7.0 SUSTAINABILITY 7.1 SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES WATER ENERGY ST. GEORGE S SENIOR SCHOOL MASTER PLAN REZONING APPLICATION

Transcription

1 7.0 SUSTAINABILITY ST. GEORGE S SENIOR SCHOOL MASTER PLAN REZONING APPLICATION 7.1 SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES St. George s aspires to be a leader in environmental sustainability through education, construction, and ongoing operations. Codes, standards, and green building rating systems are constantly changing. To support this goal, each building on campus will be designed to be constructed and operated to the highest standards and to teach students about environmental stewardship. The following sections describe the School s long-term regenerative design priorities. Specific strategies will be determined according to best practices current during the design of each building. WATER St. George s is currently developing a plan to address the onsite management of rainwater. Strategies that will be used are maximizing pervious cover and increasing on-site infiltration opportunities through the use of landscape-based treatment systems. Rainwater will also be collected for irrigation purposes. These on-site strategies will provide valuable hands-on learning experiences for St. George s students and the surrounding community. Additionally, St. George s will discuss cooperation with Metro Vancouver to explore the possibility of supplying naturally treated rainwater into the historic salmon bearing streams of Pacific Spirit Park. Reducing potable water use intensity Collecting rain water for reuse Treating runoff on site Ensuring high-quality drinking water ENERGY Early on, St.George s has made energy a top priority for the new campus master plan. Establishing a site-wide energy strategy will be an important step in moving forward with the planning efforts. Working towards net zero energy use intensity Targeting carbon neutral operations Meeting the 2030 Challenge Producing clean energy on site Ensuring long-term energy security Implementing a site-wide energy strategy Planning for post-disaster operations 25

2 ST. GEORGE S SENIOR SCHOOL MASTER PLAN REZONING APPLICATION 7.0 SUSTAINABILITY SITE The location of the St. George s campus lends itself to a holistic approach to site sustainability and ecology. Bordered on two sides by one of the city s most important habitat areas, Pacific Spirit Regional Park, the campus will aim to connect to its surroundings by creating opportunities for natural vegetation, wildlife habitat and green connections through the site. 26 Utilizing compact, efficient building forms Increasing biodiversity Restoring wildlife habitat Planting native vegetation Introducing edible vegetation Reducing impermeable surfaces Minimizing light pollution MATERIALS+WASTE St. George s recently completed an environmental audit and is in the process of completing a green plan that will expand upon zero waste goals. Currently the school recycles paper, glass, and metal and composts food waste. Additionally, ipads and laptops are used by students and faculty for assignments and testtaking which reduces the amount of paper that traditionally would be used for these activities. Further initiatives are being made which will move the school towards being nearly paperless. As the master plan is realized, the intent for all new construction is that materials will be selected with high levels of recycled content. All construction waste will be recycled or reused for other projects. The design will take into account different uses on the school property such as classrooms, hallways, offices, residential, recreational, kitchen facilities and lobbies. The goal is to include ample space for organics and recycling bins spread throughout the campus and a collection area for the containment of these materials before they are sent out to be processed. Ample storage space will be included that can contain discarded materials for onsite reuse as needed. The current and planned initiatives will contribute to the City of Vancouver s zero waste goals by maximizing material re-use and composting and recycling of waste. Prioritizing regional materials Incorporating recycled materials Targeting zero construction waste Minimizing embodied energy and carbon Designing for durability Reducing operational waste Composting organic waste on site HEALTH Healthy living is a fundamental aspect of the culture at St. George s School. Besides encouraging exercise and an active lifestyle, St. George s students learn the value of nutrition and the importance of sustainable food systems. The Master Plan for St. George s furthers these values by employing strategies that promote healthy living and eating which will extend beyond the school community and into the surrounding neighbourhood. Additionally, sustainable local food systems assets will be increased which will contribute to Vancouver s Greenest City Action Plan. Green space will be developed into community gardens with edible organic landscaping. These gardens will provide valuable learning opportunities for St. George s students as they work alongside the community. On-site food composting will complete the sustainable cycle from growing food to recycling it into compost for the next season of growth. In addition to these measures, St. George s will continue its commitment to local food purchasing and its use of sustainable seafood. Supplying 100% outdoor air Eliminating volatile organic compounds Providing daylight in, and views from, all regularly occupied spaces Integrating physical activity in building design Ensuring high-quality indoor air Sourcing healthy and nutritious food Designing for thermal comfort Ensuring acousitic performance

