CLEARWATER GREENPRINT, A FRAMEWORK FOR A COMPETITIVE, VIBRANT, GREEN FUTURE COMPETITIVE. VIBRANT. GREEN.
EDUCATION & AWARENESS
GREEN ENERGY & BUILDINGS
TRANSPORTATION
LAND USE & URBAN FORM
WATER RESOURCES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
FOOD PRODUCTION
GREEN BUSINESS & JOBS
oQ19'9 4
1
gCLEARWATER S".�int
reenpr DECEMBER 201 1 A FRAMEWORK FOR A COMPETITIVE, VIBRANT, GREEN FUTURE
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g ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This plan was prepared by the collaboration with many members of the city government and the community who freely I
shared their ideas and insights regarding the best ways Clearwater can become a sustainable community. We would like to
thank them all for their assistance in the development of this document.
I
CITY OF CLEARWATER CITY COUNCIL GREENPRINT STAKEHOLDER STEERING COMMITTEE
Frank V. Hibbard, Mayor Richard Adelson Michael Henkel
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George N. Cretekos, Vice-Mayor Ronald Altic Dr. Marcus Milnes
John Doran Lidiya Angelova Elvira Morgan
Bill Jonson Cory Brennan Mary Morrow
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Paul F. Gibson George D. Davis III JoAnna Siskin
, Chris Dulligan Dr. Joseph Smiley
CITY ADMINISTRATION
Blain Enderle R. Peter Stasis
Michael Engelmann Alexander Todrow
William B. Horne II, City Manager Mike Flanery John Ungerer
Jill Silverboard, Assistant City Manager Jason Green Thomas Wright
I
F` Rod Irwin, Assistant City Manager Marc Hayes
Pamela K. Akin, City Attorney
GREENPRINT TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE I
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Nan Bennett Kevin Garriott
' Michael Delk, AICP, Director Paul Bertels Diane Hufford
Gina L. Clayton, Assistant Director
I
Tracey Bruch Sarah Josuns
Tammy Vrana, AICP, Long Range Planning Manager Rick Carnley Brian Langille
Lauren Matzke, AICP, Project Manager Kristi Cheatham Felicia Leonard
Glenn Daniel Heather Parsons I
Allen Del Prete Himanshu Patni
p Leslie Dougall-Sides John Pittman
04'.'
I
= "` Bennett Elbo Clement Vericker
; CONSULTANTS
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Renaissance Planning Group
, ECO2ASSET SOLUTIONS
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I
APPROVED Resolution #1 1-5 December 14, 2011
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Ir TABLE OF CONTENTS( C11111 1 ImmumullummilN IM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 05
>
INTRODUCTION
iOVERVIEW 08
ISSUES, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES 10 ...
ID THE NEED FOR CHANGE 12
CD CREATING THE GREENPRINT
rl"I COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION 16
SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES AND TRENDS 18
IGREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY AND TARGETS 20
STRATEGIES
ISTRATEGIES SUMMARY 24
I D EDUCATION AND AWARENESS 26
GREEN ENERGY AND BUILDINGS 30 '
TRANSPORTATION 36
I ■II% LAND USE AND URBAN FORM 42 .
WATER RESOURCES 48
WASTE MANAGEMENT 52 �-
,
FOOD PRODUCTION 56 -`. .
IIIIP
fiallitilia•
GREEN BUSINESS AND JOBS 60
• IMPLEMENTATION 64
II
APPENDICES ,�
Y
A STRATEGIES DOCUMENTATION
B REVIEW OF SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES AND TRENDS FOR THE CITY OF CLEARWATER
II
C CITY OF CLEARWATER 2007 CITYWIDE GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY
D LIST OF PUBLIC OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 Clearwater Greenprint is a community sustainability plan that identifies The city's emission reduction targets were established as part of the
a series of tangible actions across eight topic areas that have the Clearwater Greenprint planning process and based on actions that
I potential to reduce energy consumption, pollution and greenhouse gas could be controlled at the local level. Factors limiting large scale emission
(GHG) emissions while stimulating the local economy and improving reductions include minor potential for physical change in the building
the quality of life. Through creating and implementing Clearwater stock over the 25-year planning period, current budgetary constraints
I Greenprint, the City of Clearwater government is leading a community- due to a poor economy, and conservative estimates for community
wide effort to understand the challenges of today with a view toward participation in greenhouse gas reduction efforts. Based on the results
creating a sustainable future. The strategies included in Clearwater of the citywide greenhouse gas inventory and the emission reduction
I Greenprint provide a framework for government, resident and business potential of the strategies, the city has selected a target of reducing its
actions in the short, medium and long term. greenhouse gas emissions 10 percent below 2007 levels by the year
In June 2007, Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard joined many other 2020 and 25 percent below 2007 levels by 2035. Full implementation
Imayors around the nation in signing onto the United States Conference of the Clearwater Greenprint strategies will ensure the city achieves its
of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Under this agreement, the emission reduction targets.
city committed to measure its greenhouse gas emissions and develop an The strategies in this document provide the foundation for addressing
1
action plan to reduce emissions. Creating a greenhouse gas inventory sustainability issues over a 25-year planning period and beyond. The
and reduction strategy and expanding the commitment to addressing strategies focus on actions that can be implemented at the local level
1 greenhouse gas emissions into a broader community plan was an obvious over three phases: short term (0-5 years), medium term (6-10 years)
next step. The involvement of the entire community, including residents, and long term (11-25 years). Clearwater Greenprint is intended to be
businesses, institutions, and municipal government, will be required. The a framework for specific action with built-in flexibility for timing and
I city's primary roles in the implementation of Clearwater Greenprint are emphasis. It is a living document that allows for change over time as the
that of educator, facilitator, mentor, and model. city evaluates the success of specific strategies.
The Clearwater Greenprint recommended strategies are organized
I into eight topic areas: education and awareness, green energy and
Sustainable communities create environmental, economic and buildings, transportation, land use and urban form, water resources,
social conditions that support the ability of future generations waste management, food production, and green business and jobs. These
Ito meet their needs and make plans and decisions that balance topic areas encompass several policy initiatives that are important to
the three elements of the "triple bottom line:" economic the city including stimulating the local economy, increasing the energy
prosperity, environmental quality and community quality of life. efficiency of existing buildings, setting performance standards for new
Ibuildings, shifting energy supply to renewable sources, reducing vehicle
Natural resources, such as fossil fuels, and financial resources miles traveled,encouraging more use of transit, walking and bicycling for
will be significantly constrained in the future. The convergence local and regional mobility, decreasing solid waste disposal, conserving
of these factors will require changes in how consumptive water resources and creating better access to fresh, locally produced
and efficient society is. Communities that prepare for these food.
I circumstances will be more stable, resilient and attractive to
residents and businesses in the future.
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1 OVERVIEW 1 ISSUES,OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES I THE NEED FOR CHANGE
I
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IOne day you finally knew what you had to do... and began.
— Mary Oliver
OVERVIEW
CLEARWATER GREENPRINT '
.
Clearwater Greenprint is a community framework plan for sustainability.
It was sponsored by the City of Clearwater, with grant funding from the INSPIRATION '
United States Department of Energy. The plan development process
was guided by a city-appointed Stakeholder Steering Committee
representing local residents, businesses, and civic groups.The end result I
of the project is a vision and strategic plan to help all members of the
Clearwater community work together to balance economic prosperity
with environmental stewardship. The overall goal is to ensure that I
Clearwater is a vibrant community for everyone who lives here now
and for the generations to come. AWARENESS ACTION
Clearwater Greenprint includes measurable, achievable strategies ,
that the city, businesses and local residents can incorporate into their
daily lives to help accomplish major goals such as making buildings
and transportation systems more energy-efficient, expanding mobility
choices, maintaining a healthy local economy, creating "green" jobs,
reducing the amount of waste that is generated by area residents and I
businesses, and encouraging shoppers and restaurants to buy locally
grown foods. BENEFITS
The City of Clearwater has been taking steps to become more I
sustainable and address energy efficiency over the last five years. In
2007, Mayor Hibbard signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate
Protection Agreement, committing to protect the environment through
the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The city completed its Through creating and implementing Clearwater Greenprint,
Greenhouse Gas Inventory for Government Operations in 2008. The the City of Clearwater government is leading a community-
community-wide Clearwater Greenprint initiative has allowed the city wide effort to understand the challenges of today with a view 1
to take that inventory one step further by expanding the greenhouse toward creating a sustainable future. Clearwater Greenprint is
gas inventory and analysis to include the entire city, not just municipal intended first to raise awareness of the economic, community
operations. The City of Clearwater also became a certified Green City and environmental issues and opportunities. Only with an '
in 2009 through a program administered by the Florida Green Building understanding of these issues will members of the community
Coalition that recognizes cities for outstanding environmental leadership. be inspired to act. The strategies included in Clearwater
The Clearwater Greenprint process engaged Clearwater residents Greenprint provide a framework for government, resident and
and business stakeholders to explore new ideas and utilize greenhouse business actions in the short, medium and long term.
gas emissions data to help the city prepare the recommendations for
a more livable and sustainable future and achieve the community's
reduction target goals for 2035.
8 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT
1
OVERVIEW
Many Clearwater Greenprint strategies will involve coordination with a variety of local and regional
I ••''f — —,,,,, agencies responsible for transportation investments, economic development initiatives, and environmental
"" '"" conservation programs. Still others will increase energy efficiency and conservation, reduce greenhouse
"• "' gas emissions and develop more sustainable transportation systems.
•I ,0•• - �',�" ri . Municipal programs and policies are just one element of the sustainability framework plan. A sustainable
\., city is a product of the entire community, working together internally and coordinating its efforts with
`' neighboring municipalities, regions, and the world at large. Therefore, the Clearwater Greenprint focuses
I on strategies that everyone can help to carry out - local government departments and employees,
residents, business owners, and even visitors. It is a plan for everyone in the Clearwater community to
Clearwater Greenprint includes shape, adopt, and carry out together.
Ia greenhouse gas inventory The City of Clearwater is committed to implementing the strategies contained in this plan over the next 25
and analysis for the entire years. The focus of the efforts in the short run will be on organizing city staff to undertake specific policy
I community, and a number and program development, developing tools to educate and inform the community about Clearwater
of measurable, achievable Greenprint, and undertaking outreach efforts to specific stakeholders and interested community members
strategies for reducing in cultivating partnerships to undertake projects at the community level. Given the difficult economic
I greenhouse gases. climate that currently exists, every effort has been made to advance strategies and actions that are low
cost, cost effective and/or carry a return on investment over time.
This document includes three main sections, starting with the case for why change is needed and the issues,
x opportunities and challenges that face the Clearwater community. The second section summarizes the
public engagement activities conducted to develop Clearwater Greenprint, outlines the technical process
_ used to complete the greenhouse gas inventory and analysis of the greenhouse gas reduction benefits of
1 4 the strategies and provides information on the costs and phasing associated with the implementation plan.
—NI* The third part of the document includes a description of the issues and opportunities for each of the topic
.4,. 1- areas and the strategies associated with each.. ate
1 r i Clearwater Greenprint is accompanied by three appendices. Appendix A Strategies Documentation
provides further detail on the approach to measuring greenhouse gas reductions for each topic area and
I the estimated costs in 2011 dollars and staff time associated with implementing the plan. Appendix B
A sustainable city is a product Review of Sustainability Initiatives and Trends for City of Clearwater provides a survey and assessment
of the entire community, of ongoing activities in city government that fall under the umbrella of sustainability. Appendix C
I working together internally Greenhouse Gas Inventory details the technical process used to generate the 2007 baseline community-
wide emissions. Appendix D List of Public Outreach Activities provides a summary of activities completed
and coordinating its efforts
as part of the comprehensive strategy for engagement.
I with neighboring municipalities,
regions, and the world at large.
Iv CjEARWAI R GREENPRINT 9
ISSUES, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
1
ECONOMY
I
At the time of the completion of Clearwater Greenprint, the national for retirees and retire significant levels of federal and state
economy has not recovered from the Great Recession of 2009. The government debts resulting in leaner government budgets;
State of Florida's economy has struggled because of the relatively The threat to the national economy given dependence on foreign
large portions of the economy that rely on real estate development sources of oil; and
and tourism. The housing market remains soft and the tourism industry
•
has experienced several difficult years due to the combined effect of The outlook for a permanently diminished supply of petroleum
the economy and the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. While the current based liquid fuels.
state of the economy is thought to be attributable to cyclical rather The Clearwater Greenprint strategies provide some specific guidance
than structural change by most, there is substantial evidence that on how to address these topics. The city, as a leader in integrating
the city needs to consider and respond to several non-cyclical long- sustainability into its practices, will provide an example for the
term economic, physical and demographic factors in its approach to community in how to create economic sustainability and resiliency at
I
economic development and community building. These include: the business and household level.
• Lack of vacant land resulting in reliance on the renovation COMMUNITY
of existing building stock and redevelopment to house future The city's approach to sustainability must be linked to quality of I
residents and economic activity; life measures that are defined and addressed by the overall policy
• Increasing rate of building obsolescence due to rapid growth framework. The ultimate success of the community to remain a vibrant,
over past decades using building systems and technology with desirable place to live will rely on the extent to which quality of life
relatively short useful lives, high need for ongoing maintenance factors cast a positive light on the community within the county, region
and/or high operating costs; and state. In implementing Clearwater Greenprint, the city needs to 1
• The potential for a long term decline in the retiree immigration account for:
rate and a retiree population with less fixed and disposable • A lack of community awareness regarding the need to become
income than generations past; more efficient, resilient and environmentally responsible;
I
• The need to attract young or otherwise new workers to the city • The need for community members to have a forum for learning,
to live and work; engagement and self-organizing action on a number of topics;
II
• Competing with other United States and international cities to • Increasing levels of socioeconomic diversification and the resulting
attract new jobs including "green" jobs; need for services and new approaches to community involvement
• Overcoming the current trend toward lack of public support
and decision-making; I
for new government spending, including major transportation • The need for buildings to have cost-effective energy efficiency
infrastructure investments; characteristics and retrofits that reduce the ongoing cost of
• Difficulty in the near-term accessing commercial and personal operations;
credit at previous levels; • The locational efficiency of existing and new housing to jobs ratio
• Pending obligations to fund federal entitlement programs and existing and planned transportation infrastructure; I
10 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT `
1
ISSUES, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
I
, The combined cost of housing and transportation, as well as strategies to create affordable options
I 4 ,i ,-. for residents and workers; and
• The potential for significant increases in the cost of fuel and food in the short and long run.
� IF
Clearwater Greenprint, if successfully implemented, will be an observable and positive differentiating
I ' o, characteristic for the city in relation to other areas. Establishing a reputation as a forward thinking, active
and engaging community will help Clearwater attract new generations of families and workers. The city,
I through the City of Clearwater Comprehensive Plan, Community Development Code, communications
efforts and economic development strategies will need to facilitate an environment where these quality
of life factors can be addressed successfully through public and private actions.
