Ordinance 10-1915 ORDINANCE NO. 10-1915
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LONGWOOD, FLORIDA,
AMENDING THE LONGWOOD DEVELOPMENT CODE, TO
INCLUDE A NEW ARTICLE XI. ENTITLED "GREEN BUILDING
PROGRAM"; PROVII)ING FOR CONFLICTS, CODIFICATION,
SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on May 6, 2002, the City Commission of the City of Longwood
enacted the Longwood Development Code (Ordinance 02-1599), as was amended from
time to time, pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 163.3202, and Chapter 166.041,
Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 163.3174 (4) (c), Florida Statutes, requires the Land
Planning Agency to review proposed land development regulations, or amendments
thereto, for consistency with the adopted Plan, as may be amended; and
WHEREAS, the Land Planning Agency (LPA) held a public hearing on April 14,
201.0 to consider the amendment of the Longwood Development Code; made certain
findings of fact regarding said amendments, determined the proposed changes are
consistent and recommended the proposed ordinance be enacted by the City Commission;
and
WHEREAS, the City Commission wants to establish goals, programs and
procedures that will help the City of Longwood become a more sustainable community;
and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF LONGWO.OD, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: Longwood Development Code be amended to include Article XI. GREEN
Bi7II.,DING PROGRAM:
11.0.0. Generally.
11.0..1. Purpose. The purpose is to establish goals, programs and procedures that will
help the City of Longwood become a more sustainable community. This program shall
establish new environmental goals for the City of Longwood to define acertification-
based "green building" program with incentives and define new measurement parameters
and reporting criteria to track the City of Longwood, Florida's performance towards its
~ environmental goals. This program will promote economic and environmental health in
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the City of Longwood and provide leadership to both the private and public sectors in the
~ arena of green building practices including resource efficiency and disaster mitigation.
. Specific practices are outlined below.
1) Promote a sustainable future that meets today's needs of a stable, diverse
and equitable economy without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their needs.
2) Become a leader in setting policies and practicing service delivery
innovations that promote environmental sustainability.
3) Establish a green building program to:
a. Improve the economic and environmental health of the City of
Longwood through measurable objectives;
b. Track and analyze key indices to measure performance; and
c. Provide incentives for voluntary compliance.
1.1.0.2. Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly
indicates a different meaning.
ASHXAE: Acronym for the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration
and Air Conditioning Engineers. ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G: the Standard developed by
the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE) to provide specific guidance on the rules and procedures used to simulate
building energy use when the objective is to substantially exceed the requirements of
ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004, "Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise
Residential Structures."
C,ommi.ssion: The City Commission of the City of Longwood, Florida
Conserve Florida: Name of a statewide water conservation effort by water management
districts and Florida DEP to develop and implement an accountable and measurable
program to allow public water supply utilities to tailor cost-effective conservation
programs to reflect their individual circumstances to achieve greater water use efficiency.
Construction: Any project associated with the creation, development, or erection of any
building eligible for the program.
Current: The standard in place at the time a program participant submits a project.
application form with the City of Longwood, Florida.
~ FBC: Acronym for the Florida Building Commission.
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FGBC: Acronym for the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc., a Florida
501(c) 3not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to establish and maintain a Florida
system of statewide green building standards and third-party certification programs with
environmental and economic benefits.
FGBC Local Government designation: A designation given by FGBC to a city or county
that achieves the requirement of their local government rating system that examines
environmental best practices for all local government functions.
Federal tax credit for energy efficient homes: Refers to the tax credit recognized by the
U. S. Internal Revenue Service for the construction of a home.
Federal tax credit for solar energy systems: Refers to the tax credit recognized by the
U. S. Internal Revenue Service for the installation of qualified residential solar water
heating or photovoltaic systems.
Florida Friendly Landscaping.• Nine principles to guide Florida Yard and Neighborhood
programs. The nine principles are to locate the right plant in the right place, water
efficiently, fertilize appropriately, mulch, attract wildlife; manage pests responsibly,
recycle, reduce stormwater runoff and protect the waterfront.
