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From the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability:
The City of Portland is developing code amendments that would foster green technologies and practices on a neighborhood scale. The 2009 Regulatory Improvement Program - Sustainability Work in Progress contains a "green bundle" to promote the installation and use of solar panels, water cisterns, wind turbines, eco-roofs and district energy systems.
The green bundle is part of a larger set of updates, and a "discussion draft" of proposed new zoning code will be reviewed at a Planning Commission hearing scheduled for August 25th, 2009.
"The green bundle is a perfect example of how the City of Portland can ensure sustainable practices while addressing our Climate Action Plan goals and stimulating the growth of our local green industry," said Mayor Sam Adams.
Portland's new economic development strategy focuses in part on creating an "incubator environment" around the sustainability industry. The code changes in the green bundle will ensure there are no local obstacles to implementing green technology on the neighborhood scale.
The following zoning code changes are included in the green bundle:
Solar Panels
In recent years Portlanders have become increasingly aware of the importance of diversifying their energy sources, reducing dependence on foreign sources of energy, and decreasing the emissions of climate-changing greenhouse gases. While Portland strives to be a leader in the growing solar energy industry, this code amendment would:
Clarify how rooftop solar panels and equipment are treated in building height calculations and create opportunity for installation of panels on buildings that are already built to the maximum height.
Exempt solar panels installed on existing buildings from Design Review. A narrower exemption would be created in Historic Districts.
Small Urban Wind Energy Systems
Advances in small-scale wind turbine technology in recent years make it possible to incorporate wind power into urban areas and building design, or add small systems to rooftops. Although Portland does not have the wind conditions to produce large amounts of power from urban turbines, allowing these devices may help stimulate advancement of the technology and encourage entrepreneurial efforts in this industry. This amendment would:
Allow small-scale wind energy systems to exceed zoning code height limits, either as standalone towers or when incorporated into building architecture.
Exempt small-scale wind energy systems from Design Review. A narrower exemption would be created in Historic Districts.
Eco-Roofs
Eco-roofs are lightweight, vegetated roof systems that replace conventional roofs with a layer of foliage over a "growing medium" on top of a waterproof membrane. They are an important part of Portland's efforts to manage stormwater with facilities that perform like natural systems. This amendment would:
Exempt eco-roofs installed on existing buildings from Design Review.
Green Power and District Energy - Zoning Code Use Categories
District energy systems produce hot water, steam or chilled water at a central plant and distribute the energy through underground pipes to buildings connected to the system. Similar district systems are possible for distributing electricity from solar panels or processing stormwater, grey water, sanitary sewage or even kitchen compost. Net-metered solar systems are also increasingly common, where the excess energy produced is sold back to the grid. District systems, net-metering and other small-scale community renewable energy systems make it possible for districts and neighborhoods to generate their own renewable energy, thereby reducing the costs and environmental impact of drawing energy from large power plants. This amendment would:
Clarify the land use categories in the zoning code to ensure that neighborhood-scale renewable energy production is allowed in residential and commercial zones. (Current rules may classify these facilities, in some cases, as "manufacturing and production.")
Water Harvesting Cisterns
Harvesting rainwater runoff in barrels (or cisterns) is one way to reduce water consumption. This amendment would:
Allow water cisterns within zoning code setbacks within reasonable parameters.
Exempt water cisterns from Design Review. A narrower exemption would be created in Historic Districts.
Bike Parking
Bicycle transportation is a sustainable alternative to driving, and the City of Portland - through its transportation and land-use planning efforts - is making it easier for residents to commute and travel by bike. Increasing the number of people who rely on bicycles to get around is an important element in the City's Climate Action Plan. These amendments would:
Address the lack of long-term parking in apartments and condominiums by removing exemptions that allow multi-dwelling buildings to avoid installation of long-term bicycle parking for residents.
Require new apartment and condominium complexes to provide covered secure bike parking, making them subject to the same rules that already apply to new commercial and employment buildings.
Larger Eaves
Larger eaves help protect buildings from weather and are important for energy conservation. This zoning code amendment would:
Allow buildings to have larger eaves that project deeper into the setback.
For more detailed information on the "green bundle" and to see photographs illustrating the changes listed above, please see the green building summary.
