B-1 20-1321 An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Unified Development Code), Rezoning of 12.8 Acres from PL (Public Land) to PUD (Planned Unit Development District), Veridian at County Farm PUD Zoning and Supplemental Regulations, 2270 Platt Road (CPC Recommendation: Approval - 8 Yeas and 0 Nays)
The Veridian plan is a direct challenge to the conventional development model (cookie-cutter buildings, massive carbon inputs, gas heat, stormwater retention ponds, parking lots). Not only is Veridian all-electric--no natural gas combustion--but it aims to meet 100% of its energy needs with onsite solar. It will not do this right away. But even if Veridian needs outside electricity, just avoiding fossil fuels will bring a huge emissions reduction. We recently learned from the proposed Valhalla Glen apartment complex near Pioneer High School that full building electrification is entirely feasible in our climate, and if constructed from the ground up using modern heat pump systems should not result in higher overall utility bills for residents. Veridian is taking this a step further with large scale onsite solar. Either way, given the climate crisis and our city's A2Zero goals, it’s hard to imagine how any future local developer can justify fossil fuel-burning HVAC systems going forward.
The Veridian plan is a direct challenge to the conventional development model (cookie-cutter buildings, massive carbon inputs, gas heat, stormwater retention ponds, parking lots). Not only is Veridian all-electric--no natural gas combustion--but it aims to meet 100% of its energy needs with onsite solar. It will not do this right away. But even if Veridian needs outside electricity, just avoiding fossil fuels will bring a huge emissions reduction. We recently learned from the proposed Valhalla Glen apartment complex near Pioneer High School that full building electrification is entirely feasible in our climate, and if constructed from the ground up using modern heat pump systems should not result in higher overall utility bills for residents. Veridian is taking this a step further with large scale onsite solar. Either way, given the climate crisis and our city's A2Zero goals, it’s hard to imagine how any future local developer can justify fossil fuel-burning HVAC systems going forward.