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Mr. Swift said it would not apply to new structures under 20,000 sq. ft. He believed they were requesting the entire downtown commercial district to be exempt. The last four or five buildings approved downtown have all been well under 20,000 sq. fi., but it is possible to have a future building be over 20,000 sq. ft. Ms. Michelotti asked for the rationale for an exemption for a building that would be subject to the ordinance in the downtown area. Ms. Stoddard said the members were concerned how it would affect the overall character of the area over time. Ms. McKeehan said that at the same time the green building ordinance is coming forward, there is also the historic building ordinance coming forward. While historic buildings may not be covered, there may be other situations to create incentives in the downtown area. Mr. Campbell asked for the size of some of the buildings downtown. Mr. Swifi said Domus was 8-10,000 sq. ft.; the Rose Hotel is 30,000 sq. t~.; and Christensen's is well under 20,000 sq. ft. Matt Sullivan, 7882 Flagstone Drive, asked Council to adopt the green building ordinance. There are several benefits such as to help minimize impacts of development on the community and the environment. It is a step toward a more sustainable future and will provide a more healthful environment for our workforce. The proposed ordinance provides for a flexible, streamlined and cost-effective approach compared to the existing process. Finally, it will result in a net economic benefit to the community by reducing infrastructure costs, creating new markets for local products and services, and freeing up dollars to be spent in the community. The development of this ordinance has been a long process. He thanked Wendy Sommer and Alameda County Waste Management Authority for all the time and effort to help staffto get to this point. He thanked Tricia Maier and other Planning staff for responding to the Planning Commission's desire to have some kind of ordinance or standard. He also thanked his fellow Planning Commissioners for the vision and leadership to start this process. He thanked some of the business pioneers, especially James Paxson of the Hacienda Business Owners Association, for embracing this and building projects that prove this can be done cost-effectively. He also thanked the Chamber for recommending approval of the ordinance and he supported its position for having on-going workshops to fine-me the ordinance to get the best ordinance possible. It is important to reduce whatever barriers may exist in order to make this work as well as look for methods to improve its effectiveness. He thanked Council in advance for its approval of this and it is good to see the public process work so well to implement sound public policy to benefit the community as a whole. Ms. Ayala referred to the proposed workshops. Because of the difficulty of coordinating everyone's schedules, she asked if he would be open to having representatives fi'om the Chamber, Council, Planning Commission, etc. rather than the entire membership? Pleasanton City Council 14 11 / 19/02 Minutes