Green may get easier

Costa Mesa City Council members may try to make it easier to be green with a new incentive program for making buildings environmentally friendly.

Two council members asked in February for some kind of green building program, and that's beginning to take shape. They'll talk Tuesday about a staff proposal that could cost about $490,000 a year, with elements that would take from three months to three years to put in place.

"Green building" describes facilities that conserve energy, use recycled materials or are designed for natural heating and cooling.

To encourage construction of green buildings, the council will consider waiving city fees when buildings are remodeled to include solar panels and more efficient amenities. The program also could include working with the water and sanitary districts on encouraging efficiency, and doing public outreach about sustainable building and a national certification program for green buildings.

The concept of sustainable building has gained currency over the last 10 years or so. Now people are at least open to the idea, and some propose green projects themselves, said Costa Mesa principal planner Kimberly Brandt.

"I think what we're seeing is more willingness, especially at the conceptual stage," she said. "Coming in with some aspect of your project that's green — people are very receptive to it."

One reason is that it's now more cost-effective to buy things like solar panels and recycled building materials, and they're easier to find, Brandt said.

Council members will talk about what they want in a green building program at a study session Tuesday, but it's not clear whether they'll agree on what to include.

When the issue came up in February, Councilman Eric Bever said the program should encourage remodeling of existing buildings, while Councilwoman Katrina Foley wanted to include new construction.