Borough of West Chester. Sustainability Advisory Committee Annual Report

Transcription

1 Borough of West Chester Sustainability Advisory Committee 2017 Annual Report Committee Members Dianne Herrin, Chairperson Barbara Clarke, Vice-Chair Dennis Harney, Secretary Christian Lochetto Cara Corridoni Karen Cronin David Mazzocco Staff Liaison Meghan Fogarty, Sustainability Coordinator

2 INTRODUCTION The West Chester Borough Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC) was adopted by Borough Council in November of 2015 with a mission to increase collaboration between Borough departments on issues regarding the economic vitality and environmental sustainability of the West Chester Borough. The Committee seeks to develop initiatives aimed at increasing Borough staff knowledge, developing community partnerships and fostering sustainable best management practices. The responsibilities of the Committee include, but are not limited to, developing policies in order to implement practices and achieve goals related to sustainable practices and initiatives and making recommendations to Borough Council on these practices and ways these goals can be achieved. In addition, the Committee is responsible for reviewing land development plans to offer suggestions for implementation of green infrastructure and to promote the goals of sustainable practices. The Committee reports to the Public Works, Recreation and Wastewater Committee as necessary. The Committee defines sustainability as systematic action that creates ecological, social and economic harmony to ensure present and future generations are able to thrive in the Borough of West Chester. We strive to serve as a model of sustainability. Throughout 2016, the SAC took time to meet with borough staff and community members to gain a better understanding of the borough s needs in terms of creating a more sustainable community. The Committee also involved themselves in community outreach by volunteering to speak about recycling and reducing plastic bottle use at a County Life Skills Program session and also participated in the planning and hosting of the spring Lecture series titled: Challenges and Opportunities for Our Food Chain in an Age of changing Climate and Big Ag. The program will be a demonstration and discussion about today s food challenges and tomorrow s opportunities. The Committee developed a commercial Borough-based certification program to incentivize and recognize "green" commercial construction and worked on developing a process for which they could fully integrate themselves into the borough s land development plan review process. Additionally, SAC conducted a workshop to help residents learn how to reduce their Stream Protection Fees through "backyard" initiatives that reduce stormwater runoff. Finally, SAC spearheaded the effort for Borough Council to pass a "Ready for 100" resolution calling for 100% renewable electricity by 2035 and 100% renewable energy by 2050, and has engaged in multimunicipal discussions with 5 other local governments that have passed similar resolutions, so we can share resources and work regionally to achieve these goals. This report serves to highlight the work the SAC has completed for 2017 as well as projects and initiatives which the Committee will continue to work on in WEST CHESTER SUSTAINABLE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM The SAC developed this certification program to recognize developers who integrate sustainable features into new commercial developments and rehabilitation projects. Developers can achieve Green or Gold Certification by earning points in several categories of sustainability. The sustainable design features must go above and beyond existing requirements of the Borough Code and developers will not be awarded points for those existing requirements. Certified projects will be recognized through a brief ceremony and/or press event and will receive a decal or plaque to be displayed on the front of the building. The SAC is working on designing this award and expects to have this ready by early 2018.

3 Additionally, the SAC successfully recommended adding the West Chester Sustainable! Gold Certification as a requirement in the proposed HO 60'/75' overlay districts zoning code amendments. LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW The SAC worked diligently throughout 2017 to better integrate themselves into the Borough s Land Development Plan Review process by updating and finalizing the West Chester Sustainable Certification Program, and using this program criteria as the basis for our reviews. To ensure recommendations were reaching the Planning Commission in a timely manner, the Committee voted to change their meeting date and scheduled SAC liaisons to attend Planning Commission (PC) meetings regularly moving forward. The SAC members attending the meetings will keep the PC updated on new initiatives and answer any questions regarding recommendations submitted by the SAC. Additionally, the SAC will heretofore submit recommendations directly to Borough Council (along with the Planning Commission) so they can be considered during Council's discussions with developers. SAC reviewed the following land development plans and made the following recommendations to developers: West Chester University Commons: Install rain water harvesting system Install a cistern to capture and treat water to be used for irrigation or toilet flushing Use materials with a high solar reflective index on parking lots & roof of parking garage Increase shaded areas install solar panels on parking garage roof Install electric charging station(s) in garage Offer preferred parking for electric Hybrid & compact vehicles and designate spaces for carpool vehicles Install bike racks in garage Install down facing or fixture shades to reduce night sky light pollution Assure lighting meets all the performance requirements of the IDA-IES Model Lighting Ordinance Consider permeable paving for the parking lot Exterior pole lights should be LED Chester County Hospital Land Development Canopy: Consider installing solar panels or use high solar reflectance index roofing Add screens to prevent bird nesting in open structures under canopy Capture stormwater runoff from canopy Consider use of pervious pavement if re-paving the parking lot in front

