HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 099-24 Approving Findings Regarding the Need for Local Amendments to Provisions in the California Green Building Standards Code as Adopted by the CityDocusign Envelope ID: 3DD75148-6F7E-4563-B761-DODC4648CEB4
RESOLUTION NO. 99-24
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
APPROVING FINDINGS REGARDING THE NEED FOR LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO
PROVISIONS IN THE CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE AS ADOPTED
BY THE CITY
WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 18938 makes provisions published in the
California Building Standards Code pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 17922 applicable
to all occupancies throughout the State and effective one hundred and eighty days after
publication by the California Building Standards Commission (the "Commission"), or at a later date
established by the Commission; and
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958, 17958.5, 17958.7, and
18941.5 establish the authority for a city to adopt and make local amendments and modifications
to the building standards in the California Building Standards Code to establish more restrictive
building standards than those contained in the California Building Standards Code; and
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958, 17958.5, 17958.7, and
18941.5 permit a city to make such local amendments and modifications as the city determines
are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions; and
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958, 17958.5, 17958.7, and
18941.5 require a city, before making any amendments and modifications to the California
Building Standards Code, make an express finding that such amendments and modifications are
reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions; and
WHEREAS, under Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7, changes pursuant to Health
and Safety Code Section 17958.5 may not become effective until the required findings, and the
changes, have been filed with the California Building Standards Commission; and
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 50022.2 permits enactment of City Ordinances
that adopt codes or statutes, including codes of the State of California, by reference; and
WHEREAS, the Dublin City Council held a properly noticed public hearing on September
3, 2024, at which time all interested parties had an opportunity to be heard; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Dublin intends to adopt an Ordinance adopting
by reference provisions of the California Building Standards Code, with local amendments; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the reasons for proposed changes to the
California Building Standards Code set forth below, attached hereto and hereinafter incorporated
by reference.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby adopt the
findings (Exhibit A), declare, and find that the local amendments to the provisions of the California
Building Standards Code set forth below are reasonably necessary because of local climatic,
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geologic, or topographical conditions in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7
as further set forth below.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution, including items shown below,
and Ordinance No. xx-24, Approving Amendments to the Dublin Municipal Code Chapter 7.94
(Green Building Code) to Amend Section 7.94.050 (Definitions) and to Add Section 7.94.085 (Low
Carbon Concrete) and Section 7.94.120 (Low Carbon Concrete) shall be filed with the California
Building Standards Commission in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7.
GREEN BUILDING CODE
Sections:
7.94.050
7.94.085
7.94.120
Chapter 7.94
Section 202, Chapter 2, Definitions — Amended.
Section 4.420, Division 4.4, Chapter 4, Low Carbon Concrete — Added.
Section 5.420, Division 5.4, Chapter 5, Low Carbon Concrete — Added.
Section 7.94.050 of the Dublin Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
7.94.050 Section 202, Chapter 2, Definitions — Amended.
The following definitions are hereby added to Section 202 of the State Code to read as follows:
ALL -ELECTRIC BUILDING. A building that contains no combustion equipment or plumbing for
combustion equipment within the building or building property lines, and instead uses electric
appliances for service.
ASPHALTIC CONCRETE. Commonly called asphalt, bituminous asphalt concrete,
and bituminous mixture), consists of any composite material composed of mineral aggregate
adhered with a binder and commonly used to surface roads and parking lots.
CALTRANS AUTHORIZED MATERIALS LIST. Cementitious Materials for use in concrete as
updated from time to time. This list includes blended cement, Portland cement, fly ash, pozzolan,
metakaolin pozzolan, silica fume, and slag materials.
CARBON CURE CONCRETE. A technology that introduces recycled CO2 into fresh concrete to
reduce its carbon footprint without compromising performance. Once injected, the CO2 undergoes
a mineralization process and becomes permanently embedded.
COMMERCIAL FOOD HEAT -PROCESSING EQUIPMENT. Equipment used in a food
establishment for heat -processing food or utensils and that produces grease vapors, steam,
fumes, smoke, or odors that are required to be removed through a local exhaust ventilation
system, as defined in the California Mechanical Code.
COMBUSTION EQUIPMENT. Any equipment or appliance used for space heating, water
heating, cooking, clothes drying and/or lighting that uses fuel gas.
