Builders back Comprehensive Plan changes for sustainable design

At the May 8, 2007 meeting of the Albemarle County Planning Commission, the County took another step towards the integration of green building principles into its Comprehensive Plan.  The Commission unanimously approved (Joseph & Cannon absent) a proposal to amend the Natural Resources and Cultural Assets chapter of the Comprehensive Plan to include language related to green building objectives.  Staff recommended the changes as supportive of the Thomas Jefferson Sustainability Accords which were adopted in 1998 and are already part of the Comprehensive Plan.

Download the approved recommendations

Only one member of the public was present to speak during the public hearing.  Jay Willer, Executive Vice President of the Blue Ridge Home Builders Association, offered his support of the proposal and commended the County for its approach on green building initiatives. "We are very pleased with what you are doing here.  Staff is doing a good job and the County is showing leadership."  The proposal includes six strategies specifically related to advancing green building approaches in the local development community.

The Comprehensive Plan Amendment will next be considered by the Board of Supervisors at a public hearing on June 6, 2007.

Brian Wheeler

Comments

[Francesco DeParis]

As promised, here is my follow-up to the Commission's decision. Again, this is an investor/business perspective on what is happening in Charlottesville.

I comment regularly on the business/investor side of alternative energy on Energy Spin: Alternative Energy Blog for Investors-Served Daily

Cheers,
Francesco DeParis

[Randy Covington]

Schoolboards need to pay more attention to glazing systems. They should mandate Energy Star Qualified windows that support green building objectives.