs with more energy efficient models Converted all traffic lights to LED Evaluating the feasibility of converting tree lights in the Village to LED Off-Fridays conserve energy, reduce water use and reduce vehicle-miles traveled by City employees 4. VEHICLES Regularly replacing older City vehicles with new models to bring the City’s fleet up to date with better fuel economy (City fleet currently includes Natural Gas-fueled and two hybrid vehicles) 5. PLANNING & BUILDING Residential Design Handbook includes policies and techniques to “integrate structures with the environment” and to “design for energy efficiency” City Ordinance only allows one wood-burning fireplace Numerous conditions for projects concerning pest reduction and drought tolerant plants, plus numerous storm water–related requirements Lowest priced permits for solar panels in Santa Clara County Currently distributing Green Building checklists at planning/building counters Building requirement for storm water to be maintained on site to maximum extent feasible Support for impervious paving systems 6. PUBLIC INFORMATION “Go Green in Saratoga” pages on the City’s website Staff education – using reusable materials (ceramic mugs instead of paper cups), turning off lights, avoiding unnecessary printing and travel) 7. LANDSCAPING 50 trees were planted in fiscal year 2007-08 Parks Division converting some turf areas to mulch or gold fines, such as at El Quito Park Started installing weather-station irrigation controllers on City medians, parks and property (expected to result in a 30% savings in water use) Planted drought resistant plants on City’s Allendale frontage 5 8. FACILITIES Working with our paint vendors and contractors to use paints with low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Looking into installing a Photovoltaic system on a City building roof within the near future Using more recycled content and environmentally friendly chemicals and paper products City-wide In process of installing two high efficiency tankless water heaters at the Senior Center In process of replacing controls on City facility toilets with improved automatic control flush valves (reduces water use) Replaced copiers including “most environmentally friendly” criteria 9. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS INVENTORY Working with Joint Venture Silicon Valley and ICLEI to prepare a baseline Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for City operations. 6 Attachment “B” Chapters and Sections of the City of Saratoga Municipal Code that Relate to Sustainability 2-45.95 Recycled Paper Mandates the establishment of procedures for purchasing recycled paper and paper products, giving preference to recycled materials when all other factors are equal. 4-65.090 Recyclers: Quarterly Reports Requires quarterly reports on meeting waste reduction goals. 6-15.070 Discharge of pollutants into storm drains and watercourses. Establishes a misdemeanor for depositing pollutants into natural waterways and storm drains. 9-70 Transportation Demand Management Promotes the implementation of programs to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in the City. 14-25.065 Subdivisions: Design Requirements: Creek protection easement To protect creeks, creek banks, and associated wildlife habitats, prohibits building within a specified area around a protected creek. 15-16 P-C: Planned Community District Allows for the creation of Planned Community Districts, which include smaller, less expensive housing, in addition to dedicating space for parks and recreation uses. 15-20.050(j) R-OS: Residential Open Space District, Development Criteria: Landscaping In R-OS areas, gives preference to natural, indigenous, and drought-resistant plants. 15-45.055 Residential Design Handbook. Requires that all single-family structures be built in accordance with the guidelines in the Residential Design Handbook, which includes information on energy efficiency and promotes native vegetation and minimizing the amount of paved surfaces. 15-47 Water-Efficient Landscapes To promote water conservation, encourages water-efficient landscaping including programming watering devices to account for weather patterns, using recycled water for landscape irrigation, and grouping plants for efficient watering. Also requires that the City inform new home-owners about water-efficient landscapes. 15-48 Limitations on Wood-burning Fireplaces To improve air quality, limits installation of fireplaces in new construction, and outlaws burning garbage, plastics, rubber, paint, and anything that might emit noxious or toxic fumes. 