Florida Green Lodging: A program by the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection to designate lodging establishments as "green" for following environmentally
sensitive operating procedures.
Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC): As the state of Florida's energy research institute,
FSEC conducts research in Building Science, Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal, Hydrogen
and Alternative Fuels, Fuel Cells and other advanced energy technologies.
Florida Solar Energy System Incentives Program: A program of state law providing for
rebates for the installation of qualified solar energy systems, codified at section F.S. §
377.806.
Florida Water Star Program: A third party certification program offered by water
management districts to encourage water efficiency in household appliances, plumbing
fixtures, irrigation .systems and landscapes.
Florida Yard and Neighborhoods: A University of Florida Extension Service, program
that encourages homeowners and professionals to create and maintain Florida-friendly
landscapes that protect the natural environment for future generations.
GBI: Acronym for the Green Building Initiative, anot-for-profit organization whose
mission is to accelerate the adoption of building practices that result in energy-efficient,
healthier and environmentally sustainable buildings by promoting credible and practical
green building approaches for residential and. commercial construction.
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GHDS: acronym for the Green Home Designation Standard of the Florida Green
Building Coalition, Inc.
Green Building: A designation given to buildings that have achieved the requirements of
the green building rating system defined in this green building program.
Green Building Program: The program outlined in this ordinance for obtaining
incentives for green buildings and developments.
Green Globes: The U. S. commercial/institutional building rating system of the Green
Building Initiative.
HERS® Index: The Home .Energy Rating System Index used as part of Florida's Home
Energy Rating system in which a home with a HERS Index of 100 represents the energy
use of the "American Standard Home" and an Index of 0 (zero) indicates that the .rated
home uses no net. purchased energy.
Independent or Independent of the City of Longwood.• Not employed by, or acting as
agents of, the City of Longwood.
IBHS (Institute for Business and Home Safety) : An insurance and reinsurance
organization whose mission is to reduce the social and economic effects of natural
disasters and other property losses by conducting research. and advocating improved
~ construction, maintenance and preparation practices.
Jurisdiction: Refers the City of Longwood, Florida.
LEED: The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Rating. System of the U.S.
Green Building Council.
NAHB: Acronym for the National Association of Home Builders,. aWashington-based
trade association whose mission is to enhance the climate for housing and the building
industry.
Positively Green Project: A building project that generates more energy on-site through
renewable sources than it uses on an annual basis while providing for its water needs
through typical annual rainfall and meets all of the requirements of this City of
Longwood, Florida's green building program. To meet energy qualifications, residential
applicants shall achieve a HERS index of 0 or less, and nonresidential shall achieve
100% energy reduction from non-renewables using procedures in ASHRAE 90.1
Appendix G. rating procedure.
Program.• The City of Longwood's Green Building program.
Program Certification: The final designation awarded to a program participant for
~ satisfying all requirements associated with the program for a particular project.
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~ Program participant: Any person or entity seeking program certification for a particular
project.
Project: Any construction associated with the creation, development, or erection of any
building eligible for the program.
Project application form: The form submitted to the City of Longwood indicating that a
program participant is interested in participating in the program for a particular project.
Sub program: Means .any area of construction covered by the program.
Sustainable construction: The process of environmentally sensitive, resource efficient
site selection, preparation, design, construction, and operation. of buildings.
Unit: A residence permitted according to the Florida Building Code (FBC).
USGBC: Acronym for the United States Green Building Council, anon-profit
organization whose mission is to transform the way buildings and communities are
designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible,
healthy and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.
~ 11.0.3. Government Leadership. To demonstrate the City of Longwood, .Florida's
commitment to a green building program, the City of Longwood, Florida shall to the
maximum extent practicable comply with the green building programs established
herein for all government buildings, and .shall:
1) Track and report the government's monthly water and energy use; and
2) Publish an annual report that outlines the City of Longwood, Florida's
energy and water use for the prior year and outlines a plan to reduce it for
the coming year.
