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differently. This analysis is still useful and not perfect, but staff believes it provides a good indication of what the apples to apples comparison would be. For all projects currently covered by the City's current ordinance, staff is recommending the City adopt CalGreen Tier 1. There are other non - covered projects currently in the City's regulations, and staff is proposing adopting CalGreen Basic for new downtown buildings and for new buildings not located in downtown, which are currently exempt from green building requirements. They are covered by the State, and while the City does not cover them now, CalGreen will cover them. Since exemptions have been provided in the past for new downtown buildings and for buildings not located downtown but which do not meet certain size requirements (2000 square feet for residential, 20,000 square feet for commercial), the City is obligated by the new State law to impose those requirements. Instead of ratcheting these up to Tier 1 and increasing the City's requirements, staff is suggesting considering the basic level of CalGreen for those projects which are not regulated under the City's current ordinances. Councilmember Sullivan questioned how CalGreen Basic compares to the existing or previous Title 24 or other building codes for those two categories. Dennis Corbett replied that CalGreen's basic mandatory measures simply state one shall meet the Title 24 energy requirements. If not going to a tier level, projects are not required to exceed them. Mr. Dolan summarized that staff is proposing CalGreen Tier 1 and CalGreen Basic for those areas not covered by the City's ordinance but are required by the State. In addition, staff would like to propose amendments to address some of the City's own special circumstances. One is incorporation of the current regulations for additions. CalGreen does not apply to additions, but the City's ordinance does. Staff is also proposing local amendments relative to the construction and demolition ordinance and to the regulations regarding separate water meters for indoor and outdoor water use. Staff is also proposing that the City continue to exempt historic structures, which was a component of the City's current regulations. Finally, staff is proposing that the Municipal Code incorporate the CalGreen Building Code as the City's reference standard. Tier 1 would apply and staff would refer to that document, except for the local amendments as discussed. Mr. Dolan said staff is including an option to allow developers to use a verified third party rater system for LEED as a substitute to the system. The reason for this is because it can provide the same level of greenness, and some applicants that prefer that system. They might have a grant or loan dependent upon a certain type of certification, and staff feels it is prudent to allow them to go through the process and receive their LEED certification and provide it to staff as an equivalent way of achieving green building. Also, certain builders and developers find there is a certain marketability and benefit to their product if they have the well -known standard, such as LEED. Staff feels goals can be achieved through these processes, as well, which would be in- lieu of the CalGreen system. Regarding the water meter issue, this is an area the City is being stricter than it has to be. CalGreen requires a separate water meter and connection, or a sub -meter provided for non- residential projects and installing landscape areas between 500 and 5,000 square feet. Staff believes there is a benefit to having just a meter as opposed to a sub - meter, can assist users in saving water and in most cases, a savings will occur. However, the City is not able to track outdoor water usage with sub - rneters. City Council Minutes Page 5 of 15 January 4, 2011