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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />a project’s development team should include sustainability staff or other designated, <br />qualified individuals who can speak to the technical nature of sustainability requirements. <br />Planning Department <br />City planning departments should be involved in the management of the sustainable <br />building policy. City planners are responsible for reviewing project applications, engaging <br />with developers, and ultimately drafting the developer’s agreement, which is the <br />document holding a project developer accountable for following policies and codes. <br />External Collaborators <br />External partners can provide technical assistance to project teams to meet policy rating <br />systems. These generally fall into two categories: <br />• Specific: A partner that develops and manages an individual rating system is best <br />equipped to answer questions regarding pathways for compliance for their rating <br />system (e.g., USGBC for LEED). <br />• Broad: A partner that can answer questions across multiple rating systems. <br />Community Highlight: St. Louis Park, MN <br />Because the City’s Community Development Department oversees project and land use <br />applications as well as financial incentives for development, it is a natural fit for the <br />sustainable building policy to be managed by that department. Sustainability staff, who are <br />in a different department, remain engaged by attending project meetings with developers to <br />educate them about the City’s climate goals and aspects of the policy. The City also keeps <br />an architecture and engineering firm on retainer for more detailed review beyond <br />sustainability staff’s abilities and to help developers meet the goals of the policy. <br />Increase Awareness of the Policy <br />A key question to ask is: how do developers, architects, and contractors know the policy exists? <br />If the policy is new, or if major changes have been made to an existing policy, cities should take <br />proactive steps to inform their development community about how this policy will impact future <br />projects. At minimum, cities should post the policy clearly on the city’s website for easy access. <br />Additional engagement would build support and acceptance of the policy. We recommend cities <br />offer trainings, networking events, and building tours, as well as engage building associations to <br />spread the word about the policies. Cities could also partner on outreach initiatives to increase <br />reach and minimize cost. <br />Community Highlight: Rochester, MN <br />The City of Rochester hosts green building tours to showcase successful implementation of <br />their policy in new development. Developers and architects can tour new buildings, ask <br />questions, and learn how their peers are following Rochester’s sustainable building policy. <br />7