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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRS_GHG_v1.pdf SOLERA Page 1 of 4 Date: October 11, 2018 To: Matt Herrera, City of Renton From: Jeremy Febus, PE, KPFF Subject: GHG Reduction, Trip Reduction, and Energy Conservation Measures The City of Renton adopted Sunset Area Community Planned Action requires that applicants for redevelopment under the Planned Action Ordinance consider Green House Gas (GHG) emission reduction measures identified in Attachment B – Table 6 of the Planned Action Ordinance. Following is a table listing all of the measures in Table 6 followed by a response regarding the applicant’s consideration of each measure. Reduction Measure from Table 6 Applicant Consideration Site Design Plant trees and vegetation near structures to shade buildings. Trees will be planted throughout the redevelopment area including in proximity to proposed structures as depicted on the preliminary landscape plan. Minimize building footprint. The zoning code allows for maximum lot coverage of 75% when parking is within buildings (as it is in this proposal). This project proposes a lot coverage of approximately 55%. Design water efficient landscaping. Landscaping will be a mixture of bio-retention plantings appropriate for stormwater systems, and drought tolerant landscaping as required by COR code. Minimize energy use through building orientation. The site plan, including building orientation, has been carefully coordinated with the city planning staff. Building Design and Operation Construct buildings according to City of Seattle energy code. The applicant has reviewed both the City of Seattle and City of Renton energy code standards, which have both continued to evolve (and will continue to evolve) since the Planned Action Adoption. The applicant feels that the City of Renton standards with the anticipated 2019 update are the appropriate standard for the proposed development. Apply Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards (or equivalent) for design and operations. The applicant has reviewed the LEED standards as they would apply to this development, and chosen not to pursue LEED certification at this time. Purchase Energy Star equipment and appliances for public agency use. There are no public agency uses proposed in this development. Energy Star appliances will be a part of all townhome units. Page 2 of 4 Incorporate on-site renewable energy production, including installation of photovoltaic cells or other solar options. The applicant has reviewed the feasibility and economics of utilizing photovoltaic cells or other solar options on this site, and has chosen not to propose any active solar systems at this time. Design street lights to use energy- efficient bulbs and fixtures. The street lighting will incorporate full cut off fixtures to reduce light pollution and LED bulbs for energy efficiency. Construct “green roofs” and use high- albedo roofing materials. A portion of the mixed-use building roofs will be green roof in addition to the mixed-use buildings use of a high albedo roof material. Install high-efficiency heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. Townhome units will use high-efficiency heating systems and ventilation in accordance with WA State VIAQ code. Eliminate or reduce use of refrigerants in HVAC systems. This measure is not proposed at this time. Maximize interior day lighting through floor plates, increased building perimeter and use of skylights, clerestories, and light wells. The project will seek to maximize day lighting through access to natural light from habitable spaces in all units and community spaces. Incorporate energy efficiency technology such as super insulation motion sensors for lighting and climate- control-efficient, directed exterior lighting. 7 day programmable thermostats will be provided for all units to allow for individualized programming to limit the loads to just those necessary for each occupant. Motion sensors for lighting will be used in community amenity spaces within the mixed-use buildings. Use water-conserving fixtures that surpass building code requirements. Given building code updates that have, and will still occur since the time of the Planned Action adoption, the applicant feels that the current code requirements are appropriate for the proposed development. Reuse gray water and/or collect and reuse rainwater. Water re-use systems generally require steady demand from a significant mixture of residential and commercial use. The applicant has reviewed the feasibility and economics of rainwater re-use on this site, and has chosen not to propose any such systems at this time. Use recycled building materials and products. The existing buildings proposed for demolition were built in 1958 and 1962. A combination of the age and condition of the existing buildings and hazardous material abatement of a portion of the existing buildings makes recycling and re-use impractical for this site. Asphalt grindings from the site will be used for road subgrade to the extent allowed by the City. Use building materials that are extracted and/or manufactured within the region. This measure is not proposed to be used at this time. Page 3 of 4 Use rapidly renewable building materials. This measure is not proposed to be used at this time. Conduct third-party building commissioning to ensure energy performance. Third party building commissioning will be provided for the mixed use buildings to ensure accurate and efficient set-up of MEP building operation systems. Track energy performance of building and develop strategy to maintain efficiency. Due to the anticipated individualized nature of building utilities, aggregate understanding of efficiency and maintenance is not practicable. Transportation Site parking capacity to not exceed local parking requirements and, where possible, seek reductions in parking supply through special permits or waivers. Proposed parking does not exceed COR parking requirements. Develop and implement a marketing/information program that includes posting and distribution of ridesharing/transit information. Marketing material will be made available both digitally on the builder’s website and at the point of sale or rent to new residents that highlights ridesharing and transit information relevant to the project. Subsidize transit passes. Reduce employee trips during peak periods through alternative work schedules, telecommuting, and/or flex time. Provide a guaranteed-ride-home program. No subsidized transit passes or guaranteed ride home programs are currently planned for this project. Provide bicycle storage and showers/changing rooms. Parking garages will be provided for each townhome site. Bicycle storage will be included in the mixed-use buildings, and public bike racks will be included in common recreation areas throughout the development. Showers and changing rooms are not proposed given that the mixed-uses on this site will be primarily residential and retail. Use traffic signalization and coordination to improve traffic flow and support pedestrian and bicycle safety. No changes are proposed to signal controls; however, the applicant team did work closely with city staff to propose a parking lane bypass on Sunset Blvd. Apply advanced technology systems and management strategies to improve operational efficiency of local streets. No new transportation technologies are proposed by this project. Develop shuttle systems around business district parking garages to reduce congestion and create shorter commutes. Not applicable for the proposed type of development. Page 4 of 4 The City of Renton adopted Sunset Area Community Planned Action also encourages redevelopment under the Planned Action Ordinance to implement trip-reduction and energy conservation measures identified in Attachment B – Table 12 of the Planned Action Ordinance. Following is a table listing all of the measures in Table 6 followed by a response regarding the applicant’s consideration of each measure. Reduction Measure from Table 10 Applicant Consideration Site Design An energy reduction of 12% through implementation of strategies established by the Northwest Energy Star Homes program for multifamily residential buildings. Townhome buildings will be designed using performance energy modeling in conjunction with Quadrant’s Living Smart program to ensure an energy reduction equivalent or greater than Northwest Energy Star Homes program for multifamily residential buildings is met. An energy reduction of 10% through compliance with the Seattle Energy Code for non-residential buildings. The applicant has reviewed both the City of Seattle and City of Renton energy code standards, which have both continued to evolve (and will continue to evolve) since the Planned Action Adoption. The applicant feels that the City of Renton standards with the anticipated 2019 update are the appropriate standard for the proposed development.