a checklist for sustainability assessments by project reviewers and Planning Commissions.

1. Advancing
Sustainability in
Discretionary Review
Nancy Bragado, City of San Diego, General Plan
Sara Lyons, City of San Diego, San Ysidro Community Plan
Sachin Kalbag, Centre City Green
Kathleen Garcia, Former San Diego Planning Commissioner
November 3, 2010

2. Planning for Sustainability
APA California
November 3, 2010
Nancy Bragado
Sara Lyons

3. • City of San Diego
General Plan
– Comprehensive plan for
growth and development
unanimously adopted by the
City Council in March 2008
– Smart growth approach
tailored for San Diego
– Relies on infill development
to meet City’s needs
– Sustainability policies
integrated throughout plan

4. General Plan Overview
– Guided by 10 Principles and City of Villages
Strategy
– Represents a shift in focus from how we
develop vacant land to how we invest in
our existing communities
– Emphasis on combining housing,
employment, schools, civic uses at different
scales, in village centers
– Strategy works to preserve established
residential neighborhoods and open spaces
– Achieve high quality of life, address mobility
and facilities needs, and manage the City’s
continued growth

5. New Requirement: AB 32 -
Address Climate Change

6. ON-ROAD
TRANSPORTATI
ON
46%
ELECTRICITY
25%
NATURAL GAS
END USES
9%
CIVIL AVIATION
5%
INDUSTRIAL
PROCESSES
AND PRODUCTS
5%
OTHER
FUELS/OTHER
4%
OFF-ROAD
EQUIPMENT
AND VEHICLES
4% WASTE
2%
AGRICULTURE/F
ORESTRY/LAND
USE
2% RAIL
1%
WATER-BORNE
NAVIGATION
0.4%
San Diego Regional GHG
Inventory Project Results
Source: www.sandiego.edu/epic
GHG Emissions
for San Diego
County (2006)

7. GHG Inventory Project Results
www.sandiego.edu/epic
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
2006 Levels 2020 BAU Projections AB 32 Target Executive Order S-3-05
Target (2050)
MMTCO2E
Hypothetical GHG Emissions Reduction Targets
San Diego County

8. San Diego 2050 Impacts
• Climate will be hotter and drier
• Sea level 12-18 inches higher
• Severe water shortage
• More intense and frequent wildfires
• Public health at risk
• Loss of native plant and animal species
• Energy needs
Source: San Diego Foundation Focus 2050 Study

9. Climate Change Addressed
Throughout the General Plan

10. General Plan: Land Use as a
Sustainability Strategy
• Population is growing
– How to plan for growth
responsibly and to achieve
sustainability goals?
• City of Villages strategy
– Links land use and transit
planning
– Distinctive, mixed use villages
– Pedestrian oriented
– Interconnected streets
– Local destinations (stores,
services, parks, schools)
– Connected to transit
– Distinctive public places

11. Village Propensity Map
Village Propensity Map

12. Mobility Strategies
Cars and trucks produce 46% of GHG
emissions in San Diego County
• Transit/Land Use Coordination
• Multi-modal solutions
– Walkable communities
– Bicycle facilities
– Streets and freeways
– Transit and transit-orientation
– Parking management
– Transportation management
• Toolboxes allow for tailored
solutions
• Regional Collaboration

13. Walkability
– General Plan addresses:
• Safety and accessibility
– Safe Routes to Schools
• Street Connectivity
• Walkability
• Lively, attractive streets
– Toolbox of Solutions
• Pedestrian Improvement
Toolbox
• Traffic Calming Toolbox
• Parking Toolbox

15. Parking Toolbox:
Supply and Demand
Strategies
Supply
– Re-stripe streets for
diagonal parking
– Community parking
facilities
– Adjust regulations
– Car lifts and
mechanized garages
– Code enforcement
Demand
– Parking meter districts
– Residential permit parking
districts
– Transit upgrades
– Car sharing
– Parking pricing
– Safe pedestrian and bicycle
routes
– Employee parking
programs

16. Urban Design
Historic Preservation
• Create diverse, walkable, mixed-use villages
• Design vibrant public spaces and prominent civic
architecture
• Public health co-benefits
• Conserve resources and reduce construction debris

17. – Open space to define and link communities
– Complement the environment and respect natural
features

18. Sustainability Through Open Space
Protections
• Watershed, river parks,
creek restoration, urban
canyon lands
– Ground water infiltration
– Carbon sequestration
– Biodiversity
– Urban heat island
• San Diego Multiple
Species Conservation
Program
– Comprehensive habitat
conservation planning
– 49,230 acres (93% of
City’s goal) are
conserved or are
obligated to be
conserved.

