leed nd fountain district presentation
DESCRIPTION
LEED ND of the Fountain District for Environmental Impact Assessment Capstone courseTRANSCRIPT
Fountain District Project
Huxley College of the EnvironmentWestern Washington University
December 2, 2009
Courtney AmerineMason FidinoAmne Hiraiwa
Ethan RommenMichael Stephen-McRae
Disclaimer: This report represents a class project that was carried out by students of Western Washington University, Huxley College of the Environment. It has not been undertaken at the request of any persons representing local governments or private individuals, nor does it necessarily represent the opinion or position of individuals from government or the private sector. 1
Overview•Fountain District Site Selection•Site Background•LEED ND Project Evaluation•Current Evaluation •Alternative Action•Smart Location and Linkage•Neighborhood Pattern and Design•Green Buildings and Infrastructure•Summary of Current and Potential Points• Recommendations
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Reasons for Selecting our Project Site
• City of Bellingham is currently formulating an Urban Village master plan for the Fountain District .
• Great connectivity• Citizens are not opposed to 3 or 4 story
buildings at Broadway and Meridian intersection.
• Residents and business owners feel this area is in need of redevelopment.
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Site of Fountain Rental – New Building Proposal
Building Specs
40 – 55’ tall
0’ setback
FSI – 3.4
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Fountain Galleria Building – Increased Height Proposal
Building Specs
55’ tall
0’ setback
FSI – 2
Existing FSI – 1.3
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Griffith Furniture Inc. – Increased Height Proposal
Building Specs
50’ tall
0’ setback
FSI – 2.1
Existing FSI – 1.1
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Site of Nails off Broadway – New Building Proposal
Building Specs
44’ tall
5’ setback
FSI – 1.6
Existing FSI – .1
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Site of the Dance Studio – New Building Proposal
Building Specs
48’ tall
0’ setback
FSI – .83
Existing FSI – .24
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What is LEED ND?
• Independent Third Party Certification - USGBC• First National Standard in Sustainable
Development• Adheres to Principles:
– Smart Growth– New Urbanism– Green Building and Infrastructure
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Smart Growth
• Well planned development.• Protects open space.• Revitalizes communities.• Keeps housing affordable.• More transportation choices.
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New Urbanism
• Increased focus on:– Compact, walkable neighborhoods.– Mixed use urban form.– Highly connected street networks.– Sufficient density– Building design that emphasizes human-scale.– Range of housing to serve diverse populations– Regional planning
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The importance of Green Building
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In United States, buildings account for:
Green buildings can significantly lower these environmental impacts.
Current LEED ND Credit Evaluation
•Fountain District does not currently meet LEED certification.•The area scores high in the Smart Location and Linkage sub-section.•Currently lacking many of the credits from the other sub-sections.
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Alternative Action•Potential to achieve Gold certification with alternative action.•Increased focus on sustainable development for the future of Bellingham.•Fountain district is ideal location for redevelopment due to it being an infill site.
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Why try to achieve higher certification?
• Shows other cities that Bellingham focuses on redeveloping our urban areas in unique and environmentally friendly ways.
• Boosts press interest in project.• Makes the area more livable, thus attracting
more people to move into the area.
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Smart Location and Linkage (SLL)“A movement called Smart Growth is challenging the way we build,
work, and live, and is encouraging us to look at communities not only as places to live but as vehicles to promote health and well-
being”(Geller, 2003).
• Proximity to existing development• Proximity to goods and services• Proximity to existing infrastructure• Preserve habitat, wetlands and water bodies• Jobs and housing in close proximity• Alternative methods of transportation, bicycle and pedestrian networks
SLL Required Prerequisites1. Smart Location2. Imperiled Species and Ecological Conservation3. Wetland and Water body Conservation4. Agricultural Land Conversion5. Floodplain Avoidance 22
SLL Prerequisite 1: Smart LocationPurpose:1) Locate development in an area with existing water and
wastewater infrastructure2) Locate in area already served by public transportation3) Reduce sprawl and promote smart growth practices
Current Evaluation:• The Fountain District project is served by existing water
and wastewater infrastructure.• Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA) provides at least 60
daily weekday trips and 40 weekend trips.
