The following information was taken from the City of Victoria's website at http://www.victoria.ca/cityhall/plnsrv_green_dvlprs.shtml

Green Building Policy for Public Buildings:

The City of Victoria has taken a leadership role through the development of a Civic Green Building Policy which requires all new construction of civic facilities to be LEED Silver (with a goal of LEED Gold). The City is currently examining ways to increase the sustainability of existing civic buildings.

The Burnside Gorge Community Centre was completed in 2007 and built to a LEED Gold Standard. The City also created the framework for the award-winning Dockside Green Development to become the first LEED platinum level community.

plnsrv_green_inttvs_public_cotw070823.pdf

Green Building Policy for Private Development

Building upon the development of a Civic Green Building Policy, the City is exploring mechanisms to encourage and mandate sustainable building practices in private developments. To this end, the City commissioned Stantec Consulting to conduct a green building policy review entitled City of Victoria Sustainble Building Policy Review - Private Sector Development. This report provides an overview of current green building best practices, gives an overview of the current green building context in the region, and suggests key indicators that can form the basis for a comprehensive Green Building Policy.

On October 24, 2007 staff presented the Sustainable Building Policy Review in a report to Committee of the Whole. Council received the report for information and directed staff to consult with the Advisory Design Panel, the Environment and Shoreline Advisory Committee, the development industry, and the Heritage Advisory Committee. Council also directed staff to develop recommendations and an implementation strategy for private development of green buildings.

Consultation activities are currently being undertaken the above-mentioned groups with the intention of reporting back to Council in late spring.

plnsrv_green_inttvs_private_cotw071024.pdf

plnsrv_green_inttvs_private_stntc.pdf

Green Principles for City Planning The City of Victoria has planning traditions which support many elements of urban sustainability including:

• conserving built heritage
• building "complete communities" with a full range of land uses - from housing to heavy industry
• maintaining a pedestrian-friendly network of treed boulevards and walkways
• mixing land uses
• an overall built density that is amongst the highest of any Canadian city
• remediation and reuse of vacant commercial lots
• a strong downtown with efforts to balance jobs and residents
• a commitment to the "triple bottom line" with emphasis on social and environmental solutions
• support for alternative transportation modes with emphasis on cycling and transit
• support for strong neighbourhoods
• a balance of sports, arts and cultural facilities
• supporting regional smart growth objectives that will create a pedestrian and transit friendly metropolitan core for the region

The City is exploring ways to support and encourage sustainable development in both public and private buildings.