City Codes andCity Codes andGoing GreenGoing Green

Paul FreedmanPaul FreedmanCity of Columbus – Department of City of Columbus – Department of

DevelopmentDevelopmentBuilding Services Division – Code Building Services Division – Code

DevelopmentDevelopment757 Carolyn Avenue, Columbus, OH 43224757 Carolyn Avenue, Columbus, OH 43224

(614) 645-0704(614) 645-0704pmfreedman@columbus.govpmfreedman@columbus.gov

What we have done so far!What we have done so far!

Parking Code RewriteParking Code Rewrite Reduce Overall ParkingReduce Overall Parking Set Cap of ParkingSet Cap of Parking Increase Landscaping RequirementsIncrease Landscaping Requirements

Recycling Demolition DebrisRecycling Demolition Debris Track Percentages of Debris that is Track Percentages of Debris that is

RecycledRecycled Economic Development IncentivesEconomic Development Incentives

Look Outside of Codes Towards IncentivesLook Outside of Codes Towards Incentives

What we have done so far!What we have done so far!

Live by Example Live by Example Greenview EstatesGreenview Estates City Facility MandateCity Facility Mandate

Internal Policy ChangesInternal Policy Changes Fleet Changes - Anti-Idling and RetrofitsFleet Changes - Anti-Idling and Retrofits Stormwater Management ManualStormwater Management Manual

Introducing the Building CodeIntroducing the Building Code

Building codes are statewide Building codes are statewide mandated codes – for the most part, mandated codes – for the most part, no local changesno local changes

Building codes do not stand alone…Building codes do not stand alone… Zoning Code, Housing Code, Fire Code, Zoning Code, Housing Code, Fire Code,

etc…etc… The good news, the codes are fairly The good news, the codes are fairly

permissivepermissive

Introducing the Zoning CodeIntroducing the Zoning Code

Locally based – no true national Locally based – no true national modelmodel

No two zoning codes are alikeNo two zoning codes are alike Completely local within confines of Completely local within confines of

case law and enabling legislationcase law and enabling legislation Code works in conjunction with the Code works in conjunction with the

adopted zoning mapadopted zoning map

All The Codes Fit to PrintAll The Codes Fit to Print

Zoning CodeZoning Code Housing CodeHousing Code Fire CodeFire Code Nuisance Abatement CodeNuisance Abatement Code Utilities CodeUtilities Code Transportation CodeTransportation Code Recreation and Parks CodeRecreation and Parks Code

Going Green – Practical Problems Going Green – Practical Problems and Responsesand Responses

Lack of contractor familiarity with new Lack of contractor familiarity with new products and proceduresproducts and procedures

Become accustomed to questioning the Become accustomed to questioning the code - what does it actually allow or code - what does it actually allow or prohibit?prohibit?

Misinformation/MisapplicationMisinformation/Misapplication Wrong products/wrong application lead to Wrong products/wrong application lead to

problems blamed on the building codeproblems blamed on the building code Poor execution or limited site options – Poor execution or limited site options –

Front Yard Setback ExampleFront Yard Setback Example What is green – Backup Generators??What is green – Backup Generators??

The Good NewsThe Good News

Building codes as mentioned are permissiveBuilding codes as mentioned are permissive Zoning Codes and other local codes can be Zoning Codes and other local codes can be

changed locally or varied with a local hearingchanged locally or varied with a local hearing Contractor training is improvingContractor training is improving New technologies are moving into the New technologies are moving into the

mainstreammainstream Greater acceptance of green designGreater acceptance of green design Building green buildings will create a pool of Building green buildings will create a pool of

qualified professionals and encourage others qualified professionals and encourage others to adopt the same methodsto adopt the same methods