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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-22-2017 PC Correspondence - Item B1 (Cooper)To: Re: From: Date: Meeting:, 2.2Z, li- Item: t�, 11 RECEIVED CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FEB 2 1 2017 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SLO Planning Commission I- Study Session - Climate Action Plan Implementation Strategy Allan Cooper, San Luis Obispo February 20, 2017 Honorable Chairman and Commissioners - We need to see an end to the rush to build non-NZE (Net Zero Energy) residences prior to the 2020 deadline. I concur that we should expand incentive programs for projects that exceed Title 24 energy efficiency standards. This would provide time for designers, builders and developers to learn how to comply so that in 2020 there is a smoother transition. We need to raise public awareness so that people understand what Net Zero Energy entails and start asking questions prior to purchasing their homes. I agree that without an ordinance requiring the encouragement of low impact development strategies this will not be a priority for the City. I am not so certain that an update to the SILO Design Guidelines would accomplish this since the ARC is given so much latitude in interpreting the Guidelines. Even amending our Zoning Regulations to promote low impact development strategies for cool roofs and cool paving (for example requiring real shade trees in parking lots) is not enough. We must address head on all the factors that result in creating the urban heat island effect (UHIE). UHIE refers to the build-up of heat in urban spaces due to heavy mass materials (concrete, asphalt and buildings), direct exposure of high mass objects to the sun, blockage of breezes and lack of vegetative cover that mitigates heat absorption in natural areas. The typical UHIE temperature boost differential can be 10-15 degrees compared to nearby natural or agricultural areas. This heat boost, in turn, increases demand for air conditioning and increases the A/C load (amount of energy used). SLO's current thrust towards increasing "density" is unfortunately escalating our UHIE. also contend that an.ordinance should be incorporated into our update to the Zoning Regulations that would mandate the use of photovoltaic installations when they are applicable. Requiring them during the design review process may be too discretionary. This report makes only one reference to lighting when it refers to exterior lighting being replaced with night sky friendly LED lighting. However in commercial buildings, lighting accounts for about 50% of electric usage (35% for lights and the rest for dealing with excess heat from lighting). Daylighting (i.e., using daylight to illuminate interiors) can make a huge dent in this at practically no cost - if buildings are designed to capture daylight. All new single story commercial space should be day lit through either "top -lighting" in which light enters overhead or "side -lighting" using carefully configured windows, with devices like light shelves, to direct light inwards. This report advocates improving the City's jobs -housing balance to reduce VMT from commuting by implementing Land Use Element Policy 1.5, Housing Element Policies 10.1 and 10.2 and Housing Element Program 10.3. Though the General Plan build out period plans for the construction of more than 4,300 new units by the year 2035 to provide housing for the City's workforce what is missing is an estimate of the number of jobs generated by the projected growth in non- residential square footage. My concern is that build -out, based on the number of jobs generated relative to housing, will actually exacerbate the unmet demand for affordable housing and job -to -housing balance, resulting in more commutes. This will further compromise our air quality. We should therefore consider establishing limits for the rate of non-residential development if we are serious about improving the City's current jobs -housing balance and reducing VMT from commuting. fear that the current push to amend the Zoning Regulations in the fiscal years 2016-2018 to increase the potential shared parking reduction from 10% to 30% will have unintended consequences. Many under parked housing and commercial projects will actually generate more CO2 emissions by virtue of the fact that those residents or customers with a car and nowhere to park will generate more trips by searching in vain for on -street parking. The best way to reduce trip generated CO2 emissions is to provide more funding for more clean air vehicle parking spaces, enhanced funding to the SLO Regional Transit Authority (SLORTA) enabling them to provide additional routes and reduced fares and promoting ride and car sharing. In addition to a water rebate program, the City should bring back a water demand offset program that would subsidize, for example, the installation of recycled water, grey water and/or rainwater harvesting systems. Moreover, the City's newly adopted Water Shortage Contingency Plan should make these water demand offsets mandatory long before we are down to a 3 year water supply. Even though there is merit in continuing to restore native vegetation in place of areas invaded with non-native vegetation, it should be noted that some non- native vegetation is adapting better to climate change than native vegetation. Because of the important role trees play in carbon sequestration, tree preservation and maintenance should be given the same priority as restoration plantings. However, when trees must be removed every effort should be made to recycle the usable wood to a local mill for conversion into furniture or lumber product. Finally, there is no mention in this report of the important role that subdivision layout plays in minimizing VMT's. All new residential subdivisions should be laid out to maximize each lot's capability to capture natural site energy flows (sun, wind, etc.). This makes passive energy captive and makes sustainable NZE buildings possible. Thank you!