Shaker Heights promotes
'high performance' buildings

On May 6, 2003, the City of Shaker Heights passed legislation supporting attempts to have all new public and private construction incorporate materials and methodologies that maximize economic and environmental performance through sustainable building and community design practices. The full policy as adopted is included below:

WHEREAS, the City of Shaker Heights has a substantial history of commitment to environmental, economic, and social stewardship, as evidenced by being one of the first communities in the area to promote recycling and enforce high architectural standards through the Architectural Board of Review, as well as through newer initiatives such as the new firehouse, which will incorporate high performance materials and techniques; and

WHEREAS, this Council believes that high-performance buildings are desirable for this City because they protect, conserve, and enhance environmental resources, yield cost savings to the City's taxpayers through reduced operating costs, and provide healthy work and living environments; and

WHEREAS, our City was designed as a "Garden City" and it continues to distinguish itself by supporting a healthy environment with attention to our multiple natural assets -exceptional trees, gardens, landscaping, parks and open green space; and

WHEREAS, the City desires to encourage maintenance and upgrades to existing homes and businesses that increase the energy efficiency and overall performance of these structures in order to achieve long-term cost savings, to improve health and indoor air quality, and to remain competitive in the regional market place; and

WHEREAS, the City desires to merge sound, environmentally responsible practices into one discipline that looks at the environmental, economic, and social effects of a building or built project as a whole; and

WHEREAS, the City desires to provide continued leadership among suburban cities in its commitment to resource efficient building practices, and provide leadership and guidance in promoting, facilitating, and instituting such practices.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Shaker Heights, State of Ohio:

Section 1. The City of Shaker Heights will encourage the use of building materials and methods that promote environmental quality, economic vitality, and social benefit (through the design, construction, and operation of the built environment).

Section 2. That new public and private construction, as well as adaptive reuse and/or restoration of existing buildings, will be encouraged to incorporate the 21st century breakthroughs in building science, technology and operations in order to maximize long term economic and environmental performance. This City will set the pace for "high performance" buildings by incorporating these breakthroughs in its own building initiatives.

Section 3. That the directors of all city departments whose responsibilities include planning, designing, constructing, renovating, or managing city-owned facilities shall, whenever possible, incorporate the use of high performance building practices and materials.

Section 4. That the City will encourage establishment of voluntary high performance goals for both rehabilitation and new construction projects and encourage utilization of available resources such as LEED standards developed by the US Green Building Council as a framework.

Section 5. This resolution shall take effect from and after the earliest time allowed by law.

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EcoCity Cleveland
3500 Lorain Avenue, Suite 301, Cleveland OH 44113
Cuyahoga Bioregion
(216) 961-5020
www.ecocitycleveland.org
Copyright 2002-2003

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High-performance buildings are desirable for this City because they protect, conserve, and enhance environmental resources, yield cost savings to the City's taxpayers through reduced operating costs, and provide healthy work and living environments.