Annapolis aldermen are considering legislation that would require certain new buildings and major renovations to meet established green standards, a possibly costly prospect that already has some support in the environmentally conscious city.
The proposed ordinance, one of two pieces of "green" legislation the council is considering, would call for newly constructed or heavily modified buildings of greater than 10,000 square feet to meet the lowest standards in the LEED Green Building Rating System. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ratings, developed by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council, are among the leading national benchmarks for green construction.
Buildings of any size must meet the second-lowest, or silver LEED standards; and single-family dwellings must meet the lowest LEED standards, according to the legislation introduced by Annapolis Mayor Ellen O. Moyer, a longtime environmental advocate.
Tougher standards
The standards encompass elements including integrating natural daylight, minimizing construction waste, treating storm water on site and maximizing the use of local materials.
Craig Purcell, a LEED-certified architect in Annapolis, supports the measure,
"It's kind of an ethic, using reuse," Purcell said. "It might cost a little more, but you save money over the long run in the operation of it. You use less fuel, and there's less carbon going into the environment."
Baltimore City, Montgomery County and Washington, D.C., have already embraced LEED standards. In Howard County, any county government building of more than 10,000 square feet must be LEED-certified, and a law set to take effect later this year would create incentives for commercial and residential green development. One measure will allow commercial developers to qualify for property tax credits for up to five years if they seek certification at various levels of LEED standards.
Recycling also on tap
Annapolis city council members this week continued to work on other legislation to promote recycling and other environmentally conscious practices.
The proposed ordinance, which effectively killed Alderman Samuel E. Shropshire's efforts last year to ban retailers from using plastic bags, would encourage residents and business owners to use reusable and recyclable materials and to buy goods from companies that employ clean-energy practices.
Ted Weber, co-chair of the Anne Arundel Green Party, testified in support of the bill at a recent council hearing.
Alderwoman Julie Stankivic has proposed several amendments to strengthen the bill, which Moyer introduced in November. They would strike phrases such as "where available," "applicable" and "practicable."
Fewer plastic bags
Shropshire has vowed to add an amendment that would ask large retailers to "reduce significantly" the number of plastic bags distributed.
"We're not going to let up on this issue," Shropshire said. "I will not betray my environmental friends."
The bill, which also calls for the creation of an Environmental Review Committee, is set for a vote at the Feb. 25 council meeting.
The mayor, who has also encouraged tree plantings, wider use of rain barrels and construction of green roofs, has said she wants a broader strategy to help the environment.
"Look, you can ban plastic bags all you want, but it does not make one iota of difference on reducing the carbon footprint," Moyer said.
nicole.fuller@baltsun.com