Volunteers in Berkeley, Calif., are collecting signatures for the “Green Downtown & Public Commons Initiative,” a controversial measure that critics charge would halt some development in the city. The initiative has higher green standards and less flexible design guidelines—factors that developers say could stop two major projects, a proposed 180-foot high hotel and a 17-story apartment tower.
The initiative would mandate that developers planning a project taller than 60 feet use the “Green Pathways” provision of the Downtown Area Plan. This rule—currently optional—says that a developer can provide a higher level of community benefits in exchange for a fast-track approval process. Under Green Pathways, developers have to make structures LEED Platinum rather than LEED Gold; build more parking; include spaces for bicycles, electric cars and the handicapped; pay prevailing wages to construction and hotel workers; and make sure that half of a project’s construction workers are Berkeley residents.
The financial proposition for a high-rise hotel in Berkeley is fragile, according to a representative of the proposed hotel, and the new initiative would require additional setbacks and restrictions that would make it impossible to have enough rooms on each floor to make the project viable. The initiative calls for a minimum 15-foot setback, but the hotel developer says the structure must have a 10-foot setback to have enough space per floor.
City Councilman Jesse Arreguín, who supports the measure, says it is not intended to stop development, but is a way of getting developers to contribute more benefits to the downtown area.
Related Stories
| Feb 9, 2012
Rapid growth of zero energy buildings expected
Much of that growth will be in the European Union, where near-zero energy buildings are mandated by 2019 for public buildings, and by 2021 for all construction.
| Feb 9, 2012
Stiffer OSHA fines put strain on Kansas contractors
A fine for a violation that once cost between $750 and $1,200 now runs $7,000 or more per incident, according to a state industry association official.
| Feb 9, 2012
Webinar focuses on lessons learned from LEED-certified industrial project
A Construction Specifications Institute webinar will focus on the lessons learned through the design and construction of a LEED-certified industrial project, Better Living Mill Shop, the first industrial building in Central Virginia to earn LEED certification.
| Feb 8, 2012
California likely to eliminate redevelopment agencies
Leaders of California cities had been trying to fashion a compromise with lawmakers after the state Supreme Court ruled the state had the authority to eliminate the agencies and use their property tax money for local services.
| Feb 8, 2012
Project aimed at economical seismic retrofits on historic Memphis structures
The group will develop a low-cost seismic retrofit model that would benefit aging brick-and-mortar structures. It involves bolting steel brackets to existing wooden floor and ceiling joists.
| Feb 8, 2012
Houston signs on to Better Buildings Challenge
The challenge has about $4 billion in federal and private-sector funds, which it will use for building energy upgrades nationwide in the next two years.
| Feb 8, 2012
OSHA offers free health and safety consulting for small businesses
The consultants offer confidential, non-punitive advice.
| Feb 8, 2012
Controversy over pay for prisoners on roofing job in Michigan
The disagreement was over whether the prisoners should have been paid prevailing wage for their brief time on the job because the project was paid for with a U.S. Department of Energy grant.
