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O'Connor asked if there were incentives for sustainable design of the outside portions of the <br />buildings, such as green roofs, xeriscaping, and onsite water retention. Richardson said <br />yes, there are standards for the outside as well. <br />Neal asked if Chapel Hill had looked at examples of like programs in other jurisdictions, <br />such as Catawba County. Richardson said they consulted NC State's DESIRE database for <br />suitable examples and found that Charlotte's program was most effective. The others <br />reported low levels of effectiveness. <br />Sassaman asked if the Town used other incentives in addition to the permit fee rebate. <br />Richardson said the State has authorized the rebate incentive. For buildings and <br />development outside of the Ephesus Church / Fordham district the Town uses other <br />standards and requirements for approving special use permits. <br />Sassaman asked if the Town applies these standards to its public buildings. Richardson <br />said the Town has, by ordinance, a LEED Silver minimum for all buildings. For example, <br />the Chapel Hill Library was built to LEED Silver standard. <br />Neal asked if these standards applied to single - family residential development, and might <br />the Town consider expanding the incentives to other parts of the town. Richardson said it <br />is only intended for commercial and multifamily residential, and said the council has not <br />discussed imposing these standards elsewhere. <br />Hintz asked how much less the cost of utilities might be for buildings in the Ephesus <br />Church / Fordham district than in other parts of the town. Richardson said it would <br />depend on the building type; the staff has run some calculations. <br />Richardson said the Town of Chapel Hill will reassess the pilot program at the end of the <br />first year and the staff will work with the town council on making adjustments if needed. <br />Neal noted the CFE has recommended to the BOCC and the Planning Board that Orange <br />County consider adopting similar incentives for sustainable development, but thus far <br />nothing has resulted from those discussions. <br />The CFE thanked Richardson and Freedman for their presentation. <br />