Reducing dependence on
Iforeign sources of oil is vitally ENVIRONMENT
important given the outlook Public consciousness of the need for environmental stewardship has grown significantly over the past
for a permanently diminished, decade and is increasingly affecting how we make collective, corporate and private decisions. There
Iunreliable and increasingly are environmental issues — global, national and local — that warrant specific consideration and response.
expensive supply of petroleum- Scientists around the world are measuring the increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the Earth's
1 based fuels. atmosphere that result from burning fossil fuels to heat homes, run factories, generate electricity, and
travel by gas-powered vehicles. Their research indicates strong links between these atmospheric changes
and a host of increasing conditions that interfere with the planet's ability to sustain life as we know it,
I such as:
• Rising levels of air pollution across urban, suburban and even rural areas;
• Breaks or "holes" in the atmospheric ozone layer that protects us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet
rays;
• Rapidly melting glaciers at both poles that are diminishing the habitats of several animal species,
I and forcing some human communities to find higher ground;
• Worldwide ocean temperature changes that are affecting entire species of marine life; and
I . Rising sea levels that are forcing coastal communities across the world to consider the effects of
IThe city can and should facilitate potential higher tides, stronger storm surges, eroding beaches, and increasing amounts of salt in
freshwater marshes.
a holistic strategy for the
Icommunity to mitigate the effect The city recognizes that it is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The city can and should facilitate
of human behavior on climate
a holistic strategy for the community to take specific steps to mitigate the effect of human behavior on
climate change in hopes of lessening the negative effects of this process.
I change in hopes of lessening the
negative effects of this process.
11
THE NEED FOR CHANGE s R _ _M , -_ ___
1
1
The natural world is a closed system that cannot "take, make or waste" SUSTAINABILITY IS A BALANCE BETWEEN
any form of matter. At the global, national and local scale, humankind THE ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMY AND COMMUNITY . . .
I
has to live with everything that is made,changed,or wasted. Humankind
must also live with the new substances and conditions that are created by
the way natural resources are used, such as pollutants that change the
I
chemical makeup of the air we breathe when fossil fuels are burned. If
the properties of natural resources, air and water are altered through ENVIRONMENTAL
endless taking, making, and wasting, people from around the world will I
be one step closer to altering the planet's resources to the point where STEWARDSHIP
it can no longer provide the environment and conditions necessary to
sustain the diversity life and complexity of civilization that currently VIABILITY RESPONSIBILITY
I
exists.
Resources that cannot be naturally regenerated, such as the oil that
is extracted to make fossil fuels for cars and furnaces, will be in much ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
shorter supply, more expensive and eventually will be depleted well PROSPERITY EQUITY VIBRANCY
below the reliable supply that is available today. This will require I
significant change in how efficient and consumptive society is. Change
will come not because people want to, but because they have to. The
economics of resource extraction and energy production will require
it. Ignoring or denying the realities of this situation have the potential
to undermine the systems that support the high quality of life and the
economic conditions that currently exist in the United States.Communities I
that prepare for these circumstances will be more stable, resilient and As Clearwater looks toward achieving a sustainable future,
attractive to residents and businesses in the future. the solutions involve understanding the relationship between
SUSTAINABILITY the environment, economy and community. In formulating
I
strategies and policies, it is important to consider how to
Sustainable communities operate within the rules of nature, using
resources that can be regenerated. These communities generate no strike a balance between growth, livability and environmental
harmful waste, either re using materials or discharging them safely management. While not necessarily at odds, there are varying
I
back into the natural environment. Sustainable communities create types and degrees of trade-offs that need to be considered
environmental, economic, and social conditions that support the ability and responded to. Through informed and responsible actions, I
of future generations to meet their needs and make plans and decisions the city can create an environment where livability and
that balance the three elements of the "triple bottom line:" economic sustainability are mutually reinforcing within the community at
prosperity, environmental quality, and community quality of life. large and achievable over the long term.
I
12 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT I
I
. . $1. THE NEED FOR CHANGE
IDESIRED RESPONSE
As Clearwater looks toward achieving a sustainable future, the solutions involve understanding the
_ relationship between the needs and limitations of the environment, the opportunities and challenges of
creating a healthy local economy and maintaining a high quality of life for the community in the face of
4 . change. In formulating strategies and policies, it is important to consider how to strike a balance between
;; . i' growth, livability and environmental management. While not necessarily at odds, there are varying
' types and degrees of trade-offs that need to be considered and responded to. Through informed and
40.- f responsible actions, the city can create an environment where livability and sustainability are mutually
Ireinforcing within the community at large and achievable over the long term.
Clearwater's economy and culture depend, in one way or another, upon the natural beauty and peaceful
I Clearwater must protect and urban environment that attracts tourists, shoppers, residents, and businesses. The City of Clearwater will
enhance the natural beauty work with community stakeholders to implement strategies to protect and enhance the natural beauty of
of its beaches and improve Clearwater's beaches and improve the character of its urban neighborhoods and commercial districts. The
I the character of its urban entire community can help create more sustainable ways for people to go about the business of everyday
life: traveling to work, school and stores; heating and cooling buildings; producing and using potable
neighborhoods and commercial water; and managing waste.
districts.
1 In order for communities such as Clearwater to survive within the constrained reality of the natural world,
everyone's help is needed to "close the loops" of unsustainable daily practices. Working together, this
'''.., • community can create a healthy, vibrant way of living that takes no more than what is available, makes
If no more than what is needed, and wastes none of what is used.
OUTCOME
I The Clearwater Greenprint process gave Clearwater residents and businesses an opportunity to assess
me the reality of the community's current situation, clarify the likely changes that future generations will
face, identify strategies to change the conditions that can be affected, and to adapt to the ones that
I can't be changed. The City of Clearwater, working collectively with community members, has come up
with workable, effective strategies that will make Clearwater a livable, prosperous city now and for
generations to come. Addressing these issues will assist the Clearwater community in the transition from
IWorking together, this its current position as a quality livable community to a sustainable community. This will provide community
community can create a healthy,
members with new opportunities for economic prosperity, an understanding of environmental stewardship,
a framework for community organization,and guidance for making meaningful responses to the challenges
I vibrant way of living that takes and opportunities of today and the future.
no more than what is available,
makes no more than what is
I needed, and wastes none of
what is used.
ICLEARWATER GREENPRINT 13
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CREATING
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COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION I SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES AND TRENDS I GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY AND TARGETS
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iNever doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
— Margaret Mead
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he city values community participation in the creation of new policy g reener?n t
1.
and conducted a comprehensive strategy for engagement during the WASTE MANAGEMENT
development of Clearwater Greenprint.The City Council appointed
ISSUES WARTS FOOTPRINT
a 21-member Stakeholder Steering Committee comprised of .rc . ,. nrc.x .«_ —,r«°.�°-•.�-°*'°°"'
of AWN..............5.777 won,plow,.Nww
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residents, business owners and institutional representatives. The " ......,�. • wee b saw'°°°w^m'"•'°m'^
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met eight times between August 2011 and March 2011.
• RTIOIXTIGN TARGET
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The city also held two community open house events for public input. NATIONAL TM^-w --•«M""'"' ° "^ L______
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CITY RANS ER STATION O
draft strategies was available for public review, which allowed
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the project team to listen to the public and gauge opinion on the POTENTIAL FOR CHANGE
CILARWATER e,er/9%d w wle ww IM-.gyp•)w,••
preliminary ideas. The event included a survey that was available RK.CI,,.1G .,...,w.ed.w .,l. .ee.. e,..
RAT! 57%.le,...e...."ewlanerr.e,.ow.b.e
at and after the meeting.The results indicated which draft strategies «-00.00"°°°�«°°• ° °°•'°- �� ` IIIIII
g g �® �% arce a .r.., so% so%
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the public perceived to be potentially useful to them and to the R.P. *00•00.,". lw",'". � LANDFILL TO INCINERATEDR
boa community as a whole. The survey also demonstrated awareness of
different topic areas related to Clearwater Greenprint. Example board from the September 2010 interactive open house. i
The second open house, held in March 2011, engaged the public in
a prioritization exercise where attendees were asked to prioritize
the refined strategies for each topic area. Participants were also ELECTRICITY(COMMERCIAL)
I
given the opportunity to identify recommended strategies to which
they were opposed. The results of the meeting are shown in the 0 ELECTRICITY(GOVERNMENT)
table on the next page.The results were used along with community I
capacity and cost information to categorize the strategies into i k ELECTRICITY(INDUSTRIAL)
short, medium and long term for implementation. CLEARWATER
ANNUAL GREENHOUSE ELECTRICITY(RESIDENTIAL)
City staff completed a public outreach campaign that included GAS EMISSIONS
1
(CO2 EQUIVALENTS)
attending neighborhood meetings in the fall and a formalized 0 NATURAL GAS
Speaker's Bureau in the spring. Project information was presented ;s I
to 19 neighborhood,business,civic and service organizations and at •SOLIDWASTE
various community events, including the Downtown Farmer's Market,
the city's Blast Friday events, and Sand Key's Spring Fest. This TRANSPORTATION 1
process allowed staff to speak directly with over 320 residents in
1 smaller settings, as well as to promote the community open houses.
See Appendix D for a complete list of outreach activities.
Technical information and recommended strategies were presented in
pictures, graphics and words.
1
I
•
I SUMMARY OF RESULTS FROM PRIORITIZATION EXERCISE AT MARCH 201 1 OPEN HOUSE
# Green ner. and Buildn.s
I ' \ It_ ill i , 6,,,
1 Energy Finance Program 1 3 Expand Recycling Program 1
r 5 Expand Natural Gas 2 2 Yard Waste Collection 2
° I 9 Energy-Efficient Streetlights 3 1 Pay As You Throw 3
r ( 4 Performance Standards 4 4 Commercial Recycling 4
i3 Incentives for Upgrades 5 7 Municipal Waste Reduction 5
I 2 Resource Conservation Programs 6 5 Composting Program 6
7 Renewable Energy Challenge 7 6 Reusable Goods Swap 7
The first open house was held in< 10 Municipal Energy Policy 8 Ei ''•IZTR LT
ISeptember 2010. Information 6 Local Power Generation 9 3 Urban Agriculture 1
on each Clearwater Greenprint 8 Renewable Energy Finance 1 0 2 Local Food Program 2
1 topic area and sample strategies 1 2 Municipal Performance Standard 1 1 1 Task Force 31 f
were presented for public 11 Municipal Energy Plan 1 2
consideration. V!lMENNINNIIM 2 Community Outreach 1
I3 Improved Local Transit 1 1 Community Education 2
4 Low Emission Vehicles 2 4 Municipal Staff Education 3
I 5 Congestion Management 3 5
3 Interactive Website 4
2 Complete Streets 4 Green Initiative Reporting 5
1 Vehicle Mile Reduction 5 k
_ 1 Green Business Database 1
Pik f
- 2 Property Revitalization 1 3 Green Job Development 2
t
T- 4 Expand Greenspace 2 2 Sharing Best Practices 3
1 Development Incentives 3 5 Regional Partnerships 4
3 Diverse Housing Options 4 4 Green Guide 5
The second open house was e .
. immondwhimailitiaaisi Participants at the March 2011 interactive open
in March 2011. The mee 3 Low Impact Development 1 house were asked to rank strategies within each
I offered an opportunity to revs
the draft strategies and assist 2 Water Wise Landscapes 2 topic area. The tables on this page summarize the
:
1 Water Conservation 3 results of that exercise. The rankings are based
on a weighted average of votes for first, second
the city in identifying the highe" and third preference within each topic area. The
Ipriority recommendations. numbers on the left side of the table correspond to
the strategy numbers in this document.
_:its . ci 4 3- -`:
41
SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES AND TRENDS
The first step in the development of Clearwater Greenprint was to review existing programs, p rojects,
efforts,and trends across all eight topic areas in order to estimate and report the impacts of these initiatives
on greenhouse gas reduction, energy reduction and cost savings. Detailed findings are summarized in
Appendix B Review of Sustainability Initiatives and Trends for the City of Clearwater. Some key programs
and trends across the topic areas include: mop, 4 ■ i n�.�
EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
• The city's"Green Clearwater"website gives web viewers a resource for citywide initiatives,programs,
and strategies.
111
• The city's Green Team, comprised of employees from various departments, meets quarterly to share
information on best practices and "green activities" between departments.
GREEN BUILDINGS AND ENERGY Clearwater's residential building
stock is largely post World
• The residential, commercial and industrial sectors consume more than 90 percent of the energy in the
city. Municipal operations account for the remaining energy consumption. War 11 era construction. Energy
efficiency and cost savings can ,
• Between January 2008 and August 2010, Progress Energy completed 5,657 audits citywide, 93
percent of which were in the residential sector. be increased through retrofits
• In 2009, the city hired an energy service company to perform lighting, heating, ventilation and air
and conversion to natural gas.
conditioning, and building management system upgrades in municipal buildings and facilities. The
improvements are projected to save the city more than $6 million on energy costs and an additional
$3 million in avoided labor costs over 15 years. ,. •',.
• Clearwater Gas continues to support an increasing number of residential and commercial customers •
who as a result are taking advantage of lower energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
• The annual average number of permits issued for installation of solar thermal and solar photovoltaic ,
systems has increased threefold since 2007. mow
• As of 2010, there were three LEED Gold and one LEED Silver certified commercial buildings in Off`
Clearwater. '
TRANSPORTATION
• Within Pinellas County, there was a slight reduction in vehicle miles traveled and slight increase in the
length of the roadway system between 2004 and 2009. The city has a comprehensive
• Ridership on the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) bus system grew two percent between Bicycle and Pedestrian Master
Fiscal Years 2007-08 and 2009-10. Plan and is committed to ,
• The city has been adding alternative fuel vehicles to its municipal fleet, which, as of 2011, included improving existing roadways by
17 hybrid vehicles, three natural gas cars, and one natural gas garbage truck. adding sidewalks and bicycle
• In 2006, the city developed a comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan to improve the lanes.
city's bicycling and walking environment.
18 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT ,
1
SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES AND TRENDS
ILAND USE AND URBAN FORM
The city has the opportunity to
I • Clearwater is a built out city with a focus on infll development and redevelopment. As of 2010,
improve its citywide recycling the Clearwater area had just over 800 acres of vacant developable land. Of the total developed
rate to be in line with the state acres in the city, just under 60 percent is being used as residential.
average. In 2008, the citywide Demographic changes over the next twenty-five years will result in the need for different types of
recycling rate was six percent. housing and more choices for living and working in urban neighborhoods.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
I • Between 2006 and 2009, the amount of solid waste generated in Clearwater dropped by 14
percent. During the same period, the city implemented the e-waste and yard waste programs.
Agr • In 2008, the citywide recycling rate was six percent compared to the state and national averages
Iof 29 percent and 33 percent respectively.
- WATER RESOURCES
I • In 2009, the city's residents and businesses used an average of 11.49 million gallons of water per
day, a gross per capita rate of 96 gallons of water per day. 32 percent was produced by the
city, while the remaining 68 percent from Pinellas County and Tampa Bay Water.
I • Water usage dropped 27 percent citywide between 1990 and 2009.
• The city continues to expand the availability of reclaimed water for use in irrigation.
