Action 5 -
Document that the new construction or major remodeling of a public building has met the SB 2030 energy standard or has met or qualified under a green building or energy framework.
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Buildings and Lighting
1 . Efficient Existing Public Buildings:
Benchmark energy and water usage, identify savings opportunities in consultation with state programs, utilities and others to implement cost-effective energy and sustainability improvements.
Action 6 -
Improve the operations & maintenance of city-owned/school buildings and leased buildings by using a customized online energy efficiency tool, asset management tool, green building framework or green lease.
Action 7 -
Install for one or more city-owned/school buildings one of the following efficiency measures:
2 . Efficient Existing Private Buildings:
Provide incentives for energy, water and sustainability improvements in existing residential, not-for-profit and commercial buildings/building sites.
Action 2 -
Integrate green building and EV charging best practices information and assistance into the building permit process.
Action 4 -
Describe energy/water efficiency outcomes and other green building practices at businesses and not-for-profit organizations located within/nearby the city.
Action 5 -
Conserve/protect drinking/groundwater resources by creating a water-wise landscaping ordinance/guidance, WaterSense purchasing program, or guidance on rainwater harvesting and home water softener use.
Action 6 -
Provide a financial or other incentive to private parties who add energy/sustainability improvements, meet the SB 2030 energy standard, or renovate using a green building or energy framework.
Action 7 -
Customize a model sustainable building renovation policy that includes the SB 2030 energy standard and adopt the language to govern private renovation projects that:
3 . New Green Buildings:
Construct new buildings to meet or qualify under a green building framework.
Action 1 -
Require by city policy that new city-owned buildings be built using the SB 2030 energy standard and/or a green building framework.
Action 2 -
Work with the local school district to ensure that future new schools are built using the SB 2030 energy standard and/or a green building framework.
Action 3 -
Adopt a sustainable building policy for private buildings; include the SB 2030 energy standard; adopt language governing new development projects that:
Action 4 -
Provide a financial or other incentive to private parties who build new buildings that utilize the SB 2030 energy standard and/or a green building framework.
Action 5 -
Adopt environmentally preferable covenant guidelines for new common interest communities addressing issues such as stormwater, greywater, native vegetation, growing food, clothes lines, electric vehicle charging, and renewable energy.
5 . Building Redevelopment:
Create economic and regulatory incentives for redevelopment and repurposing of existing buildings.
Action 4 -
Create/modify a green residential remodeling assistance/financing program to assist homeowners in adding space or features such as EV charging, renewables to their existing homes.
Land Use
6 . Comprehensive, Climate and Energy Plans:
Build public support and legal validity to long-term infrastructural and regulatory strategy.
Action 3 -
Include requirements in comprehensive and/or other plans for intergovernmental coordination addressing regional land use and watershed / wellhead impacts, infrastructure, transportation, economic development and city/regional services.
9 . Efficient Highway- and Auto-Oriented Development:
Adopt commercial development and design standards for auto-oriented development corridors and clusters.
Action 3 -
Adopt infrastructure design standards that protect the economic and ecologic functions of the highway corridor through clustering of development, native plantings and incorporating access management standards.
10 . Design for Natural Resource Conservation:
Adopt development ordinances or processes that protect natural systems and valued community assets.
Action 1 -
Conduct a Natural Resource Inventory or Assessment (NRI or NRA); incorporate protection of priority natural systems or resources such as groundwater through the subdivision or development process.
Action 6 -
Conserve natural, cultural, historic resources by adopting or amending city codes and ordinances to support sustainable sites, including roadsides, and environmentally protective land use development.
Transportation
11 . Living & Complete Streets:
Create a network of green complete streets that improves city quality of life, public health, and adds value to surrounding properties.
Action 1 -
Adopt a complete streets policy, or a living streets policy, which addresses landscaping and stormwater.
Action 2 -
Adopt zoning language or approve a skinny street/development project that follows green street and/or walkable streets principles.
Action 3 -
Modify a street in compliance with the city's complete streets policy.
Environmental Management
16 . Community Forests and Soils:
Add city tree and plant cover that conserves topsoils and increases community health, wealth, quality of life.
Action 5 -
Adopt a tree preservation or native landscaping ordinance.
17 . Stormwater Management:
Minimize the volume of and pollutants in rainwater runoff by maximizing green infrastructure.
Action 1 -
Adopt and use Minnesota's Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS).
Action 5 -
Adopt and implement guidelines or design standards/incentives for at least one of the following stormwater infiltration/reuse practices:
18 . Parks and Trails:
Increase active lifestyles and property values by enhancing the city's green infrastructure.
Action 4 -
Adopt low-impact design standards in parks and trails that infiltrate or retain all 2 inch, 24-hour stormwater events on site.
Action 5 -
Create park/city land management standards/practices that maximize at least one of the following:
Action 7 -
Document that the operation and maintenance, or construction / remodeling, of at least one park building used an asset management tool, the SB 2030 energy standard, or a green building framework.
Resilient Economic and Community Development
29 . Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience:
Plan and prepare for extreme weather, adapt to changing climatic conditions, and foster stronger community connectedness and social and economic vitality.
Action 4 -
Encourage private sector action and incentivize investment in preventive approaches that reduce risk and minimize impacts of extreme weather and the changing climate for human health and the built environment.
Action 5 -
Protect public buildings and natural/constructed infrastructure to reduce physical damage and sustain their function during extreme weather events.
Action 6 -
Reduce the urban heat impacts of public buildings, sites, and infrastructure and provide resiliency co-benefits.