Summit programming will focus on water efficiency as the industry grapples with increasing challeges arising from drought and access to sources of water supply critical to the region’s continued growth. Other seminars will feature some of the state’s leading building science professionals as well as policy makers who will be defining the market landscape at the state and local levels.

Summit partners and exhibitors will benefit from their ability to reach hundreds of potential customers on the Show floor and thousands more via the media outreach that will occur in advance of the Summit.

Discounted registration of only $65 per person is available for a limited time, visit www.texasgreenhomesummit.com to sign up today.

Several builders are currently piloting the new program in advance of its implementation. The HBA may take the feedback received from them to make slight adjustments or clarifications to the adopted protocols, but only as the need arises.

Builders are encouraged to contact their GBT verifiers for more information about these changes.

Green Built Texas Version 3.0 as approved by Green Built Texas Board of Directors.

“GBT has always found a practical way to maximize above-code performance in the homes built to its protocol,” said program Chairman Marc Kleinmann. “With codes getting more efficient, it’s getting harder for us to hit our performance threshold and stay cost effective.”

Builders are strongly encouraged to review the document linked below and provide specific comments to HBA staff. “This effort takes on extra importance since Green Built Texas is recognized in many municipalities around the region,” said Phil Crone, HBA Director of Green Building Programs. “As the program’s requirements change, so do the ones in cities where the program serves as an important policy tool. The committee that drafted this proposal deliberately stretched things pretty far with the hope that stakeholders will raise specific issues that will help us dial it back to where it needs to be.”

Written comments are due back to HBA staff on Friday, October 7. The program’s technical review committee will meet the following week and then a larger stakeholder meeting to address any remaining concerns will occur later in the month.

Link to proposed Green Built Texas Protocol Version 3.0

Information on the orientation program and the new third party review process (starting on September 1) is below. For more information on proposed changes to the green building ordinance, click here.

GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM NOTICE (sent by the City of Dallas) 

On September 1, 2011, the City of Dallas will begin to accept third party plan review and inspection results for the “Green Building Program”. Registration as a third party provider is required and attendance of the orientation is mandatory.

Third party providers will be registered at three different levels. The levels are for single family and duplex, commercial buildings less than 50,000 square feet and for commercial buildings equal to or greater than 50,000 square feet. The orientation will provide specific requirements for each of the three levels.

Required Orientation Schedule

 Location

Oak Cliff Municipal Center
320 E. Jefferson Blvd.
Conference Room # 300

Registration for this orientation IS required. Please register via email to Meenal.Chauk@dallascityhall.com for the date and time that you intend to attend. A confirmation will be returned to you via email. Additional orientation events will be scheduled on a monthly basis.

Green Building Third Party Provider Qualifications can be found on our FORMS page.

If you currently hold an IECC or LEED AP certification, please bring it with you to ensure you are registered at the proper level.

Contact information

Meenal Chauk @ 214-948-4091
Meenal.Chauk@dallascityhall.com
Mark Daniel @ 214-948-4464
Mark.Daniel@dallascityhall.com

Four years ago, newly-elected Mayor Tom Leppert made it clear to our Dallas Division that his goal was to make Dallas “the greenest city in America” and that “green building was going to be a big part of the city’s sustainable portfolio.”

As soon as that challenge was issued, a task force was formed and no fewer than 70 meetings were held as the group went down a wayward path to their eventual result. That result was mostly positive for the industry as the ordinance was divided into two phases. The first phase, effective in 2008, addressed energy (15% above code) and water efficiency. The second phase, scheduled for October of this year, was to require a choice of recognized green building programs such as Green Built Texas or LEED.

Fast forward three years and we arrive at the point where the ordinance requires the task force to reconvene and evaluate the path forward. Obviously a lot has changed since 2007 from an economic and regulatory standpoint leaving the task force to evaluate factors that could not really be contemplated or anticipated the first time around. Those include:

• The economy has taken its toll. Attrition has hit the city just about as hard as it has our industry leaving fewer building inspectors and administrative support staff.