I The Skycrest Neighborhood FOOD PRODUCTION
community garden is being used • The Downtown Clearwater Farmer's Market offers residents the option to purchase local produce
as a model for other projects. and products weekly from October to May. Additionally,there are small-scale community gardens
The city is engaging stakeholders located within the city.
to develop a strategy for local • The city has initiated discussions with community stakeholders to identify opportunities for local
food production and access to fresh, locally-sourced food.
food production.
IGREEN BUSINESS AND JOBS
• In 2008, the Economic Development and Housing Department organized a work plan for a Green
Jobs Initiative. The work plan resulted in the formation of a Green Collaborative Team consisting
I .. ,L of representatives from the city, Pinellas County Economic Development, University of Florida's
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council,the United States
it Environmental Protection Agency, Worknet Pinellas, and the development community.
I 'i Clearwater is a jobs-rich environment. In 2009,there were just under 60,000 jobs in the Clearwater
, 1� 1„ Planning Area. That same area was home to just under 50,000 residents who were employed at
_ = the time.
Il itehttlib... ' 4.4 la
I4. EARWATER GREENPRINT 19
I
Greenhouse gases encourage the trapping of heat in the atmosphere contributors to the citywide greenhouse gas inventory (63 percent and
I
and contribute to the "greenhouse effect," a natural phenomenon 31 percent, respectively). Natural gas, municipal solid waste, propane,
that is responsible for creating the favorable conditions that support and wastewater treatment contributed the remaining six percent of
I
life on Earth. Common greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide citywide emissions. Based on the city's population of 110,469 in 2007,
(CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). Since the industrial average greenhouse gas emissions per capita were 1 1 .38 MTCO2e.
revolution, human activity has been attributed to an increase in Greenhouse gas emissions were forecasted for 2035 relative to the I
the concentration of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. 2007 baseline. Assuming that the city continues its current course,
The predominant human activity responsible for these emissions is citywide emissions are projected to grow by 4 percent to 1,307,540
the combustion of fossil fuels (e.g., coal and petroleum derived MTCO2e by 2035.
liquid fuels) to generate energy. Other sources include the use
of chemical substances such as refrigerants, the decomposition of
solid waste, and agricultural practices. The increase in greenhouse 2007 BASELINE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY SOURCE I
gases has been linked to climate change, the observed increase in
the average temperature of the Earth.
Without actions to reduce emissions, flooding and erosion from I
sea level rise threaten many of Florida's homes, businesses, Total Electricity Consumption 796,1 21 63%
and ecosystems, including the state's prized beaches that draw Residential Electricity 350,999 28%
thousands of tourists every year. Locally, the St. Petersburg Coast Commercial Electricity 350,823 28%
Guard Station measures the water level of Tampa Bay using a tide
guage. These measurements show the water level rose on average Industrial Electricity 19,477 2%
an inch per decade since 1947. Scientists estimate that sea level Government Electricity 74,822 6% 1
will rise about 10 to 20 inches by 2100. A changing climate may
also impact commercial farming and forestry operations through Transportation Fuels 388,481 31%
more extreme weather systems (i.e., concentrated rains and Natural Gas 37,340 3%
III
droughts). With most of the state's population living near the coast
and an economy highly dependent on tourism and agriculture, Municipal Solid Waste 30,839 2%
climate change poses a significant threat to Florida's economy and Propane 2,299 0.2%
I
population. Wastewater Treatment 1,957 0.2%
In late 2010, the city conducted a baseline greenhouse gas Total* 1,257,037 100.0%
1
inventory that measured greenhouse gas emissions from various
sources citywide. These sources included electricity, natural gas 'Totals and percentages may not always add up due to rounding.
and propane consumption, transportation, municipal solid waste,
and wastewater treatment. The study revealed that for calendar Greenhouse gas emission reduction targets represent achievable
year 2007, citywide greenhouse gas emissions totaled 1,257,037 goals to reduce citywide emissions. The table on the following page
metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (MTCO2e). Emissions from summarizes the percentage of greenhouse gas emission reductions for
I
electricity consumption and transportation fuels were the largest each phase and for the entire 25 year planning period.
GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY AND TARGETS
IThe city's emission reduction targets GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION TARGETS
were established based on actions that 1
I could be controlled at the local level.
Factors limiting large scale emission
reductions include minor potential for
I physical change in the building stock
over the 25-year planning period, o. 4 2011 _ 1,307,540
current budgetary constraints due to u 1.2
III a poor economy, and conservative
estimates for community participation o 1.o 957,830
in greenhouse gas reduction efforts. 'E
0.8
I Based on the results of the citywide s
greenhouse gas inventory and the E 0.6
w
emission reduction potential of the O 0.4 Greenprint Target Reductions
I strategies, the city has selected a v — — Business as usual emissions
target of reducing its greenhouse gas 0.2
Clearwater emissions to date
emissions 10 percent below 2007 0
I levels by the year 2020 and 25 2007 2015 2020 2035
percent below 2007 levels by 2035. Clearwater Greenprint Reduction Target Dates
Full implementation of the Clearwater
I Greenprint strategies will ensure that
the emission reduction targets are
acheived.
IBeyond the effects of local actions, GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND REDUCTIONS BY TOPIC AREA
there is significant potential for further Short-Term Long Term Total
I reductions through fundamental Topic Area (2007) Term 25 Year
changes in the way buildings and Reduction Reduction
g y g ,�t � Reduction Reductions
vehicles are powered. While these Green Energy and Buildings' 835,760 4.40% 4.20% 15.40% 24.00%
I effects were not included in the local Transportation2 388,481 3.60% 6.00% 14.30% 23.90%
reduction strategy, technological
innovation and transportation fuel Water Resources 1,957 2.00% 3.00% 2.00% 6.90%
I mix change could cut greenhouse gas Waste Management 30,839 2.20% 8.10% 8.70% 19.10%
emissions by at least half over the Total 1,257,037 4.10% 4.80% 14.90% 23.80%
next 25 years. Structural changes in Notes:
I the energy sector have the potential 1. Green Energy and Buildings includes the energy-related reductions from wastewater treatment.
to double the projected emission 2. Reduction benefits for Land Use are related to reduction in vehicle miles of travel and are included in Transportation.
reduction achievable through only
Ilocal action.
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TRATEç3iES
STRATEGIES SUMMARY I EDUCATION AND AWARENESS I GREEN ENERGY AND BUILDINGS I TRANSPORTATION I LAND USE AND URBAN FORM I WATER RESOURCES I WASTE MANAGEMENT I FOOD PRODUCTION I GREEN BUSINESS AND JOBS IMPLEMENTATION
' An organization's ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage.
—Jack Welch
STRATEGIES SUMMARY
CLEARWATER GREENPRINT STRATEGIES
Clearwater Greenprint is intended to be a framework for specific action over three phases: short term (0-5 years), medium term (6-1 0
with built-in flexibility for timing and emphasis. It is a living document years) and long term (1 1 -25 years). Following the description of
I
that allows for change over time as the city evaluates the success of the strategies, there is summary information on the anticipated
specific strategies. In implementing the plan, the city will monitor and phasing of individual strategies relative to the three phases. The
report the success of specific strategies relative to the overall goals strategies were phased in considering issues of cost, effort to
I
of Clearwater Greenprint and how they directly relate to becoming mobilize, effectiveness of reducing greenhouse gases and public
more energy efficient and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The preferences garnered through direct outreach and meetings.
flexibility in the plan and the monitoring will ensure the city will adapt The implementation summary also includes information on the
I
and respond to changes in available resources, technology, economic estimated City of Clearwater staff hours to implement the
conditions and different community needs. strategies and manage the Clearwater Greenprint program. The I
The Clearwater Greenprint strategies are organized into eight non personnel costs to implement the strategies are summarized
topic areas: education and awareness, green energy and buildings, as well. More detailed information about the staff hours and
transportation, land use and urban form, water resources, waste costs can be found in Appendix A Strategies Documentation. I
management, food production, and green business and jobs. These GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION EFFECTIVENESS
topic areas encompass several policy initiatives that are important to Individual strategies in some of the following sections have been
the city including stimulating the local economy, increasing the energy assessed for their relative impact on the overall greenhouse I
efficiency of existing buildings, setting performance standards for new gas (GHG) reduction strategy. Education and awareness, food
buildings,shifting energy supply to renewable sources, reducing vehicle production and green business and jobs were not analyzed for
miles traveled (VMT), relying more on transit, walking and bicycling for their effect on GHG reduction. The following graphics indicate I
local and regional mobility,decreasing solid waste disposal,conserving varying levels of effectiveness for each strategy to reduce
water resources and creating better access to fresh, locally produced emissions of CO 2e:
food.
• HIGH
In the sections that follow, each topic area contains a brief overview O
MODERATE
and corresponding goals and strategies to guide the community
in implementing Clearwater Greenprint and achieving long-term 0 LOW
I
sustainability. The plan correlates to reducing greenhouse gas SECTOR INVOLVED
emissions. The sections that follow indicate a general measure of
I
effectiveness for each strategy in relation to this goal. The methods Individual strategies in the following sections relate to different
and assumptions behind the reductions are included in Appendix A sectors of the community. The following graphics indicate the
Strategies Documentation. sectors that will need to be involved to effectively implement the I
PHASING AND COSTS strategies:
The strategies in this document provide the foundation for addressing
s
Midi
ustainability issues over a 25-year planning period and beyond. The - I M
I
strategies focus on actions that can be implemented at the local level RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL MUNICIPAL
24 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT,
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I
EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
ISSUES I
One of the most significant barriers to the community embracing and implementing Clearwater Greenprint
is not money,time or energy. It is a lack of knowledge and understanding of how our choices today affect '
the natural environment, economy and overall quality of life now and in the future. While the average - 4
person has an ever increasing amount of information available to them on the topic of sustainability, t"� , ~ / ,
the exposure has not resulted in enormous structural changes in our economy and everyday behaviors. Y1
One issue is that structural change takes time to occur. With education and understanding of what is at _�7 I
stake, most people will embrace conservation, efficiency, and environmental stewardship and make those *
a conscious component of their day-to-day living. However, in order to affect the amount of change
I
necessary to reduce greenhouse gases significantly in the short run,there is a need to catalyze that process
with compelling and useful information about Clearwater Greenprint that is tailored to the Clearwater
community. A large percentage of the population will have to be aware of the choices available to live Today's children will grow up
I
more efficiently and sustainably and then be able to act upon those choices. Many choices will require with an understanding of how
investment of time and money so the information presented must demonstrate to residents and business our choices will affect the
owners the expected returns on investment from making those choices. natural environment, economy
111
OPPORTUNITIES and overall quality of life in the
future.
By focusing on education and raising awareness, community members of all ages can be provided with
I
the information needed to affect change. Through education and working in partnerships with residents
and business interests, the city can help the community replicate the city's success in making buildings • :r,_ . A,
and operations more efficient. Clearwater Greenprint itself is a vehicle to illuminate the most pressing -•of ,;, *_, I
sustainability issues facing the community as well as the most effective responses available. The city can
incorporate Clearwater Greenprint strategies and initiatives into its ongoing communications activities, ` ,
creating opportunities to encourage responsibility and foster participation in making Clearwater a I I
sustainable community. The city already offers programs to educate residents and business owners to "o' �+ .
encourage environmentally responsible behavior such as recycling and water conservation. Opportunities -
for education and awareness can be realized by different groups working together. These include a
I
neighborhood associations, organizations, schools, businesses, utilities, and government agencies.
GOALS
I
• Educate the Clearwater community on the "triple bottom line" value of sustainability. There is a need to raise
• Educate children about sustainability. community awareness
with compelling and useful
I
• Provide opportunities for hands-on experience with practical actions that respond to the need to be information that responds to the
more efficient and conservation-minded.
need to be more efficient and I
• Provide clear, concise, credible, and compelling information on sustainability in a wide variety of conservation-minded.
venues and formats.
26 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT s
I
EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
' r STRATEGIES
l '.
i._ - Ilk
' 1. COMMUNITY EDUCATION o '" 6 tp
FakaAs<<Aee gran
The city will identify and meet training and educational needs within each Clearwater Greenprint
I ( topic area, recognizing synergistic partnership opportunities.
Each topic area includes some aspect of education, awareness, outreach or partnership development.
Some areas such as waste management and water resource conservation have been communicated
I consistently to the community over many years. Other topic areas have not yet received much attention
and will need to be communicated effectively to citizens. There will be significant need for ongoing
education and awareness on all Clearwater Greenprint topics,with a link to how each relates to the overall
1 Opportunities for education and
greenhouse gas reduction strategy. Existing forums can be used to convey sustainability information,
awareness can be realized in including community events, neighborhood meetings, and Clearwater's Citizen's Academy.
various areas, building greater
I The city, along with individuals or community groups, can participate in public education and inspiration
understanding of local, regional through print media, community-based websites, e-mail listservs, and social networking websites. Short
and national issues. articles in newspapers and newsletters with frequent accessible information on sustainability will help
I build greater understanding of local issues and outside forces that affect the community.
The city will create and provide information to educate and involve Clearwater households in green
initiatives and sustainable best practices, and inform them of available programs. An effective way
' _ to promote action through education is to identify and make guidance available on simple steps that
individuals can take and explain how they translate to environmental, economic, and social benefits
individually and citywide. The city will create a "savings challenge" checklist that will provide a menu of
•' options with measurable outcomes to empower individual households to conserve energy. This checklist
`"`� also has the potential to be turned into a pledge, which will enable residents and businesses to identify
strategies that work for them and to understand the benefits of specific responses.
IExisting forums can be used to
convey sustainability information,
Iincluding community events,
neighborhood meetings, and
Clearwater's Citizen's Academy.
CLEARWATER GREENPRINT 27
EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
l -- ri I
"711, 1
2. COMMUNITY OUTREACH o ./-,401 tiiiii
I
Continue to conduct community outreach and education campaigns that promote sustainability 4 :,
initiatives and best practices. '; ,
A successful education initiative must engage Clearwater youth. The city will consider facilitating a :.- 1'` Ilk
I
committee coordinated with the Pinellas County School Board and made up of local K-1 2 school teachers,
parents, and educational institutions to recommend effective ways to integrate sustainability into current I
school programs, projects, and curricula. A potential initiative of this group could be to organize an
annual sustainability education conference for teachers, parents, and youth that focuses on integrating
sustainability and related topics into the classroom. The conference will raise awareness of sustainability An annual education conference
among local educators and allow the community to share its successes. for teachers,parents, and youth
The city along with local businesses will consider organizing and promoting internship opportunities for can integrate sustainability
students interested in sustainability. This will allow students to bring new and innovative ideas to local issues into the classroom and
I
organizations while gaining valuable job experience. Where possible, the city will provide opportunities allow the community to share its
for community members to participate in these programs. successes.
The city will consider developing new events that engage the community in sustainability in fun and
innovative ways. Examples include art contests, speaker and film series, and neighborhood challenges.
Local businesses already have success stories with engaging children around sustainability topics (e.g.,
decorating bags on Earth Day).
