AGENDA #3a(1)

PETITION TO CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL

JANUARY 27, 2003

JOYCE BROWN

The following is a proposal for consideration for any development that is sited on the 18.1 acres of the Greene Tract designated for affordable housing:

• Green or sustainable building standards are adopted for anything that is constructed on the Greene Tract.
• Certain of those standards are required including the following:

      a) Solar orientation

      b) Solar hot water heaters

      c) Energy efficiency standards at least 30% above code

d) An enforcement mechanism established to ensure that developers, architects and contractors follow the stipulated standards

• Development of a series of other standards, which would give developers a choice of a certain number of standards to be followed in developing the site.

• That the standards developed by Southface Energy Institute called “Earthcraft House”* are modified to give the developers these choices.
• The modifications of the Earthcraft House standards and determining the number to be required are made by a group designated by the Council to include:  Council members (logically the three Council members working on energy issues); a representative from Habitat; a representative from Orange Community Housing Corporation; a representative from local architects; and a representative from local builders.  This could probably be done in one or two meetings.

Joyce Brown, Tom Henkel, Arnie Katz and Mark Marcoplos developed this list.  Other people throughout North Carolina involved in sustainable energy have voiced support for such a project.

*Southface is a Georgia organization that “promotes sustainable homes, work places and communities through education, research, advocacy and technical assistance.”  “EarthCraft House is a blueprint for healthy, comfortable, affordable homes that cut energy and water bills and protect the environment.  EarthCraft Houses provide builders a sign of quality and commitment to home buyers and their surrounding community.”