Page 57 - Green Builder Nov-Dec 2021 Issue

to the general contractor/builder or to
the architect/designer. Being able to
accept such a responsibility emphasizes
the importance of a good green building
team, one that informs or asks the builder
about rules and regulations related to the
project.
I know of a case where a “designer”
designed a house, not knowing that the
property was in a county that required a
septic field. The builder’s design did not
allow for the septic field and 100 percent
expansion. Having a local contractor
involved on the team early in the design
process and meeting with the local review
agency can avoid such a disaster. The
homeowners were shocked and upset at
finding themselves in such a situation,

Upward and outward. Carefully planned multi-family housing will become easier to build in
California with the activation of SB10, which goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2022. CREDIT: ISTOCK/EWG3D
and at the costs already incurred for a rules like this may not be limited to
project that could not be built. California in the future. The movement to
Counseling building owners to build change single-family zoning has already
a team that will serve them well in their happened in Calgary, Canada, and other
project is the responsibility of each locations in North America.
member of the architecture, engineering, It could soon be routine for two or more
and construction (AEC) sector for all houses to be built in R-1 zones that have
building projects. The more AEC members previously been limited to one house per
collaborate from the beginning of any lot. Some large lots may even be allowed
project, the better the outcomes will be. as many as four houses in R-1 zones. The
places most likely to experience legislation
Example of rules “in the pipeline” like the new bills in California are those
with housing shortages.
that can affect your project. Check with local governments to see
An issue currently in the California what the plans are in your prospective
pipeline — one projected to impact project locations. Remember that many
well over 100,000 single-family homes new homes you plan to build can be green
throughout the state — is the recent building projects, and many communities
passage of the state’s SB 9 and SB 10. These will look more favorably on those projects
bills make it easier for Californians to and are more likely to allow them — if they
build more than one housing unit on many can review them. Savvy green builders
properties that for decades have been who know of a pending zoning change
reserved for single-family homes, and will can be of great value to property owners
give cities greater flexibility to place small looking to understand the potential of
apartment complexes in neighborhoods their property. GB
Neighborhood watch. To avoid neighborhood-wide near public transit. The effects of these
and city-wide issues, extensive research needs to zoning changes on the community level Terry Beaubois, M.Arch, is CEO of BKS: Building
be done before any new construction or remodeling have yet to be determined, but they could Knowledge Systems in Palo Alto, California.
be far reaching. I mention this because He can be reached at tbeaubois@gmail.com.
project begins. CREDIT: ISTOCK/SLOBO

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