Conclusion: Prerequisite Met23
SLL Prerequisite 2: Imperiled Species and Ecological Conservation
Purpose:• To conserve imperiled species and ecological
communities
Current Evaluation:Declaration that no species in project site are listed as
threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
Conclusion: Prerequisite Met
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SLL Prerequisite 3: Wetland and Water Body Conservation
Purpose:• To preserve water quality,
natural hydrology, habitat and biodiversity through conservation of water bodies and wetlands
Current Evaluation:Project located on site with no
wetlands and water bodies within 50 feet
Conclusion: Prerequisite Met
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SLL Prerequisite 4: Agricultural Land
Purpose: To preserve agricultural resources by protecting
farmland and forest land from development
Current Evaluation:Site is not within a state or locally designated
agricultural preservation district and is served by adequate local transit.
Conclusion: Prerequisite Met 27
SLL Prerequisite 5: Floodplain Avoidance
Purpose: The location of the project will protect life, property and will promote open space and habitat conservation.
Current Evaluation: Site does not contain any land within the 100-year floodplain defined and mapped by FEMA
Conclusion: Prerequisite Met
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Smart Location and Linkage (SLL) Credits Built Environment• Credit 1: Preferred Locations• Credit 5: Housing and Jobs Proximity
Social/Economic Environment• Credit 3: Locations with Reduced Automobile Dependence• Credit 4: Bicycle Network
Natural Environment • Credit 2: Brownfields Redevelopment • Credit 6: Steep Slope Protection• Credit 7: Habitat and Wetland/Water Body Conservation• Credit 8: Habitat and Wetland/Water Body Restoration• Credit 9: Long-Term Conservation Management
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Built Environment: SLL Credit 1 Preferred Locations and Credit 5 Housing and Jobs
Proximity
Purpose: • By locating the proposed project within an
existing neighborhood, adverse environmental harms are reduced
• Locate jobs and businesses close to households to reduce travel distances and convert vehicle trips to walking and cycling
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Built Environment: SLL Credit 1 Preferred Locations (10 Points)
Current Evaluation: 9/10 Points• Infill site (5 Points Earned) • 380 intersections per square mile
within a 1/2 mile distance from the project boundary (4 Points Earned)
Alternative Action:• To earn full points, achieving 400
or more intersections per square mile is not economically feasible since the street grid density in the Fountain District has already been established and will remain unchanged.
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Built Environment: SLL Credit 5 Housing and Jobs Proximity (3 Points)
Current Evaluation: 0/3 Points• Residential and commercial components down Meridian and Elm
Street and is designated the commercial core• The majority of the surrounding area is residential with single-
family homes
Alternative Action:• Project will include 142 residential units that equal at least 30% of
the project’s total building square footage• The geographic center is within ½ mile walk distance of existing
full-time jobs equal or greater than 142• LEED ND evaluation should include jobs created from project
Conclusion: SLL Credit 5 Earns 0/3 Points 32
Social and Economic Environment: SLL Credit 3 and 4
SLL Credit 3:Reduced Automobile DependenceSLL Credit 4: Bicycle Network
Purpose:• To provide local access to alternative methods of
transportation• Promote transit and bicycle transportation• To reduce motor vehicle use
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Social and Economic: SLL Credit 3 Reduced Automobile Dependence (7 Points)
Current Evaluation: 5/7 Points• 162 daily weekday and 150 weekend
rides provided by Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA) to project site
• WTA Routes: 232, 15, 25X, 71X• Bus stops are located within ¼ mile walk
distance of at least 50 % of the residential units
Alternative Action: 6/7 Potential Points
• Evaluate demand for additional transit service to Fountain District
• If additional service is needed, adding 50 weekday trips and 84 weekend trips will earn 6 points
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Social and Economic: SLL Credit 4 Bicycle Network (1 Point)
Current Evaluation: 1/1 Points• Fountain District includes at least 5
continuous miles of bicycle routes• Project is within ¼ mile bicycling
distance of the bicycle network
Alternative Action: • Project will provide adequate bicycle
parking and storage based on residential and commercial building requirements
• Provide at least one storage space per residential unit
• Provide one storage space per retail worker for 10 percent of planned occupancy
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Natural Environment: SLL Credit 2 and Credits 6-9
Credit 2: Brownfields Redevelopment Credit 6: Steep Slope ProtectionCredit 7: Habitat and Wetland/Water Body ConservationCredit 8: Habitat and Wetland/Water Body RestorationCredit 9: Long-Term Conservation Management
Overall Purpose: • Protect steep slopes to minimize erosion and stress on
natural water systems • Conserve and restore native plants, wildlife habitat, wetlands
and water bodies for future generations
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Natural Environment: SLL Credit 2 and Credit 6
SLL Credit 2: Brownfields RedevelopmentCurrent Evaluation: 0/1 Points• Project is not located on a site defined as a Brownfield by a local,
state or federal agency and is not located in a high-priority redevelopment area.