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CONCRETE. Any approved combination of mineral aggregates bound together into a hardened
conglomerate in accordance with the requirements of this code. Concrete as defined in this
Chapter does not include asphaltic concrete.
CO,. Carbon Dioxide.
CO2 INJECTION. The process of injecting CO, into the cement mixture rather than water for
purposes of curing the product.
ELECTRIC HEATING APPLIANCE. A device that produces heat energy to create a warm
environment by the application of electric power to resistance elements, refrigerant compressors,
or dissimilar material junctions, as defined in the California Mechanical Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATION. Present quantified environmental information
on the life cycle of a product based on the results of a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment
(LCA) to enable comparisons between products fulfilling the same function. Environmental
Product Declarations must conform to International Organization for Standardization 14025
accreditation and European Standard EN 15804, or International Organization for Standardization
21930 accreditation, and have at least a "cradle to grave" scope (which covers product life cycle
from resource extraction to the factory).
FUEL GAS. A gas that is natural, manufactured, liquefied petroleum, or a mixture of these.
GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG). Any gas that has the property of absorbing infrared
radiation (net heat energy) emitted from Earth's surface and reradiating it back to Earth's surface,
thus contributing to the greenhouse effect. GHG gasses include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous
oxides, and water vapor.
PLAIN CONCRETE. Concrete that contains no steel reinforcement in the form of rods, bars, or
mesh or containing not more than two tenths of one percent of reinforcing.
READY -MIX CONCRETE. Concrete that is batched for delivery from a central plant instead of
being mixed on the job site. Each batch of ready -mixed concrete is tailor-made according to the
specifics of the contractor and is delivered to the contractor in a plastic condition, usually in the
cylindrical trucks often known as cement mixers.
REINFORCED CONCRETE. Concrete in which reinforcing steel in the form of rods, bars, or
mesh —is inserted into the concrete to absorb the tensile, shear, and sometimes compressive
stresses in a concrete structure.
SECONDARY CEMENTITIOUS MATERIALS (SCM'S). Materials that include, but are not
limited to, ground granulated blast furnace slag (ggbs), fly ash, metakaolin pozzolan, pozzolan,
silica fume, and Belterra clay.
UPFRONT EMBODIED CARBON (EMBODIED CARBON). The emissions, including
greenhouse gasses, released before the built asset is used. The release of emissions occurs in
material extraction, transportation, manufacturing, and installing building materials on site. Upfront
embodied carbon also includes operational and end -of -life emissions associated with materials.
Section 7.94.085 is hereby added to the Dublin Municipal Code to read as follows:
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7.94.085 Section 4.420, Division 4.4, Chapter 4, Low Carbon Concrete -Added.
A new Section 4.420 is added to read:
4.420 Low Carbon Concrete Requirements.
4.420.1 Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide standards and requirements for
the composition of concrete, as defined herein, that maintains adequate strength and
durability for the intended application and at the same time reduces greenhouse gas
emissions associated with concrete composition.
4.4.20.1.2 Applicability. The requirements of this section shall only be applicable to
projects that require a building permit.
4.420.3 Compliance. Compliance with the requirements of this section shall be
demonstrated through any of the compliance options in Sections 4.420.3.2 through
4.420.3.5.
Table 4.420.3: Cement and Embodied Carbon Limit Pathways
Cement limits
for use with any compliance
method
4.420.3.2 through 4.420.3.5
Embodied Carbon limits
for use with any compliance
method
4.420.3.2 through 4.420.3.5
Minimum
specified
compressive
strength f'c , psi
Maximum ordinary Portland
cement content, Ibs/yd3 (1)
Maximum embodied carbon kg
CO2e/m3, per Environmental
Product Declaration
up to 2500
362
260
2501-3000
410
289
3001-4000
456
313
4001-5000
503
338
5001-6000
531
356
6001-7000
594
394
Greater than
7000
657
433
up to 3000 light
weight
512
578
Up to 4000 light
weight
571
626
4001-5000 light
weight
629
675
Notes (1) Portland cement of any type per ASTM C150.
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4.420.3.1 Allowable Increases
(1) Approved Cements. The maximum cement content may be increased
proportionately above the tabulated value when using an approved cement, or
blended cement, demonstrated by approved Environmental Product Declaration to
have a plant -specific Environmental Product Declaration lower than 1040 kg
CO2e/metric ton. The increase in allowable cement content is:
1040 / plant -specific Environmental Product Declaration %.
