PC 030806 - Laserfiche WebLink

~ Staff recommended that the Planning Commission make the finding that the proposed amendment to the Code is statutorily exempt from CEQA and adopt a resolution recommending approval to the City Council of PRZ-13, as shown in Exhibit B with minor text amendments on page 3B. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. Kevin Close, 871 Sycamore Road, expressed concern about the City's nearness to buildout and the future renovations of existing homes. He noted that this document covered that eventuality and that he was glad to see that green building measures were encouraged for renovations. Pam Hazdy, Ponderosa Homes, noted that her colleagues on the Builder's Council nominated her to speak on this issue. She appreciated the clarifications from staff. She noted that this was originally intended to be an incentive-based guideline document rather than a mandatory ordinance. She did understand the need for some predictability but was somewhat disappointed to see there were no incentives awazded to builders for going above and beyond a certain point spread. She noted that Ponderosa Homes stood by their homes and exceeded the zero defect model with respect to their buyers. Ponderosa Homes would appreciate the built-in flexibility to accommodate changing technology. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Roberts regazding whether 50 points would be difficult to attain, Ms. Hazdy replied that many of the points have been absorbed by the most ~'"' recent Title 24 changes. Some builders have performed run-throughs, and they determined that 50 points was do-able. She noted that Centex Homes did not go to the ZEH house because it was almost cost-prohibitive; instead, Centex Homes picked a combination that it believed brought the best results for the least amount of money. She added that builders will choose tankless water heaters, increased blown-in roof insulation, and a higher-efficiency-rated HVAC system. She noted that Ponderosa Homes tried to provide sufficient green options for the buyer and did offer the Stewart certified lumber and finger jointed studs where the structural engineers said it can. Barrier sheeting on the roof is now part of Title 24; she added that was part of her own home, which dropped her fuel cost significantly. She added that it could be added to an existing house. In response to an inquiry by Chairperson Arkin regarding her opinion of the ordinance before the Commission, Ms. Hardy replied that if there must be a mandatory ordinance, she would like to pursue incentives for builders who meet and exceed the checklist. She believed that expediting plan check and processing would be an appropriate incentive for those builders. She noted that while fee reduction may not be practical for the City, it would be attractive for the builders. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Blank regazding whether an incentive to streamline the planning and plan-check process would be attractive enough, Ms. Hardy agreed that would be an attractive incentive. She inquired about the following comment in the staff report on page 13: "At the local level, some of the points that can be obtained require the contractor to purchase locally (Bay Area) produced or manufactured products." PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES March 8, 2006 Page 14 of 22