11.0.4. Designation of responsibility for administration attd implementation. The
program shall be administered by the City of Longwood, Florida's Community
.Development Services department, which shall be responsible for, but not be limited to,
the following:
1) Marketing the program to the community by any reasonably effective
means;
2) Developing any appropriate or necessary application procedures, including
but not limited to, the program application form;
~ 3) Writing policies and procedures for staff implementation of the green
building program;
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4) Providing the certifications for use in the program; and
5) Resolving disputes that may arise from implementing the program.
11.0.5. Applicability. The standards of this section shall apply to private and public
projects on a voluntary basis.
11.0.6. Green building coverage. The program shall be comprised of the following sub-
programs:
1) New residential construction;
2) Residential retrofitting/remodeling;
3) New commercial/non-residential construction;
4) Existing commercial/non=residential construction; and
5) Land developments.
11.0.7. Green Building Standards. In addition to the City of Longwood,, Florida's Code
and the Florida Building Code's minimum standards, the program shall be administered
~ using standards developed by the Florida Green Building Coalition, the U. S. Green
Building Council, the Green Building Initiative, or the National Association of Home
Builders. These standards shall apply to each subprogram as follows:
1) New residential permitted projects: New residential projects shall satisfy
all of the requirements associated with either:
a. the current Green Home Designation Standard of the FGBC;
b. the current USGBC LEED for Homes® program;
c. the current National Association of Home Builders National Green
Home program; or
d. the GBI new home designation, including but not limited to, any
monetary or certification requirements.
2) Remodeling of existing homes: The participant shall meet requirements of
remodeling certification with either:
a. the current Green Home Designation Standard of the FGBC;
~ b. the current LEED for Homes® program;
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c. the current NAHB National Green Home program; or
d. The GBI including but not limited to, any monetary or certification.
requirements. The home shall meet the requirements for
"remodeling" or "existing home" of the designation.
3) New commercial or institutional buildings: The program participant shall
satisfy all of the requirements associated with either:
a. the current Green Commercial Designation Standard of the FGBC;
b. the current LEED for New Construction or derived USGBC LEED
rating system (e.g., LEED for Schools, LEED for Health Care); or
c. the Green Globes environmental assessment system for new
designs including but not limited to any monetary or certification
requirements.
4) Existing commercial and institutional buildings: The program participant
shall satisfy all of the requirements associated with either:
a. the current Green Commercial Designation Standard of the FGBC;
~ b. the current LEED for existing buildings. or derived USGBC LEED
rating system (e.g., LEED for Schools, LEED for Health Care)
program; or
c. the Green Globes environmental assessment system for existing
designs, including but not limited to any monetary or certification
requirements.
5) Land Developments: The participant shall satisfy all. of the requirements
associated with either:
a. the current Green Development Designation Standard of the
FGBC;
b. the current LEED for Neighborhoods and Developments rating.
system program; or
c. the NAHB development designation, including but not limited to
any monetary or certification requirements.
11.0.8. Review. For the purpose of this section of the program, a program participant
shall be bound by the standard designated for a particular subprogram unless the
~ progam participant requests to be certified under a more current version of a
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designated standard and. the request is approved by the department of the City of
~ Longwood, Florida responsible for administering the particular program.
11..0.9. Waiver. In order to facilitate compliance with this article, a program participant
may request the City Commission waive specific requirements of the Longwood
Development Code, Article III, Design Standards, when such requirements are found to
be an impediment to achieving the standards of the applicable subprogram as detailed
in Section 11.0.7. To be considered for a waiver the program participant shall submit a
completed application packet to the Community Development Services Department.
The Community Development Services Department shall review the application and
submit the application along with a recommendation to the City Commission for their
consideration at the earliest available City Commission meeting.