(2) Cement and Embodied Carbon Limit Allowances. Cement or Embodied Carbon
limits shown in Table 4.420.3 can be increased by 30% for concretes demonstrated
to the Building Official as requiring high early strength. Such concretes may include
but are not limited to, precast or prestressed concrete; beams and slabs above
grade; and shotcrete.
4.420.3.2 Cement Limit Method — Mix
Cement content of a concrete mix using this method shall not exceed the value shown in
Table 4.420.3. Use of this method is limited to concrete with specified compressive strength
not exceeding 5,000 psi.
4.120.3.3. Cement Limit Method — Project
Total cement content shall be based on total cement usage of all concrete mix designs
within the same project. Total cement content for a project shall not exceed the value
calculated according to Equation 4.420.3.3.
Equation 4.420.3.3:
Z(Cemn)(vn) 5 l(Cemlim)(vn)
Where,
n = the total number of concrete mixtures for the project
Cemn = the cement content for mixture n, kg/m3 or lb/yd3
Cemiim = the maximum cement content for mixture n per Table 4.420.3, kg/m3 or
lb/yd3
vn = the volume of mixture n concrete to be placed, yd3 or m3
Calculations may use yd3 or m3 but must keep the same units throughout.
4.420.3.4 Embodied Carbon Method — Mix
Mix embodied carbon of a concrete mix, based on an approved Environmental Product
Declaration, shall not exceed the value given in Table 4.420.3.
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4.420.3.5 Embodied Carbon Method - Project
Total embodied carbon of all concrete mix designs within the same project (EC proj) shall
not exceed the project limit (EC allowed) determined using Table 4.420.3 and Equation
4.420.3.5.
Equation 4.420.3.5:
> (ECn )(vn) <- Z(ECiim )(vn )
Where,
n = the total number of concrete mixtures for the project
ECn = the embodied carbon content for mixture n, per mixture Environmental
Product Declaration, kgCO2e/m3
EClim = the maximum embodied carbon content for mixture n per Table 4.420.3,
kgCO2e/m3
vn = the volume of mixture n concrete to be placed, yd3 or m3
4.420.3.6 Verification and Enforcement
Prior to the approval of the building permit application involving the placement of concrete,
the permit applicant shall submit a completed Low -Carbon Concrete Compliance Form to
the Building & Safety Division. If the permit applicant has not secured a concrete supplier
at the time the permit application is submitted, the applicant may complete the Low -Carbon
Concrete Compliance Form to calculate the maximum allowable cement and embodied
carbon and shall certify by signature that they will meet maximum allowable limits at the
time of construction.
As a condition of such building permits, and prior to approving construction inspections and
prior to placement of concrete, the permit applicant shall submit batch certificates and/or
Environmental Product Declarations with an updated Low -Carbon Concrete Compliance
Form to the Building & Safety Division. The batch certificates and/or Environmental Product
Declarations, and the updated Low -Carbon Concrete Compliance Form shall be reviewed
for compliance by the Building & Safety Division prior to performing further inspections or
pouring concrete.
When deviations from compliance with this section occur, the Building Official or their
designee, is authorized to require the permit applicant to provide evidence of equivalent
carbon reductions from the portions of remaining construction of the project to demonstrate
alternative compliance with the intent of this chapter and payment of associated
administrative fees. If the permit applicant is unable to provide evidence of equivalent
carbon reductions, the Building & Safety Division reserves the right to penalize the permit
applicant for the excess embodied carbon used in the project. Excess embodied carbon
shall be determined by the amount of embodied carbon content in the project greater than
EClim per Equation 4.420.3.5, in metric tons. The maximum penalty shall be determined as
follows:
Pm = (ECx)($190) + A
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Docusign Envelope ID: 3DD75148-6F7E-4563-B761-DODC4648CEB4
Where,
Pm = the maximum penalty ($)
ECX = the total excess embodied carbon content in the project, in metric tons determined
from Equation 4.420.3.5.
$190 = penalty per metric ton of excess embodied carbon ($/metric ton)
A = Building and Safety Administrative Fee ($), refer to the City's Master Fee Schedule.