40: is 0
3. GREEN INITIATIVE REPORTING f ii
w
a
Continue to highlight the city's green initiatives and report the associated benefits. «r°
•
Tracking the success of existing and new green initiatives is a vitally important component of Clearwater 'y i
Greenprint implementation. In addition to greenhouse gas emissions, many environmental, economic, and
social metrics can be easily collected and reported if integrated into plan implementation from the
I
beginning. The city will design a framework with standard metrics to facilitate data collection, analysis, A Greenprint online forum will
and reporting of performance for the different initiatives. For example, a waste management initiative allow community members to
aimed at reducing municipal solid waste could measure reduction in tons of solid waste, greenhouse gas exchange information about
I
emission reductions, etc. The benefits, costs, and lessons learned of the various efforts would be shared their own sustainable actions,
with the Clearwater community as well as other local governments. including green efforts at home.
28 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT .
1
EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
ITHE COMPOSTING PROCESS
1 1,-01 '' ' . MUNICIPAL STAFF EDUCATION 0 7 j M Ill��»,»� Educate City of Clearwater I
^Al ,401 �4' J y elected officials and staff on sustainability issues and best practices.
1 While City Council and staff have been involved in the development of Clearwater Greenprint, the
- CO!".. s people who serve the city will change over time. To keep staff and Council members connected to
rr
1.2 Clearwater Greenprint goals, strategies, and initiatives, as well as rapidly evolving fields of sustainability,
<< the city will organize ongoing educational workshops and presentations to keep decision-makers up-to-
1 date on sustainability initiatives and opportunities. City staff will integrate sustainable practices into daily
operations and serve as ambassadors and educators about city sustainability programs and projects as
1 The city will reach out to they interact with the public.
individuals and community
groups with educational print +
I media and community-based
web content. 5. UNIFIED INTERACTIVE WEBSITE o /.i i dildi rim
Create and enhance web-based materials for community education and interaction on sustainability
I issues.
The city currently maintains two websites for sustainability education and outreach. The Green Clearwater
website highlights the city's green initiatives and programs, and the Clearwater Greenprint website
I educates users on greenhouse gas emissions and ways to reduce these gases citywide. The city should
combine these webpages into a single Clearwater Greenprint website to serve as a clearinghouse for the
cj c E, R w A r E R p 1".' city's online sustainability outreach. While each site provides valuable information about green efforts
1 reen rent in the city, they do not allow for community interaction. Within the single website, the city will consider
A FRAMEWORK FOR A COMPETITIVE VIBRANT GREEN FUTURE developing a new online forum that will allow community members to exchange information about their
own sustainable actions, including green efforts at home, best practices in business, upcoming events, and
Icase studies. The city may consider launching a wiki, like the Sarasota County Wiki, that allows users to
- easily collaborate with the city and others about sustainability issues and solutions.
1 The Clearwater Greenprint
brand and associated materials
1 will continue to serve as a
clearinghouse for the city's
I online and direct sustainability
outreach.
fi CLEARWATER GREENPRINT 29
I
GREEN ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
ISSUES
I
The average building in Clearwater is over 30 years old and was built prior to the adoption of the e„.....
Florida residential energy code in 1979. The majority of buildings in Clearwater were built during a time
I
when electricity was cheap and abundant and less was known about the potential environmental impacts.
Developers paid little regard to constructing buildings that used resources and energy efficiently. ,•
In 2007, electricity use was the biggest contributor to the citywide carbon footprint. On average, the II I
majority of electricity consumed is for lighting, heating and cooling buildings. Basic municipal services,
such as treatment and transport of water and wastewater and operation of traffic signals also account
for a portion of the energy used. Clearwater purchases all electricity from Progress Energy, a private I
utility company. As of 2009, Progress Energy relied on fossil fuels (i.e., coal, gas and oil) to generate 65
percent of the electricity it produced. In 2007, electricity use was
I
Aside from a minimal amount of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems installed on residential rooftops, there is the biggest contributor to the
currently little infrastructure in place to generate renewable energy in Clearwater. With the city nearing citywide carbon footprint.
build out, the potential for renewable energy expansion will rely on the installation of smaller systems On average, the majority of
I
distributed across the city as opposed to large scale centralized plants. Without action, the community electricity consumed is for
will continue to rely on fossil fuels, leading to significant increases in energy costs and greenhouse gas lighting and cooling buildings.
emissions over the next 25 years.
I
OPPORTUNITIES
The Clearwater community is in a position to reduce energy consumption and build energy generation I
capacity by implementing such measures as attic insulation, duct leak repair, replacing incandescent bulbs +
with appropriate flourescents, and upgrading air conditioning units, windows, and appliances to more .-
efficient ones. However, these measures will require significant participation by residents, businesses, and I
institutions. The most promising opportunities involve energy efficiency improvements to existing buildings, ,,s
development of new buildings to high performance standards, and shifting the community's dependence 1 a�„
on fossil fuel energy sources to renewable sources of energy. '
Retrofitting existing buildings and constructing new buildings to be more energy efficient is vitally important.
With a small package of energy efficiency retrofits, building owners can decrease their energy use and
operating costs by 20 to 30 percent. The Clearwater community can use local, state and federal rebates
I
and the programs of local vendors and energy utilities to make these retrofits more affordable. Property owners can decrease
their energy use by 20 to 30
Building science has undergone considerable advancement in the last decade. Sustainable or "green"
buildings are designed to be highly resource and energy efficient to significantly reduce environmental percent with basic energy
and economic impacts over the lifetime of the structure. Depending on the type of building, the benefits efficiency and insulation
of a green building can last up to 80 years. Through the development of national standards, green improvements. I
buildings have become more commonplace and economical. As Clearwater continues to redevelop and
:
30 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT �..
GREEN ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
I
add new building stock, advancements in building science will need to be incorporated into building
I - design, construction and operation to ensure a new generation of efficient buildings.
While energy efficiency improvements have the potential to cut energy demand by 30 percent, renewable
and alternative energy technologies stand to play a central role in reducing the Clearwater community's
Ireliance on fossil fuel energy. With innovative financing and technological advancements,the Clearwater
\. � community has a valuable opportunity to generate a greater share of the local energy supply. Renewable
energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass produce far fewer greenhouse gases than coal and oil.
IWhile Clearwater will continue to rely on large-scale centralized energy production in the near future,
other ways to produce energy to feed the grid or directly supply power to homes and businesses should
I Renewable energy technologies be explored.
will play a valuable role in GOALS
reducing the community's • Reduce the energy demand of existing private buildings through energy efficiency upgrades.
Ireliance on fossil fuels. Decrease energy demand of existing city buildings and operations.
•• Replace conventional sources of energy with renewable sources.
I • Increase the resource and energy efficiency of new public and private buildings.
STRATEGIES
,..411101 1. ENERGY FINANCE PROGRAM a /-j
Assist property owners to obtain capital for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements
through implementation of an energy financing program.
Many properties in Clearwater can reduce energy consumption significantly through basic retrofits, such
I :/- as insulation, high efficiency appliances (e.g., water heater), and high efficiency lighting. Properties can
L also generate a percentage of their electricity use through installation of renewable energy systems
(e.g., solar photovoltaics and geothermal). While basic energy efficiency improvements are the most
I economical way to reduce energy use, property owners may be discouraged by up-front investment costs.
New financing solutions are The city will consider partnering with public and private organizations to establish an energy finance
emerging for property owners program that provides property owners with long-term, low interest loans for energy improvements. The
ito make vital energy efficiency program would target older, inefficient residential, commercial and industrial buildings and prioritize
upgrades. retrofits that result in cost savings that exceed, or at least offset, the original investment. Loan payments
could be assessed to the property tax bill (e.g., Property Assessed Clean Energy) so that the loan is
Iassigned to the property instead of the property owner.
I ,""`w :''R GREENPRI h 31
I
GREEN ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
I
s
2. RESOURCE CONSERVATION PROGRAM 0 Ail aid tip
Partner with local organizations and vendors to create a Resource Conservation Management Program I
ram
9 9 9 ..
to recommend energy-saving solutions and products to commercial and industrial businesses. -
Commercial and industrial properties are responsible for nearly half of the electricity use in the city. I
While Progress Energy provides energy audits free of charge, the assessments are limited in scope and
recommendations are primarily focused on physical upgrades. Many businesses can achieve energy
and cost savings by implementing simple conservation practices and energy efficiency upgrades. The
city, in concert with private companies and local educational institutions, will develop and implement
a program that performs comprehensive energy evaluations, recommends conservation practices and Clearwater's commercial and
upgrades, provides basic information on financing options, and measures the environmental and economic industrial buildings are low
benefits after implementation. Program partners,such as local vendors and utilities,could offer discounted hanging fruit for making energy
products. efficiency gains through new
I
technology and operations
3. INCENTIVES FOR UPGRADES • systems.
Provide incentives for energy efficiency upgrades on commercial properties.
I
Major renovation in Clearwater provides a prime opportunity to update existing buildings with energy
efficiency improvements. To encourage both retrofits on existing buildings and building preservation, the
city will consider implementing a "feebate" program, a self-financing system of fees and rebates that
would reward developers that renovate buildings to a nationally recognized high performance standard
using fees charged to developers that do not.
I
• . PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 4 i CM
L E E DS
FOR HOME S
Encourage all new residential and commercial developments to meet a nationally recognized, high-
level performance standard. I
As Clearwater approaches build out, the city has shifted to renewing and restoring areas that have There are many established
already been developed (i.e., redevelopment). During redevelopment projects, the city will work with best practices in national
and encourage developers to incorporate green building practices and standards into their design, performance standards for
I
construction, and maintenance and operation plans. For example, a builder could construct solar-ready
homes to facilitate installation of solar panels by the property owner. The city will encourage the use of developers to use when
national building performance standards, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED),
new buildings to be I
gp p � gY g ( ),
Florida Green Building Coalition and Energy Star. energy efficient.
CL ARWATER R N` I
1
GREEN ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
I
,- .k 0 f2 I
Continue to expand natural gas service and offer incentives to residents and businesses to convert III
Lt 3' from electricity to natural gas.
IClearwater Gas System launched several programs in 2010 to increase the amount of residents and
businesses that use natural gas to power appliances (e.g., water heater and range). Natural gas is
I more efficient and has lower greenhouse gas emissions than electricity generated from standard sources.
Clearwater Gas System will continue to offer these programs to increase the use of natural gas as an
alternative to electricity and will continue to educate and encourage the community to adopt natural gas
I Natural gas is a more efficient powered appliances as service becomes available.
energy source that emits lower
levels of greenhouse gases 0
I
aid Ira
than electricity from standard •. LOCAL POWER GENERATION
generation sources. Explore options for electrical generation of low-carbon and renewable energy from existing citywide
resources.
IThe city has the potential to generate energy from a variety of local sources, including natural gas, biogas
from wastewater treatment facilities, and biomass (i.e., yard and food waste). Additionally, Clearwater's
land, sun and wind are also resources that can be utilized to generate energy through installation of
I` renewable energy systems. The city will request proposals from private companies to design, build, install
ow '--:, and operate small-scale energy technologies that can utilize available resources to generate electricity
and/or heat energy. The most viable technologies will generate energy at a competitive rate for the city
I j ,, 11, while also reducing other sources of greenhouse gases such as solid waste and biogas.
Set a community challenge to install renewable energy systems on 10 percent of residential properties
I and 15 percent of commercial, industrial and city properties.
There is ample space and While there is limited vacant land in Clearwater to accommodate renewable energy projects,there is ample
opportunity for installing space for installing renewable energy systems (e.g., solar photovoltaic and geothermal) on residential,
Irenewable energy systems commercial, industrial and city properties. The city will prepare a marketing and outreach campaign to
(e.g.,solar photovoltaic and challenge residential and nonresidential property owners to install renewable energy technologies. As
geothermal) throughout the city. part of the challenge, the city will strive to meet the goal by purchasing and installing renewable energy
111 systems that are economically viable and that have the quickest return on investment.
To assist residential,commercial and industrial property owners in meeting the challenge,the city will support
IOt A ., R GREENPRINT 33
I
GREEN ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
I
code changes that remove obstacles to installing renewable energy systems and provide information to
.;f
assist the consumer in purchasing renewable energy equipment. Information may include local, state and
I
federal incentives, local contractors, economic and environmental benefits of the technology, potential
ways to finance the systems and a website that allows the Clearwater community to view and post where `=,
installations have been made. ` \ I•8. RENEWABLE ENERGY FINANCE '2 I S
trt7
Investigate options for public/private partnerships to finance renewable energy systems.
Aside from energy finance programs (Green Energy & Buildings Strategy #1 ), there are other public and
private financing mechanisms that can be used to lower up-front costs of renewable energy systems for Net metering, an incentive
property owners. Some financing mechanisms include clean renewable energy bonds, power purchase for consumer investment in
agreements, net metering, and bulk purchasing of renewable energy systems. The city will investigate renewable energy generation,
various financing mechanisms for expanding renewable energy generation and share its findings with the allows customers to receive
I
community at large. retail prices for the excess
- electricity they generate.
ENERGY-EFFICIENT STREETLIGHTS • rt7 I
Collaborate with local governments and the local electric utility to convert streetlights to solid state
lighting. r • I
The city experienced significant energy and cost savings by replacing traffic and pedestrian signals with
light emitting diode (LED) lamps, a type of solid state lighting. With support from local governments such I
as Pinellas County and St. Petersburg, Clearwater will approach Progress Energy to request conversion tr
of the electric utility's streetlights to solid state lighting. Compared to conventional lighting, solid state .
lighting can reduce energy use by 50 percent and requires less maintenance.
1
10. MUNICIPAL ENERGY POLICY Ill 11M7
Develop energy management policy for all city buildings and operations. Compared to conventional 1
The city will develop a formal energy management policy for city buildings and operations with the intent lighting, solid state lighting (e.g.,
to reduce electricity intensity (kilowatt-hours per square foot) an additional 10 percent by 201 5. The LED) can reduce energy use by
I
policy will set reduction targets and dates, standardize operation practices (e.g., thermostat set points), 50 percent and requires less
establish energy benchmarking protocol and specify acceptable and prohibited equipment use and maintenance.
purchases, building upon the city's existing policy requiring that natural or propane gas furnished by the
I
Clearwater Gas System be used in all city facility applications wherever such use is economically justified.
34 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT I
GREEN ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
' 'i Best practices and results will be shared with the business community in an effort to expand the energy
I efficiency practices citywide.
I,
As part of the policy,the city will establish a baseline of each city building's electricity and natural gas use
r;, and continue to monitor energy usage on an annual basis. This process of benchmarking allows the city to
I prioritize building energy retrofits and maintenance and measure its progress towards energy reduction
„. ;, .,,,, „ goals established in the energy management policy. The city will consider installing a web-based energy
tracking system to acquire real time energy consumption data of individual buildings, which will allow for
more detailed analysis on the performance of its buildings.