SLL Credit 6: Steep Slope ProtectionCurrent Evaluation: 1/1 Points• All slopes in project site are less than 15 percent
Alternative Action: Not required 37
Natural Environment: SLL Credit 7-8Credit 7: Habitat and Wetland
ConservationCurrent Evaluation: 1/1 Points • Site does not have significant habitat
and does not have land within 100 feet of such habitat.
Alternative Action: Not required
Credit 8: Habitat and Wetland Restoration
Current Evaluation: 0/1 Points• Infill site • Restoration of pre-development
native ecological communities on a site equal to or greater than 10 percent of the development footprint has not taken place
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Natural Environment: SLL Credit 8 Habitat and Wetland Restoration
Alternative Action: 1/1 Potential Points• Project will only use native plants • Restore pre-development native ecological communities on a
site equal to or greater than 10 percent of the development footprint
• Work with a qualified biologist to ensure that restored areas will have habitat that includes native species assemblages and hydrology systems that occurred in pre-development conditions.
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Natural Environment: SLL Credit 8 Habitat and Wetland Restoration
Alternative Action: 1/1 Potential Points• Project will only use native plants • Restore pre-development native ecological communities on a
site equal to or greater than 10 percent of the development footprint
• Work with a qualified biologist to ensure that restored areas will have habitat that includes native species assemblages and hydrology systems that occurred in pre-development conditions.
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Natural Environment: SLL Credit 9Credit 9: Long-Term Conservation ManagementCurrent Evaluation: 0/1 Points• The project does not include a long-term conservation
management plan at the current time
Alternative Action: 1/1 Potential Points• Create a written commitment to implement a 10-year
management plan for new or existing on-site native habitats, water bodies and wetlands
• Provide guaranteed funding source for the management plan• Include a person from a natural resource agency, a natural
resource consulting firm or an academic qualified ecologist
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Smart Location and Linkage Credit Summary
• All prerequisites currently met• Currently Fountain District earns 17/27 Points• Alternative action has potential to earn 20/27• Alternative action points earned primarily in Natural
Environment category• Evaluation of transit demand is required to
determine if additional service to the Fountain District is necessary and potential to earn additional LEED ND credits
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Neighboorhood Pattern and Design (NPD)
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NPD Prerequisite 1: Walkable Streets
“If you design communities for automobiles, you get more automobiles. If you design them for people, you get walkable, livable communities.” - Parris Glendening and Christine Todd Whitman
Purpose:1)Promote transportation efficiency2)Provide a safe street environment that encourages pedestrian activity
Current Evaluation:•The Fountain District already has continuous sidewalks encouraging pedestrian activity
Alternative Action:•No additional action is required to meet this prerequisite
Conclusion: Prerequisite Met
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NPD Prerequisite 1: Walkable Streets
“If you design communities for automobiles, you get more automobiles. If you design them for people, you get walkable, livable communities.” - Parris Glendening and Christine Todd Whitman
Purpose:1)Promote transportation efficiency2)Provide a safe street environment that encourages pedestrian activity
Current Evaluation:•The Fountain District already has continuous sidewalks encouraging pedestrian activity
Alternative Action:•No additional action is required to meet this prerequisite
Conclusion: Prerequisite Met
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NPD Prerequisite 2: Compact Development“The scarcity of land for development has necessitated the intensification of the use of available land to accommodate future needs. Mixed-use and compact developments have become attractive approaches, especially in towns and villages where services and transportation are most available.” (nahb.org)
Purpose:1)Conserve land through infill projects2)Promote an efficient transportation system
Current Evaluation:•Does not meet residential dwelling unit density requirement •Has an extremely low non-residential density (.68)Alternative Action:•Provide an additional 142 residential dwelling units providing 59 dwelling units per acre•Infill project area with new buildings increasing non-residential density to (1.9)
Conclusion: Prerequisite met only with alternative action
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NPD Prerequisite 3: Connected and Open Community
Purpose:1)Promote physically connected communities2)Encourage projects in existing communities
Current Evaluation:•With no action the project area still meets requirement with connectivity of 444 intersections per square mile
Alternative Action:•No alternative action is needed to meet the requirement, the proposed development will not affect this requirement
Conclusion: Prerequisite Met
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Neighborhood Pattern and Design (NPD) Credits
Built Environment• Credit 1: Walkable Streets• Credit 2: Compact Development• Credit 5: Reduced Parking Footprint• Credit 6: Street Network• Credit 7: Transit Facilities• Credit 11: Visitability and Universal Design
Purpose: To promote a more liveable community through promoting compact development, reducing dependence on motor vehicles, and increasing overall health.
