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DATE: January 5, 2015 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers Patrick Klaers, City Administrator FROM: Matthew Bachler, Associate Planner SUBJECT: TCAAP Energy Integration Resiliency Framework and Policy White Paper – Recommended Modifications to the TCAAP Redevelopment Code Background At the City Council meeting on November 24, 2014, the Energy Resiliency Advisory Board (ERAB) presented the TCAAP Energy Integration Resiliency Framework (EIRF) and Policy White Paper to the Council. This document includes recommended modifications to the draft TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC) that would address energy efficiency and sustainability standards for future development on TCAAP. The City Council was supportive of the work completed by ERAB and consensus was that the Council should further discuss the policy recommendations included in the White Paper. Discussion The recommended changes to the TRC do not prescribe specific minimum requirements but focus on building flexibility into the code so that property owners can choose to incorporate energy efficiencies and renewable energy systems into their site and building designs. After reviewing the draft TRC, staff believes that in most sections of the code the flexibility that the ERAB is recommending has already been incorporated. For example, in many areas standards are stated as preferences rather requirements which would allow for design modifications to improve energy efficiencies or the use of new types of renewable materials. It should also be noted that there will be an opportunity to incorporate the recommendations in the policy paper through the County’s RFP process. In many ways using the RFP process is a better method of ensuring that significant and site-wide energy improvements are made rather than regulating this through the zoning code. Staff has reviewed the proposed modifications to the TRC made in the White Paper and offers the following suggestions for consideration: MEMORANDUM Page 1 of 2