Orange County NC Website
USGBC LEED standards for Homes and New Development, and the US Home Builders <br /> Association National Green Building Standards. Both programs address the same energy and <br /> ecologically based topics, recycling, non-potable water sources for irrigation, pervious <br /> pavement, site selection and disturbance, but each in their own way. Third-party certification is <br /> common to both. A combination of both will enhance Orange County's Zoning Ordinance and <br /> Subdivision Regulations. <br /> PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS: <br /> The Task Force concluded that 'Green Building' standards should be a phased implementation <br /> program to include all building construction, demolition and remodeling in Orange County. <br /> Phase I: Education - Fall 2008 <br /> a) Provide funding through the budgetary process and grant proposals for a 'Green <br /> Building' educational outreach program, with staff training and certification in an <br /> established 'Green Building' program such as LEED or Green Globe. <br /> b) Implement an educational outreach program on 'Green Building' techniques and <br /> incentives for designers, architects, engineers, developers, building contractors and <br /> homeowner builders interested in obtaining permits for construction or demolition in <br /> Orange County through partnership between County Inspections Division staff trained in <br /> 'Green Building' certification and the local Home Builder's Association. <br /> Phase II: Public funded mandates/Private funded voluntary-July 2009 <br /> a) Require mandatory compliance and certification with an established Green Building <br /> program for all publicly funded structures in Orange County. <br /> b) Adopt zoning ordinance regulations to limit site disturbance, limit non-native <br /> landscaping, limit irrigation types, and require pervious parking surfacing and shading for <br /> publicly and privately funded commercial structures and multi-family residential <br /> properties. <br /> c) Utilize subdivision regulations to limit site disturbance, direct structure orientation on lot, <br /> determine native landscaping options, limit irrigation types, require construction debris <br /> recycling and compliance with the Upper Neuse Site Evaluation Tool. <br /> d) Institute incentive based voluntary compliance program with EPA 'Energy Star' and <br /> 'Green Building' techniques for all residential construction both one and two family <br /> dwellings, and multi-family (apartments, condominiums). <br /> Phase III:Assessment and Possible Private Sector Mandate - Fall 2010 <br /> a) Require mandatory compliance with EPA 'Energy Star' for all residential buildings, <br /> publicly or privately funded. <br /> b) Evaluate both mandatory (EPA Energy Star) and voluntary (LEED, Green Globes, <br /> NCHBA) programs at the end of 2010 and report on progress to date, with <br /> recommendations for increase of voluntary compliance incentives or possible mandatory <br /> requirements for one-and two-family and multi-family residential dwellings. <br /> B. Pervious Pavement <br />