Building Code Board of Appeals Minutes 2008 04 17

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Building Code Board of Appeals Minutes March 20, 2008 Page 3 of 5 Adam Stenftenagel: Recommended the Austin concept. The city of Austin, TX, started their program as totally voluntary. They hired 10 full time staff to be Green Building Consultants. They gave free consultations to homeowners, contractors, and developers. By educating these builders with an infrastructure of knowledge, they were then able to make the program mandatory 2 years later. Adam Stenftenagel also suggested a program called Re-Green and 80 page document regarding remodeling residential guidelines. See www.Re-green.org Mike Jones said at the last LRCAB meeting that Jim Logan suggested that the City of Longmont green points program does not work (has lower standards than the code) and they are throwing their program out. Boulder can't agree on how to implement their program and are reevaluating it at this time. Bill Eckert agreed that in his experience there are a lot of disconnects with in the different departments of the City of Boulder. He said the initial quote from Boulder regarding the cost of the HERS program would be 1 % of the project. However he said the true cost is more than that. Adam Stenftenagel said the City of Boulder is suggesting it is more like 1-5% of total cost. Bill Eckert said the cost is $1,500 - $2,000 /house after modeling is done. There is some chance for federal tax credits currently and also could save $450 a yr is energy costs. Adam Stenftenagel spoke about the Berkeley model which would help homeowners finance energy upgrades with low interest rates (bonds backed by cities) and the pay back would be added to the property taxes. So in effect this cost would be passed on to the next homeowner. Matt Berry said "we shouldn't mess with it. We should stick with market driven solutions." Bill Eckert questioned how the City of Louisville was going to implement this program. Mike Jones -said that we currently do not have anything in the budget. Bill Eckert suggested that the city council allow the building department to discount permit fees as an incentive to such a program. Mike Jones - I am more concerned about the commercial side of this than residential. I received today the commercial version of the City of Boulder plan from Jim Logan (Architect and Consultant). I haven't had time yet to digest it. Bill Eckert -suggested that if you are looking to reduce carbon footprint you should be more concerned about energy efficiency rather than green points.