RESOLUTION NO. RS2008-156

A resolution requesting the Vice Mayor to appoint a Green Permit Task Force to make recommendations to the Council regarding the appropriate sustainable building protocol for the Department of Codes Administration to use in recognizing facilities in Nashville as being “Green”.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government has taken a proactive approach over the past several years to encourage sustainable development; and

WHEREAS, in June 2007, the Metropolitan Council enacted Ordinance No. BL2007-1374 to require sustainable building design standards for new and renovated Metropolitan Government buildings and facilities; and

WHEREAS, the Council has also required Leadership in Environmental Energy Design (LEED) certification for the proposed Westin Hotel and Signature Tower in downtown Nashville as part of the rezoning ordinances for these two properties; and

WHEREAS, the development community has made it clear that there is a strong desire for a “Green” permitting process in Nashville, which would allow for a “Green use and occupancy permit” to be issued by the Metropolitan Department of Codes Administration; and

WHEREAS, in order to avoid additional costs to the Metropolitan Government for designating a building as being “Green”, the Director of the Department of Codes Administration has recommended that the government incorporate a third party’s protocol for determining “Green” status; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that a task force be appointed to make a recommendation regarding the appropriate third party protocol to use in determining whether a building qualifies for a “Green” permit.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. “That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Vice Mayor to appoint a Green Permit Task Force to make recommendations to the Council regarding the appropriate sustainable building protocol for the Department of Codes Administration to use in recognizing facilities in Nashville as being “Green”. The task force should make its recommendation back to the full Council not later than forty-five (45) days after the task force is convened.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to Vice Mayor Diane Neighbors.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Mike Jameson