SEDONA GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM

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SEDONA GREEN SOLUTIONS, AN ECO BUILDER & CONSULTANT, MADE A PRESENTATION TO THE CITY OF SEDONA ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE IN DECEMBER 2008 FOR THE ADOPTION BY THE CITY OF A GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM.

BELOW IS THE GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION THAT IS CURRENTLY BEING DRAFTED FOR APPROVAL BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

INTRODUCTION

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Buildings account for:
• 72% of electricity consumption,
• 39% of energy use,
• 38% of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions,
• 40% of raw materials use,
• 30% of waste output or 2.5lbs of solid waste per square foot
of floor space.
• 14% of potable water consumption.

Reassessing the way we plan, design and build this community
will have a lasting tangible impact on how we make a positive
difference in the quality of life for the people of Sedona by
addressing the main environmental issues:
Energy Efficiency,
Air Quality,
Water Conservation,
Waste management,
Environmental Protection
Building Codes

There are currently in the U.S. over 620 cities of all sizes that
have implemented a green building program and this is only
possible due to the leadership of local officials on sustainability
issues.

In Arizona, Governor Janet Napolitano signed in 2005 an
Executive Order requiring all new state funded buildings to
achieve LEED Silver certification and other local government
have adopted since green building programs.

RECOMMENDATIONS

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Recommendations to assist in the process of creating the
program:

Collaboration and inclusion: Involve building professionals and apply the
system to all buildings within the community.
Lead by example and education: The City of Sedona needs to set a standard
and demonstrate the efficacy of green design to the community.
Offer incentives.
Green Building Standards and Building Codes: Integrate standards that can
easily be applied into the City Building Code Ordinance.
Make the program simple and voluntary.

PRACTICAL STEPS

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The Green Building Program should include the following:

1. Standard for implementation:
USGBC’s (U.S. Green Building Council) LEED (Leadership in Environmental
and Energy Design) for Homes or LEED NC Rating System as standard for
implementation. (LEED for Homes Checklist in Appendix B)
2. Public Buildings :
Mandatory LEED certification for all new Public Buildings.
3. Commercial Buildings:
Voluntary implementation for all new Commercial Buildings.
4. Homes and Remodels:
Voluntary implementation for all new Homes and remodels.
5. Education and Awareness:
Media: City web site, press release, Red Rock TV Channel 16
Educational workshops
Green home tours
Free energy audits
6. Incentives:
Expedited permitting
Permit fee waivers
Certification fee waivers
Award / Recognition / Praise
7. Training and Certification:
Training seminars for LEED Homes & LEED NC rating systems.
Certification to be offered by third party certified professionals.
8. Path to integration of Green Standards into City Building Ordinance:
Include Green Building Program Ordinance in the general plan.
Amend the city building code to include specific provisions for green
building design that address energy standards and water conservation:
R-Values for walls, floors and roofs
Window assemblies
Mechanical equipment: Furnaces & HVAC
Appliances
Water efficient fixtures
Water efficient landscaping & Xeriscape

CONCLUSION

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Regulatory measures are only a state away (California). By staying
ahead of the curve Sedona will be better prepared to respond to
the wave of new standards and regulations that are bound to
come in the years ahead.

Green homes are healthier, more comfortable, more durable, 30 to
60% more energy efficient, more environmentally responsible.
Green homes cost less to maintain and operate, resulting in
significant costs effectiveness.

"Problems cannot be solved at
the same level of awareness that
created them.”
Albert Einstein