For projects involving placement of concrete by, or on behalf of, the City of Dublin the City
Project Manager for the project, or their designee, shall maintain accurate records of the
total volume (in cubic yards) of all concrete placed, as well as the total compliant volume
(in cubic yards) of all concrete placed.
4.420.3.7 Exemptions
(a) Projects exempt from permits. Projects that do not require a building permit per
Chapter 7.28, shall not be subject to the requirements in section 4.420
(b) Projects that do not involve the placement of ready -mix concrete.
(c) Asphaltic concrete is not considered as concrete for the purposes of section 4.420
(d) Due to lack of commercial availability of low -carbon concrete options, shotcrete,
gunite, and stucco are exempt from embodied carbon requirements.
(e) Small projects as approved by the Building Official.
(f) Hardship or infeasibility exemption. If an applicant for a project subject to section
4.420 believes that circumstances exist that make it a hardship or infeasible to meet the
requirements of section 4.420, the applicant may request an exemption as set forth below.
In applying for an exemption, the burden is on the applicant to show hardship or
infeasibility. The applicant shall identify in writing the specific requirements of the standards
for compliance that the project is unable to achieve and the circumstances that make it a
hardship or infeasible for the project to comply with this chapter. Circumstances that
constitute hardship or infeasibility may include, but are not limited to the following:
(1) There is a lack of commercially available material necessary to comply with
section 4.420;
(2) The cost of achieving compliance is disproportionate to the overall cost of the
project;
(3) Compliance with the requirements would impair the historic integrity of buildings
listed on a local, state or federal list or register of historic structures as regulated by
the California Historic Building Code (Title 24, Part 8).
(g) Granting of an exemption. If the Building Official determines that it is a hardship or
infeasible for the applicant to fully meet the requirements of section 4.420 and that granting
the requested exemption will not cause the building to fail to comply with the California
Green Building Standards Code, the Building Official shall determine the maximum feasible
threshold of compliance reasonably achievable for the project. In making this
determination, the Building Official shall consider whether alternate, practical means of
achieving the objectives of section 4.420 can be satisfied. If an exemption is granted, the
applicant shall be required to comply with section 4.420 in all other respects and shall be
required to achieve the threshold of compliance determined to be achievable by the
Building Official.
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(h) Denial of exception. If the Building Official determines that it is reasonably possible
for the applicant to fully meet the requirements of section 4.420, the request shall be
denied, and the applicant shall be notified of the decision in writing within 60 days after
receipt of the request for exemption. The project and compliance documentation shall be
modified to comply with the standards for compliance.
Section 7.94.120 is hereby added to the Dublin Municipal Code to read as follows:
7.94.120 Section 5.420, Division 5.4, Chapter 5, Low Carbon Concrete -Added.
A new Section 5.420 is added to read:
5.420 Low Carbon Concrete Requirements.
5.420.1 Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide standards and requirements
for the composition of concrete, as defined herein, that maintains adequate strength and
durability for the intended application and at the same time reduces greenhouse gas
emissions associated with concrete composition.
5.4.20.1.2 Applicability. The requirements of this section shall only be applicable to
projects that require a building permit.
5.420.3 Compliance. Compliance with the requirements of this section shall be
demonstrated through any of the compliance options in Sections 5.420.3.2 through
5.420.3.5.
Table 5.420.3: Cement and Embodied Carbon Limit Pathways
Cement limits
for use with any compliance
method
5.420.3.2 through 5.420.3.5
Embodied Carbon limits
for use with any compliance
method
5.420.3.2 through 5.420.3.5
Minimum
specified
compressive
strength f'c , psi
Maximum ordinary Portland
cement content, Ibs/yd3 (1)
Maximum embodied carbon kg
CO2e/m3, per Environmental
Product Declaration
up to 2500
362
260
2501-3000
410
289
3001-4000
456
313
4001-5000
503
338
5001-6000
531
356
6001-7000
594
394
Greater than
7000
657
433
up to 3000 light
weight
512
578
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Up to 4000 light
weight
571
626
4001-5000 light
weight
629
675
Notes (1) Portland cement of any type per ASTM C150.
5.420.3.1 Allowable Increases
(1) Approved Cements. The maximum cement content may be increased
proportionately above the tabulated value when using an approved cement, or
blended cement, demonstrated by approved Environmental Product Declaration to
have a plant -specific Environmental Product Declaration lower than 1040 kg
CO2e/metric ton. The increase in allowable cement content is:
1040 / plant -specific Environmental Product Declaration %.
