Link to Exhibit A: City of Portland Green Building Policy  (PDF Document, 32 kb)

PURPOSE

WHEREAS, conventional development and construction practices deplete natural resources and cause air and water pollution, solid waste, deforestation, toxic wastes, health hazards, global warming, and other negative consequences; and

WHEREAS, buildings use one-quarter of all the world’s wood harvest, consume two-fifths of all materials and energy flows, and account for more than one-third of Portland’s carbon emissions; and

WHEREAS, the increasing urgency of climate change, rising energy prices, and a fragile economy pose serious threats to Portland’s ability to thrive, now and in the future; and

WHEREAS, green building complements existing policies related to development and natural resource conservation; including solid waste and recycling policies, sustainable procurement policies, the Stormwater Management Manual, 1% for Green Streets, the Local Action Plan on Global Warming, the Portland Plan, and Metro 2040 Framework Plan; and

WHEREAS, sustainable development practices present a major economic development opportunity for Portland and Oregon; and

WHEREAS, the City of Portland recognizes its responsibility to implement and promote building practices that protect the quality of the air, water, and other natural resources; reduce construction practices that impact native fish, vegetation, wildlife and other ecosystems; and minimize human impact on local and worldwide ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, the United States Green Building Council has, in a national collaborative process, created Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards that identify a range of actions that define green buildings and establish certification processes for new and existing buildings; and

WHEREAS, in 1999 the City Council accepted the Green Building Options Study and Green Building Initiative to develop an inter-bureau effort to implement green building standards for all City design, construction, operation, and maintenance practices; and

WHEREAS, in 2001, City Council adopted the City’s Green Building Policy to require all new City facilities to register and certify at the LEED Certified level and incorporate green building strategies in tenant improvement and operation and maintenance practices; and

WHEREAS, in 2005, City Council revised the City’s Green Building Policy to raise the certification level of new City facilities to LEED Gold, require ecoroof coverage on new and replacement roofs and define inter-bureau efforts to support community-wide green building practices; and

WHEREAS, the City of Portland has designed and constructed three LEED-registered projects and numerous green remodel, tenant improvement, ecoroof and public infrastructure projects; and

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Development Services’ Process Management assistance and Alternative Technology Review Committee are available to support the permitting of green building projects; and

WHEREAS, the City of Portland seeks to improve understanding and compliance with this Policy, retain its leadership and respond to advancements in the green building industry and applied practices.

POLICY

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Portland Green Building Policy attached hereto as Exhibit A, is adopted; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Portland shall finance and staff its green building projects at a level suitable to meet the policy requirements; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution is binding City policy and supersedes the prior Green Building Policy (2001) and update (2005) adopted in Resolution No. 35956.

Link to Exhibit A: City of Portland Green Building Policy  (PDF Document, 32 kb)