Houston, TX Green Building Standards

Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 6/23/04
Vote: Unanimous (2 absent)
Source File: http://www.greenhoustontx.gov/pdf/ordinance-greenbuilding.pdf
Text:
Resolution No. 2004-15
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ESTABLISH THE U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL'S LEED CERTIFICATION AS A STANDARD FOR NEW OR REPLACEMENT FACILITIES AND MAJOR RENOVATION OF CITY OF HOUSTON OWNED BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES WITH MORE THAN 10,000 SQUARE FEET OF OCCUPIED SPACE.
WHEREAS, commercial and residential buildings consume 40 percent of our
nation's energy and are responsible for 40 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in the
United States; and
WHEREAS, commercial and residential buildings contribute 136 million tons of
construction and demolition waste annually; and
WHEREAS, on a global scale, commercial and residential buildings use three billion
tons of the planet's raw materials ; and
WHEREAS, the City of Houston's design and building decisions impact the prudent
use of the City's energy and water supplies, the cost of remediating hazardous materials,
the health and productivity of its employees, transportation choices of city employees and
visitors to City facilities, as well as the rate at which the City's landfill capacity is depleted;
and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that utilizing sustainable design practices will
significantly reduce operations and maintenance costs and decrease the negative impact
of buildings on the environment and occupant health ; and
WHEREAS, the United States Green Building Council has emerged as the leading
standard for designing, constructing, operating and certifying the worlds most sustainable
buildings through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDTM) green
building rating system ; and
WHEREAS, the planning, design, construction, and operation of the City of
Houston's buildings, facilities, and leaseholds should have a significant positive effect on
Houston's air quality, water quality and quality of life, while contributing to the
environmental and economic sustainability of our City; 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the Mayor, City Council and Department of Building Services is
hereby authorized to take the steps necessary to target, to the greatest extent practical, the
U.S. Green Building Council's LEEDTM certification for new or replacement facilities, and
major renovations of City of Houston owned buildings and facilities with more than 10,000
square feet of occupied space, for all capital improvement projects to use the sustainable
principles of LEEDTM to the greatest extent practical and reasonable ; and for each project
to be assessed for the appropriate certification level with the goal of maximizing long term
benefits, such as operating and maintenance savings, while minimizing up-front project
costs.
Section 2. That this resolution shall not apply to buildings owned, managed, or
constructed by the Houston Airport System Department.
Section 3. That this Resolution has been adopted and executed in duplicate
originals, with one to be filed among the records of the City Secretary and the other to be
presented to the Director of the Building Services Department.
Section 4. That this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage and
approval by the Mayor; however, in the event that the Mayor fails to sign this Resolution
within five days after its passage and adoption, it shall take effect in accordance with Article
VI, Section 6, Houston City Charter.
Category:Building Standards
Category:City Governments
Category:Resolutions
Category:Texas