• Energy codes are advancing. Ironically, the 2009 energy code that the city just adopted is more efficient than the 15% threshold that was in the original green building ordinance.

• Interesting legal issues have called into question a city’s ability to mandate above code performance in a manner that conflicts with federal requirements for equipment efficiency such as HVAC.

• Even the most ardent champions of the LEED program admit that it is very difficult to tie the program’s requirements to a traditional building inspection and permitting process.

• To address the previous point, the International Code Council is conceiving the International Green Construction Code (IGCC). However, the IGCC will not be available until next year and, like all codes, will still need to be vetted at the regional level by the Council of Governments.

With these factors in mind, the task force recommended the following strategies that seem to be the way the city is headed; at least for now:

• Phase 2 of the original ordinance will be delayed until at least some time in 2012 meaning that Phase 1 will remain effective for the foreseeable future with some modifications.

• Recognizing that the energy code itself is setting the bar for energy efficiency, projects will simply have to meet or exceed the 2009 code instead of meeting the 15% threshold. On paper this is not a huge change, but practically this could save multifamily projects several thousand dollars by not having to energy model to ASHRAE 90.1 (2004). COMcheck (2009) will suffice as will the Texas A&M IC3 software (2009) for single family homes.

• Along with the “choose four out of six” list or use Green Built Texas or LEED for water efficiency compliance, the modified Phase 1 will allow for other strategies that reduce water consumption by at least 20% (as compared to the base Dallas Plumbing Code).

• Green plan reviews and inspections will be handled by qualified third parties. HBA members will benefit from this as Green Built Texas verifiers will be able to provide this service that will relieve some of the burdens of city staff.

• The city will monitor the evolution of the International Green Construction Code and encourage the Council of Governments to review it as soon as possible. The IGCC covers mid-rise multifamily structures so the HBA will remain involved in its development in order to ensure that it is a feasible strategy for our region.

These changes are on track for adoption by the city council in August or September. With so much still up in the air with the IGCC, the economy, and with Green Built Texas making wholesale modifications to its programs, I firmly believe the city is taking a prudent strategy. As with most things, getting there did not come easy. There are always those who want the city to mandate a lot more, but thanks to the involvement from HBA members a good result for our industry has been achieved; at least for now.

Revised Dallas Green Building Ordinance

Mark Berry Presentation

Julie Hankinson Presentation

We recognize that there is more than one way to build a green home or apartment. Instead of following the Green Built Texas construction protocol, you may want to achieve dual branding under multiple programs that are recognized at the local and national level. The Green Built Texas program has made this easy. The project can be registered with Green Built Texas if it follows the construction protocols and certification process under any of the following programs:

• LEED for Homes
• NAHB National Green Building Standard
• Environments for Living

Should you choose to take this alternative route to Green Built Texas registration, your rater/verifier will need to provide proof of the project’s certification or eligibility of certification under one of the recognized programs.

Registration is open to members of the Green Built Texas Program (annual membership), costs only $30 for single-family homes and starts at $1,500 for multifamily projects.

For more information about this process, contact HBA Director of Green Building Programs Phil Crone, at 972-244-3217 or phil.crone@dallasbuilders.com.

http://www.cafepress.com/GreenBuiltTexas

The EcoHome Design Awards honor single-family and multifamily homes constructed using sustainable building practices and demonstrating innovative design and thoughtful use of site and materials. Entries will be judged by an expert panel of green building professionals who will consider each project’s sustainable features and product choices, certified performance, and design innovation. Winners will be showcased in EcoHome magazine and on EcoHome Online. Registration deadline is April 8. For information and registration, visit www.ecohomedesignawards.com.

Last weekend, the HBA participated in the Great Big Texas Home Show held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. The event was a fantastic because of the enornmous crowds and the spectacular venue.

HBA member Earl Williams of Earl Williams and Associates gave a presentation each day. Earl became larger-than-life when his presentation was shown on the huge over head video boards.

To see pictures from this event, click the link below.

From Great Big Texas Home Show, posted by Phil Crone on 3/14/2011 (26 items)

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