Cooper CitySomeplace Green

The Cooper City – “Someplace Green” Sustainability Plan, a “Green Print” for the final stages of buildout and future redevelopment, represents a milestone in the City’s efforts to ensure the sustainability of this community. The Green Print provides a “Tool Box for Tomorrow,” as Cooper City leaders grapple with the challenges of a changing climate, a call for energy efficiency and conservation and need for long term economic sustainability.

Cooper City – A great place to live.Sustainability Plan respectfully submitted by the Green Advisory Board Members, November 2011.  Diana Guidry, ChairGary S. Hines, Vice ChairJerilyn L. Habenicht, SecretaryDidier DupuyGladys DiGirolamoOlga G. AlvarezPatti WebsterRick DronskySteven Gara Contributions also provided by:James Bowman, Cooper City Staff LiaisonJohn Crouse, Former Board Member

Cooper City’s Green Accomplishments

Multi-year Tree City USA Annual sponsor of Water Matters Day (9 years) Award Winning Water Conservation Program Broward County NatureScape Emerald Award Winner Partner for Environmental Education, School Board of Broward

County and NatureScape Broward Broward League of Cities President Water Advisory Board, Technical Advisory Committee Member Establishment of Green Advisory Board Staff Conservation Initiatives

Categorization of Action StepsCATEGORIES:

Category 1: Green Development & Re-development

  Category 2: Natural Areas &

Environmental Enhancements  Category 3: Energy Conservation  Category 4: Water Conservation

and Reduction

Category 5: Waste Reduction and Recycling

  Category 6: Sustainable

Transportation and Mobility  Category 7: Community Outreach

and Empowerment   Category 8: City Operations Category 9: Regional Leadership

The City Green Plan action steps contain a range of programs and initiatives for

implementation that formulate a strategy toward achieving sustainability.

Category 1: Green Development & Re-development Action 1.1 Review and revise the Cooper City Comprehensive Land

Use Plan and other development regulations to reflect planning strategies to mitigate the causes of and adapt to the consequences of a changing climate.

Action 1.2 Review and amend landscape requirements for all new developments to encourage planting trees that sequester carbon dioxide, encourage developers to donate trees identified for their carbon sequestration benefits and provide areas in appropriate city owned parks or other areas as designated to accommodate tree forests dedicated to mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG).

Category 1: Green Development & Re-development Action 1.3 Review and amend the landscape ordinances to stay

current with Broward County’s landscape code and to maintain Cooper City as a Broward NatureScape Community.

Action 1.4 Retrofit all City-owned buildings with green building technologies by 2020.

Action 1.5 Create a “green” checklist by 2012 for use on all City and private projects such as engineering or landscape projects, permits, etc. and incorporate green review in the development order process.

Action 1.6 Encourage Building Department to recommend Alternative Energy Infrastructure in all new residential developments.

2. Natural Areas & Environmental Enhancements

Action 2.1 Achieve 40% tree canopy coverage throughout the City with maximum tree coverage on public and private land by 2020.

 Action 2.2 Ensure continuation of Tree City U.S.A. status and

support Cooper City’s signature street tree planting program.

Action 2.3 Ensure public access to passive parks, recreational areas, open space, or greenway trails for use by all residents by 2020.

2. Natural Areas & Environmental Enhancements

Action 2.4 Encourage the development of future parks and passive recreational areas where appropriate throughout the City.

 Action 2.5 Further the goals of the Anne Kolb Tree Path, as

represented by Cooper City Resolution No. 81-8-2 and Special Act of the Florida Legislature Chapter 91-319, SB 2394, by working with municipalities adjacent to the Tree Path to plant and dedicate trees in accordance with agreements that call for trees to be planted on the portion of Griffin Road that is located between the Florida Turnpike on the east and 660 feet west of Flamingo Road on the west and ensure that the Department of Transportation erects suitable markers along the Path as provided for in SB 2394.

Action 2.6 Ensure that wetlands set aside as mitigation for development of Monterra as agreed to in the annexation agreement are protected and preserved in perpetuity. Develop a plan by 2015 that will include, but not be limited to, the creation of nature preservation boardwalks, pathways and kiosks.

2. Natural Areas & Environmental Enhancements

3. Energy ConservationAction 3.1 Utilize a minimum of 10% of publicly-owned land appropriate

for alternative energy sources by 2020 in a manner that will not impose an impact on environmentally sensitive or natural areas.

 Action 3.2 Promote the use of all alternative energy sources including

solar energy in residential areas.

Action 3.3 Ensure 20% of grants received by the City are for energy conservation projects.

Action 3.4 Allow residents to obtain carbon offset credits when they use alternative energy sources or have their homes modified for such when technologically feasible. Support net metering when possible.

Action 3.5 Increase Cooper City owned vehicles that run on alternative forms of fuel.

