Via Verde, the Bronx. Courtesy: Jonathan Rose Companies |
In February 2010, the Green Codes Task Force, a group of leading practitioners convened by the Urban Green Council at the request of Mayor Bloomberg and Council Speaker Quinn, released a set of recommendations to amend City regulations to promote green buildings.
Building on the work of the Green Codes Task Force, the Department of City Planning proposes a Citywide zoning text amendment to remove zoning impediments to the construction and retrofitting of green buildings. This proposal would give owners more choices for the investments they can make to save energy, save money, and improve environmental performance. This proposal will help bring our buildings into the 21st century while protecting the character and quality of life of our neighborhoods.
This proposal is one of a series of green initiatives DCP has been undertaking in order to promote sustainable communities throughout New York City. Other recent initiatives have promoted transit-oriented development; alternatives to automobile ownership and use; improved access to healthy, fresh foods; stormwater management and the quality of our streetscape. The Zone Green text amendment complements efforts under PlaNYC to improve the performance of buildings.
FEATURES OF THE PROPOSAL
Energy-efficient building walls: It costs New Yorkers $15 billion each year to heat and power our buildings, and these buildings are responsible for 80 percent of the city’s carbon emissions. In 2030, 85 percent of our buildings will be buildings that exist today – so improving the performance of existing buildings is critical to reducing New York City’s energy use and carbon emissions.
Well insulated exterior walls reduce heating and cooling demands, lowering home heating bills and summer air conditioning bills. But zoning today sometimes prohibits adding insulation to the exterior of existing buildings or penalizes thicker walls.
Sun control devices: These horizontal or vertical projections can help reduce air-conditioning needs and lighting bills by providing glare-free natural light, while adding interest to the building façade. Zoning today often does not allow sun control devices to project over required open areas.
Courtesy: NYC DCP
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The proposal:
Above the ground floor, allow sun control devices and awnings to project 2’-6” over required open areas. Solid portions of the sun control devices, in aggregate, could cover no more than 30 percent of the façade from which they project, as viewed in elevation. |
Courtesy: Kaplan Thompson Architects |
Solar energy: Solar power can provide pollution-free energy for electricity or hot water, reducing utility bills and carbon emissions. Today, zoning does not allow solar installations above the maximum permitted building height.
Other rooftop equipment: In a dense city where space is at a premium, rooftops can serve a wide range of purposes, including managing stormwater, providing recreation space, or generating renewable energy. In addition, systems such as boilers and cogeneration facilities can be safer and more efficient when located on roofs. Key building features such as stair and elevator bulkheads must also be located on roofs. However, zoning districts with contextual height limits restrict the space available for these systems above the maximum building height.
Courtesy: NYC DEP |
The proposal:
Allow low-lying features such as green roofs, recreational decks, other stormwater detention systems and skylights anywhere below the parapet, regardless of building height. A guardrail no more than 30% opaque would be allowed up to 3’6” above the top surface of the roof. Greater volume, similar to what is already allowed in many Special Districts, would be allowed above the maximum building height to accommodate modern bulkheads, with requirements for setback and screening of equipment. |
Rooftop greenhouses: Greenhouses on industrial, commercial and school buildings can enable year-round local food production and provide valuable educational opportunities within a dense urban environment. Unfortunately, limitations on floor area or building height have constrained opportunities for these facilities.
| The proposal: By certification of the Chair of the City Planning Commission, allow a greenhouse to be exempt from floor area and height limits, provided that it is located on top of a building that does not contain residences or sleeping accommodations. These greenhouses must not exceed 25 feet in height, must set back six feet from the roof edge, and must include practical measures to limit water consumption. |
Photo by Ari Burling.
Courtesy: NY Sun Works |
Wind energy:
Wind energy generation in New York City makes the most sense where winds are consistent – on taller buildings and near the waterfront. Today, small wind turbines are allowed as accessory structures if they do not exceed a building height limit.
 Courtesy: Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects |
The proposal:On buildings taller than 100 feet, a wind turbine assembly may rise up to 55’ above the rooftop (including the pole and rotor), provided it is set back at least 10 feet from any property line. On waterfront blocks in medium- or higher-density residential districts, commercial or manufacturing districts, all buildings could install rooftop turbines up to half the height of the building or 55 feet, whichever is less. Free-standing turbines would be allowed in commercial and manufacturing areas on waterfront blocks. All wind installations must comply with requirements set forth by the Department of Buildings. |
Other provisions:Air conditionersinstalled in a window or through-wall sleeve can waste large amounts of energy. Central air or ductless mini-split systems are significantly more efficient. The proposal would allow greater flexibility for the location of air conditioning condenser units for these more efficient systems for one- and two-family residences.
The proposal would also clarify rules for electric vehicle charging or battery swapping facilities and solar energy generation, which are cleaner than traditional fueling or energy generation facilities. It would specify that electric vehicle charging is allowed in all parking facilities, and charging or battery swapping facilities would be allowed as Use Group 7 uses in Commercial Districts. The proposal would also specify that solar energy generation is allowed as accessory to any use or as a Use Group 6 free-standing use, permitted in Commercial Districts subject to height and setback limits.
For schools in lower-density districts where sidewalk planning strips are required, the proposal would allow permeable pavement as an alternative where required to accommodate the high levels of foot traffic generated by schools.
PUBLIC REVIEW
The proposed text amendment was referred out on December 12, 2011 and will undergo a complete public review process, including referral for 60 days to all community boards, borough boards and borough presidents for review and comment, followed by review by the City Planning Commission and City Council.
For more information about the proposed zoning text amendment, contact the Zoning Division at 212-720-3691 or email the project team.
Brief explanations of terms in green italics can be viewed by clicking on the term. Words and phrases followed by an asterisk (*) are defined terms in the Zoning Resolution, primarily in Section 12-10. Consult the Zoning Resolution for the official and legally binding definitions of these words and phrases.
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