Forum looks at ongoing efforts to make zoning and building codes green

Academy of Natural Sciences Urban Sustainability Forum

The topic at this month’s Urban Sustainability Forum at the Academy of Natural Sciences was the role of zoning and building codes in making Philadelphia a more sustainable city. Speakers included a local practitioner, city and state officials, and a national zoning expert. The message from builders is that “green is logical” and new zoning and building regulations are needed to remove barriers and create incentives.

The program was moderated by Frances Burns, commissioner at L&I, and included presentations by Don Elliot, FAICP, senior consultant with Clarion Associates and project manager for Philadelphia’s new zoning code project; Maureen Gutman, AIA, executive director of the Pennsylvania’s Green Government Council and currently engaged in developing the International Green Construction Code; and Patrick McDonald, founding partner of Onion Flats LLC, a local design/build/development firm that focuses on sustainable modes of building and living.

Don Elliot stressed the importance of narrowing the scope of sustainability goals for zoning. “Sustainability is a broad topic,” he said. “If it means everything, your city government will find it difficult to do anything at all.” In Philadelphia, new zoning regulations will focus on the following five objectives:

• Reducing vehicle miles traveled
• Encouraging renewable energy and energy conservation
• Encouraging water conservation
• Allowing urban food production
• Promoting walking and community health

Draft zoning code language addressing sustainability issues will be available in July 2010.

Maureen Gutman presented green building initiatives at the state level. Pennsylvania House Bill 444 would “require the design, construction and renovation of buildings that receive a state appropriation to comply with specified energy and environmental building standards.” Known as “green strings,” the bill passed the House and is currently in the Senate Committee on Environmental Resources and Energy. Ms. Gutman emphasized that the proposed legislation is not a code. “It puts the state in the position to say we walk the walk,” she said. A draft green code is in the works, however. In her work with the International Code Council, Ms. Gutman is part of a group developing the International Green Construction Code (IgCC), a model green design and performance code for new and existing commercial buildings. The code is designed to be flexible, since each municipality’s goals for sustainability and green building may vary. The main objectives for the new code are that it is adoptable, enforceable, and usable nationwide. When Pennsylvania adopted the International Building Codes in 1999, the stated intent and purpose of the act included “the protection of life, health, property and environment,” [emphasis added] which, in Ms. Gutman’s opinion, opened the door for a green building code in the Commonwealth. To review and comment on the draft IgCC, visit http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/igcc/Pages/default.aspx.

Patrick McDonald described a number of Philadelphia projects where his firm had to push the envelope beyond what was permitted by code. At his Rag Flats job, Mr. McDonald wanted to collect 100% of water for use in a community garden, but he was told no such permit existed. He built a 6,000 gallon collection tank anyway and later won an award from the Philadelphia Water Department. The Thin Flats project includes the first LEED-H platinum duplexes in the country, which also alleviated a 25-year flood problem in the community. Mr. McDonald challenged the audience and city and state governments to think radically. “New zoning and building codes should aim for net zero energy and carbon neutrality,” he said. Visit http://www.onionflats.com/ to learn more about successful green projects in Philadelphia.