Calabasas introduces new 'green' city initiatives

The Calabasas City Council launched the first phase of a new environmental initiative program with the debut of a website and a "Green Hour" program on the city's CTV television channel.

A task force was established in November 2007 to develop environmental initiatives. The task force was charged with finding more ways to keep the city ecologically responsible, including the adoption of a residential green building ordinance.

"The ordinance will provide practical and inexpensive means to create additional building value for residents," said Maureen Tamuri, community development director. The new law will include mandatory requirements, such as simple adjustments to landscaping systems, plumbing and appliances, as well as more extensive optional updates.

The city's 2009 budget review will focus on making environmentally friendly improvements.

"When you are reviewing the budget, you'd have the opportunity to make a decision on whether some capital projects should include a green update," Tamuri said.

The city also plans to purchase a fleeet of alternative fuel vehicles.

Tamuri pointed out a variety of steps the council has taken to protect the environment, including guarding the city's oak trees, banning Styrofoam, protecting the various area waterways and committing to the dedication of open space.

"This city has a history going back to 1991 of environmental stewardship," Tamuri said. "It's really the foundation upon which you were founded."

Calabasas was one of the first cities in the area to adopt green development standards in 2003, which include requiring new city and commercial buildings to be built with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver standards. The city's own new civic center, which is slated to open in July, meets the LEED gold standard, meaning it is 45 percent more efficient than the average building.

Councilmember Dennis Washburn called the launch "a great start."

Mayor Mary Sue Maurer said, "What I found most interesting in this process was the level of enthusiasm on how they could coordinate and work together to devise the best green policies that a city could possibly have."

The new Web page is www.cityofcalabasas.com/green.

CTV's "Green Hour" airs Sunday nights at 7 p.m on cable channel 3.