11..0.10. Incentives. The program shall include incentives designed to encourage the usE;
of the program.
1) All sub programs: For any voluntary program participant seeking a
program certification, the City of Longwood shall provide the following
fast track permitting incentives.:
a. Complete and compliant site plan applications for
non-formal review shall be processed in twenty (20) business days.
All. such applications shall be accompanied by the appropriate
green building program application form.
b. Complete and compliant building permit applications for
residential and commercial green buildings shall be processed in
seven (7) business days. All such applications shall be
accompanied by the appropriate green building program
application form.
2) Reduced site a~e~elep~nertt plan review fee: For all projects ^'~<°<'
~a ~
m~'<• r ~:a°~*~°' ~ there shall be a 10% reduction of the
site a°<~°'^~~°^* plan review fee.
3) Marketing for all sub programs: For any program participant seeking
program certification the City of Longwood, Florida's general government
shall provide the following marketing incentives to the maximum extent
practicable, including but not limited to:
a. The inclusion of program participants on a webpage dedicated to
the program;
b. Press releases;
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c. Information about available financial programs, including but not
limited to, those associated with Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac;
d. Provision of website links to local sustainable businesses and green
building, materials;. or
e. Cooperation with local banking, Realtors, and insurance
companies to make green building more affordable.
4) Green building award: For the purpose ofpublicly recognizing
outstanding commitment to "green building," the program shall provide
for an award called the "Green Building Award" to be .awarded annually
by the City of Longwood to one program participant.
5) .Special green contribution award: The City of Longwood shall annually
provide a special recognition award to those contractors that donate
significant reusable building materials to non-profit local building
organizations.
11.0.11. Certification. The application may be subject to certification by a qualified
third party who has been trained and certified as a green building certifier. For the
purpose of this section of the program, "third party" means any person or entity
authorized according to the requirements of the standard for a particular project.
11.0.12. Education and Training. The City of Longwood shall attempt to make
available a meeting space available for green building programs offered by
organizations that are of a general nature (not product specific). Organizations shall
contact the City of Longwood to make arrangements. The City of Longwood's
Community Development Services Department staff shall be encouraged to attend at
least 10 hours of green building training a year. In addition, it is the goal of the
Community Development Services Department to have at least one LEER certified
planner on staff.
11.0.13. Index ar7d Report. The goals and objectives of the program and their status
shall be recorded, analyzed and reported to the Commission. The City Administrator or
her designee shall be responsible for this indexing and reporting.
11.0.14. Program Reuiew.
1) Staff review: The City of Longwood, Florida shall provide for a review of
the program to determine the need for changes in the program. to increase
it effectiveness.
2) Frequency: The program shall be subject to review one year after the
effective date of this ordinance and thereafter at a frequency of not more
~ than once per year.
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~ 3) Purpose: The purpose of reviewing the program includes but is not limited
to updating program incentives, recommending program or marketing
changes to the City of Longwood, reviewing suggestions made by
program participants and annually awarding the green building awards of
the program.
SECTION 2: CONFLICTS. If any ordinance or part thereof is in conflict herewith, this
Ordinance shall control to the extent of the conflict.
SECTION 3: SEUERABILITY. The provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be
separable and if any section, paragraph, sentence or word of this Ordinance or the
application thereto any person or circumstance is held invalid, that invalidity shall not
effect other sections or words or applications of this Ordinance. If any part of this
Ordinance is found to be preempted or otherwise superseded, the remainder shall
nevertheless be given full force and effect to the extent permitted by the severance of
such preempted or superseded part.
SECTION 4: This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
FIRST READING: ! l~~/?
SECOND READING:
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS DAY OF , 2010.
.N~~
ATTE
SARAH M. MIRUS, MMC, MBA,_CITY CLERK
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Approved as to form and .legality for the use and reliance of the City of Longwood.,
~ Florida, only.
DANIEL LANGL T EY
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