L.A. Green Building Ordinance Up for Vote
Apparel-industry warehouse and building developers may have to go green whether they like it or not if the Los Angeles City Council approves a new eco building ordinance next month.
The ordinance applies to commercial projects 50,000 square feet or larger to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver certification standards, more popularly known as LEED. The LEED standard involves using building techniques and incorporating features that enhance aspects such as water efficiency, energy usage, air quality and design.
The city’s Planning and Land Use Committee and the Energy and Environment Committee approved a draft of the ordinance last month. The Council must pass the ordinance unanimously or go for a second vote.
Many builders are already incorporating green construction. The number of projects seeking LEED certification in Los Angeles grew from 11 in 2005 to 80 in 2007. One of the projects that would be affected is a massive apparel center under consideration near downtown Los Angeles by the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency. An unnamed apparel importer wants to build the center, which would include office and showroom space and employee housing. —Robert McAllister
