Merge goals of building, environment

By: Gary Knight - For the North County Times
Friday, July 27, 2007

Over the last few months, I have written about some of the challenges involved in creating a sustainable economy in San Diego's North County including health care, education and job creation.

This month, I want to discuss how building projects can contribute to our region's long-term growth, while protecting the environment.

Anyone involved in a developmental project knows that a wide array of permits must be filed with various government bodies.

From environmental impact reports and traffic analyses to land use and zoning requirements, builders expend significant time, energy and money above and beyond the cost of construction itself. Many projects take several years in the planning and approval process, and this can add millions of dollars to the cost.

Builders face a barrage of costly environmental regulations, and even more are being enacted. Recently, the Water Quality Board ruled that stormwater runoff must be treated before it returns to the rivers, lakes and oceans.

The Building Industry Association estimates that complying with this requirement will add upward of $20,000 to the cost of each new home.

The California Air Resources Board is poised to pass a new regulation that would require diesel construction equipment such as scrapers, dozers and backhoes to be replaced or modified with emission control devices that will cost the industry $13 billion or more. To comply, builders will pass the costs through to you and me in the form of higher home prices ---- this at a time when fewer than 9 percent of homes in our region are affordable for those earning the median income.

On the other hand, some of the most innovative new developments have been designed to minimize the use of nonrenewable energy. The Solara Community, an energy-efficient, affordable housing project built by Community HousingWorks in Poway, is one such example.

The San Diego North Economic Development Council promotes environmentally responsible development to ensure a reasonable, healthy and sustainable future for the region. We are convinced that economic vitality and environmental responsibility are compatible. Instead of continuing the adversarial relationships that often exist between developers and environmental interests, we must work for a more cooperative and open-minded approach to solve our most difficult environmental problems while allowing for growth and maintenance of a strong economy.