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Social/Economic Environment• Credit 3: Mixed-use Neighborhood Centers• Credit 4: Mixed-Income Diverse Communities• Credit 8: Transportation Demand Management• Credit 9: Access to Civic and Public Spaces• Credit 10: Access to Recreational Facilities • Credit 12: Community Outreach and Involvement • Credit 13: Local Food Production• Credit 15: Neighborhood Schools
Purpose: Promote a diverse community through providing affordable housing. Increase community involvement and activity by offering community centers and access to public spaces.
Neighborhood Pattern and Design (NPD) Credits
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Natural Environment • Credit 14: Tree-Lined and Shaded Streets
Purpose: Provide access to green-spaces.
Neighborhood Pattern and Design (NPD) Credits
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Built Environment: NPD Credit 1 and Credit 2
Credit 1: Walkable StreetsCurrent Evaluation: (3/12)The site is already walkable with sidewalks provided and access to the commercial buildings from the sidewalk. Alternative Action: (4/12)Since the site already has a defined road system changing is next to impossible. By providing multiple uses through redevelopment the community becomes more walkable.
Credit 2: Compact DevelopmentCurrent Evaluation: (0/6)Alternative Action: (5/6)
Residential Density Non Residential Density
Current Evaluation 0 .68
Alternative Action 59 1.9 51
Built Environment: NPD Credit 5 and Credit 6
Credit 5: Reduced Parking FootprintCurrent Evaluation (1/1)With no proposed new development the project, no additional parking lots will be added.Alternative Action (1/1)No additional parking lots will be added – parking lot size will decrease by 1,600 square feet of private parking to be replaced by a new building. To address parking public parking spots will be added along roadways.
Credit 6: Street NetworkCurrent Evaluation (2/2)Internal connectivity of street system already meets requirement with 444 intersections within ¼ mile of project boundary.Alternative Action (2/2)Proposed project will not change road systems keeping connectivity at 444 intersections per square mile.
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Built Environment: NPD Credit 7 and Credit 11
Credit 7: Transit FacilitiesCurrent Evaluation (0/1) No benches or shelters are currently provided at any transit stop in the project area.Alternative Action (1/1)The transit stops will be reconstructed to include a shelter, bench, and Pulse Start MetalHalide Cutoff Street Lights
Credit 11: Visitabilty and Universal DesignCurrent Evaluation (0/1)With no proposed development the credit will not be metAlternative Action (1/1)It will be stipulated in the CC&R that all developers will meet a minimum of 20% of universaldesign features to make the neighborhood more accessible for all individuals. 53
Social/Economic Environment: NPD Credit 3 and Credit 4
Credit 3: Mixed-Use Neighborhood CentersCurrent Evaluation (0/4)No dwelling units within the project boundary.Alternative Action (3/4)The proposed dwelling units will be within ¼ mile of 12 diverse uses in order to promote mixed-use development
Credit 4: Mixed-Income Diverse CommunitiesCurrent Evaluation (0/7)All buildings are currently privately owned and not used for residential purposes.Alternative Action (6/7)Adopt a plan as part of the project development to provide affordable housing based on HUD housing requirements for Bellingham
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Social/Economic Environment: NPD Credit 8 and Credit 9
Credit 8: Transportation Demand ManagementCurrent Evaluation (0/2)Alternative Action (2/2)
Current Prices Subsidized Prices
Monthly Quarterly Monthly Quarterly
Regular Pass $25 $70 $12.50 $35
People w/ Approved Disability
$13 $35 $6.50 $17.50
Credit 9: Access to Civic and Public SpaceCurrent Evaluation (0/1)Alternative Action (0/1)
No open spaces are provided as part of the current evaluation or proposed project
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Social/Economic Environment: NPD Credit 10 and Credit 12
Credit 10: Access to Recreational FacilitiesCurrent Evaluation (0/1)Alternative Action (0/1)
No recreational facilities large enough are provided currently or part of the proposed project to meet the credit requirement.
