AgdaPkt 2019-09-23 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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Staff Report #: 19 -187 -CC It should be noted that these buildings are not typical and are considered cutting edge. This requires innovative thinking and leadership in designing all -electric hot water systems. After working on alternative state code pathways and case studies with the high-rise residential stakeholders, they expressed willingness at the City Council meeting August 27 to take on the challenge of all -electric buildings, but still acknowledged that this comes with challenges and requested consideration of exclusions in FAR calculations to account for the increased mechanical equipment. FAR exclusions are specified by zoning code and therefore not a matter would require a separate ordinance amendment. As this time, however, staff does not recommend exploration of zoning code changes as the zoning ordinance already allows a process and methods for excluding mechanical equipment. Next steps If approved, a second reading of the ordinance is tentatively scheduled September 24. After adoption by City Council September 24, staff will submit the proposed Reach Codes to the California Building Standards Commission and the CEC for approval. Approval can take up to 60 days from the CEC. Staff has been working closely with the CEC to ensure that the proposed Reach Codes and cost effectiveness studies meet the state standards for adopting local energy code amendments. After approval by the CEC, staff will submit the proposed Reach Codes to the Building Standards Commission for final approval. Staff will also develop an implementation plan over the next few months to prepare the necessary protocols and procedures for development applicants to comply with the Reach Codes. In addition, staff will inform the development community of the changes before the January 1, 2020 effective date. The building code amendments discussed in this report focus on the Energy Code. Energy code local amendments are more difficult to process as they require a separate cost effectiveness study, and public review and approval by the CEC. Staff anticipates recommending additional local amendments to the Green Building code, Fire Code and possible other uniform State building codes. As these other local amendments do not require CEC approval, staff anticipates bringing forward a second building code ordinance for City Council approval in November 2019. The second ordinance will address the remainder of the uniform codes required by the state to adopt. Environmental Review Pursuant to Title 14 of the California Administrative Code, Section 15061(b)(3) this ordinance is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") on the grounds that these standards are more stringent than the State energy standards, there are no reasonably foreseeable adverse impacts and there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. Public Notice Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with the agenda items being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. Attachments City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 www.menlopark.org