19. Conservation
Electricity use accounts for 25%
of San Diego County GHG
emissions
• Specifically addresses climate change
– Reduce carbon footprint
– Green buildings/sustainable development
• Conserve and manage resources
– Water conservation
– Energy efficiency and renewables
– Waste management
– Wastewater collection and treatment
– Urban forestry
• Open space preservation
– Ecosystem role

20. General Plan Water Policies
• Water Supply and
Infrastructure
– Increase alternative water
sources
– Provide and maintain
infrastructure
– Expand recycled water
distribution system
– Recognize water/energy nexus
• Sustainable Development
– Green buildings
– Landscape design and
maintenance
Public Facilities and Conservation Elements

21. General Plan Water Policies
Public Facilities and Conservation Elements
• Water Conservation and
management
– Water conservation measures
– Watershed protection
– Groundwater and surface water
resources management
– Manage floodplains
• Coordinated Planning
– State and regional water
resource planning
– Water and land use planning
– Development project review
– Plan for emergencies and climate
change impacts
• Public Education

22. Water/Energy/Carbon Nexus

23. Economic Prosperity Element:
Align Environmental Protection and
Economic Competitiveness
• Innovation Challenge
• Business Incubator
• Biomimicry
Partnership
• Green Workforce
Training
• Clean Enterprise
Program

24. The General Plan Action Plan
– Identifies actions
(implementation measures)
derived from General Plan
goals and policies
– Organized by GP Element
and timeframe
– Sets key implementation
priorities
– Helps to inform the budget
process
– Will be used for annual
monitoring of the General
Plan
– Adopted July 2009

25. Climate MAP
• Climate Mitigation & Adaptation Plan
• Includes updated GHG inventory for City
operations and community-at -large
• Will incorporate prior city actions and new
strategies
• Prepared as a part of the City’s Sustainable
Community Program
• Environmental document to be prepared

26. 26
Regional Collaboration
SANDAG
• 2004 – Regional Comprehensive Plan
(RCP)
• 2006 – Smart Growth Concept Map
• 2007 – Smart Growth Tool Box
• 2010 – Climate Action Strategy
• 2010 – Urban Area Transit Strategy
• 2011 – Regional Transportation Plan
– Sustainable Communities Strategy
– Environmental review will address
greenhouse gas emissions

27. Sustainability Tool:
Land Development Code
• Commercial/Mixed-Use zones
• Pedestrian-Oriented Design
standards
• Parking reductions for mixed-
use, transit proximity
• Tandem parking in some areas
• Bicycle parking & amenities
• Small lot and townhouse zones
• Landscape Standards
– Street trees required
– Turf limited
– Water conservation mandates
• Local Food - Community
Gardens issues

28. Discretionary Project Review
Affordable Housing and Sustainable
Development Incentive Program

29. • Climate Protection
• Land Use, Housing,
Open Space
• Mobility
• Clean Tech and the
Economy
• Energy
• Water
• Waste Management
• Storm Water

30. Implementation:
Community Plans
• Implement GP and SB 375
– Reduce GHG through land use
and transportation planning
– Reduce GHG through
sustainable buildings and
practices
• Urban forestry
• GHG analysis in CEQA
documents
• Vulnerability analysis
• Adaptation
• Public education role – Local
Government Partnership

31. San Ysidro
Community Planning
Area
City of San Diego
Communities

32. San Ysidro Community

33. San Ysidro COMMUNITY PLAN UPDATE

34. Planning Considerations
• Proximity to Land Port of Entry
• Excellent trolley access
• Intermodal Transit Center
• Improve connectivity throughout community
• Pilot Village location
• Environmental Justice

