Houston, TX Green Building Standards

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 6/23/04

Vote: Unanimous (2 absent)

Source File: http://www.greenhoustontx.gov/pdf/ordinance-greenbuilding.pdf

Text:

Resolution No. 2004-15
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ESTABLISH THE U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL'S LEED CERTIFICATION AS A STANDARD FOR NEW OR REPLACEMENT FACILITIES AND MAJOR RENOVATION OF CITY OF HOUSTON OWNED BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES WITH MORE THAN 10,000 SQUARE FEET OF OCCUPIED SPACE.

WHEREAS, commercial and residential buildings consume 40 percent of our nation's energy and are responsible for 40 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in the United States; and

WHEREAS, commercial and residential buildings contribute 136 million tons of construction and demolition waste annually; and

WHEREAS, on a global scale, commercial and residential buildings use three billion tons of the planet's raw materials ; and

WHEREAS, the City of Houston's design and building decisions impact the prudent use of the City's energy and water supplies, the cost of remediating hazardous materials, the health and productivity of its employees, transportation choices of city employees and visitors to City facilities, as well as the rate at which the City's landfill capacity is depleted; and

WHEREAS, it is anticipated that utilizing sustainable design practices will significantly reduce operations and maintenance costs and decrease the negative impact of buildings on the environment and occupant health ; and

WHEREAS, the United States Green Building Council has emerged as the leading standard for designing, constructing, operating and certifying the worlds most sustainable buildings through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED^TM) green building rating system ; and

WHEREAS, the planning, design, construction, and operation of the City of Houston's buildings, facilities, and leaseholds should have a significant positive effect on Houston's air quality, water quality and quality of life, while contributing to the environmental and economic sustainability of our City;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS:

Section 1. That the Mayor, City Council and Department of Building Services is hereby authorized to take the steps necessary to target, to the greatest extent practical, the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED^TM certification for new or replacement facilities, and major renovations of City of Houston owned buildings and facilities with more than 10,000 square feet of occupied space, for all capital improvement projects to use the sustainable principles of LEED^TM to the greatest extent practical and reasonable ; and for each project to be assessed for the appropriate certification level with the goal of maximizing long term benefits, such as operating and maintenance savings, while minimizing up-front project costs.

Section 2. That this resolution shall not apply to buildings owned, managed, or constructed by the Houston Airport System Department.

Section 3. That this Resolution has been adopted and executed in duplicate originals, with one to be filed among the records of the City Secretary and the other to be presented to the Director of the Building Services Department.

Section 4. That this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage and approval by the Mayor; however, in the event that the Mayor fails to sign this Resolution within five days after its passage and adoption, it shall take effect in accordance with Article VI, Section 6, Houston City Charter.