Credit 12: Community Outreach and InvolvementCurrent Evaluation (1/2)Although no development has been proposed the City of Bellingham has held 3 focus group group meetings as well as 4 public input meetings for ideas on how to develop the area.Alternative Action (2/2)As part of the community outreach a developer will need to implement a charrette
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Social/Economic Environment: NPD Credit 13 and Credit 15
Credit 13: Local Food ProductionCurrent Evaluation (0/1)Alternative Action (1/1)
In order to promote access to community-based and local food developers a Community Supported Agriculture program may be implemented for the Fountain District since so little land is left within the project area for food production.
Credit 15: Neighborhood SchoolsCurrent Evaluation (1/1)Alternative Action (1/1)
The schools within the project boundary area are and will continue to be integratedIn the neighborhood fabric.
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Natural Environment: NPD Credit 14
Credit 14: Tree-Lined and Shaded TreesCurrent Evaluation (0/2)Alternative Action (2/2)Add aspects of the natural environment to the project area by adding trees alongthe sidewalks and streets within the project area.
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Summary
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GIB Prerequisite 1: Certified Green Building
• Purpose: Encourage the design, construction and/or retrofit of buildings that utilize green building practices.
• Current Evaluation: There are no certified Green Buildings in the site area
• Alternative Action: We propose all future construction in the Fountain District Commercial Core follow the guidelines of the USGBC LEED certification system.
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GIB Prerequisite 2: Minimum Building Energy Efficiency
• Purpose: Encourage the design and construction of energy efficient buildings that reduce air, water, and land pollution and adverse environmental impacts from energy production and consumption.
• Current Evaluation: In September of 2009 the City of Bellingham was awarded $780,100 in federal funding through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECGB). They plan to utilize this grant to create a Municipal Facility Energy Conservation Program as well as adopting code that is the National Green Building Standard. (COB EECB Program)
• Alternative Action:
• New buildings demonstrate a 10% improvement over ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007.
• Buildings undergoing major renovations demonstrate a 5% improvement over ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007.
• 90% of new buildings must meet ENERGY STAR or equivalent criteria.
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GIB Prerequisite 3: Minimum Building Water Efficiency
• Purpose: Reduce impacts to natural water resources, and reduce burdens on community water supply and wastewater systems.
• Current Evaluation: Bellingham employs municipal water law requirements as outlined by the Washington State Legislature Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1338.
• Alternative Action: Continued application of high efficiency fixtures. All new construction and redevelopment in the site area strives to utilize the best science and technology available for their water infrastructure.
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GIB Prerequisite 4: Construction Activity Pollution Prevention
• Purpose: Reduce pollution from construction activities by controlling soil erosion, waterway sedimentation and airborne dust generation.
• Alternative Action: Create and implement an Erosion and Sedimentation Control (ESC) Plan
a. Prevent loss of soil during construction by stormwater runoff and/or wind erosion, including, but not limited to, topsoil
stockpiling for reuse. b. Prevent sedimentation of any impacted stormwater
conveyance systems or receiving streams. c. Prevent polluting the air with dust and particulate matter.