35. Key Objectives
• An attractive international border destination
• Leverage bicultural and historic traditions and diversity
• Mix of land uses that serves residents and generates prosperity
• Increase mobility through a border intermodal center and create a strong
pedestrian focus
• Identify urban parks, plazas, and promenade
• Identify trail options and joint use opportunities; promote a healthy , active
community
• Incorporate sustainability, address environmental justice, and contribute to a
strong economy
• Provide a lively, pedestrian-friendly, healthy environment
• Facilitate the development of the Mi Pueblo Village
• Craft a clear and practical implementation strategy

36. San Ysidro Open Space and Parks
“…a full and varied range of recreational opportunities
accessible to all San Ysidro residents…” (San Ysidro
Community Plan page 93.)
Open Space
• Dairy Mart Ponds
• Floodplains
• Tijuana River Valley
• Steep hillsides
Parks
• Mini Parks and Plazas
• Joint Use opportunities
• Open areas at gateways
• Beyer Park

37. Village Propensity

38. Community Plan Level:
San Ysidro
Village designations to
occur in community plan
Mi Pueblo Pilot Village
Housing
Pathways to
Knowledge
Plazas
Restaurant,
Mercado, kiosks,
and offices

40. Intermodal Transportation Center
Concept

41. San Ysidro
Local topics related to Mobility
The Border and Port of Entry
Congestion within the community
Barriers: Rail, Freeways
Sidewalk improvements
Connectivity
We are not starting from scratch:
San Ysidro Port of Entry Reconfiguration
Mobility Study - January 2010
San Ysidro Mobility Strategy - January 2009
City’s Bicycle Master Plan
City’s Pedestrian Master Plan

42. Mobility - Pedestrians

43. Mobility - Transit

44. • New inspection protocols in
Mexico and the U.S. are
causing southbound delays at
the border.
• Southbound inspections are a
new reality of border for both
U.S. and Mexico alike.
• Drivers trying to minimize
their time in queue, creating
traffic congestion on on-
ramps, off-ramps, and city
streets around the port of
entry
• Quality of life and
Environmental Justice issues
San Ysidro
Land Port of Entry

45. Border Crossing Concept
Images created by The Miller Hull Partnership

46. San Ysidro Land Port of Entry
Master Plan

47. General Plan:
http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/genplan/index.shtml
General Plan Action Plan:
http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/genplan/index.shtml
San Ysidro Community Plan Update Website
http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/community/cpu/sanysidro/

51. 1. Long-range goals and policies;
2. Private Development Incentive Program
3. Green Street’s Program Concept; and, a
4. Revised Transportation Demand Management Plan

52. Key Findings:
The mixed-use density of downtown contributes positively to all of the Sustainability Indicators
As compared to suburban development, downtown uses less energy and water, has a more
efficient use of materials and promotes a more dynamic/livable streetscape design
Downtown allows residents and workers to significantly reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT)
and dependence on single occupancy vehicles, resulting in substantial carbon savings for the
region
There are significant opportunities to incentivize improvements in water and energy savings
Sustainability can have a substantial impact in the spaces in-between buildings

53. 1. Long-range goals and policies

54. 2006: AB-32 signed into law

56. Chapter 5.8 Goals and Policies:
Sustainable Development
Far Bonus Program: Eco‐Roof
Urban plazas, street activation and
Neighborhood Centers
Downtown Community Plan – Adopted April 2006

58. Suburban vs. Urban

61. 2006 2008
2010 January 2011
Council Policy 600-24
Green Building Program
Development Services Department
2009-2010

62. Aligning the Laws, Codes, & Policies

63. Indicator :
Something observed or
calculated that is used to
show the presence or
state of a condition or
trend

65. Centre City Green Indicators
Energy Water Urban Mobility Economic Vitality
Streetscape Vitality Healthy Spaces Materials Green IQ

