2014-006 - Santa Ana General Plan Housing Element and Public Safety Element Updates

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HOUSING CONSTRAINTS ENERGY CONSERVATION Rising energy costs, dependence on fossil fuels, and increasing evidence of the adverse impacts of global warming have provoked the need in California and nationwide to improve energy management strategies. Recognizing that the design, construction, and operation of buildings have a profound impact on energy use and global warming, state housing element law requires an expanded analysis of the opportunities for energy conservation. State Requirements On a regulatory level, the City enforces the State Energy Conservation Standards (California Code of Regulations, Title 24). These standards provide flexibility for builders to achieve a minimum "energy budget" through use of performance standards. These requirements apply to all new residential. New Title 24 codes will be in place in 2008, which will require all buildings be approximately 22 percent more energy efficient than currently required. The City's existing development can be categorized into three types of construction relative to energy efficiency: pre -Title 24, current Title 24, and new Title 24. According to the 2000 Census, the City estimates there are 59,000 pre -Title 24 residential units within the City. The balance, or approximately 14,000 units, was built in compliance with Title 24 in effect at the time of construction. Green Building Programs In response to an increased understanding of the relationship between buildings and impact on the environment, the building industry has developed "Green" building programs. The two most prominent green building programs are California Green Builder, sponsored by the California Building Industry Association, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), sponsored by the US Green Building Council ( USGBC). ■ Green Builder is a voluntary environmental building and certification program for homes. The program focuses on energy efficiency, water conservation, wood conservation, advanced ventilation, and waste diversion. Certified homes incorporate water - efficient landscaping and fixtures, utilize high- efficiency insulation and ventilation systems, contain environmentally - sound building materials, initiate waste reduction methods during construction, and exceed Title 24 Building Code energy efficiency standards by 15 percent. ■ LEED is a national rating system for green buildings that focuses on commercial and multiple - family residential projects. The USGBC reviews projects for conformance and assigns points based on various efficiency, sustainability, materials quality, and design factors. Once LEED has reviewed the project, a certification is issued based on the number of points achieved. The City has five projects registered with the USGBC, including Santa Ana State Building 520, signifying an intent to seek certification upon completion. _J CITY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT B -35