Enter/update government-owned building information and monthly usage data into the MN B3 Benchmarking database, and utilize building/energy audits to identify potential improvements.
- Action 1:City Detail
Background Information
City Assessment Files and City Performance Metrics
City councils pass a resolution to join the GreenStep program and are recognized at Step 1. Step 2 and Step 3 recognition levels reflect completed city actions, reported and rated below with stars (1 star = good, 2 stars = better, 3 stars = best). The Assessment File below summarizes completed city actions in a short Word file. Step 4 recognition is awarded to cities who report a minimum number of core metrics for the previous calendar year. These metrics aim to show the aggregate, quantitative results of taking multiple GreenStep actions. Step 5 cities show improvement in the Step 4 metrics. See yearly data for Steps 4&5. Additional city data can be found by reviewing information on B3 Benchmarking and Regional Indicators Initiative.
Assessment File
Metrics Files
Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed
Completed actions are denoted by stars.
Total completed actions: 28Buildings and Lighting
Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}
Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
- Action 2:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Invest in larger energy efficiency projects through performance contracting or other funding or through smaller retro-commissioning/retrofit projects in city-owned/school buildings.
- Action 3:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Efficient Existing Private Buildings {BP no.2}
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 6:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals {BP no.4}
Use LED/solar-powered lighting for a flashing sign or in a street, parking lot or park project.
- Action 5:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Land Use
Comprehensive, Climate and Energy Plans {BP no.6}
Adopt a comprehensive plan or (for Category B & C cities) adopt a future land use plan that was adopted by the county or a regional entity.
- Action 1:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Demonstrate that regulatory ordinances comply with the comprehensive plan including but not limited to having the zoning ordinance explicitly reference the comprehensive plan as the foundational document for decision making.
- Action 2:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
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.
- Action 3:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Adopt climate mitigation and/or energy independence goals and objectives in the comprehensive plan or in a separate policy document, and include transportation recommendations such as becoming an EV-ready city.
- Action 5:"The City will strive to make the community more resilient, save energy and reduce its carbon emissions and become more sustainable. The City’s Energy Goals are as follows:
1. Reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2030
2. Secure 50% of the community’s electric energy from renewable energy sources by 2030, including 10% of its electricity from local renewable energy resources
3. Continue to secure nearly 100% of municipal facility electricity from renewable energy sources
4. Make the community “EV-ready” with electric vehicle charging stations in every public and private parking lot or ramp by 2030
5. Substantially increase participation of low- and moderate-incoming housing in energy efficiency programs so that 80% of these building have completed deep energy efficiency retrofits by 2030.
6. Assess critical public facilities for potential for “renewable energy plus storage” options installations to improve the resiliency of these facilities.
The City’s Energy Policies are as follows:
1. Promote utility, government, and nonprofit programs that encourage energy conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy.
2. Encourage net-zero energy development.
3. Engage the community in energy goal setting exercises.
4. Offer regulatory incentives within zoning.
5. Offer technical assistance for private sector developments to incorporate net-zero and/or solar-ready designs.
6. Require energy efficiency and renewable energy within PUD ordinance.
7. Adopt an energy benchmarking ordinance in cooperation with local energy utility providers.
8. Regularly re-evaluate zoning and permitting procedures to remove barriers to renewable energy.
9. Adopt a voluntary net-zero energy code."
Additionally, the City is currently in the Partners in Energy program and actively working to create an Energy Action Plan. Falcon Heights also completed the Charging Smart Program and is now designated a Bronze Level EV-Ready Community.
Hannah Lynch (City Staff) | hannah.b.lynch@falconheights.org | 651.792.7613
Resilient City Growth {BP no.7}
Eliminate barriers and actively encourage higher density housing by including in the city zoning ordinance and zoning map:
- Action 1:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Transportation
Living & Complete Streets {BP no.11}
Adopt a complete streets policy, or a living streets policy, which addresses landscaping and stormwater.
- Action 1:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Implement traffic calming policy/measures, including lane conversions (road diets), roundabouts, low-speed streets, shared space and depaving, in at least one street redevelopment project.
- Action 6:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Mobility Options {BP no.12}
Increase walking, biking and transit use by one or more of the following means:
- Action 1:We are also working with the City of Minneapolis to access $2500 through a Transit for Livable Communities grant to place 25 bike parking stations througout the city in 2011
Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Environmental Management
Sustainable Purchasing {BP no.15}
Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least:
- Action 1:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Lower the environmental footprint of meetings and events in the city.
- Action 7:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}
Maximize tree planting along your main downtown street or throughout the city.
- Action 4:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Parks and Trails {BP no.18}
Make improvements within your city's system of parks, offroad trails and open spaces.
- Action 1:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Achieve minimum levels of city green space and maximize the percent within a ten-minute walk of community members.
- Action 3:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Develop a program to involve community members in hands-on land restoration, invasive species management and stewardship projects.
- Action 8:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Local Air Quality {BP no.23}
Reduce residential burning of wood and yard waste and eliminate ‘backyard’ trash burning.
- Action 2:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Resilient Economic and Community Development
Benchmarks and Community Engagement {BP no.24}
Inclusive and Coordinated Decision-Making: Use a city commission or committee to lead, coordinate, report to and engage community members on the identification and equitable implementation of sustainability best practices.
- Action 1:The Environment Commission advises the City Council on matters related to environmental issues, including recycling and waste disposal, community gardens, and stormwater runoff. The Commission also develops and recommends implementation of environmentally friendly initiatives such as rain barrels and solar panels, supporting and advancing the City's participation in the GreenStep Cities program and Gold Leaf Challenge.
Gold Leaf Action CC1.
Hannah Lynch (City Staff) | hannah.b.lynch@falconheights.org | 651.792.7613
Measuring Outcomes: Engage community members and partners in identifying, measuring, and reporting progress on key sustainability and social indicators/ including energy use/greenhouse gas emissions, social vitality/social inclusion outcome measures.
- Action 3:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Green Business Development {BP no.25}
Create or participate in a marketing/outreach program to connect businesses with assistance providers, including utilities, who provide personalized energy, waste or sustainability audits and assistance.
- Action 2:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Conduct or participate in a buy local campaign for community members and local businesses.
- Action 7:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Renewable Energy {BP no.26}
Adopt wind energy and/or biomass ordinances that allow, enable, or encourage appropriate renewable energy installations.
- Action 1:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Local Food {BP no.27}
Facilitate creation of home/community gardens, chicken & bee keeping, and incorporation of food growing areas/access in multifamily and residential developments.
- Action 2:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:
- Action 3:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600
Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience {BP no.29}
Integrate climate resilience into city or tribal planning, policy, operations, and budgeting processes.
- Action 2:Justin Markon (City staff) | justin.markon@falconheights.org | 651-792-7600