Smart planning
Boulder County starts with planning based on foresight: our
Comprehensive Plan outlines a long-term vision for the
County, including goals and policies. The plan addresses
everything from open space and transportation to cultural
resources, economics and housing. In 2007, the Boulder County
Planning Commission amended the Comprehensive Plan to
include a
Sustainability Element.
These policies of the Comprehensive Plan are codified in
Boulder County's
Land Use Code. This set of regulations governs new
development and building within unincorporated Boulder County.
The code upholds Boulder County's commitment to preserve
agricultural and open space lands, protect mountain vistas and
slopes, and focus new urban development within established communities
- thus reducing sprawl.
Green building
Boulder County is in the process of adopting
BuildSmart, a green building program for new residential
construction. The County Commissioners have approved the
BuildSmart Program, which sets mandatory requirements and
optional recommendations to improve energy efficiency, conserve
water and resources and reduce waste generated by new
construction and additions. Now that the program has been
approved, Land Use staff will draft the specific program
elements into the Boulder County Building Code, and those code
amendments will be brought back to the Commissioners for final
adoption.
In addition to BuildSmart, Boulder County staff are working
to establish programs to help local
businesses strive for LEED standards and sustainable
development. One such program is the Facilities Managers
Network, a countywide group consisting of the facilities
managers of various large businesses and organizations who are
working together to explore ways to improve the energy
efficiency and reduce the "carbon footprint" of their respective
organizations.
Serving as a sustainable role model
Boulder County has been incorporating sustainable building
practices in its own facilities for many years, employing
strategies for improving site ecology, water efficiency, energy
conservation, indoor air quality and use of recycled materials.
Boulder County seeks EPA-rated
Energy Star labels for its buildings and has achieved
ratings on several. County architects are
LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited or
seeking accreditation, and Boulder County is committed to meeting LEED
Gold or Silver standards on all new buildings being constructed.
The County Architect Division is currently
pursuing the County’s first LEED rated building. The
Detox
Facility is designed to attain LEED Gold Certification. This
10,000 square-foot facility is currently under construction with
occupancy expected in early summer 2007.
Additional information:
More resources and links:
|