Ail
11. MUNICIPAL ENERGY PLAN • Ti7
I The city will establish a re-
commissioning plan to make Implement a re-commissioning plan for all city buildings.
adjustments at regularly The city has made investments in energy efficiency upgrades of its buildings and is expected to save
I scheduled intervals to optimize millions of dollars in energy and operational costs over the next 15 years. However, the full energy
the performance of its buildings. savings will not be achieved without ongoing maintenance of the equipment. The city will establish a
re-commissioning plan to inspect, test and make proper adjustments at regularly scheduled intervals to
I optimize the performance of its buildings and equipment. Where necessary, the city will provide training
to key staff that do not currently have the appropriate skills to test the equipment.
I
AI
CARBON WATER ENERGY SOLID
12. MUNICIPAL PERFORMANCE STANDARD 0 *'jjj'
�
EMISSIONS USE USE WASTE
35% Construct all new municipal facilities to conform to a nationally recognized, high-level performance
I 40%
50% standard.
The city will lead by example by building all new municipal facilities to a nationally recognized, high-
70% level performance standard such as LEED, Florida Green Building Coalition or Energy Star. Within a
It Averag Green e Says Buildings ing _ chosen standard, the city will prioritize energy and water efficiency features.
of
IThe city will lead by example
by building all new municipal
Ifacilities to a nationally
recognized, high-level
performance standard.
I "` :r;'ATER GREENPRINT 35
I
TRANSPORTATION
ISSUES I
Transportation is a key sustainability issue. The ability to easily and affordably travel using multiple IP • .. . .
...
forms of transportation is essential to a healthy local and regional economy. Providing safe, convenient, I
and affordable transportation options for residents, workers, and visitors is an important component of
_ , �_— "' t
Clearwater Greenprint. Having true transportation choice requires continued investment in `complete I � t y'�'��_'
streets' that accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, and cars and creating built environments that --∎-* -
I
makes these transportation options viable.
Clearwater's roadway network provides a significant amount of capacity for vehicles through a grid � �a�
network of major arterials, local collectors, and neighborhood streets. The size and configuration of the
I
network has been able to support the growth of Clearwater and Pinellas County to date, despite some ._._ .. • _ _A
areas of congestion. The key issue with the roadway network is the inability to add capacity through Providing safe, convenient,
street widening. Most of the major streets in Clearwater have been widened to the maximum extent and affordable transportation
feasible. New widening projects are not possible in most areas due to prohibitive right-of-way acquisition options for residents, workers,
costs and potential undesirable impacts to adjacent neighborhoods. The constraints and limitations on the and visitors is an important
I
vehicle capacity of the street network will require greater reliance on alternatives to automobile travel to
meet the future travel demand. The pattern and design of the urban environment should better support component of Clearwater
walking, transit and bicycling. At the same time, the design and function of the street network need to be Greenprint.
reconceived to achieve a balance between the needs of all users of the transportation system. 1
Emissions from motor vehicles are responsible for approximately one-third of all local greenhouse gases.
I
While there is a shift toward diversity in motor vehicle types, almost all of the existing vehicle fleet
is powered by fuels derived from petroleum. Oil is getting more and more expensive to locate and Ni '
extract from the Earth and worldwide production of conventional crude oil has peaked due to extraction -:x
outpacing new discoveries of recoverable reserves. Because of the supply of oil and its greenhouse gas I
emissions characteristics, it is vitally important that the city prepare for alternative sources of fuels and ��_y_
promote travel options to create a more sustainable economy and environment.
OPPORTUNITIES I
The city has the opportunity to continue playing a leadership role in countywide and regional discussions
related to future transportation investment. City elected officials, staff and citizens actively participate
in the Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Tampa Bay Area Regional Emissions from motor
Transportation Authority (TBARTA). Along with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) and other vehicles are responsible for
local governments within Pinellas County, these agencies have compiled a long-range vision of the future approximately one-third of all
I
needs of the local and regional transportation network. For the Clearwater area, this vision includes greenhouse gases produced
significant investment in bus and rail transit, pedestrian and bicycle facilities and roadway operations and within the Clearwater
capacity improvements. Expansion of the transit system in particular will require new sources of funds that community.
36 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT
I
I
TRANSPORTATION
I
are not currently available. As the Pinellas community prepares for a referendum to establish a sales tax
to fund transit and other transportation improvements, the city has an opportunity to assess the costs and
e. benefits of the planned investments.
The city has committed to creating a local transportation system that supports different modes of travel
I and increases the efficiency of the street network. The city works internally and in coordination with its
transportation partners to implement an intelligent network of coordinated traffic signals, roundabouts,
intersection improvements, and facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists. Despite these efforts, there is still
Imuch to do to create complete streets throughout the community that safely and effectively serve different
users of the transportation system. Clearwater Greenprint is an opportunity to not just demonstrate the
The city has a unique need for doing this,but to quantify the relative benefits of different approaches to providing transportation
opportunity to support the use facilities.
of alternative fuel vehicles. The city has a unique opportunity to lead by example in supporting the use of alternative fuel vehicles.
I Clearwater Gas System has Clearwater Gas System recently constructed a compressed natural gas filling station, which is one of
constructed a compressed only a few in the state. Many new city fleet vehicles will run on natural gas, which emits less than half
natural gas filling station. the greenhouse gases of gasoline engines. During the development of Clearwater Greenprint, the city
I approved its first purchase of a natural gas garbage truck and committed to retrofitting trucks already
in use. The city also has an opportunity to prepare for an increase in the number of plug-in electric and
.,.__ _.__. hybrid vehicles and encourage alternative fuels when they are shown to produce fewer greenhouse gases
Ithan gasoline or diesel.
✓" GOALS
�.,. . - .. • Encourage the use of transit, walking, and cycling for a greater percentage of overall travel.
• Reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the vehicle fleet by shifting to cleaner fuels and more fuel
$�, c4 ► efficient vehicles.
l , `� L Reduce the number and length of vehicle trips and reduce congestion.
STRATEGIES Illi
I ME 1. VEHICLE MILE REDUCTION
• o j% a
I
FM
n addition to safety benefits,
the city's roundabouts reduce Set a 10 percent challenge for businesses and individuals to reduce motor vehicle miles of travel
Icongestion and intersection (VMT) with web-based tracking and recognition of success.
idling. This example is located If the Clearwater community is going to succeed in meeting short-term greenhouse gas reduction goals, it
I on
will require a large number of people committed to conservation through reducing the amount of driving
. ! ater Beach. they do. The city will initiate a VMT reduction campaign that will engage potential participants through
CLEARWATER GREENPRINT 37
I
TRANSPORTATION
r I
education. By setting a challenge to reduce VMT by 10 percent, businesses and residents who participate
will consciously consider the amount of driving they do and take specific steps to reduce it. The city will
promote a web-based VMT reduction challenge tool that will track goals and results and encourage - '' '! . .41 I
.-
individuals and businesses to develop their own VMT reduction plans. The city will lead by example , rii. ‘ , A
through an internal VMT reduction program for their employees to precipitate behavioral change in how � � '
they get to work and conduct city business. Y I
: _ ' i .
2. COMPLETE STREETS 0 Mal
Enact a Complete Streets policy, establishing transit, walking and biking as priority policies.
The city has a long-standing commitment to pedestrian and bicycle-friendly infrastructure, which reduces Well designed pedestrian
transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, reduces traffic congestion and promotes a healthier and bicycle infrastructure
lifestyle for Clearwater residents. Providing sidewalks,multi-use paths and bike lanes along city streets is a will reduce greenhouse gas
matter of policy for the city. These facilities are controlled through design standards that are implemented emissions, reduce traffic
I
by the city or through working with the Florida Department of Transportation and Pinellas County to
congestion and promote a
make sure each street modification project built in the city includes facilities and amenities for all users.
healthy lifestyle for Clearwater.
Improvements can be small scale or part of larger transportation projects. A Complete Streets policy I
will be crafted and adopted by the city to serve as an impetus and framework for action. As part of
implementing a Complete Streets policy, the city will classify the street network according to function and `` v .,m,.__
create multimodal design guidelines for each street type. The guidelines will include guidance on how ,
II
to size and locate the component parts of the street, establishing a comprehensive resource for how to
C1,7:1;
design sidewalks, bicycle lanes, trails and transit infrastructure in harmony with motor vehicle travel lanes, _
speed, operations, and capacity. °Z` i1 , ` " I
The city will continue to promote walkability throughout Clearwater. Pedestrian activity will increase by -
dlaml „it I
making walking safer and more comfortable with sidewalks, accessibility ramps, benches, bulb-outs at -,,,;r
intersections, landscaping, conveniently located transit stops, and pedestrian-oriented redevelopment. 1is •• I
The city will promote bicycling by adding improvements that make bicycling safer, more convenient, and
more enjoyable. The city will monitor opportunities for incorporating sidewalks and bicycle lanes during
resurfacing and other roadway projects. The city will ensure the proper amenities for bicyclists to further
promote bicycling for transportation. A Complete Streets policy will
improve the convenience of
The city will advocate for increased funding for transit, bicycling and pedestrian facilities. The city will major roads, such as Gulf to Bay
continue to implement, monitor, review, and update the City of Clearwater 2006 Shifting Gears Bicycle
and Pedestrian Master Plan, placing an emphasis on investments in multi-modal facilities and creating
Boulevard. Numbers of transit
partnerships with other agencies that plan, design and implement transportation projects. In addition to
patrons, pedestrians and cyclists
implementing larger projects, it will be important to continue to infill sidewalk gaps citywide. will continue to grow.
38 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT '�. 1
TRANSPORTATION
I
IAli
r, o 3. LOCAL TRANSIT IMPROVEMENT • ri7
111 IiIiii.,„
".14% '` 1 AI ,'v Continue to support the improvement and expansion of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority
1114141/4 ,.t it
(PSTA) system.
The city will participate in the ongoing efforts to plan for and implement the 2035 vision for the regional
—� ► ' transit system. Improving the transit system will give residents, employees and visitors more options,
providing access to jobs, services and tourist destinations. The city will continue advocating for more
funding to increase transit frequencies on existing routes, which will improve ridership by increasing
convenience. As PSTA expands the existing system, the city will assist them in identifying underserved
Improving the bus transit system areas where new service will expand economic opportunity for local residents and employees. The city
will continue to emphasize the need for new transit service to connect downtown with Clearwater Beach,
will give residents, employees
using the Beach Trolley, and creating a bus rapid transit network that spans the city's arterials and
and visitors more options, connects to major traffic trip origins and destinations.
I providing access to jobs, services
The city will continue to play a central role in the implementation of passenger rail in the Tampa Bay
and tourist destinations. region. The city will coordinate with TBARTA, PSTA and the MPO to plan for and implement specific transit
I investments that are being considered, including rail connecting Clearwater to Pinellas County's Gateway
area, St. Petersburg and Tampa. The city should proactively educate citizens on the components, costs,
and benefits of the transit solutions being proposed.
I y - �� The city will assist PSTA in making the rider experience as enjoyable and easy as possible. The city will
Y ` work with PSTA to improve attractiveness of bus stops to ensure a comfortable and safe atmosphere that
n , p p p
will attract more riders by enhancing bus stops citywide with benches, shelters, trash cans, easy to read
,41111111.1w.,
wayfinding signs and other amenities.
Illk
. LOW EMISSION VEHICLES
/ Prioritize low-to-zero emission transportation modes such as electric and natural gas vehicles in
p 9
policy plans and ordinance development.
1 The city will continue to play The city will create an environment where low-to-zero emission vehicles have public and private
a central role in implementing infrastructure that supports them. This includes opportunities for different fueling, parking and operational
I passenger rail, including rail needs. High fuel efficiency combustion engine vehicles of all kinds have a place in the future community
connecting Clearwater to vehicle fleet mix. This includes high fuel efficiency cars, smart cars, hybrid vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds,
scooters, and golf carts.
I Pinellas County's Gateway area,
St. Petersburg and Tampa. Public efforts and public-private partnerships to prepare for vehicles that do not run on conventional
fuels should commence immediately. With the coming wave of plug-in vehicles, there will be the need
` ,}.
�'° CLEARWATER GREENPRINT 39
I
TRANSPORTATION
,., I
for charging stations to be available throughout the city. This effort can be coordinated with initiatives t y
of all kinds to produce more energy locally on a small scale. For example, a solar panel installation 11 ,.. i" ' . itr-4.-;‘--"` r
at an existing parking deck or lot could be used to generate electricity for daytime vehicle charging
stations. The city will consider changes to the Community Development Code relative to parking and " 1 ' / ffi II
other accommodations for alternative fuel vehicles. An example requirement would be the provision k
a
I
of charging stations for electric vehicles in new developments. Through readiness, the city will provide j
residents and local businesses encouragement to shift to electric vehicles and lower their transportation- ,
related greenhouse gas emissions. I4 ��'
The city will continue to improve the municipal fleet by replacing vehicles with models that have higher
fuel efficiency, hybrid gas-electric, natural gas, electric, or other alternative vehicles. The city will lead The city will create an
II
by example through the upgrade of vehicle fleet that will result in fewer emissions and ensure that 50 environment where low emission
percent of the city fleet is fueled by alternative fuels/technology by 2020.
vehicles have infrastructure that
The city and Clearwater Gas System will identify other vehicle fleets that can utilize the compressed supports them. High efficiency
I
natural gas fueling station for their operations. The city will contiune its program allowing individual vehicles of all kinds have a
residents and businesses to use the filling station for their vehicles. In the short run, there is an opportunity place in the future vehicle fleet.
to capture a market for vehicles that are used almost exclusively for local travel that will be able to I
function with limited local access to filling stations.
S
5. CONGESTION MANAGEMENT 0 Tj7
I
Continue to plan for and implement congestion management activities and other improvements to
increase the operational efficiency of the transportation system. I
The city will continue to participate in the countywide effort to implement congestion management projects 11111 a' .
and the planned Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) in Pinellas County.Congestion management projects /Mk �t 1t -. ■ Ism
include turn lanes, dynamic messaging signs and the use of adaptive signal timing software as well as the --.••mom.'Om - I
standard coordinated traffic signals. Projects that reduce congestion and idling have a significant effect
on greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. Transit system ITS improvements such as signal coordination
with bus routes and up-to-the-minute messaging about bus schedules and wait times will enhance the user I
experience and increase ridership. Projects to improve roadway
The city will also work to implement roundabouts for new road construction projects that will result in capacity are increasingly
reduced frequency and severity of crashes, reduced traffic delays, increased traffic capacity, reduced difficult to implement. Intelligent
I
long-term operational costs, and reduced emissions and noise. Transportation Systems will
reduce congestion on existing
facilities.
40 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT I
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I
LAND USE AND URBAN FORM
ISSUES I
The City of Clearwater's urban form was shaped during a period when energy was cheap and abundant
po --ia
and driving was the primary mode of transportation. These conditions resulted in low-density,automobile- I
oriented development throughout much of the city. Clearwater is largely built out and reliant on infill
development, redevelopment, and building rehabilitation and reuse to accommodate growth. Creating . Aj
conditions that optimize this type of growth requires thoughtful consideration of the relationships between n M Y+• w Mil
l
I
and use and transportation options.
There are many parts of the city where significant physical change is not anticipated in the near future.