66. INDICATOR 2030 GOALS
Energy /GHG
20% reduction in GHG emissions by 2020 (AB32)
33% green power by 2020 (EOS-14-08)
Net zero buildings by 2030 (AB212)
Water 70% reduction in potable water use
Urban Mobility
Make Centre City a public transit destination that affords travelers the
luxury of not needing a vehicle to arrive to or move within downtown
Promote transportation planning that creates downtown as a destination
Materials
75% construction waste recycled
50% operational waste recycled
Economic Vitality Reach 2006 Community Plan Targets for build out
Streetscape
Make Centre City a Top-of-Class streetscape environment that
promotes walking over all other modes of transit
Healthy Spaces
Develop buildings that capitalize on San Diego’s temperate climate to
create top-of-class healthy indoor and outdoor spaces
Green IQ
Develop a green knowledge base that leads the country in successful
demonstration of economically viable green technologies and sound
green building practices

67. Establish Goals & Track Over Time
Now 18 mo 5 yrs 10 yrs
Green IQ
Water
Energy
Materials
TotalSavings
Time

74. Chapter 3: Structure and Land Use
Develop a Private Development Incentive Program to promote innovative green building measures
Chapter 4: Parks, Open Space, and Recreation
Develop East Village Green as a showcase of sustainability by incorporating the indicators goals into the
programming, design and construction process
Chapter 5: Urban Design
Fully develop the Green Street Development Program identified in the Downtown Community Plan
Chapter 6: Neighborhoods & Districts
Develop Neighborhood Pilot Projects for energy and water that address sustainability at the block scale
Chapter 7: Transportation
Assist in the creation of a Downtown Connector Shuttle that allows people to move within downtown once they
arrive from outlying areas
Chapter 8: Public Facilities & Amenities
Make the redevelopment of Civic Center the center piece of green development
Chapter 9: Historic Preservation
Create an existing Building Energy Audit and Retrofit program to incentivize energy and water efficient upgrades
Chapter 11: Economic Development
Use sustainability as a means to increase Employment and Economic Development Strategies available to
downtown building owners

77. 2. Private Development Incentive
Program

78. Performance Prescriptive
CalGreen Tier II
LEED Silver and Gold
Green Building
Measures
Level of
Incentives
Signature Green
Green
High Performance Green
Approach
Applicant

81. Centre City Green Performance Levels and Incentives
Level Path Department New Construction Incentives
1
Green
CalGreen Tier 1
Or
Building Measures =
25-44 CCG Points
City of San Diego DSD
1. DSD Incentives
2. Access to Interagency Incentive Team
CCDC 1. Public Recognition from CCDC
2
High
Performance
Green
CalGreen Tier
2/LEED Silver
Or
Building Measures =
45-59 CCG Points
City of San Diego DSD
1. All items listed for Level 1
2. Additional DSD Incentives
CCDC
1. Parking deviation: TBD
2. FAR Bonus of 1.0
3
Signature
Green
LEED Gold+
Or
Building Measures =
60+ CCG Points
City of San Diego DSD
1. All items listed for Level 1
2. Additional DSD Incentives
CCDC
1. Parking deviation: TBD
2. FAR Bonus of 2.0

82. 3. Green Streets Program Concept

83. DCP Green Street Purpose:
4.1-P-9 Improve Green Streets as an essential
element of the open space system – as
connections to the waterfront, Balboa Park,
activity centers, and parks and plazas; as tree-
lined open spaces; and as continuous
recreational paths.
5.2-G-2 Promote walkability by providing amenities
in proximity to every downtown worker and
resident and linking Neighborhood Centers with
Green Street
• Enhanced landscaping—including double
rows of trees—and expanded sidewalk
widths components.