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GIB Credit 4: Water Efficient Landscape • 1 Point• Purpose: Limit or eliminate the use of potable water, and
other natural surface or subsurface water resources on project sites, for landscape irrigation.
• Current Evaluation: There are a few areas of the Fountain District that implement permeable surfaces however this effort could be greatly improved.
• Alternative Action: Through sidewalk renovation incorporate bioswales along areas of high runoff. All new construction and renovation utilize bioswales at points of runoff from their property. This system is good for reducing wasted water in regards to irrigation and landscaping. By breaking up the impervious surfaces of streets and parking lots, water gets naturally filtered and relieves drainage systems.
The eight fundamentals of water-wise landscaping:•Group plants according to their water •Use native and low-water-use plants.•Limit turf areas to those needed for practical uses.•Use efficient irrigation systems.•Schedule irrigation wisely•Make sure soil is healthy•Remember to mulch.•Provide regular maintenance.
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GIB Credit 5/6:Existing Building Reuse/Historic Preservation
• Purpose: Extend the life cycle of existing building stock to conserve resources, reduce waste, and reduce adverse environmental impacts of new buildings related to materials manufacturing and transport.
• Current Evaluation: The Fountain District has many buildings that are ripe for renovation and update.
• Important to residents of the area that the cultural landscape is preserved.
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GIB Credit 7: Minimum Site Disturbance
• Purpose: Preserve existing non-invasive tree canopy, native vegetation and pervious surfaces.
• Current Evaluation: Previously developed area, making all new development infill.
• Alternative Action: Locate 100% of the development footprint on areas that are previously developed and for which 100% of the zone of construction impact is previously developed.
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GIB Credit 8: Storm water Management
• Purpose: Improve water quality and hydrologic stability, promote aquifer recharge, and reduce flooding through the emulation of undeveloped natural hydrological conditions.
• Current Evaluation:All development/redevelopment proposed within Bellingham's jurisdiction is designed to comply with the Stormwater Management Handbook, the Technical Manual and the Master Plan.
• Comprehensive plans for the BMPs for designing and implementing a stormwater management system
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GIB Credit 11: On-site Renewable Energy Sources
• 1 to 3 Points• Purpose: Encourage on-site renewable energy production to reduce the
adverse environmental and economic impacts associated with fossil fuel energy production and use.
• Current Evaluation: There are currently no on-site renewable energy production resources within the Fountain District.
• Alternative Action: Written commitment to develop on-site renewable energy generation system(s) to meet the requirements if the project is built.
Non-polluting renewable energy technologies include:•Wind•Geothermal•small scale/micro hydroelectric
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GIB Credit 15: Recycled Content in Infrastructure
• “The case for recycling is strong. The bottom line is clear. Recycling requires a trivial amount of our time. Recycling saves money and reduces pollution. Recycling creates more jobs than landfilling or incineration. And a largely ignored but very important consideration, recycling reduces our need to dump our garbage in someone else's backyard.” -David Morris of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (Morris, Recycling and the New York Times)
• Purpose: Use recycled and reclaimed materials to reduce the adverse environmental impacts of extracting and processing virgin materials.
• Current Evaluation: Because the Fountain District is an infill site, there is already an infrastructure grid in place.
• Alternative Action: Use materials for new infrastructure such that the sum of post-consumer recycled content, in-place reclaimed materials, and one-half of the pre-consumer recycled content constitutes at least 50% of the total mass of infrastructure materials.
• Recycled content shall be defined in accordance with ISO/IEC 14021 - Environmental labels and declaration - Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labeling).
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Summary
• A commitment to green and sustainable buildings is best for the community and the environment.
• Simple building techniques can be designed inexpensively and effectively.
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Recommendations
• This site is an ideal candidate for development to deal with the projected growth Bellingham will have to face in the years to come.
• More suitable and sustainable than developing other sites (i.e. Chuckanut Ridge and King Mountain)
• Citizens are open to development, and would like to see a more vibrant and functioning community.
• Increases the aesthetics and overall usefulness of the area.
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• City of Bellingham and its citizens are committed to sustainable development within the city.
• Potential to easily achieve LEED certification– Project site in its current state is only 2 credits
away from achieving lowest LEED certification.– Project site already has the framework to develop
responsibly and sustainably.
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