Several jurisdictions throughout Virginia, particularly in the northern suburbs of the Washington, DC metropolitan area, are pushing the envelope on green building practices. These efforts come at a time when the development...more
At a time when the impact of climate change is at the forefront, countries are taking measures to fight against it and terms like Energy Star and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications have become...more
Against the ambitious backdrop set by the Paris Climate Agreement to reach net-0 by 2050, there is a clear drive by corporations to move forward on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) or sustainability...more
As in previous years, the California Legislature enacted a large volume of housing production laws in the 2022 session, some of which may have a significant effect on housing production in 2023. ...more
Green building and energy conservation are now more commonplace in the United States with State and Local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) adopting some version of the International Code Council’s (ICC) suite of...more
Under Miami 21, the City’s zoning code, analysis of a property is more involved than just maximum density and square footage. It is important to know the fine points of potential incentives and benefits available to maximize...more
Critical housing bills signed by Governor Newsom - Allen Matkins – September 17 - As the State of California battles through a housing crisis, lawmakers are seeking creative ways to enable local governments to meet...more
Signed into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom on May 20, 2021, and taking immediate effect as an "urgency statute," Senate Bill (SB) 7 revives and expands the previously enacted Environmental Leadership Development Project...more
In 2016 the City of Coral Gables introduced its new Green Fleet of 20 electric Nissan Leaf vehicles. The City of Coral Gables currently has a total of 43 electric vehicles in its fleet which is one of the largest government...more
Developers and landlords faced the first generation of “green building” initiatives with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and EPA’s Energy Star programs. Now, the states are ready to embark...more
Sustainable Development Focus - Trump wants to cut programs that help buildings save energy. This new study says they work. Washington Post - Mar 27 New research suggests that programs for improving energy...more
Sustainable Development Focus - When it comes to sustainable building, cost still major barrier reports new survey - Proud Green Building - Oct 5 - Sustainable building practices are becoming more common,...more
Sustainability experts claim that “a good building- efficiency rating is quickly becoming the real estate equivalent of a motor vehicle’s miles-per-gallon rating and helps bring capital to owners and investors.” The National...more
A New Jersey court recently reversed a variance issued by a zoning board to a building designed to achieve LEED Gold certification. The owner of the planned office building sought and obtained site plan approval and a height...more