4. Water Conservation & Reduction

  

Action 4.2 Increase water conservation measures in cooperation with other government agencies.

Action 4.3 Convert water fixtures within City owned buildings and facilities to water saving efficient fixtures by 2014.

Action 4.4 Promote water conservation by providing tips on electronic message board, city newsletter and back of water bills.

Action 4.1 Reduce potable water consumption by 10% from the base condition preceding April 1, 2006 by 2012 and an additional 15% by 2020 through a Citywide Water Reduction Initiative. Identify the highest residential users and assist them with conservation measures.

4. Water Conservation & Reduction

  

Action 4.6 Promote rainfall efficiency throughout the City and promote the utilization of rain barrels and cisterns.

Action 4.7 Promote, support, and participate in Broward County’s Annual Water Matters Day.

Action 4.8 Review the feasibility of developing a Cooper City Utilities reclaimed water system every three years or until such a system is implemented.

Action 4.5 Promote low capacity ground water wells and soil moisture sensor systems for residential irrigation.

5. Waste Reduction & RecyclingAction 5.1 Provide recycling rollout carts and other recycling methods to

increase recycling and achieve a 75% reduction in waste by 2020.  Action 5.2 Require the recycling of all construction and demolition debris in

an effort to divert 75% of waste from landfills by 2012. (This should not include hazardous materials or other environmentally dangerous materials such as Chinese drywall).

Action 5.3 Create a shredded paper program for the community by 2012.

Action 5.4 Promote Broward County’s paint recycling program. Inform residents of this program and incorporate paint recycling with the current hazardous waste recycling program.

Action 5.5 Promote residents to recycle all yard waste.

6. Sustainable Transportation & Mobility

Action 6.1 Improve mobility throughout the City by re-establishing local bus service, increase the number of bus shelters, bicycle parking, bicycle lanes, and greenway trails.

Action 6.2 Enhance bicycle paths throughout the City and include access and circulation through Brian Piccolo Park and future parks.

Action 6.3 Implement an alternative vehicle parking program to designated parking areas for alternative vehicles in developments throughout the City by 2020.

Action 6.4 Establish Cooper City as a free Wi-Fi public zone.

Action 6.5 City vehicle program should follow Broward’s advanced technology vehicle program.

7. Community Outreach &Empowerment

Action 7.1 Proclaim a City Green Day with the first City Green Day to be held in 2012.

 Action 7.2 Implement a City Green Award program to recognize homeowners, neighborhoods, and businesses that incorporate green and sustainable practices. Awards can be presented in conjunction the City Green Day. Encourage winners to apply for the Broward County Emerald Awards.

 Action 7.3 Provide environmental education programs or lecture series for the public on a variety of sustainable topics such as rainwater collection, composting, etc. Include an environmental page in the monthly newsletter promoting initiatives and provide tips on conserving energy and water and reducing waste. Implement a yearly green lecture series for the public on a variety of sustainable topics.

7. Community Outreach &Empowerment

Action 7.4 Seek Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) Local Government Designation by 2013.

Action 7.5 Promote the City Sustainability Plan.

Action 7.6 Seek national certification with the National Wildlife Federation as a Community Wildlife Habitat by 2015. Form a Team of residents and staff to work to attain necessary points for certification. This includes getting 150 homes, 5 common areas (parks, facilities), and 5 schools certified as Backyard Wildlife Habitats under the National Wildlife Federation program.

8. City OperationsAction 8.1 Improve indoor air quality in all City buildings by 2020.

Action 8.2 Advance emission controls on all City fleet vehicles to reduce emission by 50% by 2020.

Action 8.3 Increase the use of renewable energy in City buildings with 25% of building usage from renewable energy sources by 2020.

Action 8.4 Reduce overall energy consumption on City owned sites and buildings by 20%.

Action 8.5 Reduce paper consumption by 75% through a Paperwork

Reduction Policy by 2015.

8. City Operations Action 8.6 Create or appoint a Sustainable Coordinator position by

2012.

Action 8.7 Create an Internal City Green Team by 2012 with a representative from each department.

Action 8.8 Recommend that the City have an audit performed to establish a baseline of green house gas (GHG) emissions from City Operations and perform an energy audit by a nationally recognized firm.

Action 8.9 Increase the number of City vehicles using alternative fuels by 25% by 2014 and 50% by 2020.

9. Regional Leadership Action 9.1 Participate in the Broward League of Cities Green

Advisory Committees, Broward County Climate Change Task Force, and Broward County Water Advisory Board. Support efforts of the Southeast Regional Climate Change Initiative.

Action 9.2 Create partnerships with local schools, colleges and universities, such as Broward College and Florida Atlantic University, for sustainable research, pilot programs, and educational courses.

Thank you!