Annapolis could be going green with legislation that would require architects to use eco-friendly designs before receiving a building permit from the city.
Council members plan to meet with the Homebuilders Association of Maryland today to discuss the bill introduced by Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer. If passed, the bill would require new buildings and major modifications to existing buildings to use Green Building designs that incorporate water conservation and natural day lighting, as well as minimal construction waste.
“This is an effective effort to deal with energy and conservation issues,” said David Prosten, chairman of the Anne Arundel Sierra Club, a branch of the nation?s largest grassroots environmental organization.
“I urge you to take the opposition worth a grain of salt and a larger dose of skepticism,” Prosten told the City Council at a recent meeting.
The city would not be allowed to issue building and occupancy permits to a project that doesn?t meet environmental standards imposed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The standard is based on a silver to platinum rating system called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, which measures the energy and environmental performance of a building, according to the bill.
Local architects, such as Matrix Settles in Annapolis, are already moving toward Green Building designs and spoke in support of the bill at the recent meeting. Craig Purcells, the lead architect, said Matrix Settles prides itself on designs that incorporate sunlight and energy efficiency.
But some residential architects say it costs about 12 percent more to build a green home, and only saves the homeowner between $260 and $295 a year.
The Homebuilders Association of Maryland could not be reached for comment.
The Green Building movement has reached Baltimore City, Washington, D.C., and Montgomery County, which all passed similar legislation within the past year. Maryland is considering Green Building standards for all state properties, according to the bill, and a state senator has called for an even tougher mandate for new Baltimore County schools.