3 7.0 SUSTAINABILITY ST. GEORGE S SENIOR SCHOOL MASTER PLAN REZONING APPLICATION MOBILITY St. George s is committed to Green Mobility by providing sustainable travel to and from the site. Currently St. George s offers a no charge bus program for staff and students, subsidized transit passes and covered bike racks. Walking and cycling is encouraged for faculty and staff by incentivizing them with free breakfast. The school currently owns four electric vehicles and will be adding charging stations for staff and visitors use as part of the renewal project. St. George s sustainable transportation strategies will be continued and enhanced along with others that address the City s transportation goals and principles. Providing alternative fuel vehicle infrastructure Providing car share infrastructure Improving bicycle infrastructure Providing carpool priority parking Increasing private bus service Ensuring universal accessibility EDUCATION An important aspect of sustainability for St.George s will be integrating sustainability in a way that students, faculty and visitors can interact with, and learn from the processes taking place on site. The school is committed to becoming a leader in sustainability, so creating a didactic environment that highlights the regenerative strategies employed in the design will be an important component of the master plan. Making regenerative design visible Maximizing instructional opportunities 27

4 ST. GEORGE S SENIOR SCHOOL MASTER PLAN REZONING APPLICATION 7.0 SUSTAINABILITY 7.2 SUSTAINABLE LARGE DEVELOPMENTS POLICY St. George s School received the following comments from City of Vancouver staff with respect to the Sustainable Large Developments Policy. Most of the issues raised were addressed in the materials covered in the previous section. A few items were not fully resolved and so comments are provided in bold text below. These various approaches are all open for discussion. SUSTAINABLE SITE DESIGN The current application provides a sufficient level of information for staff to be able to review the application package and provide rezoning conditions and commentary. As the project moves forward through to the development permit application stage, additional information will be required to confirm the proposed LEED points are achievable under the Sustainable Sites category and to provide detailed information, confirming the performance of the site design under this policy direction. Additional information will be provided at the Development Permit application stage. ACCESS TO NATURE The current application provides a sufficient level of information for staff to be able to review the application package and provide comments and conditions for the rezoning application. The opportunity for community use of the playing fields, as described in the application, should be explored with the community through the rezoning application process. Detailed landscape plans will be required as the project moves forward to demonstrate and confirm that the proposed strategies will be delivered including tree planting, open space design, site lighting, etc. Community use of the playing fields and other facilities is clearly explained in the School and Community Use of Facilities Management Plan in place since 2003 and available on the St. George s website: SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS The current application provides some information regarding potential edible planting and student access to food production. Additional detail should be provided based on the sustainable large development policy to include information about a minimum of three food system assets as detailed in the policy: This should be submitted in form of a sustainable food system plan described in the policy guidelines. The rezoning application package outlines community gardens, edible landscaping, and composting as the focus of St. George s approach to sustainable food systems. Both the Senior School campus and the Junior School campus already have gardens growing food for the cafeteria kitchen. These gardens and the School s bee hives are tended by students and the School intends to expand this program as part of future development. In addition to supplementing the School s food supply, these programs are valuable for teaching students about a wide variety of subjects. Additional edible plants (primarily fruit-bearing trees and shrubs) are shown on the landscape plan. Currently, organics are composted off-site in order to avoid disturbing neighbours with odours. Food waste is composted and used in sod produced by Fraser Richmond Soil and Fibre, while yard waste is chipped and sold by West Coast Lawn. St. George s will explore the feasibility of composting organics onsite in an in-vessel system. GREEN MOBILITY The current application provides information regarding the current mode splits and potential TDM measures. Additional detail should be provided providing targets for improving the mode splits. Potential TDM measures that should be considered include the potential for car share, electric vehicle charging stations, transit pass system and carpooling. This information has been incorporated into the Transportation Study submitted with the rezoning application. Detailed landscape plans will be provided at the Development Permit application stage. 28

