Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: March 11, 2008 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. <br />SUBJECT: Smart Growth /Green Building Report, Pervious Pavement, and OWASA's <br />Water Conservation Initiative <br />DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />1. Smart Growth, Green Building Report, <br />"Orange Turning Green" <br />2. Draft OWASA Recommendations <br />Regarding Water Conservation <br />Priorities and Initiatives <br />3. N.C. Building Code vs. Green Building <br />Water Conservation Measures <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Craig Benedict, 245-2592 <br />Glenn Bowles, 245-2577 <br />Don Knight, 245-2606 <br />James Baxter 245-2615 <br />Terry Hackett 245-2588 <br />Susan Mellott 245-2593 <br />PURPOSE: To receive reports on Smart Growth /Green Building, Pervious Pavement, and <br />OWASA's Water Conservation Initiative. <br />BACKGROUND: Below are proposals for regulatory and educational opportunities related to <br />Smart Growth, Green Building guidelines and water conservation programs: <br />A. Planning and Inspections Department Smart Growth /Green Building Standards Report, <br />B. Pervious pavement summary, <br />C. OWASA water conservation priorities and initiatives: <br />A. Smart Growth /Green Building Standards (Attachment #1) <br />The BOCC adopted two objectives under its Environmental Responsibility Goal on December 5, <br />2005. The first objective is to develop a countywide ,environmental leadership policy and <br />institute a standing Environmental Action Committee. The Environmental Action Committee <br />has been meeting since May 2006. The second objective is to continue, expand, and formally <br />adopt the use of green building standards; and to construct new facilities and deconstruct <br />outdated facilities in a way that is eco-friendly, utilizes energy conserving measures, and <br />minimizes impacts on the environment. At the January 19, 2007 BOCC Retreat, the Board <br />accented its interest in these topics. <br />On April 12, 2007, the BOCC adopted five.priorities to enhance the implementation of the green <br />building standards objective of its Environmental Responsibility Goal. In response to the five <br />priorities, staff suggested the following objectives: <br />1. Research and make suggestions for green building standards through the <br />Comprehensive Plan process and Planning and Inspections Department regulations for <br />both public and private sector development by the end of 2007. <br />