4 400 South Church Street Land Development: Consider installing solar panels or use high solar reflectance index roofing Recommend provisions for a conduit from the roof to basement to allow for solar panel electrical lines and space for inverters in each of the units 510 East Barnard Street Land Development: Per WC Sustainable Checklist, SAC recommends the architect change the following items from N/A to a No or strive to seek ways so they may be incorporated into the overall design: o Designated No Smoking areas o Consider ASHRAE for indoor air quality standards o Consider low VOC s o Consider potential for mold when building the residential units o Recommend creating a waste management plan during demolition Borough Hall Renovation Project: SAC recommended the renovation project should seek to achieve West Chester Sustainable Gold Certification and that Borough Council should request of the architect to secure 3rd party green building certification and dedicate funds for the certification. Hammell Associates Architects submitted a Sustainable Design Initiative Summary in response to the SAC s recommendations. Hammell Associates reported that a third party green certification would not be possible for several reasons, including retaining the existing HVAC system installed in 2015 as well as no plans to make significant improvements to the building envelope (i.e. replace windows, upgrade insulation). Hammell Associates noted the building will be able to achieve West Chester Sustainable Green Certification through the following sustainable design initiatives: Electric vehicle charging station Replace existing electric water heater with high-efficiency gas fired water heater (achieve 96% thermal efficiency) Low water consumption: solar powered flush valves on all toilets & sensor activated lavatory faucets Exhaust fans in individual small toilet & storage areas controlled by light switch with extend run timer (reduces time fan will run and minimizes power usage) Large open fans will run on occupied/unoccupied to reduce run time Regularly occupied rooms are designed to maximize daylighting and reduce dependence on artificial lighting Lighting will be provided with auto light controls and dimmers to reduce electric consumption LED lighting throughout building

5 Design Light Consortium and/or Energy Star spec luminaires will allow project to qualify for Utility s rebate program Construction material recycling requirements written into bid specifications High reflective roof surfaces written into specifications STREAM PROTECTION FEE PROGRAM (SPFP) In April of 2017, the SAC hosted a successful SPFP Residential Credit & Rebate Workshop for Borough residents to learn more about how to obtain a credit and/or rebate on the Stream Protection Fee bill. The workshop featured seven interactive stations where residents could learn how to properly implement approved green infrastructure techniques on their property. Twenty-one residents attended the workshop and each attendee entered into a raffle to win one of four rain barrels and Bartlett Tree Company donated tree saplings for residents to take home and plant on their property. The SAC plans to host similar workshops in the future and is planning a rain garden workshop in the spring of 2018 to coincide with the rain garden planting in Veteran s Memorial Park. WEST CHESTER BOROUGH CLEAN ENERGY RESOLUTION In September of 2017 the SAC submitted to Borough Council a proposed clean energy resolution committing the borough to 100% renewable energy community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heat and transportation by Borough Council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution and the SAC has hit the ground running to draft a plan on how to achieve these goals. The Committee plans to create a subcommittee or task force made of up local professionals and experts in this area to assist the SAC in drafting a plan for submission to Borough Council. The Committee is also working with the Sierra Club and local municipal partners, collectively known as the Chester County Clean Energy Leaders, on creating a regional plan which will allow for multi-municipal planning and shared resources, therefore helping to reduce costs to the borough. SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE WORKSESSION In September of 2017, the SAC held a worksession to brainstorm ideas for sustainable initiatives and projects which the committee would like to see prioritized moving forward. A special thank you to Borough Councilwoman, Dr. Denise Polk, for facilitating the worksession and assisting the Committee in staying on task. The Committee focused on topic areas of Energy, Waste Reduction, Water Quality, Emissions/Air Quality, Community and Borough Facilities and later identified the following initiatives as priorities for 2018: Curbside residential compost collection, residential energy audits, refine SAC s Land Development Plan Review process, eliminate use of borough vehicles for personal use, research how to economically provide the best water quality for human consumption, and assessment of existing borough buildings energy, HVAC, fuel source, lighting, roofs, etc. The SAC will refer to this list of priorities as they move forward with recommending policies and programs to enhance sustainability throughout the borough.