HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/3/2019 Item 18, Goodwin
From:Andrew Goodwin <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Fwd: Building Decarbonization - AIA viewpoint?
Good afternoon Council,
I wanted to get in touch with you because I felt that the AIA California Central Coast board dropped the ball on this and
we did not have enough time to convene again to formalize a letter. We have discussed this at length in previous board
meetings, and some of our members have written to make sure their voices were understood about the code. Here are
my thoughts and they do not necessarily pertain to all the members to take it as if coming from me.
The AIA California Executive Board Meeting from July met with many top officials and experts to discuss the
Decarbonization and Electrification of California. Among the speakers was the California Energy Commission Andrew
McAllister . Commissioner McAllister was asked by the board (along with Ed Mazria) as to whether California would
adopt the current Zero Code as an incentive code to begin to combat the issue that we are behind the eightball when it
comes to building net-zero energy and decarbonization. He alluded to the fact that the next code cycle might jump
closer to 2030 goals than previously thought due to this. The Zero Code was referenced and therefore the common
thought process was that this could potentially become a model code for moving forward for all new construction.
With that knowledge, I think that it is a good idea to begin to push forward to incentivize builders of commercial and
residential projects to address clean energy and carbon neutrality in all their buildings. If anything this move will help
our City get ready for what is coming. But I would stress that the members of the AIA believe in being environmental
stewards, but many of them are concerned on the burden it will place on plan review resources in both training and
review time. It seems that the City staff in the building and planning department are not long for this world. The
question would be if this has been fully processed, vetted, and polled by the staff members that will have to deal with
this code day in and day out?
If there is an easier way for the language to be incentives for the coming years rather than mandatory then maybe there
is less pressure on staff. BUT no matter what, the reason I support this effort is that the State is pursuing a very
aggressive net-zero and carbon-neutral future. So we need to prepare.
I hope this help and please do share with anyone that needs to see a professionals perspective. Though I do not speak
for the whole of the AIA CCC or AIA California - I do sit through the meetings and know what is being said.
Thanks
Andrew
Andrew C. Goodwin, AIA, LEED AP
Architect, Andrew Goodwin Designs
Executive Board Director, AIA California Central Coast
office: 805.439.1611
cell: 513.505.9373
www.andrewgoodwin.us
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On Mon, Aug 19, 2019 at 12:25 PM Andy Pease <andy@inbalancegreen.com> wrote:
Esteemed AIACC Board Members-
As you know, the City of San Luis Obispo is proposing code amendments and a clean energy choice program to
encourage decarbonization of buildings. The proposed ordinance has been out for public review and many changes
have been made in response to comments. Details are still being fine-tuned but I think the program is the right balance
of leadership in climate action with the realities of implementation.
I am writing to request that the AIA formally weigh in, either specifically supporting the ordinance or at least the
principles.
The agenda report will be out Aug. 27 and the item will come to council Sept. 3. Attached is the current draft, and
background and reports can be found on the city's webpage.
To give you a head start, I've taken the liberty of drafting a Viewpoint which could be submitted to the Tribune or New
Times, using adopted policies and positions of AIA National. Depending on the position of the board, the language
could be made more or less specific.
Thank you for your ongoing leadership!
Andy
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Andrea R. Pease, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
San Luis Obispo | Santa Barbara
1015 Nipomo St., Suite 200, San Luis Obispo 93401
www.inbalancegreen.com (805) 235-6355
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