ROTTERDAM Incentives offered to developers for ‘green’ projects BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
For environment-conscious builders in Rotterdam, going green with construction projects could end up saving a bit of green. Town officials passed a pair of green incentive laws recently that will reduce or waive some of the fees associated with the planning process, provided the project can demonstrate a percentage of green energy production. The new legislation defines but doesn’t limit these energy sources as solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric and solar voltaic. Developers of home projects with at least 10 percent green energy production will no longer be required to pay for their site plan approval or building permits, according to the law. Similarly, building permits for commercial projects demonstrating this percentage of green energy production will be reduced by half, while site plan approval fees will be waived. For residences and additions, there is a $150 permit fee for every 1,000 square feet of development. This means the builder of a 2,000-square-foot house could save $300 in permit fees alone, said town planner Peter Commenzo. “Depending on the size and the nature of the project, it could be a substantial amount of savings.” Commenzo said he’s received numerous inquiries recently from residents and builders wanting to incorporate a clean energy generating component in their homes or projects. He said many of the questions concerned the installation of photo-voltaic cells and small wind turbines. “There’s been some interest,” he said. “Obviously, as the price of fuel goes up, people are looking to alternative energy sources.” The legislation was first developed in Rotterdam’s Conservation Advisory Council and forwarded last spring to the Town Board, which unanimously adopted the law last week. Supervisor Steve Tommasone said the board saw a need to remain ahead of the curve with regard to environmentally proactive legislation.
Developers of home projects with at least 10 percent green energy production will no longer be required to pay for their site plan approval or building permits, according to the law. Similarly, building permits for commercial projects demonstrating this percentage of green energy production will be reduced by half, while site plan approval fees will be waived.
Sneaky......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Okay, so it sounds good in theory and on paper, but come on here folks, we live in this little bedroom community called Rotterdam. We clearly do not live in New York City or San Diego or Chicago or any other big city. For the amount of so called energy that can be saved will surely not match the money we will be loosing by waiving the fees required by developers.
And although I am not a fan of 'studies' (although sometimes necessary)....was there one done to see exactly the cost saving for this legislation? Or will Rotterdam just be picking up the tab for the developers? I would have to believe that the people on this Conservation Committee have a degreee in enviornment impacts and in economics to weigh the cost vs energy savings. And who in Rotterdam will be the 'going green' enforcer? I certainly hope they are well educated with these energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric and solar voltaic alternatives.
I just personally think there are far more important issues in Rotterdam that need to be address as opposed to 'going green'!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
There was a 'special meeting' for the allowance of town supervisor to enter into contract with _______ and the business entity was not named.....they were also in executive session.....
My guess is that the condo builder and the Meadows builders find the 'fees' to be a 'hardship'....now they can tack on some space shuttle tiles and not fear....great....maybe the $$ saved by the homeowners/renters would be better spent pumping out their basements.......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
My concern is still who is knowlegable in this area and who will oversee that this 'green law' is abided by. I don't see the purpose to be perfectly honest here.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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