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Parks and Environmental Commission approves draft sustainable building ordinance to send on for review
Summary
The Parks and Environmental Commission approved a draft Sustainable Building Ordinance as amended and recommended it move to the Planning Commission for a formal public hearing; the draft would apply to larger multi-family and commercial projects and staff recommended a third‑party rating system to standardize reviews.
St. Anthony Parks and Environmental Commission members on March 2 approved a draft Sustainable Building Ordinance as amended and voted to forward the draft to the Planning Commission for a formal public hearing and subsequent City Council review.
City Planner Steve Grittman told the Commission the draft ordinance contains four core elements: a purpose statement; thresholds for when projects must meet the standards (new multi‑family developments of more than four units, expansions or renovations requiring specific zoning approvals, and commercial or industrial projects with a new or expanded floor area of at least 10,000 square feet); overlay criteria to address differing zoning areas; and standards for projects that receive City financial assistance. Grittman said staff recommends that the Commission consider utilizing a third‑party rating system to standardize reviews across the metropolitan area and reduce staff time and resources.
The recommendation traces to the City’s Climate Plan, Assistant City Manager Ashley Morello said, and is intended to give developers clear, consistent metrics while allowing the City to track progress on climate goals. Commissioners discussed several technical points during the review: how snowmelt is treated in stormwater calculations and the variance process; options short of demolition for existing construction; language on heat pumps and HVAC efficiency; and how overlays could highlight priority areas for sustainability measures.
Commissioner Yaacoub Hark moved to approve the draft ordinance as amended; Commissioner Kristen Peterson seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The Commission’s action is a recommendation; the draft will next be reviewed by the Planning Commission at a public hearing before the ordinance is scheduled for three readings at City Council as required by City Code.
Implementation details — including which third‑party rating systems will be acceptable and any precise technical thresholds for HVAC or renewable energy language — will be refined during the Planning Commission review and through staff research requested by Commissioners.
