Atlanta green building ordinance tabled - yet again
Opposing sides given deadline to iron out wrinkles about complicated legislation
For months, eco-minded advocates and Atlanta’s real estate and development industries have locked horns over the city’s proposed green building ordinance.
But last Tuesday, city councilmembers gave both sides a Sept. 29 deadline to strike a compromise over the ordinance that supporters say could help Atlanta meet carbon reduction footprint goals, reduce wasteful consumption of energy and water, and become one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the nation.
The ordinance, which would cover all new construction except low-rise residential, has been in the works since June 2008. It’s a helluva bill, covering everything from water-saving sink fixtures in your home to spray wands at the car wash. Sustainable Atlanta, the nonprofit group that’s been tasked with drafting the complicated legislation, tweaked and modified the provisions after Atlanta’s real estate and development community raised concerns.