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Orange Village takes lead on green building
(by Sali McSherry - February 17, 2010)
Orange Village takes lead on green building
By SALI McSHERRY
Orange Village is taking a leading role in the area by providing sustainable building guidelines for new construction. Village Council approved a resolution last week for the program that is strictly voluntary on the part of homeowners, builders and architects.
Jason Kline, an Orange resident and architect, who headed a committee that put together a manual for the village, made a short presentation to council.
The "Orange Goes Green Certification Program" manual is a reference guide for those interested in following criteria developed by the village for green building. It is an opportunity to take a leadership position in Northeast Ohio by creating a model set of guidelines other communities may utilize and emulate, Mr. Kline said.
Using the village guidelines, property owners and the village can reduce the community's carbon footprint and improve property values, water quality, biodiversity, environmental health, enhance community pride and save energy for the homeowner, Mr. Kline said.
According to Green City Blue Lake Institute, of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, almost 24 percent of the region's carbon-dioxide emission, or almost 11 tons, comes from residential buildings, Mr. Kline had said.
Councilman Herbert Braverman previously asked why the village does not just use guidelines established by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
Mr. Kline said the idea is to recognize that rules that apply elsewhere in the United States may not apply in Northeast Ohio. And while Ohio building codes will change, it will take time, he said.
The committee has been working with the Cuyahoga County planning commission and U.S. Green Building Council Northeast Ohio, according to Mayor Kathy U. Mulcahy.
The committee also used other recognized standards, including the National Home Builders Association Model Green Home Building guidelines and checklist and Energy Star criteria.
Ms. Mulcahy said the aim is improve the quality of life in the village by promoting a clean environment, reduce pollution, improve water quality, provide a source for community education on sustainable building and "raise community expectations for building and development to improve outcomes for more energy-efficient buildings constructed or improved within the village."
Other goals are to enhance property values and improve community awareness of the value of sustainable building and the economic impact it can provide.
Councilman Edward Bonk asked about some of the nonobjective standards within the process for earning credits toward green certification by the village.
Determinations will be made based on the review of the architect and builder's plan by the village architect and the village engineer, Mr. Kline said. If the architect and builder do not agree with the scoring for a particular credit, the party may appeal to the sustainable building committee for an interpretation, he said.
Last year, there were only two building permits issued for new construction, Ms. Mulcahy said. This year, two parties have requested the green certification guidelines manual, she said. The committee plans in the future to develop sustainable building guidelines for renovations and remodeling, she said.
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