| Tool | Issues Addressed | Considerations | Examples |
| Green Buildings Buildings consume a very large portion of our environmental resources, and about 35% of our energy. Green building t,chniques can reduce this burden significantly, generally either by using less energy or using more environmentally-friendly materials. Green buildings generally cost slightly more up-front, but make up the difference quickly through lower operating expenses. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is the industry standard, and the EPA's Energy Star certification is also widely used. In the Atlanta area, the EarthCraft certification is widely used for house construction. |
|
|
Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center Magnolia Circle Apartments Southface Cottage Home Project Implementation Examples Outside Georgia |
Green Buildings |
Guides For Implementing This Tool
No records available.Model Ordinances
No records available.Aids For Visualizing This Tool
No records available.Georgia Implementation Examples
County, GA - The Southface Housing Development Corporation has designed a cottage home for families whose income ranges from $8,500 to $18,000 a year. Ownership will run from $270 to $320 a month, including principal, interest, insurance and taxes. Low-cost homes are difficult enough to find in American cities; those that are also energy-efficient virtually do not exist. The EPA's Atlanta office is helping to fund a nonprofit developer who will build these houses. The first one has been completed, and eight more are planned this year. The Southface cottage home project will not only provide affordable housing to low-income families while conserving energy, but will also reduce the environmental effects usually associated with low-cost housing development. Savings on carbon dioxide emissions should average 10,000 to 15,000 pounds per year. Nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides emissions will also be at reduced levels. Smaller lot size will promote mass transit, reduce automobile travel, and help stem urban sprawl.
DeKalb County, Ga - Magnolia Circle Apartments is an affordable housing option for DeKalb County seniors 62 and older. The $7.9 million development consists of 84 one-bedroom and two-bedroom ground-level apartments, with 80% leased as affordable units and 20% leased at market rate. Residents have access to a community building with a fitness center and activity room, community garden, and Georgia's first multifamily property Wildlife Preserve-Bird Sanctuary. It is also the first EarthCraft certified multifamily property in the country, in recognition of its environmentally-friendly design and construction.
Gwinnett County, GA - The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center will teach visitors about Gwinnett County and Georgia’s environmental heritage. The center is located on the grounds of a new high-tech water treatment facility, and thus it focuses especially on water issues. Construction began in 2005. The building and site incorporate several low impact development techniques, such as a green roof, pervious paving, bio-swales and constructed wetlands. The building has many other environmentally friendly features as well, including natural lighting where possible, and is expected to attain LEED silver-level certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Implementation Examples Outside Georgia
Colorado - The Poudre School District, in Fort Collins, Colorado, chose to embrace green building and sustainable design, both for new and existing buildings. As a result, ten of their schools have been awarded the Energy Star label. From 1994 to 2002 the total savings came to about $1.2 million.
Minnesota - Jackson Meadow is a housing development on a site of 336 acres near the town of Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota. Local residents rejected a generic development proposal of "McMansions" and wide streets, leading to a new development team and a more innovative approach. Extensive meetings took place between the developer and the community. The result is a cluster PUD development of 64 homes, with over 200 acres left as open space. Certain zoning code revisions were made relating to setbacks and road widths. Because standard sewer service was not available, and the lot sizes were too small for septic systems, the project uses two constructed wetlands, which are integrated into the community's open space, for wastewater treatment. The project also uses low impact development techniques, such as natural swales, "inverted crown" streets, narrow roads and shared driveways. The architecture reflects the vernacular Scandinavian-influenced tradition of the region, and also uses green building techniques, such as basements to help conserve heat. The development is pedestrian-friendly and includes 5 miles of trails, including a link to the nearby downtown of Marine on St. Croix only a 10-minute walk away. This project has won several awards for its environmental conservation, planning and architecture.
Other Resources
No records available.