| Local Policy Description: | Miami-Dade suggests implementing several initiatives that will reduce GHG emissions across several sectors. These strategies focus on renewable energy sources and implementing community planning strategies that will reduce vehicle travel and increase tree planting.
Expand the Use of Alternative Fuels
Measure 2 could reduce 51,000 tons of CO2 if a total of 24,000 solar water heaters are installed by the year 2005. CO2 reduction rates for measures 1 & 3 are unknown at this time.
1. Investigate cost effective energy efficient HVAC systems for Metro-Dade facilities.
Metro's Department of Development and Facilities Management should investigate both electric and natural gas chillers to determine the most suitable HVAC systems for Metro-Dade's facilities. The energy savings, up-front capital investment, payback period, environmental impacts and hot water demand need to be determined.
2. Reinstate the renewable energy source exemption. (Property tax exemption for installation of solar water heaters)
Even though Florida is known as the "Sunshine State", only 1/2 of 1% of the State's energy demand is met by solar energy. Metro-Dade should advocate re-instituting the statewide property tax exemption for installing solar water heaters. Solar water heaters can save a South Florida home an estimated annual 2500 kwh.
3. Shift to photovoltaic street lighting.
Photovoltaics (PV) are solar cells that convert sunlight directly to electricity. Although the present use of PV lighting is too expensive for area-wide application, they can be used cost-effectively in some locations and are expected to be much more competitive in the next five years. An additional benefit from the use of PV's is security. In the event of a prolonged loss of electricity (e.g. hurricane), PV's can be used to light dark streets. As with each of these measures, an analysis of the life cycle cost is necessary to determine the feasibility of each application.
Expand Community Tree Planting and White Surfaces
Measure 1 could reduce approximately 3,000 tons of CO2 and measure 2 could result in a 133,500-ton reduction. Both the direct and indirect effects of tree plantings were calculated for CO2 reduction. Trees reduce CO2 concentrations by both direct absorption through photosynthesis and shading which reduces ambient air temperatures resulting in lower energy consumption. Trees strategically planted around structures can also reduce the need for air-conditioning.
1. Integrate "Cool Communities" with community-wide tree planting program.
"Cool Communities" is a cooperative effort between American Forests, Department of Energy and Metropolitan Dade County. Dade is one of seven U.S. cities selected to participate in this program. The demonstration project entails selecting residential neighborhoods and commercial sites in which to plant trees and lighten surface colors. The project goal is to counter the "heat island effect" which causes cities and urban areas to be several degrees warmer than surrounding rural areas. This effect is linked to increased energy consumption and air quality degradation. The research goal is to document the area-wide effects of trees and light surface colors on buildings.
As part of "Cool Communities", American Forests has expressed a keen interest in helping Dade County replace its urban forest canopy lost in Hurricane Andrew. Preliminary estimates of tree canopy loss in South Dade are 45% to 65%. In order to encourage and support community tree plantings, it is recommended that Metro-Dade revise its policy on planting within public rights-of- way and indemnify the homeowner from liability which may arise from installing trees in the right-of-way. Additionally, providing public assistance by digging holes in community group plantings of ten or more trees in public rights-of-way will help encourage neighborhood plantings.
2. Revise Dade County's landscape code to require strategic tree planting, street trees and parking lot trees.
Dade County's tree ordinance is being re-drafted to consider strategic tree planting, street trees and parking lot trees in order to reduce the heat island effect. Staff has recommended that builders be responsible for planting trees along all residential structures 35 feet or less with an average spacing of 30 feet on center for a minimum of 50 percent of the total lineal footage of the building footprint. Staff has also recommended that it should be required to shade air conditioners mounted on the ground. Based on development trends, Metro-Dade's Planning Department has projected that 62,917 trees will be planted annually.
Reduced Vehicle Miles Traveled by 5% Through Mixed Land Use
Miami-Dade hopes to reduce GHG emissions through strategic urban planning that will maximize the availability of alternative methods of transportation (e.g., transit, bicycling, walking) and reduce the need to drive. This measure could potentially reduce 179,000 tons of CO2.
1. Review and amend regulations to encourage the implementation of transit and pedestrian oriented development (TOD) principles in new development.
Dade County should review and amend Dade County's zoning, subdivision, and other development regulations to implement transit oriented development (TOD) principles such as the following:
- Maximize the use of existing urbanized areas accessible to transit through sensitive infill and redevelopment.
- Plan and design the urban area to reduce the need for future expansion of the urban development boundary by increasing the intensity of uses in close proximity to transit.
- Reinforce transit through land use planning.
- Reduce the number of auto trips and regional vehicle miles traveled by creating opportunities to walk, bike, and use transit.
- Protect the natural environment and community character by reducing the need for roadway expansions.
- Provide a diversity of housing types to serve diverse households.
- Foster a more vital, interactive and secure community.
2. Encourage infill development by requiring utilization of TOD development principles within activity centers and along major transit corridors.
The TOD strategy directs much of the County's projected growth to higher density urban areas within walking/biking distance of existing or proposed designated transit stops and lines. The 5% reduction in VMT is based on the 38% increase in traffic flow from 1988 to 2005. The 5% is a conservative estimation. Recent studies have indicated a 50% daily trip reduction in areas emphasizing mixed uses and traditional neighborhood principles.
Infill should be encouraged by establishing minimum, as well as maximum authorized densities for infill areas designated in the Comprehensive Plan, and by authorizing liberalized level of service standards for roadways in infill locations within walking/biking distance of transit stops and lines.
To promote mixed-use development activity centers, the Dade County Planning Department should sponsor a design competition in order to generate a variety of alternative plans.
3. Continue to promote the evolution of a sub-centered urban form, comprised of major, intermediate and local activity centers; activity corridors; enterprise/employment centers and a transit network. In appropriate locations in intervening areas, promote applicable TOD principles and the balanced provision of convenience retail, personal services and various types of residences.
Dade County should continue to promote the evolution of a sub-centered urban form by means of the above mentioned TOD principles, as well as through the following:
- protection of stable residential areas;
- protection of core industrial/enterprise areas which are critical to the economic vitality of the region;
- establishment of mixed-enterprise areas, and
- provision of an efficient mass transit system
Mixed-enterprise areas should contain a mix of economic activities such as office, retail, residential and compatible light industrial uses where community services can be provided and a pedestrian environment can be created.
4. Encourage provision of civic buildings within urban neighborhoods through site planning and in capital improvements programming.
In order to further the civic needs of our modern society, the County should encourage the provision of facilities to provide for social interaction, entertainment and cultural activities, and some public related services.
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