15-50 Tree Regulations Provides for the preservation of trees, which offer both scenic and climatic benefits to the City. Requires approval for the removal of protected trees (15-50.050), and gives the City the power to require the planting of new trees as a condition for approving the removal of a tree (15-50.080). 15-52 Small Wind Energy Systems Enables construction of small wind energy conversions systems for home, farm, and small commercial use. 15-56 Second Dwelling Units 7 Section 15-56.030(d) allows additional site coverage and allowable floor area in a second dwelling unit, if that unit is deed restricted to only be rented to below market rate households. 15-80.030(f) Miscellaneous Regulations and Exceptions: Solar panels Full text of 15-80.030(f): Subject to approval by the Community Development Director, solar panels not exceeding six feet in height may be located within any portion of a rear setback area. 15-81 Housing Density Bonus Provides for incentives for high-density housing that includes housing specifically set aside for senior citizens and low income persons. 16-72 Construction and Demolition Debris Requires a recycling plan for construction and demolition debris for projects with more than 2,500 square feet of floor space. Plans should maximize waste diverted from landfills, and are documented, approved, and overseen by City staff. 16-75.030 Water Conservation Devices Requires that all newly constructed buildings incorporate water conservation devices into plumbing and irrigation systems. 8 Attachment “C” Project Description Type of Project Project(s) Cost Herriman Avenue Crosswalk Improvements: Enhancement $ 25,000 Prospect Road Median Project: Enhancement $2,544,630 Sobey Road Culvert Repair: Rehabilitation $ 150,000 Village Sidewalk Repairs (Sidewalk/C&G): Rehabilitation $ 626,000 Saratoga Sunnyvale Road ADA Curb Ramps: Enhancement $ 57,309 Saratoga Avenue Sidewalk Project: Capacity Expansion $ 250,000 Quito Road Sidewalk Improvements: Capacity Expansion $ 250,000 Comer Drive Retaining Wall Repair: Rehabilitation $ 200,000 Historic Park Landscaping Improvements: Rehabilitation $ 37,200 Ravenswood Park Playground Upgrade Project: Rehabilitation $ 55,000 Wildwood Park Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation $ 125,000 Hakone Gardens Upper Moon House Foundation Repair: Rehabilitation $ 125,000 Bus Stop Shelter Concrete Pads & Wooden Shelters: Enhancement $ 40,000 City Hall Emergency Generator Project: Enhancement $ 50,000 City Compost Bins: Green Technology $ 10,000 City Hall Solar Project: Green Technology $1,500,000 Cool Roofs: Green Technology $ 164,000 High Efficiency HVAC Systems: Green Technology $ 690,000 Double Pane Windows: Green Technology $ 157,000 Energy Star Compliant Appliances: Green Technology $ 20,000 Ceiling Insulation: Green Technology $ 160,000 Motion Control Lighting: Green Technology $ 8,000 Highway 9 Pedestrian Safety Improvements Capacity Expansion $3,700,000 PG&E De Anza Trail (Reach 3) Capacity Expansion $ 700,000 Citywide Signal Upgrade Project Phase (2) & (3) Intelligent Transportation System $1,250,000 Saratoga Ave Rehabilitation and Overlay Rehabilitation $1,000,000 Saratoga Accessible Pedestrian Signals Intelligent Transportation System $ 300,000 Bike-Pedestrian Rail Crossing between Fredericksburg Dr & Guave Capacity Expansion $ 325,000 City Wide Pavement Management Rehabilitation $ 4,000,000 Big Basin Way Turnaround Enhancement $ 350,000 City Wide Bicycle Loops Enhancement $ 175,000 9 Attachment “D” Local Governments’ Sustainability Efforts The following programs, policies, and ordinances are currently in place or in the process of being implemented at the specified cities. Campbell Cupertino Los Altos Los Gatos Menlo Park Morgan Hill Palo Alto San Carlos Santa Clara Climate inventory / carbon footprint Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Climate action plan Y Y Y Y Y Y Signed U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Climate change and/or sustainability task force Y Y Y Y Y Green building policy Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Require GreenPoint rating for residential buildings checklist checklist 50 points checklist checklist 70 points checklist Require LEED Silver for municipal buildings >5,000 sq ft. Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Green fleet policy Y Y Y Y Y Y Environmental purchasing policy Y Water/energy conservation programs Y Y Y Y Tree protection Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Construction and demolition ordinance Y Y Y Y Y Waste diversion rate (2006) 51% 60% 55% 65% 55% 62% 62% 47% 52%