Growing Green (Green Developing)

by Joel Barkman

It's a pleasure to serve on several committees that are "raising the bar" locally. Each of these committees has a wonderful blend of exceptional people that truly live what they believe and stand for.

One being the local builders association which kicked-off the New Year last week at McMahon's in Warrenton. The Northern Virginia Building Industry Association (NVBIA) was well represented by local businesses and sponsored by NOVA Spray Insulation. The owner, Ken Thacker stays on the cutting edge as foam insulation continues to gain deserved market share.

Another committee that has local businesses locking arms is the Balanced Growth Alliance (BGA). It is a diverse group of concerned local leaders that adhere to the principle of Fauquier County planning our growth rather than growth controlling us.

By bringing business and conservation together at the same table we can effectively analyze and score a project's impact on the community.

In the same spirit, and as a result of the Board of Supervisors' Retreat on Economic Development, the Board has established the Fauquier County Business Advisory Committee. The purpose of the Committee is to work with the Board of Supervisors and the Department of Economic Development on matters pertaining to economic growth and business development in Fauquier County.

Hopefully we can assist in sorting through the many facets of decision making that will certainly impact our County - decisions such as, to develop or not to develop.

In Fauquier County the word "development" is often followed by varying degrees of apprehension. But what if the word "development" was to be followed by the color "green?"

A neo-traditional community in Northwest Indiana is the first in the country to earn land development certification under the National Green Building Standard, as announced last year by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The 60-acre parcel was carved from unused farm fields and old commercial sites in the town of Burns Harbor, a once-dying steel town an hour from Chicago by train. The successful - and documented - focus on environmental stewardship earned the development its certification. Approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in January, the ICC-700-2008 National Green Building Standard sets benchmarks and a verification protocol for single-family homes, apartments and condominiums, remodeling, lot and site development and all kinds of residential construction. Already, thousands of new homes, renovation projects and subdivisions are in the scoring process for the standard at www.nahbgreen.org, the online home of the NAHB National Green Building Program. "That is indicative of explosive growth in the two months since the standard was approved," said NAHB. "It's another demonstration of how NAHB is leading the green building movement to the benefit of the environment and American home buyers." In laying out the Village in Burns Harbor, the developer protected environmentally sensitive areas, preserving existing vegetation and the natural water and drainage features on the site while adding more plants native to the locale. The high-density residential areas are connected by sidewalk to the town center, and two railroad line stations are within five miles of the development, providing easy access for commuting. A major interstate also runs alongside. When completed, the community will include a mix of 265 single-family, semi-detached and multifamily homes and a town center with retail, residential and commercial development. Most homes have already been completed, including several homes that were certified by the NAHB National Green Building Program. For homes to be certified, builders must address a range of factors, including energy, resource and water efficiency; lot design and preparation; indoor environmental quality; and education for the home owner on the operation and maintenance of the green home. The National Green Building Standard is the result of the efforts of 42 individuals, including builders, architects, regulators, code officials, product manufacturers and environmental experts who conducted four public hearings and read through more than 2,000 comments. "The certification of the Village in Burns Harbor is another great step forward as NAHB continues to move green building practices into the mainstream," said NAHB Chairman. Perhaps "green development" can provide us with a blueprint for balanced "growth" in our communities. Everyone's "gong green" these days, but when it comes to "growing" green, just "Ask a Builder."

As always e-mail your questions or comments to joel@goldenrulebuilders.com or write to "Ask a Builder" at P.O. box 294, Catlett, VA 20119.

Barkman is past president of the Fauquier Chapter of The Northern Virginia Building Industry Association.

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