HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/19/2019 Item 14, Hauber
From:Kevin Hauber <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Zero Carbon Buildings and Affordability
Dear Council;
I support the City moving toward zero carbon buildings as part of our Climate Action Plan.
That said, I have a concern to express. Current approved developments for San Luis Ranch and Avila Ranch are
committed to be Zero Net Energy already. I wish the same applied to Righetti Ranch but that horse already appears to
have left the barn. In addition, millions of dollars in extraordinary benefits have been added to the costs of these ZNE
projects, which are supposed to contain many affordable units.
The concern is that adding a Zero Carbon mandate on top of the other requirements will further drive up costs and make
the units even less affordable. There needs to be a pilot program that proves the viability and marketability of the Zero
Carbon program to get buy in from both builders and homebuyers. I have not seen anything like that proposed yet.
That said, I am glad to participate in developing such a pilot program either through the Climate Coalition or
otherwise. The other side of the issue is that the greatest carbon reductions can be found in existing buildings, far in
excess of the reduction from ZNE to Zero Carbon. That is the area we can make the greatest gains. Again, I am anxious
to work toward a solution in that area.
Thank you for hearing my concerns.
Best regards,
1