IMany commercial areas and neighborhoods are either stable or are attracting new building activity at a
very slow rate. Where redevelopment is not occurring, buildings will need to be maintained, repurposed
or retrofitted to ensure quality housing, jobs, goods and services are available throughout the community. Clearwater is largely built out
I
This is one of the biggest long-term challenges facing the city. There will be an increasing rate of building and reliant on infill development,
obsolescence due to rapid residential and commercial growth over past decades using building systems redevelopment, and building
and technology with relatively short useful lives, a high need for ongoing maintenance, and systems
I
that require a significant amount of energy to operate. The present and future stewards of the current rehabilitation and reuse to
building stock will be challenged to invest enough money to successfully maintain the building shell while accommodate growth.
upgrading and renewing building systems and fixtures to be more energy efficient and operationally I
cost effective.
In addition to challenges that exist in the existing building stock, there are demographic trends that need
to be considered in crafting a sustainable approach to land use. According to United States Census I
Bureau estimates, the permanent Pinellas County population has not grown substantially since 2000 and E
has been in decline since 2004. In addition to this short-term population trend, there is the potential for 4i
a long-term decline in the retiree immigration rate. Clearwater will continue to attract new retirees over
time, but it will most likely be a retiree population with less disposable income than generations past. If !err
the retiree immigration rate declines over time, that population will need to be replaced by a different ! " ■
demographic to keep the local economy growing and strong. Over the long term, there will be a need to a I.40
attract young or working age people to live and work in the city. t
The built environment and demographic issues raised in this section have implications for land use and
urban form. City policies and regulations will need to strike a balance between engendering high Clearwater will continue to I
quality, energy-efficient development and maintaining an economic environment where it is attractive to
develop new residential units and create jobs. At the same time, the city will need to incentivize reuse and attract new retirees over time,
revitalization of the existing structures so they can remain viable over the long term. but there will also be the need
I
to attract young or working age
OPPORTUNITIES people to live and work in the
There are many important sustainability components of land use including housing choices and availability, city. I
a jobs-to-housing balance, connected neighborhoods where residents can work, shop, and play, and
42 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT I
I
= .v
'
wd± 1 V � affordable and efficient p atterns of living. Focusin g on these objectives is an opportunity to improve the
`+n overall quality of life in Clearwater and move from heavy dependence on automobiles to more walking,
It
�
� ~ bicycling, and transit use. The greater Clearwater area (i.e., the Clearwater Planning Area, and the
�'• �0 -_ immediately adjacent unincorporated areas of Pinellas County) had a permanent resident population of
►�: <,1',''; ,� «�. `�`. ,� more than 1 34,000 and workforce of more than 91,000 in 2006. Forecasts show growth in the population
1 »' ". w Y and workforce to more than 150,000 and 100,000 respectively by 2035. There will be demand for new,
Agg
rehabilitated, and repurposed residential and commercial buildings to accommodate this growth over the
h:
I next 25 years. There are plans to make major rail and bus transit investments in the region within this time
frame. The city will benefit from the enhanced transportation system in part through the ability to attract `' I
location-efficient, transit-oriented development to accommodate new jobs, residents, and businesses.
ICommercial corridors, existing activity centers and downtown provide the best opportunities to 4`
PiliI. - „ accommodate new growth. There are over 600 acres of land in the Clearwater area that are prime for
i.e.redevelopment
City The City wi p (' , parcels where land value is more than twice the value of the buildings on it). There
I are also over 800 acres of vacant land in the Clearwater area.
There are numerous places to accommodate new medium and high density development in the city.
I Clearwater Greenprint has created the opportunity to link existing policies for redevelopment areas and
corridors with the identification of Energy Conservation Areas and Corridors that will require less energy
to operate than the typical existing mixed-use areas. The city will create new incentives and policies in the
II ' r• ! Community Development Code and through special area plans that will link these initiatives and provide
-•,../ -` !�� a framework for new growth.
,�, l ;y, .:-�,a. i Finally, the city has the opportunity to improve quality of life and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions
through improving or transforming land area that is currently underutilized. The city will continue to
'', • ' increase the tree canopy through its own plantings and encouraging plantings on private property. It will
also continue to seek opportunities to create and maintain areas for recreational purposes and protect
I -iii
environmental resources.
GOALS
I • Create vibrant, mixed-use, walkable, transit-supportive neighborhood activity centers to link people
The city will continue to increase with jobs and services and reduce the need for automobile travel.
the tree canopy through its Reuse and recycle land through infill development and redevelopment.
I own plantings and encouraging •
plantings on private property, • Protect and add to the amount of natural areas, public parks and urban greenspace. ;?
which will improve quality of • Fully utilize public and other property to sequester carbon and reduce the heat island effect.
life.
I
I
LAND USE AND URBAN FORM
STRATEGIES
1
A h ,u. -
1. DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES • ;is n :. I
4� 4 .t, N p
Develop incentives for energy-efficient infill development and redevelopment in activity centers and °°., 4 ,00
commercial corridors. lc\ iik
O
I
ne of the primary land use outcomes of Clearwater Greenprint will be establishing Energy Conservation ' i,;• 1 A.
Areas and Corridors and associated policies. These areas will be defined in the Comprehensive Plan _ �
- . .
and will complement policies and investments in existing redevelopment areas, activity centers and I
redevelopment corridors. The city will complete special area plans to define specific boundaries and
create strategies that address land use and urban form and are integrated with transportation initiatives The city will complete special
and resource conservation measures. Potential Energy Conservation Areas include several districts within I
the city: Clearwater Beach,the downtown area, North Greenwood area, Hercules Industrial area,Morton area plans to address land use
Plant Hospital Area and the areas around Countryside Mall and Clearwater Mall. Corridor strategies and urban form considerations
for energy conservation will also be developed for Drew Street from N. Highland Avenue to S. Bayshore that are integrated with
1
Boulevard, Gulf to Bay Boulevard from N. Highland Avenue to S. Bayshore Boulevard, U.S. 19 from transportation initiatives and
Y g
Countryside Boulevard to Belleair Road and S. Missouri Avenue from Court Street to Belleair Road. conservation measures.
The city will update the Community Development Code to include provisions for Energy Conservation Areas I
and corridors relating to permitted uses for localized energy production, including solar installations on
buildings, and food production, landscape requirements,transportation facilities,site lighting and parking ; °';1 '
E: i I
requirements.The city will consider supplementing the Community Development Code provisions specific to � -: �, •�,.�•Energy Conservation Areas by creating a Zoning Overlay District that includes site development standards, pj . •• — :"
•density and intensity requirements, energy efficiency and conservation measures for new construction and y
substantial renovation, parking requirements to include parking for electric vehicles, and level of service _ i ► '�•; I
standards for sidewalks, bicycle facilities and transit. *_ =
In addition to policies specifically designed for Energy Conservation Areas, the city will continue vow"' i
- 1
provide for mixed-use development in livable, transit-oriented neighborhoods in the Comprehensive Plan
and Community Development Code. The city will work to improve regulation, investment and incentives
that will fulfill residents' dwelling and transportation needs.
I
Transit-oriented development
The city adopted transit-oriented development (TOD) policies for the Comprehensive Plan. As the city policies will not just promote
coordinates major transit investments in rail and bus rapid transit, it will provide clear design standards transit use, they will lead to
I
for TOD in station areas and transit service corridors. TOD will not just promote transit use. It will lead increased rates of walking and
to more efficient development patterns and increased rates of walking and bicycling. Promoting infill
development will improve the local economy and provide more housing, employment, shopping and bicycling.
entertainment choices in the city.
44 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT - I
LAND USE AND URBAN FORM
1 ti,
•
`,,.f-''' . PROPERTY REVITALIZATION / r�i
r _. I l��`, Transform vacant and other underutilized properties from liabilities to assets that provide long-term
iner
pia economic, social and environmental benefits.
IIIl�d "
�-j 'J,�IIII A sustainable built environment provides a mix of building types, sizes and ages to increase flexibility
*y" in initial use and reuse. New buildings should be designed with flexible space to maximize the potential
for reuse in the future. This reduces vacancy and reduces the need for costly demolition and wholesale
- repurposing of land with obsolete buildings. In addition to economic benefits, construction and demolition
waste makes up a large percentage of the waste stream. Restoration and reuse prevents this waste. The
city will encourage restoration and reuse of buildings rather than demolition. The city will also maintain
A sustainable built environment the historic designation process, which helps ensure certain properties and neighborhoods are stable,
provides a mix of building maintained and available for long term use.The city will continue to implement its brownfield program and
types, sizes and ages to increase identify tax credits and other incentives for brownfield and greyfield development. Financial incentives
Iflexibility in initial use and be will offset some of the cost of remediation and promote reuse of these usable but sometimes abandoned
available for long term use. lands.
3. DIVERSE HOUSING OPTIONS • LI 74 rii i
z �" ��-- _ ,g Create policies and strategies to improve the citywide balance of housing to jobs and encourage the
I . ,.^ f' ' ■ development of housing to enable residents to remain in the city as their housing needs change.
1'?-∎ s "rPc` The city will work to create a more self-sustaining community and local economy that will reduce the-
I ...,3 '' ,.. need for driving while increasing convenience and accessibility to employment. In order for this to work,
Op ` 1 '. the residential market will need to provide a variety of housing choices in a range of prices to attract
��� residents in all life stages and income levels. Affordable, energy-efficient and location-efficient housing
N 0.° 1 f will increase the chances that Clearwater will continue to maintain and attract a diverse population.
*' 40 Monitoring and working toward creating the right mix of housing type and cost will create a balance
of housing supply to jobs and reduce the need for Clearwater residents to commute outside the city to
I work. This balance carries with it an attractive quality of life element and supports affordable choices for
Affordable, energy-efficient and moderate and low income populations. Creating an environment where people can live closer to where
location-efficient housing choices they work also greatly reduces greenhouse gas emissions from driving.
1 in a range of prices will attract
residents in all life stages and
income levels.
I , .; ,.; 'NT 45
I
LAND USE AND URBAN FORM
I
r s - .
. GREENSPACE EXPANSION r7 .. ' i'
Increase the amount of urban greenspace, natural areas and tree canopy through planting, M
preservation, community education and outreach programs. • !'+..a _
The city will su pp ort and expand the community's capacity to manage,develo p,and enhance green spaces ` I
for natural habitat, recreation, gardening and outdoor education opportunities. This includes improving lei
and maintaining public property, creating public-private partnerships to transition underutilized land 4111r 111
to these uses and enabling and encouraging these uses on private property through public policies and
programs. Enhancing and expanding green space will result in better stormwater management, higher
carbon sequestration, and a better quality of life for residents. The city will support and expand
The city will develop a program to educate community members on the benefits of planting trees and the community's capacity to
recognize residents and businesses that participate. The city will consider piloting a forest carbon manage, develop, and enhance
sequestration project on municipal land, which along with other existing landscape installations will green spaces for natural habitat, 1
sequester carbon to offset a portion of the community's annual greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon recreation, gardening and
sequestration is the process by which atmospheric carbon dioxide is taken up by trees, grasses, and other outdoor education opportunities.
plants through photosynthesis and stored as carbon in biomass (trunks, branches, foliage, and roots) and
soils. The sequestration of carbon in forests and wood products helps to offset sources of carbon dioxide
to the atmosphere, such as fossil fuel emissions. The planting program should be developed under an h�t+1�-
•
existing urban forestry project protocol to allow for recording and reporting the results of the program. I "' .' I I
The city will continue to maintain active membership in the Tree City USA program administered by the
Arbor Day Foundation and meet the standards established by the program. ^'"" I
111.4 smaraiitil r AN ..I,. t i,;• -•
I
The city will implement I
strategies to protect and
enhance the natural beauty I
of Clearwater's beaches and
walkable urban neighborhoods I
and districts.
46 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT I
I
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W1101 Nvean aNn 3sn aNvi
i
WATER RESOURCES
ISSUES `
Water has economic, social, and political implications that make it a unique and challenging natural
resource to manage. Our habits, practices and expectations about the availability of fresh water threaten
long term enjoyment of this vital resource.As the city cannot pump enough groundwater to meet the potable
water demand, it must purchase approximately two-thirds of what is used from other suppliers, such as
Pinellas County and Tampa Bay Water. In response,the city is adding more reverse osmosis plants to treat
brackish water to supplement its potable water supply. While this technology will produce potable water
at a less expensive rate than buying from other suppliers, the treatment process is energy intensive and
will require significant amounts of electricity to operate the facilities. Transporting and treating water is
already the highest energy user and greenhouse gas emissions source of all the municipal operations. As
a coastal community, it is also important to consider the future possibility of sea level rise in Clearwater,
which could cause seawater to infiltrate freshwater aquifers currently used for potable water. Our habits, practices and
expectations about the
OPPORTUNITIES
availability of fresh water
The treatment and transport of potable water and wastewater requires a significant amount of energy. threaten long term enjoyment
Water use and the energy demand associated with it can be reduced through behavioral change. of this vital resource and the
There are many behavior-related conservation strategies that can be implemented as first steps toward natural systems that rely on it.
achieving a more sustainable water resource management system. These types of strategies simply
require awareness of the issue and the corrective action, along with personal or organizational desire to
be part of the solution.
Although Clearwater residents use significantly less water per capita per day(81 gallons)than the national ,
average (98 gallons), water conservation measures can still result in savings. Beyond behavioral changes,
there is the installation of water saving devices in homes and businesses. These low cost investments pay
dividends through savings, especially when coupled with reducing the need for hot water, which requires
a significant amount of energy to produce.
Limiting water used for irrigation is essential to reducing water use. While requiring a certain level of
knowledge, planning and investment, landscapes can be created to use small amounts of water and
irrigation systems operate only where and when needed. One example is to install rain shutoffs on
irrigation systems.
Clearwater's potable water distribution system was initially set up to provide water for buildings and With proper planning, landscapes
landscape areas. Up to 50 percent of a typical community's drinking water is used for irrigation. As can be created to use small
an alternative, residents and businesses can use treated wastewater, or reclaimed water, for irrigation amounts of water and irrigation 1
and other non-potable uses. The city continues to expand its reclaimed water system to provide a more systems can be designed to
sustainable water source for irrigation. operate only where and when
needed.
48 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT �
WATER RESOURCES
1 �etiti, 1 , GOALS
- Vt
I �
, • Develop and support water conservation policies and programs, including incentive programs.
' �`__ 'ter � • W • Reduce water consumption and stormwater runoff through conservation and low impact development
f ,',' measures.
L ' .4: • Educate residents and businesses about the costs, both personal and public, of wasting water.
.. :.� 1 -sil w *� '
d. ,,.. ;! � Promote landscape installations and irrigation systems that conserve water.
1 STRATEGIES
I The city provides reclaimed ddi
water to an increasing number of 1. WATER CONSERVATION 0 ''r .0
neighborhoods and commercial Assist high volume water consumers across residential, commercial and industrial sectors to employ
Iareas to reduce the waste of water conservation measures.
irrigating with potable water and The city will continue to develop and implement programs that assist high volume water consumers across
to reduce energy use. residential,commercial and industrial sectors in developing water conservation plans.Additional assistance
Jwill come through providing and educating community members about the availability of water saving
devices and rebates for higher cost devices such as low flow toilets and high efficiency irrigation systems.