87. Landscape Features
Sidewalk Features

88. Building Features
Infrastructure Features

94. Base Plan:
• 2 vehicular lanes
• Widened sidewalks
• Striped bicycle lane

96. Existing Conditions

97. Plan B

98. Plan B

99. Plan C

100. Plan C

101. Green Street Elements
Minimum points for entitlement benefit = 20
At designated Green Streets only
Energy
Water
Materials
Streetscape
Economic
HealthySpace
Mobility
GreenIQ
Measure
Points
Building
Open space greater than 250 SF or 5% of lot, whichever is larger 15 x
Incorporate transit shelters into development 20 x x
Infra-
structure
An additional 10 feet of sidewalk area provided on private property 20 x
Efficient Exterior Lighting (LED or Induction) 10 x
100% of materials locally manufactured or include at least 10% recycled
content
5 x
Landscaping
Street trees that will shade 50% of sidewalk area within 5 years 15 x
Landscaped stormwater management systems at the curb edge containing
local plantings
15 x x x
Native landscaping at additional ROW landscaped area 5 x x
Furnishings
Sidewalk enterprises, such as exterior sales kiosks, cafes, and retail sales 10 x x
Benches and or movable seating maintained by the building owner 10 x x
Street recycling that will be managed by the building owner 5 x
On-street bicycle corrals 10 x
Public art that is located at the focal point of the development 5 x x
Sustainability educational display that is accessible to the public 1 x

102. 4. Revised Transportation Demand
Management Plan

103. Transportation Demand Management Revisions
Minimum points for entitlement = 25
Points Measure
20 5-year, 50% subsidy for transit passes for employee occupants
15 Public accessible shuttle to all downtown and airport locations
15 Vehicle parking to meet, but not exceed, minimum PDO requirements
15 "Shared use vehicles" by property tenants
- minimum 1 vehicle per 33 occupants
- vehicles provided have CARB classification of ULEV, SULEV, PZEV, or ZEV
- preferential parking
15 Electric, natural gas, fuel cells, fueling stations
- minimum office (1 per 30,000 s.f.), hotel (1 per 100 rooms)
- minimum 50% of stations are electric vehicle charging stations
10 * On-site daycare
5 Bicycle storage - minimum 1 space per 20 occupants
5 * Upgraded transit stop adjacent to new development, including shelter, seating,
lighting and ongoing maintenance
5 Preferential parking for vehicles with CARB classifications ULEV, SULEV, PZEV, and
ZEV - minimum 5% of permitted parking
5 Preferential carpool and/or vanpool parking - minimum 5% of permitted parking
5 On-site shower facilities available to all tenants/employees of a building - minimum
office (1 per 100,000 s.f.), hotel (1 per 100 rooms)
5 Participation by building management and tenants in carpool coordination, ridesharing
and car-sharing programs
5 Discounted parking rates for vehicles with CARB classifications ULEV, SULEV, PZEV,
and ZEV - minimum 20% discount
5 Discounted parking rates for carpools containing 3 or more adults - minimum 20%
discount
5 Preferential parking for car-sharing vehicles (at least one space)
5 * On-site transit pass sale, maps and information
1 * Proximity to public transit stop/station (1,320 feet or fewer)
* = No change from existing TDM

106. Green Buildings

107. Green Buildings

108. Green Living

109. Green Living

110. Green Living

112. Advancing
Sustainability in
Discretionary Review
Nancy Bragado, City of San Diego, General Plan
Sara Lyons, City of San Diego, San Ysidro Community Plan
Sachin Kalbag, Centre City Green
Kathleen Garcia, Former San Diego Planning Commissioner
November 3, 2010

113. Greening Our Project
Decisions
Sustainability in Discretionary Project Review
Kathleen A. Garcia, FASLA LEED AP

114. Sustainable Project Attributes
1. Adapting to conditions and influencing best
practice
2. Self sufficiency in regard to resources
3. Solving larger urban problems outside of
project boundaries

115. Discretionary Review Checklist
Climate change impact
Hydrological systems management
Habitat protection
Mobility
Waste management
Environmental justice

116. Project Checklist
Has the project calculated its carbon
footprint?
Has energy consumption been
calculated and reduced below the norm?
Is the project in a threat zone for flood,
hurricane, earthquake or other natural
disaster?
Does the site reutilize already-
developed land?
Has the project optimized non-
motorized mobility?
Does the project limit VMT (vehicle
miles travelled) and not increase
commuting distances?
Is this a transit-oriented development?
Does the project increase roadway
congestion?
Are there pedestrian/bike corridors?
Are water resources and drainages
protected and improved?
Is any nonpoint source pollution
modeled and mitigated?
Are agricultural lands preserved or does
it support local food sources?
Are natural habitats preserved and
enhanced?
Is the project limiting its construction
and operational waste?
Does the project build to green building
standards?
Will the project promote a green
economy?
Will the project provide affordable
housing?
Are the impacts and benefits equitable
to all segments of the population?