5 7.0 SUSTAINABILITY ST. GEORGE S SENIOR SCHOOL MASTER PLAN REZONING APPLICATION RAINWATER MANAGEMENT The current application provides some information regarding potential LEED points that are proposed to be achieved relating to stormwater management. Because the site is part of the Musqueam Creek Watershed (one of the only salmon streams in the City), specific strategies for the rainwater management plan should take this into consideration. This information would be reviewed by staff and as the project moves forward into the development permit stage additional detail would be required to demonstrate how these strategies would be achieved. St. George s will explore opportunities with Metro Vancouver and the Musqueam First Nation. Additional information will be provided at the Development Permit application stage. ZERO WASTE PLANNING Additional information should be provided to respond to this aspect of the policy to ensure that planning for the School considers the potential spatial requirements for zero waste planning. More information is provided in this design supplement: The design supplement document provides useful information for planning purposes such as: Requirements for adequate waste storage facility; Steps to estimate number of containers and space for various buildings; Tables showing suggested number of containers required for various buildings types based on estimated waste generation; and Dimensions and specifications of various commonly used storage containers and collection vehicles. In 2013, St. George s commissioned an Environmental Audit Report to investigate ways of further integrating environmental stewardship into facilities and operations, curriculum, and student life. This report provides detailed information regarding energy, carbon, water, cleaning products, landscape, purchasing, IT, and waste management and recycling. This report indicates that the school s recycling rate increased from approximately 14% to 60% in the previous two years. The Environmental Audit Report was followed in 2014 by an Environmental Stewardship Plan Framework and in 2015 by Environmental Stewardship Operations and Academic Action Plans. Concerted efforts continue to be made to reduce the overall volume of waste produced by the school and to divert as much as possible, including batteries, electronics, fluorescent light bulbs, printer cartridges, and grease. Given these efforts, the space required for storage and processing of waste in the future is anticipated to be smaller than what exists currently. AFFORDABLE HOUSING Given that the proposed residential is for dormitories limited to use by the School, staff will not be seeking the inclusion of any affordable housing component for the application. LOW CARBON ENERGY Under the Rezoning Policy for Sustainable Large Developments, applicants are required to investigate opportunities for low carbon energy supply through completion of a Feasibility Screening Study: commsvcs/bylaws/bulletin/l004.pdf The screening study is a preliminary technical and business case analysis used to assess whether viable neighbourhood- or development-scale low carbon energy opportunities are present warranting further evaluation. Where low carbon energy opportunities are shown to be technically and economically viable, implementation of a low carbon solution is required. A typical screening study takes 2-4 months to complete at a cost of $20,000 - $30,000 (on average). Given the location of this project within a predominately single family home neighbourhood, the likelihood for neighbourhood-scale energy opportunities is considered low. A modified Low Carbon Energy Feasibility Screening Study focusing on development-scale opportunities is therefore required in support of the rezoning application [staff to clarify any permissible modifications to the standard Terms of Reference]. 29