III I ir ill io These incentives have been popular in the city and Pinellas County and result in significant water savings.
The city will continue to expand reclaimed water service to more neighborhoods. Current reclaimed
water projects include an expansion of the Skycrest area as well as those in the Glen Oaks/Palmetto and
I Clearwater Harbor neighborhoods.
.,r;r� •t—d' On an annual basis, the city will continue to consider changes to water use regulation and fees. The
"' � assessment will include continuing to evaluate rate restructuring options to promote water conservation.
i While potentially contentious and complicated, charging the true cost of water through a more nuanced
3 rate structure will encourage heavy water consumers to invest in water conservation.The city will encourage
residents and businesses to adopt water conservation standards such as Florida Water Star for existing
II and new construction and consider developing year-round water restrictions that are more stringent than
The city will promote the use of Southwest Florida Water Management District restrictions.
on site installations that capture,
Iretain and treat stormwater
runoff from parking lots,
Idriveways and roads.
LE
r , ti `` tW4TER GREENPRINT 49
WATER • • I '
I
2. WATERWISE LANDSCAPES • 0 ____ r1i ^_
Provide education and incentives to create landscapes that integrate water saving principles. S 1a, ELI��ii (,..,,A'~ �? , ice►
The city will use code-based incentives (e.g., accelerated site plan review time) to encourage community ' t ,-,. ' `
z . I
members to create landscapes concurrent with new development or redevelopment that integrate water -
saving measures such as Florida-Friendly Landscaping" principles. Along with incentives, the city will t' .awMir:-" ' '
promote and facilitate neighborhood-based projects that train residents on Xeriscape' practices. The
city will partner with neighborhoods and local organizations to recognize existing xeriscaped yards and
highlight effective and affordable xeriscaping techniques. Community members also have access to rain
harvesting and water conservation workshops through Pinellas County. The city will encourage-- ;$_
community members to develop
landscapes that integrate
water saving measures such as I
3. LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT • ® ri7 g
Florida-Friendly Landscaping`'
Develop a low impact development plan with the ultimate goal of capturing rainfall from 10 percent principles.
of impervious surfaces. I
Rainwater harvesting is a great untapped strategy for reducing the use of treated water for landscape
irrigation. Distribution systems, especially from roof areas, are easy to install and there are a variety ' 1
I
of sizes and styles (i.e., underground and above ground) of rain barrels and cisterns for rainwater
storage. The city will identify and prioritize potential retrofits to municipal facilities for rainwater capture. "`
Additionally,the city will create guidance for private property owners to develop and implement rainwater I
harvesting plans with a goal of capturing runoff from at least 10 percent of impervious surfaces. The
focus of the efforts should be on roof area, but might include installations that capture, retain and treat
stormwater runoff from parking lots, driveways and roads. Rainwater catchment systems in combination
with greywater reuse will reduce demand for and expense of piped water for landscape irrigation.
As part of the overall sustainable water resources program,integrating low impact development principles
into building and site designs, such as swales, rain gardens and vegetative areas, and vegetated swales, I
will go a long way toward raising awareness of water resource issues. Example guidance and practices Rainwater catchment systems
exist, such as the Light Imprint New Urbanism principals. Low impact development has many non-water in combination with greywater
saving benefits, including conserving green space and storm water retention. reuse will reduce demand for I
and expense of piped water for
landscape irrigation. i
50 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT
7,
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- - -SO - - e g e a ° - a a
WASTE MANAGEMENT
1
ISSUES ,
Traditional waste management involves the collection and transport of solid waste from homes and
businesses to facilities such as landfills and waste-to-energy plants. The facilities are costly to build,
notoriously difficult to site,tedious and costly to manage,even after closure,a consistent source of pollution, P --
and linked to human health problems such as increased rates of cancer. Once a landfill has reached a
i t. �I
capacity, the community usually faces greater costs by having to transport wastes farther distances. .t I
Over 75 percent of the solid waste generated in Clearwater is transported to and processed at the Pinellas "_"_
County Waste-to-Energy Facility in St. Petersburg, Florida. While the waste-to-energy process reduces
the amount of solid waste deposited in landfills and generates electricity, it also produces greenhouse gas
emissions from the burning of plastics, tires, and other carbon-based waste materials.
Given this set of conditions and challenges, the community's best course of action is to reduce solid waste Traditional waste management
by addressing both the producer and consumer ends. Producers can make products using less toxins and involves the collection and
packaging while increasing use of packaging that is recyclable or compostable. Consumers can better transport of solid waste from
manage household and business waste by recycling, composting, and properly disposing of electronics homes and businesses to facilities
II
and other hazardous waste. such as landfills and waste-to-
In 2009 alone, Clearwater residents and businesses generated 109,711 tons of solid waste and recycled energy plants.
5,777 tons of plastic bottles, aluminum cans, steel cans, mixed paper, and newspaper. This tonnage of
I
solid waste generated by the city represented 11 percent of the overall waste produced in Pinellas
County. While the city offers recycling and education programs, the local recycling rate was lower
than averages for Pinellas County, the State of Florida and the United States. A central issue affecting a , I
recycling rates is lack of awareness by residents and businesses on the journey of trash beyond the curb y
and the associated social, economic and environmental impacts. Education is essential to raising public ,�` 1
awareness and, when aligned with the right incentives and policies, will boost participation in the solutions t,� �- j • • I il
while saving the city money. 4 . ^ r . •
In 2008 the Florida Department of Environmental Protection set a statewide recycling goal of 75 percent I .$,.
r of all solid waste by 2020. The goal, which applies to state and local governmental entities, private ' I
companies and organizations, and the general public, is a clear indicator that everyone must be involved
to increase recycling rates and reduce the solid waste stream.
OPPORTUNITIES Over 75 percent of the solid
waste generated in Clearwater
Clearwater has an opportunity to reduce tons of solid waste generated by residents and businesses. The is transported to and processed
I
city continues to expand solid waste services to divert more waste from the Pinellas County landfill. In at the Pinellas County Waste-to-
2010, the city significantly increased the amount of yard waste collected from residents and will begin
collecting glass in 201 2 for recycling purposes. Energy Facility in St. Petersburg,
Florida.
52 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT I
1
WASTE MANAGEMENT
I
Other communities in the Tampa Bay Region and Florida have implemented innovative waste management
. . , solutions. For example, Sarasota County instituted a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) program and now has the
MIXED PAPER ° ;; i . highest recycling rate in Florida (41%). Clearwater can explore best practices from other communities
,— " is ■ r`1 and customize solutions for local application.
. A 2007 study revealed that 19 percent of solid waste (by weight) in the Pinellas County landfill was yard
and food waste. Approximately 37 percent of solid waste in the landfill was comprised of recyclable
paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass products. Combined, these two sources represent over 56 percent of
Imaterials that could be diverted from the landfill.
Clearwater residents and Clearwater residents and businesses can reduce consumption of products that generate large amounts of
businesses can reduce waste and choose to reuse items rather than placing them in the trash. Consumers can also become more
sustainable by buying products that contain post-consumer recycled content, recycling more of what is
consumption of products that discarded, and avoiding use of products that are not recyclable.
I generate large amounts of
waste and choose to reuse items
GOALS
rather than placing them in the • Increase the rate of recycling in the city.
1 trash. • Reduce the amount of solid waste generated by residents, businesses, and institutional operations.
• Create economic opportunities for local businesses through increased waste reuse and recycling.
----- STRATEGIES
r-- 41111k
I .
1. PAY AS-YOU-THROW 0 I ira
k * •■, Test the feasibility of a Pay-As-You-Throw program that charges residents based on the amount of
trash thrown away.
I .. :
The city will consider implementing a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) program, one of the most effective ways
to reduce the solid waste generated community-wide. Similar to other utilities (e.g., energy and water),
I residents would be charged based on how much of the service they use. Thus, households that generate
The city will consider less waste through conscientious buying practices, recycling, and composting will pay a lower price. PAYT
implementing a Pay-As-You- programs have been highly successful in many municipalities across the United States in reducing solid
I Throw program, one of the waste and increasing the recycling rate. In Florida alone, Gainesville, Sarasota, and Plantation have
adopted PAYT programs with great success. With a higher recycling rate, the city provides opportunities
most effective ways to reduce for local businesses to process and sell recycled materials.
the solid waste generated
Icommunity-wide.
" LLEARWATER GREENPRINT 53
I
WASTE MANAGEMENT
I
2. YARD WASTE COLLECTION • ° mil$ grog _
I
Continue to yard and and waste collection service to residents. ,i
p
Until recently in Clearwater, yard waste was combined with household garbage and sent to the Pinellas N I
County solid waste facilities. In 2010, the city implemented a yard waste program that diverted five • �'
percent of solid waste by sending it to a composting facility in Hillsborough County. The program has
reduced operating hours and tipping fees paid by the city's Department of Solid Waste/General
Services. The city will continue to offer yard waste collection to residents, encourage more households
to participate, and investigate opportunities for collection of other organic waste such as food waste for
composting. The city recently implemented
a yard waste program that
3. RECYCLING PROGRAM EXPANSION • 0 �' 1k diverted five percent of solid
rag waste to a composting facility I
Expand the number and types of materials that can be recycled through local business that turns waste into mulch and
partnerships. soil.
Currently, the city provides recycling service that is limited to number 1 (polyethylene) and number 2
i
(high-density polyethylene) plastics, aluminum, steel, mixed paper, and newspaper. While these are the
most commonly recycled materials, the city will continue to explore ways to expand the number and type
of materials that it recycles. Securing markets to sell recycled material will be essential to `closing the
loop' and making expanded recycling programs viable. Starting in 201 2, the city will begin accepting x �� ','
r
glass from Clearwater residents. - ,
.41
■yireT•7 iviVill*Tel',V 1 fiCC•1111;frillg 0 ° -/Ili ddill ni ... ,
r
Propose an ordinance to require commercial recycling. '`"' I
The city will continue to educate the commercial sector on waste management. Although the recycling rate
of businesses was slightly higher than the residential sector, it still remains relatively low at six percent. I
To divert a greater amount of the solid waste generated by businesses to the recycling stream, the city Although the recycling rate of
will propose an ordinance to require basic recycling by commercial establishments. businesses was slightly higher
The city will also consider establishing a minimum percentage of construction and demolition waste than the residential sector, it still 111
recycling for construction projects. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, up remains relatively low at six
to 44 percent of construction and demolition waste is recyclable. This mandate would require proof of percent.
compliance from the contractor as part of the building permitting process.
EN
54 CLEARWATER GREENPIttNT ' III
1
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Alk
. �-
z
\ 5. COMPOSTING PROGRAM 0 I/I VI mal ni,
Consider developing ilot commercial and residential food composting programs.
c.
IThe city will consider developing a pilot composting program to divert food scraps from the landfill and
, ` ` demonstrate the viability of a citywide program. The pilot program will initially target the commercial
/i,t - �'p '� sector,with preference for high volume generators of food waste including hospitals,schools,and restaurants
for on-site or collection composting programs. Information on participation rates,challenges, benefits, and
costs will be tracked and monitored. If demonstrated that the program's economic, environmental and
social benefits outweigh the costs, the study may be expanded to select neighborhoods in the residential
I The city will consider developing sector.
a pilot composting program
to divert food scraps from the •
I °'
landfill and demonstrate the
REUSABLE SWAP GOODS
viability of a citywide program. Investigate viability of an annual "Trash to Treasure" event to encourage recycling or swapping of
reusable goods.
ISimilar to websites like FreeCycle and Craigslist that provide a network to give away or exchange used
goods, the city will consider organizing an annual community event for swapping reusable goods. The
I WlirillPIIIIIIIIIIMIrll-lr;
event, like the Clearwater Community Swap held in downtown in 2010, would serve to divert reusable
goods from the solid waste stream and could be combined with an educational and awareness campaign
�l
I
�
on waste management.
i' ,mar,
IP r • MUNICIPAL WASTE REDUCTION • ral
IDevelop a municipal waste reduction policy.
The city offers recycling at many of its facilities and is in the process of moving to paperless (i.e., electronic)
Isystems in some departments. The city's next step will be to adopt a formal waste reduction policy and
The City will improve its own g oals that address recycling, green procurement, and printing p ractices. Also, standards for events held
waste reduction policy and on municipal sites could be developed to reduce waste generation and increase recycling by thousands of
Igoals that address recycling, event goers in Clearwater each year.
green procurement, and printing
practices.
I0 '°e'R GREENPRINT 55
I
FOOD PRODUCTION
ISSUES I
A sustainable community provides healthy food for its people. The quality of food, health, and the
natural environment are interconnected. Strategies to make food healthier and food production more ' �.»
� �:`
energy-efficient are critical elements of Clearwater Greenprint. The availability of healthy foods directly
influences what people eat and therefore their physical well-being. Local foods are generally fresher 1 .,.
than foods transported long distances. Most locally-produced food also uses fewer toxic chemicals, which I
can impact community health and the natural environment.
lir
Consuming locally-grown foods is an important strategy to reduce greenhouse gases. Scientists have it 1 tiOrirt
shown that approximately one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions come from the inputs, byproducts,
III
and energy used in food production. Food transport consumes approximately 22 percent of the total
energy used to get food from farm to market. Household storage and preparation of food consumes Scientists have shown that I
approximately 30 percent of the total energy used for the food supply. Local foods are transported approximately one-third of all
shorter distances from farm to consumer tables, ensuring fresher foods while reducing greenhouse gas greenhouse gas emissions come
emissions. Local foods also tend to be less processed and require less refrigeration, which also reduces
I
greenhouse gas emissions. from the inputs, byproducts, and
energy used in food production.
Most municipal codes for urban areas do not address activities associated with urban agriculture (i.e.,
cultivating, processing and distributing food in or around a city). As codes were developed, it was not
I
envisioned that these kinds of activities were necessary in the urban environment. However, there is
growing awareness of the direct and indirect costs of food produced in distance places which has lead
many communities to add provisions to their codes that support a sustainable local food supply.Clearwater I
should consider local food production as an activity that is integral to overall community sustainability. INwr....¢ !, 1
OPPORTUNITIES - x ��i��
In spite of its urban character, there is potential in Clearwater for urban agriculture and increased $ ,
food production. Most land can support some kind of food cultivation, whether in or above ground or in ', '•horizontal or vertical arrangements. On the approximately 800 acres of vacant land in Clearwater (both ,,, ■ 1
public and private), enough fruits and vegetables could be grown to feed 6,400 people. Additionally, 't -.44
if 15 percent of all residential lots were devoted to kitchen gardens, an additional 1,400 acres of land
would be available for food production to feed 1 1,200 more people. From these examples, it is not
I
difficult to see how approximately 40 percent of the fruits and vegetables produced in the United States Most people lack an
during World War II were from victory gardens. understanding of the relationship
While younger generations have grown up without great awareness of where their food comes from, between food quality, nutritional I
there are many people in Clearwater that have substantial knowledge about small-scale food production health and the environmental
that could provide guidance for community gardening. This presents a significant opportunity for learning, consequences of large-scale I
experimenting, and knowledge sharing within the community and even bridging cultural and generational agriculture.
divides.
56 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT .;.
