Green Building Certification: What Are You Afraid Of?
Back in September a Palm Coast ordinance providing for the fast tracking of building permits, relief from permitting fees and free certification inspection of green buildings by city inspectors hit a roadblock and was tabled. According the the Flagler County News this ordinance was unanimously passed in a modified form this past week. The major sticking point in the original legislation was not resistance to green building itself but rather the provision for unlimited free inspections by city inspectors. The homebuilders group argued that providing unlimited free inspections was going to hurt the business of independent companies who currently provide such services while the city council argued that free inspections would help builders who are currently wary of building green become comfortable with the process. The ordinance is meant to provide an incentive to builders to go green as city manager Jim Landon says:
"In essence what this does is attempts to not require builders and developers to include more environmentally friendly design, but gives them incentives to do so,"
"We changed the ordinance so we will do one certification per builder with the idea that hopefully they will see some value in continuing that program,"
Are green building incentives and mandates being held up by the market or rather by interest groups who fail to see the bigger picture? Palm Coast is taking steps in the right direction it is a shame to see good legislation being watered down the interests of a small group of independent building inspectors, individuals who presumably want to see green building expand.
Free inspections, especially where it looks like the locality is giving away fees that in essence are being earned by others, seems like a pretty weak incentive. That does not feel like the locality having much skin it the game.
I am betting that if you get to the bottom of this, the local builders were asking for different incentives. Arlington County, Virginia, for example, provides bonus density and folks seem to like that. Either that or this BIA is overrun with third party inspectors as affiliate members, which I suppose may also be the case!
Tim,
Not only were free inspections being provided but also a fast tracking of permits and a waiver or reduction in permit fees. It is important to remember that this ordinance was being enacted in Florida which has been particularly hard hit by the downturn in the housing market, which leads me to believe many of the "builders" may have shifted to "energy auditing" which would explain their reluctance to accepting unlimited free inspections.
Very interesting point on the market shift and economics down there. I would love for Jason DeLorenzo to reply here and give us "The rest of the story" in true Paul Harvey fashion. Or maybe Mr. Landon. Or even better, both of them!!