6 ST. GEORGE S SENIOR SCHOOL MASTER PLAN REZONING APPLICATION 7.0 SUSTAINABILITY Alternatively, since the current rezoning application indicates plans to implement a geoexchange system on-site, additional details may be provided on the proposed approach to heating and cooling on-site which addresses the following requirements, in lieu of completing the screening level study: 1) Describe the concept design of the proposed approach to space heating, cooling and domestic hot water supply including: a. Current approach to heating and cooling for each building onsite; b. Heating and cooling demands at buildout, and proposed approach to heating and cooling at buildout of the Master Plan; c. Concept design for the proposed geoexchange system - including system capacity, backup I peaking energy requirements, conceptual # of boreholes and borehole depth, assumed ground thermal properties with rationale, description of the software used to model geoexchange performance, system operating temperatures, anticipated COPs, etc. 2) Demonstrate that the proposed approach to on-site thermal energy supply is low carbon (specifically, that the proposed system will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% over a conventional reference case approach to heating and cooling); 3) Commit to the installation and operation of the proposed low carbon energy system [to be addressed within conditions of rezoning]; 4) Commit to performance monitoring and reporting on the low carbon energy system [to be addressed within conditions of rezoning]. Portions of the linked Terms of Reference provide guidance on how to address items 1 and 2 above. You are encouraged to work closely with Engineering Staff (Neighbourhood Energy) to clarify requirements and ensure deliverables meet City expectations. When your client is ready, let me know and I will set up a meeting with neighbourhood energy utility staff to discuss the additional information that will be required. St. George s met with City staff in July, 2015, to discuss this issue further. It was agreed that the development of the St. George s School Senior Campus is different from that associated with a typical rezoning application that the City of Vancouver might receive for a site of a similar size. This rezoning application is based on a Campus Master Plan to be realized over fifteen years or longer. It is certain that technologies, standards, targets, and baselines will change dramatically in that time. In addition, it has already been determined by City staff that the School s surrounding context is not dense enough to support a viable district energy solution. For these reasons, the School was asked to propose a campus-scale strategy for this site which will meet the City s energy and greenhouse gas goals. This strategy would replace the City s requirement for a Low Carbon Energy Supply Feasibility Screening Study as part of the Rezoning Policy for Sustainable Large Developments. The stated purpose of the Low Carbon Energy Supply Feasibility Screening Study is to support the advancement of affordable, low-carbon energy solutions throughout Vancouver. According to the Greenest City 2020 Action Plan, Vancouver seeks to reduce community-based greenhouse gas emissions by 33% from 2007 levels by In addition to reducing emissions, the City is pursuing the long-term flexibility to adapt to new and more sustainable technologies and fuels. St. George s School shares the City of Vancouver s energy goals. Like the City, the School is actively seeking ways to decrease its overall energy consumption and reduce both its carbon footprint and its dependence on fossil fuels as part of its Environmental Stewardship Mission to become the most environmentally friendly school in Canada by A Feasibility Screening Study seeks to demonstrate the viability of development-scale low-carbon energy opportunities warranting further evaluation. This step is unnecessary for St. George s School, as the School is already convinced of the benefits of low-carbon energy. ST. GEORGE S SCHOOL SENIOR CAMPUS LOW-CARBON ENERGY PROPOSAL - St. George s School proposes to commit to installing enough system capacity to provide 70% of annual heating energy demand from low-carbon sources, for each new building constructed on the Senior School campus. - Fulfilment of this commitment would be adjudicated at the time of application for each Development Permit, and may be achieved by each proposed building itself or through a staged development of a central campus-scale low-carbon energy system. - Given the long timeframe for this development, it does not make sense to select one or more low-carbon energy sources years in advance. The systems implemented will be compatible with a variety of low-carbon energy sources. The selection of energy source will be based on the technology available at the time of the design of each component building. - Energy conservation is to be considered a low-carbon source, therefore should any individual building be designed to consume 70% less heating energy than a reference case building, the requirement would be satisfied and no additional low-carbon capacity would be required. - There would be no expectation that the School would install new systems to supply energy to the existing building. As St. George s intends to replace all existing buildings as soon as fundraising will allow, upgrading systems in an existing poorly performing building would be a waste. Should renovations to existing facilities be required in the short term, the low-carbon energy systems would be expanded to provide 50% of the energy required by new HVAC equipment only. 30