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2005 DNRP archived news: this news release may include broken links and outdated information such as programs and contacts that no longer exist.
June 22, 2005

King County promotes new incentives to build green

2005 Archived News

Free consultations and fee discounts for builders and developers using sustainable development techniques are some of the incentives King County is offering in an effort to encourage development that is less harmful to the environment.

Sustainable development incorporates design and construction practices that reduce environmental impact using strategies such as green roofs, alternative energy systems, recycled materials or reduced impervious surfaces for improved drainage.

"Encouraging sustainable development is one of the most important things we can do as a county as we balance the demand for housing with protecting our region's valuable natural resources," King County Executive Ron Sims said.

The incentives, administered by King County Departments of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) and Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP), are effective immediately. They include:

  • Dedicated Green Track at DDES for green building and low impact development projects. Building and development proposals in this track are assigned to a Green Team, composed of selected King County staff with expertise in alternative green design and construction techniques and in Built Green™ and LEED™ programs. The Green Team will offer assistance to DDES customers during the permit review process on sustainable development techniques.
  • No Cost DDES Project Management, for residential permit applications achieving a Built Green™ five star rating. The DDES Project Manager provides customers with a single point of contact during the permit review process, enhancing service levels, efficiency and predictability for the customer.
  • Free green building and low impact development technical consulting services by appointment by contacting the King County Green Building program at 206-263-6037.
  • Cost-sharing and fee discounts for use of low-impact development best management practices (BMPs) such as converting existing impervious surfaces to native-vegetated landscape, compost-amended lawn or grass surface, or modular-grid pavement.

Earth hero award members Executive Sims also recently presented Earth Hero awards to several projects built in unincorporated King County with green building and/or low impact development components. Award winners included:

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT:

  • CamWest, for the Shamrock development east of Renton, which incorporates low impact development design
    Quadrant Homes, for incorporating green building standards into all new construction

CUSTOM SINGLE FAMILY CONSTRUCTION

  • Jim and Susan Sproull for the green vegetated roof on their Denny Creek workshop.


COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT

  • Seattle Public Utilities for the Cedar River Watershed Conference Center
  • Green River Community College for the new Technology Center

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS

  • The Master Builders of King and Snohomish Counties for partnering with King County to establish the Built Green™ program
  • Living Shelter Design Architects in Issaquah for specializing in innovative green design for several projects recently permitted in unincorporated King County.

Builders and developers can access information on green building and low impact development via the DNRP Web site at: www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/greenbuilding.