117. LEED ND – Neighborhood Development
Civitas, Sudberry Properties
1. Smart Location & Linkages
2. Neighborhood Pattern & Design
3. Green Construction and
Technology
4. Innovation and Design Process
US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Rating System

118. Effects of Climate Change
Are we assessing…
• Sea Level rise, land use vulnerability
• Migration of disease, increased ailments
• Habitat loss and shift of temperature &
rainfall zones affecting growing areas
• Increased pests and pathogens
• Wildfire and hurricanes increase

119. Project Checklist – Climate Change
Has the project calculated its anticipated carbon
footprint?
Has the project looked to offset its carbon impacts
http://coolclimate.berkeley.edu/home

120. • Former Quarry site
• Forested 295 acres = 563 metric tons/year carbon
uptake
• Equivalent to University’s electrical carbon
offset/year
DePauw Nature Park, DePauw IN
DePauw University

121. Project Checklist – Climate Change
Has energy consumption been calculated and
reduced below the norm?
US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Rating System

122. • Development
regulations
• Building
Codes for
structures
• Brush
management
codes
Project Checklist – Climate Change
Is the project in a high risk zone for natural
disasters?

123. Effects of Hydrologic Change
• Flooding vulnerability
• Glacial and snowpack retreat
• Drinking water loss
• Shift of rainfall zones affecting growing
areas
• Drought increases
Are we assessing…

124. Project Checklist - Hydrology
Are current practices of erosion control best
practices?
Are setbacks according to regulations and are
regulations enough?
Torrey Pines City Park General Development Plan

125. Project Checklist - Hydrology
Are water resources and drainages protected
and improved?
Is any nonpoint source pollution modeled and
mitigated?
ASLA Green Roof, Washington DCBioswale, Caltrans Headquarters San Diego

126. Effects of Biomass Change
Are we assessing….
• Loss of valuable habitat
• Loss of critical species
• Increased impervious surfaces
• Lack of natural cover
• Windstorms, sandstorms, dustbowl
effect

127. Project Checklist - Biomass
Are natural habitats
preserved and
enhanced?
Is the horticulture
appropriate?
Otay River Valley, Chula VistaPalisades Park, Santa Monica

128. Mobility Patterns
Are we assessing….
• Vehicle miles travelled
• Parking ratios
• Alternatives to the automobile
• Land use balance – live/work/play

129. Project Checklist – Mobility
Does the project increase roadway congestion?
Does the project limit VMT (vehicle miles
travelled) and not increase commuting distances?
Civitas, Sudberry Properties

130. Project Checklist – Mobility
Is this a transit-oriented development?
Has the project optimized non-motorized mobility?
Are there pedestrian/bike corridors?
Coastal Rail Trail

131. Waste Management
Are we assessing….
• Recycled or reclaimed land/brownfield
• Impact of construction
• Waste stream tracking

132. Project Checklist – Waste Reduction
Does the site reutilize already-developed land?
Is the project limiting its construction and
operational waste?
Is the project using Green Building standards?

133. Environmental Justice
Are we assessing….
• Access to healthy food choices
• Safe routes to school
• Provision of affordable housing
• Impacts of land use on neighborhoods
of color?

134. Eastern Urban Center Parks – Community Garden
Are agricultural lands preserved
Does it support local food
sources?
Project Checklist – Public Health

135. Overtown Mall, Miami
Project Checklist – Environmental Justice
Will the project promote a green economy?
Will the project provide affordable housing?
Are the impacts and benefits equitable to all
segments of the population?

136. A Sustainable Project is one
that…
1. Adapts to conditions and influences best
practices
2. Is self sufficient in regard to resources
3. Solves larger urban problems outside of
project boundaries

137. S u s t a i n a b i l i t y i n
D i s c r e t i o n a r y R e v i e w
PowerPoint dowload can be found at:
http://www.wrtdesign.com/firm/presentation/
APA-CA 2010