(2) Cement and Embodied Carbon Limit Allowances. Cement or Embodied Carbon
limits shown in Table 5.420.3 can be increased by 30% for concretes demonstrated
to the Building Official as requiring high early strength. Such concretes may include
but are not limited to, precast or prestressed concrete; beams and slabs above
grade; and shotcrete.
5.420.3.2 Cement Limit Method — Mix
Cement content of a concrete mix using this method shall not exceed the value shown in
Table 5.420.3. Use of this method is limited to concrete with specified compressive strength
not exceeding 5,000 psi.
5.120.3.3. Cement Limit Method — Project
Total cement content shall be based on total cement usage of all concrete mix designs
within the same project. Total cement content for a project shall not exceed the value
calculated according to Equation 5.420.3.3.
Equation 5.420.3.3:
Z(Cemn)(vn) < Z(Cemlim)(vn)
Where,
n = the total number of concrete mixtures for the project
Cemn = the cement content for mixture n, kg/m3 or Ib/yd3
Cemiim = the maximum cement content for mixture n per Table 5.420.3, kg/m3 or
Ib/yd3
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vn = the volume of mixture n concrete to be placed, yd3 or m3
Calculations may use yd3 or m3 but must keep the same units throughout.
5.420.3.4 Embodied Carbon Method — Mix
Mix embodied carbon of a concrete mix, based on an approved Environmental Product
Declaration, shall not exceed the value given in Table 5.420.3.
5.420.3.5 Embodied Carbon Method — Project
Total embodied carbon of all concrete mix designs within the same project (EC proj) shall
not exceed the project limit (EC allowed) determined using Table 5.420.3 and Equation
5.420.3.5.
Equation 5.420.3.5:
Z(ECn )(vn) <_ Z(ECiim )(vn )
Where,
n = the total number of concrete mixtures for the project
ECn = the embodied carbon content for mixture n, per mixture Environmental
Product Declaration, kgCO2e/m3
EClim = the maximum embodied carbon content for mixture n per Table 4.420.3,
kgCO2e/m3
vn = the volume of mixture n concrete to be placed, yd3 or m3
5.420.3.6 Verification and Enforcement
Prior to the approval of the building permit application involving the placement of concrete,
the permit applicant shall submit a completed Low -Carbon Concrete Compliance Form to
the Building & Safety Division. If the permit applicant has not secured a concrete supplier
at the time the permit application is submitted, the applicant may complete the Low -Carbon
Concrete Compliance Form to calculate the maximum allowable cement and embodied
carbon and shall certify by signature that they will meet maximum allowable limits at the
time of construction.
As a condition of such building permits, and prior to approving construction inspections and
prior to placement of concrete, the permit applicant shall submit batch certificates and/or
Environmental Product Declarations with an updated Low -Carbon Concrete Compliance
Form to the Building & Safety Division. The batch certificates and/or Environmental Product
Declarations, and the updated Low -Carbon Concrete Compliance Form shall be reviewed
for compliance by the Building & Safety Division prior to performing further inspections or
pouring concrete.
When deviations from compliance with this section occur, the Building Official or their
designee, is authorized to require the permit applicant to provide evidence of equivalent
carbon reductions from the portions of remaining construction of the project to demonstrate
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alternative compliance with the intent of this chapter and payment of associated
administrative fees. If the permit applicant is unable to provide evidence of equivalent
carbon reductions, the Building & Safety Division reserves the right to penalize the permit
applicant for the excess embodied carbon used in the project. Excess embodied carbon
shall be determined by the amount of embodied carbon content in the project greater than
EClim per Equation 4.420.3.5, in metric tons. The maximum penalty shall be determined as
follows:
Pm = (ECx)($190) + A
Where,
Pm = the maximum penalty ($)
ECx = the total excess embodied carbon content in the project, in metric tons determined
from Equation 4.420.3.5.
$190 = penalty per metric ton of excess embodied carbon ($/metric ton)
A = Building and Safety Administrative Fee ($), refer to the City's Master Fee Schedule.
