Department of Permitting Services IgCC Public Work Session Follow-up Briefing 9/3/14 - Summary of Comments Received, Proposed Amendments, Next Steps |
International Green Construction Code - Public Work Sessions - Follow-up Briefing
In March 2011 the State of Maryland adopted the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) as an optional code for greater sustainability in the planning and construction of buildings. The IgCC is an overlay code that improves energy performance of a building and reduces the environmental impacts of development by addressing a wide range of requirements aimed to reduce energy consumption, resource demand, water consumption and vehicle miles traveled, etc.
As an overlay code, the IgCC covers a wide range of potential requirements that can apply to matters within the authority of the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) as well as matters within the authority of the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC), Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) and others. The way in which DPS adopts codes promulgated by the International Codes Council and adopted by the State of Maryland is that we review the codes in great detail, engage stakeholders and eventually propose adoption with amendments and exclusions that are tailored to the specifics of Montgomery County.
We have had preliminary discussions with many in the development community and with regulatory agencies about the IgCC. We are now moving to a more structured process of regularly scheduled meetings in which we will engage customers, stakeholders and regulators to review IgCC provisions and potential amendments and exclusions. With these reviews and discussions, we will be making determinations about provisions that may be adequately covered by existing policies and regulations, and areas that are not covered, or where better sustainability can be achieved.
We have held six public work sessions devoted to one or more specific chapters of the IgCC and proposed amendments. We have a website with a link to the 2012 IgCC, DPS proposed amendments, minutes of the public work sessions and stakeholder comments. After reviewing comments from stakeholders, we have revised our proposed amendments which will be available on the DPS website and shared with the public at the September 3, 2014 briefing.
With a County goal of achieving an 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and with buildings comprising an estimated 65% of greenhouse gas emissions, the IgCC will be an important move forward towards the County’s goal and towards ensuring a healthy environment for future generations. Your participation and assistance moving forward will be very important and is very much appreciated.
As an overlay code, the IgCC covers a wide range of potential requirements that can apply to matters within the authority of the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) as well as matters within the authority of the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC), Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) and others. The way in which DPS adopts codes promulgated by the International Codes Council and adopted by the State of Maryland is that we review the codes in great detail, engage stakeholders and eventually propose adoption with amendments and exclusions that are tailored to the specifics of Montgomery County.
We have had preliminary discussions with many in the development community and with regulatory agencies about the IgCC. We are now moving to a more structured process of regularly scheduled meetings in which we will engage customers, stakeholders and regulators to review IgCC provisions and potential amendments and exclusions. With these reviews and discussions, we will be making determinations about provisions that may be adequately covered by existing policies and regulations, and areas that are not covered, or where better sustainability can be achieved.
We have held six public work sessions devoted to one or more specific chapters of the IgCC and proposed amendments. We have a website with a link to the 2012 IgCC, DPS proposed amendments, minutes of the public work sessions and stakeholder comments. After reviewing comments from stakeholders, we have revised our proposed amendments which will be available on the DPS website and shared with the public at the September 3, 2014 briefing.
With a County goal of achieving an 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and with buildings comprising an estimated 65% of greenhouse gas emissions, the IgCC will be an important move forward towards the County’s goal and towards ensuring a healthy environment for future generations. Your participation and assistance moving forward will be very important and is very much appreciated.