Overlake Medical Center Pavilion
Note the patio furniture and benches
Redmond is committed to initiatives that preserve our natural resources and enhance the long-term environmental sustainability of our community. The City’s environmental programs and initiatives are concentrated in four key areas to cultivate a thriving environment; two of which are: *stormwater runoff management and preserving and enhancing green space, the tree canopy and *natural habitat.
Despite being a biologist and knowing the benefits of green rooftops Mayor Birney states "staff are not presently advancing policy or code development work specifically related to green roofs. The staff are focused on updating the Comprehensive Plan in its entirety....) 2/17/2021 Why is the Mayor leaving green roof policy up to staff? Doesn't the Council set policy? With each passing year, projects are developed in Redmond yielding literally acres of rooftop that will never be green. For a City that prides itself in environmental sustainability, the Administration is leaving the citizens behind as it races to accommodate growth.
Incentives: Just as we use art, height, courtyard architecture, trees and other features for project incentives we can do the same for green rooftops and vertical gardens. In the Quadrant/Proctor 10-minute community site on Willows & 124th, the Administration offered four Green development incentives. The four options offered: 1) electric vehicle charging, 2) green roofs, 3) solar panels on the townhomes, and 4) solar panels on the community buildings. Quadrant was required to use two of the four options. If green incentives can be used at this development why not others?
It's my hope our Mayor will support Green policy guidance from our representatives and not leave everything up to the Development and Engagement office.
-- Bob Yoder, 3/4/2021
Sources: Note from Mayor Birney, 2/17/2021
Blog piece on Proctor development
redmond.gov
Photo, Bob Yoder
Bob, these ideas are great, although in Western Washington solar panels are ineffective and add to the carbon footprint. In 2007 I attended a conference in Portland on effective environmental actions, including green roofs. One outcome of that conference was the green scorecard for the City and community that was used until the data showed the City was increasing its carbon footprints. Once again individuals and business can make a marked improvement in the environment.
ReplyDeleteHello Hank - Thanks for your insight on solar panel effectiveness. I went back to the Quadrant post and found your quote: " Council member Myers said solar is a poor choice for our region since "there is a -500% rate of return." Pretty amazing.
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