1
FOOD PRODUCTION
■
e In its efforts to be a sustainable community and increase the local food supply, the city can explore the
various methods of urban agriculture such as hydroponics, aquaculture, aquaponics, and rooftop growing
�Y to discover which are best suited to local conditions and preferences. There may be interest in community
AM supported agriculture like the Gateway Organic Farm in Pinellas Park where members participate in
I A 1,, growing food and share in the harvest.
-
`f By creating a supportive environment for urban agriculture in its many forms, the city will facilitate the
_ ~—i \ delivery of a valuable and unique set of services and products, create economic activity, and strengthen
Iits sustainable community image.
GOALS
I Creating the environment
• Enable and encourage urban agricultural initiatives, projects, and programs.
for a local food system
• Identify areas with potential for food production.
provides an opportunity for
Iknowledge sharing within the • Encourage citizens to grow their own food and ensure they have access to locally sourced food.
community, bridging cultural and • Create markets and incentives to buy local food products.
.gen erational divides.
ISTRATEGIES
w , 3. '' - 1. TASK FORCE 1 Z
1 , $' f , , ; Vim,
,? Create a task force (e.g., Urban Agriculture Task Force) to recommend and implement methods to
• OIL _� advance local food production.
Ia A new task force organized and facilitated by the city will assist in developing and implementing
recommendations for expanding local food production. The task force will develop partnerships among
„ ,_ non-profits, ministries, neighborhood associations and private interests to increase local food production
r, "` V and commerce,funding opportunities, and pooling of resources. Partnerships will increase opportunities for
g rant funding for planning and project start-up activities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Community
Local agricultural al networks Food Planning Grant Program is an example of a funding program which can be used for food systems
planning. This and other opportunities for funding will be monitored and pursued by the city and community
organizations, as appropriate. The task force could create an educational campaign to bolster awareness
will facilitate the delivery of
Ia unique set of services and and use of existing initiatives that promote local food consumption.
products, create economic
I activity and generate interest in
Clearwater.
IJIVII ' OL GRENPRINT 57
1
FOOD PRODUCTION
,, r, 1
2. LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION 1 fi'1 `
Identify foods and other agricultural products that are produced locally. , _,,,,,.._ , \ 1iq i, 4 ti+' I
The task force should define what is "local" in the context of food production and the community's needs \ A
,
and develop a "foodshed" program in collaboration with regional partners to increase the availability ,-.T0,111.4
of local foods. A "Buy Fresh Buy Local" program will serve as a model program for strengthening local s
and regional markets. It will identify and highlight local growers, exposing them to the local Clearwater �,.R
market. It will also provide general information on the benefits of locally-sourced food. The program I
would create multiple food growing, processing, storing, and selling opportunities, increase awareness,
and provide linkages between farmers, consumers and organizations.
The city will conduct an
ak inventory of lands that would
3. URBAN AGRICULTURE 111 I =jjj� be suitable for food production
Identify spaces throughout Clearwater where food production would be viable and amend the for the purpose of identifying
I
sites for food production pilot
Community Development Code to support food production activities. P p
The city will conduct an inventory of public and semi-public lands that would be suitable for food protects.
production for the purpose of identifying sites for food production pilot projects. The city will amend
the Community Development Code to allow and support community gardens and other forms of urban
agriculture. Amendments will address hydroponics or other food production facilities in existing and new _ 'r
1110;ot buildings. ' 4
MIL •A
11 it 1
rif
--,....„
1
A "Buy Fresh Buy Local" 1
campaign will create multiple
food growing and selling
I
opportunities, and provide
linkages between farmers, I
consumers and organizations.
58 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT 1
I
FOOD PRODUCTION
I ''4::''''t I
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Photo Credit: Top Left: USDAgov "Peoples Garden via Flickr, Top Right: Dane Brian "Vertical t'lantes vvull" via Flickr,
Bottom Left: Phil LaCombe "Buy Fresh Buy Local" via Flickr
':a
CLEARWATER GREENPRINT 59
III
GREEN BUSINESS AND JOB
ISSUES t
A green economy fosters businesses that help protect, restore, and enhance our natural environment. By
encouraging green businesses, Clearwater's economy can thrive and prosper while achieving community 1' It
goals of generating less waste and pollution, saving energy, restoring green spaces, growing food locally, v
and conserving water. Green businesses could include companies that develop renewable energy or r ir �•i
alternative fuels, grow organic produce locally, or make products from recycled materials. Traditional - A4
companies that modify their practices to be more resource efficient, such as builders who learn to use l
energy-efficient, environmentally sustainable materials and construction practices could also meet the
definition of green business. I
The terms "green job" and "green business" are not defined by federal or state law. Some organizations
have developed their own definitions for these terms. For example, Workforce Florida defines a green A green economy fosters 111 job as one that "increases the conservation and sustainability of natural resources for the benefit of businesses that help reduce
Floridians. This includes jobs that reduce energy usage or lower carbon emissions, and protect Florida's energy use and protect our
natural resources. Green jobs should provide worker-friendly conditions, pay sustainable wages and
I
offer opportunities for continued skill training and career growth." natural environment,such as
builders who use energy-efficient
OPPORTUNITIES materials and equipment.
The green economy is projected to grow nationally. In 2007, Florida ranked among the top 10 states for
I
jobs in the clean energy economy with over 30,000 jobs and $117 million in venture capital over a span
of three years. Encouraging the expansion of green businesses and jobs is especially crucial at a time r I
when Florida's economy has been struggling. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida had an
unemployment rate of 1 0.7 percent as of August 201 1.
The city has investigated opportunities to develop green businesses and jobs. In 2008, the Economic 1,7116
D
1
evelopment and Housing Department organized a work plan for a Green Jobs Initiative. The work ,
plan resulted in the formation of a Green Collaborative Team consisting of representatives from the city, � � i j
Pinellas County Economic Development, University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences @ i �, I
(UF/IFAS), Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, the United States Environmental Protection Agency ''""41%fti
(USEPA), Worknet Pinellas, and the development community.
GOALS I
Green businesses could include
• Promote and support existing green businesses in Clearwater. companies that develop
• Grow the number of green jobs in Clearwater. renewable energy or alternative
I
• Attract new green businesses to Clearwater and the Tampa Bay Area. fuels, grow organic produce
locally, or make products from 111 recycled materials.
60 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT I
I
1 GREEN BUSINESS AND Jon
STRATEGIES
,,,,,, ,--4`' i
I1. GREEN BUSINESS DATABASE �<.
- j. ., - Establish an online database of green businesses and existing green jobs.
,61 The city will develop a database of all green businesses and the number and types of green jobs in
i ° N ` Clearwater. The cit will need to establish criteria for classif in reen businesses and jobs allowin for
" " s,..> Rif flexibility as new developments in green industry and business practices arise. This data can be collected
I , through surveys, online business searches, and phone interviews with the development community and
industry organizations. Clearwater can use the business tax receipt application and renewal process to
facilitate data collection.
I The city will need continued
investment in new buildings and
renovations over the long term, S
Imaintaining jobs in construction rj j�
and creating an opportunity for Profile businesses that are taking steps to become more "green."
building systems innovation. The city website recognizes businesses that have received green certifications from Leadership in Energy
I and Environmental Design (LEED),the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), the Florida Green Lodging
Program, and the Green Restaurant Association. The city will develop a system to recognize and profile
I other businesses that are taking steps to become more sustainable and resource efficient without pursuing
—y� — certifications. The profiles will highlight best practices and the environmental, economic and social benefits
of different companies' efforts.
' x 43- ' Al
111 -Vitiii.,
K 3. GREEN JOB DEVELOPMENT Ea it WM
- Connect people in need of employment opportunities to new green jobs.
In conjunction with generating green jobs locally, the city can also work to connect people who may be
lunemployed or underemployed to these new opportunities. The city will partner with existing institutions
The city will partner with others and organizations(e.g.,St. Petersburg College and Worknet Pinellas)to offer workforce training programs
to offer workforce training in green job skills, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste reduction, food production, and
Iprograms in green job skills,such green building. The program will be implemented in tandem with programs and initiatives that are
as renewable energy, energy available in Clearwater to ensure that training results in job placement.
I efficiency, food production and
waste reduction.
'° -- ' tttAPWATEP Gl EEN t71NT 61
1
GREEN BUSINESS AND JOBS
1
. GREEN GUIDE 71 7 iil ui `
if Wm
1V
Partner with local tourism businesses and agencies to develop a green guide to Clearwater at the nsba„t,,' * I
businesses.
1
Many businesses in Clearwater rely on tourism, including local hotels, restaurants, real estate rentals, tour
operators, and visitor travel outlets. The city will partner with these tourism-based businesses and other
local tourism agencies to create a green guide that promotes local businesses that have made a commitment 1 t
to green practices. This partnership can also create participation in green business designation programs R
for the hospitality industry, such as the Florida Green Lodging Program, and for other types of businesses 111
that qualify under programs such as Pinellas County's Green Business Partnership. The city may choose to
create its own designation criteria or registration program in implementing this strategy. The city will partner with
II
businesses and agencies to
= create a green guide that
5. REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS il r7 promotes local businesses that
I
have made a commitment to
Partner with local and regional economic development organizations to attract new green businesses
to the Tampa Bay Area. green practices.
Economic development plans are being developed at many levels in the Tampa Bay region, from local
municipalities including the city up to regional levels like the Tampa Bay Partnership which encompasses 1 .. .e- I
eight counties. The city can partner with local and regional organizations and devise new strategies
to attract green businesses to the area. Resources such as the Young-Rainey Star Center, an economic
I
development center run by Pinellas County, can be leveraged to spur local economic development in the
^
green business sector. The Tampa Bay Innovation Center, a non-profit organization, is another resource in p mc.unm I
Pinellas Count y. The center is committed to cultivating entrepreneurs and developing technology startups. Cartier . :v!g►r . i I
II
Resources such as the Young-
Rainey 9
Rainey Star Center can be I
leveraged to spur local
economic development in the
green business sector.
I
62 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT I
GREEN BUSINESS AND JOBS
I
1 iii ill
,„, . r ,
Fri 1.7
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'GREEN _ m ± FoR� t P `
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ill I i4 , s , i `a •� OF YGI R SHOPPING AT LOCAL INDEP.:�1DENT
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IPhoto Credit: Top Left: greenforall.org, Top Right: Sandpearl, Bottom Right: Masspaths.net, Bottom Left: Jim Parish
w
i- ; ' i;I CLEARWATER GREENPRINT 63
IMPLEMENTATION
I
I
Suc cess in reaching the greenhouse gas reduction targets will PLAN IMPLEMENTATION COSTS
ultimately depend on the extent of strategy implementation and The tables that follow provide a summary of the Clearwater Greenprint
I
the amount of community participation. The involvement of the implementation plan showing the phasing for individual strategies within
entire community, including residents, businesses, institutions, and each topic area. The individual strategies are described in more detail
municipal government, will be required. The city's primary roles in within each topic area description in the preceding sections. I
the implementation of Clearwater Greenprint are that of educator,
facilitator, mentor and model. Estimated costs and city staff hours required to fully implement Clearwater
Greenprint are outlined for each topic area in Appendix A Strategies
The city already has staff working with and across departments Documentation. A summary of the direct (non-personnel) costs and I
to implement policies, programs and projects that fall under the work program hours associated with the implementation of Clearwater
umbrella of sustainability. Coordination of these efforts to date Greenprint over the 25-year plan time frame is provided in the tables
has been managed through regular meetings of a Green Team. below. The costs are shown in 2010 dollars.
I
Until such time as the city identifies a sustainability coordinator,
the Planning and Development Department will track the SUMMARY OF STAFF WORK PROGRAM HOURS
implementation of Clearwater Greenprint. The need to manage Total Work
I
the implementation efforts into the future warrants designation of Average Annual Work
Time frame Program Hours Program Hours
city staff to oversee the Greenprint program. There will also be for Period' g
the need for city staff to create and disseminate relevant public Short (0-5 years) 1 9,481 3,896 I
information and organize or enable self-organizing community
projects. The strategies and topic areas provide the opportunity Medium (6-10 years) 18,428 3,686
for new types of grants and funding sources that can support staff Long (1 1 25 years) 88,335 5,889
I
time and defray other program costs. Total 1 26,243
Notes:
'Staff hours are anticipated to be accomplished with current staffing levels within the
I
context of departmental work programs.
SUMMARY OF NON-PERSONNEL COSTS I
Total Non- Average Annual Non-
Time frame Personnel Costs Personnel Costs for
for Period' Period
I
Short (0-5 years) $188,750 $37,750
Medium (6-10 years) $436,250 $87,250
Long (11 -25 years) $7,052,550 $470,170 t
Total $7,677,550
Notes: I
'In 2010 dollars
1
III
64 CLEARWATER GREENPRINT
I
IMPLEMENTATION
ISHORT TERM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (0-5 YEARS) MEDIUM TERM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (6-10 YEARS)
Topic Area Strategy Description Topic Area Strategy Description
I Green Energy and Buildings 1 Energy Finance Program Green Energy and Buildings 2 Resource Conservation Program
Green Energy and Buildings 3 Incentives for Upgrades Green Energy and Buildings 6 Local Power Generation
Green Energy and Buildings 4 Performance Standards Green Energy and Buildings 8 Renewable Energy Finance
Green Energy and Buildings 5 Natural Gas Expansion Green Energy and Buildings 1 2 Performance Standard
Green Energy and Buildings 9 Energy-Efficient Streetlights Water Resources 2 WaterWise Landscapes
I Green Energy and Buildings
10 Municipal Energy Policy Waste Management 1 Pay-As-You-Throw
Green Energy and Buildings 1 1 Municipal Energy Plan Waste Management 7 Municipal Waste Reduction
Transportation 1 Vehicle Mile Reduction
ITransportation 2 Complete Streets
Transportation 3 Local Transit Improvement LONG TERM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (1 1-25 YEARS)
I Transportation 4 Low Emission Vehicles Topic Area Strategy Description
Transportation 5 Congestion Management Green Energy and Buildings 7 Renewable Energy Challenge
Land Use 1 Development Incentives Water Resources 3 Low Impact Development
I Land Use 2 Property Revitalization Waste Management 4
5 Commercial Recycling
Land Use 3 Diverse Housing Options Waste Management Composting Program
Land Use 4 Greenspace Expansion Green Business and Jobs 4 Green Guide
IWater Resources 1 Water Conservation
Waste Management 2 Yard Waste Collection
I Waste Management 3 Recycling Program Expansion
Waste Management 6 Reusable Goods Swap
Food Production 1 Task Force
I Food Production 2 Local Food Production
Food Production 3 Urban Agriculture
Education and Awareness 1 Community Education
IEducation and Awareness 2 Community Outreach
Education and Awareness 3 Green Initiative Reporting
I Education and Awareness
Education and Awareness 4 Municipal Staff Education
5 Interactive Website
Green Business and Jobs 1 Green Business Database
I Green Business and Jobs 2 Best Practices Sharing
Green Business and Jobs 3 Green Job Development
Green Business and Jobs 5 Regional Partnerships
�'OLEARWATER GREENPRINT 65
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