For projects involving placement of concrete by, or on behalf of, the City of Dublin the City
Project Manager for the project, or their designee, shall maintain accurate records of the
total volume (in cubic yards) of all concrete placed, as well as the total compliant volume
(in cubic yards) of all concrete placed.
5.420.3.7 Exemptions
(a) Projects exempt from permits. Projects that do not require a building permit per
Chapter 7.28, shall not be subject to the requirements in section 5.420.
(b) Projects that do not involve the placement of ready -mix concrete.
(c) Asphaltic concrete is not considered as concrete for the purposes of section 5.420
(d)Due to lack of commercial availability of low -carbon concrete options, shotcrete, gunite,
and stucco are exempt from embodied carbon requirements.
(e) Small projects as approved by the Building Official.
(f) Hardship or infeasibility exemption. If an applicant for a project subject to section
5.420 believes that circumstances exist that make it a hardship or infeasible to meet the
requirements of section 5.420, the applicant may request an exemption as set forth below.
In applying for an exemption, the burden is on the applicant to show hardship or
infeasibility. The applicant shall identify in writing the specific requirements of the standards
for compliance that the project is unable to achieve and the circumstances that make it a
hardship or infeasible for the project to comply with this chapter. Circumstances that
constitute hardship or infeasibility may include, but are not limited to the following:
(1) There is a lack of commercially available material necessary to comply with
section 5.420;
(2) The cost of achieving compliance is disproportionate to the overall cost of the
project;
(3) Compliance with the requirements would impair the historic integrity of buildings
listed on a local, state, or federal list or register of historic structures as regulated by
the California Historic Building Code (Title 24, Part 8).
(g) Granting of an exemption. If the Building Official determines that it is a hardship or
infeasible for the applicant to fully meet the requirements of section 5.420 and that granting
the requested exemption will not cause the building to fail to comply with the California
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Green Building Standards Code, the Building Official shall determine the maximum feasible
threshold of compliance reasonably achievable for the project. In making this
determination, the Building Official shall consider whether alternate, practical means of
achieving the objectives of section 5.420 can be satisfied. If an exemption is granted, the
applicant shall be required to comply with section 5.420 in all other respects and shall be
required to achieve the threshold of compliance determined to be achievable by the
Building Official.
(h) Denial of exception. If the Building Official determines that it is reasonably possible
for the applicant to fully meet the requirements of section 5.420, the request shall be
denied, and the applicant shall be notified of the decision in writing within 60 days after
receipt of the request for exemption. The project and compliance documentation shall be
modified to comply with the standards for compliance.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 3rd day of September 2024, by the following
votes.
AYES: Councilmembers Hu, Josey, Qaadri, Thalblum and Mayor McCorriston
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
1-DocuSigned by:
MoVVL5
CitrdrerfcLF4°A .
Signed by:
Mayor
USAu4b1..
Reso. No. 99-24, Item 6.1, Adopted 09/03/2024 Page 12 of 12
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Exhibit A to Resolution
California Green Building Standards Code Findings
Exhibit A
FINDINGS FOR AMENDMENT AND ADDITIONS TO THE CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING
STANDARDS CODE
A. General Findings.
The Dublin City Council makes the following general findings regarding regional and local climatic
conditions, which the City Council finds necessitates the local modifications to the California
Building Standards Code set forth below:
The City of Dublin's weather is primarily influenced by its Mediterranean climate that
typically boasts dry summers and wet winters, with summer conditions ranging from warm
to hot and winter conditions typically being mild to cool. Observed local climatic conditions
typically include a low amount of average yearly rainfall, which tends to be concentrated
during the months of October through April. The months of May through September are
typically dry where daily temperatures remain high. Except for infrequent monsoonal
moisture originating from the south, there is little measurable precipitation during these
months.
In addition to the influence of the Mediterranean climate, the local climate is further
influenced by the presence of the North Pacific High (NPH) which is a semi -permanent
area of high pressure in the North Pacific Ocean that is strongest in the summer and shifts
to the equator in the winter. The NPH however, has also been known to remain in place
during winter months leading to drought conditions. During the 2011-2017 California
drought, the NPH persisted longer than usual, due to a mass of warm water in the Pacific
Ocean. In addition to influencing weather patterns, the persistence of high pressure in a
region can also lead to air stagnation trapping air pollutants including Carbon Dioxide
(CO2) which is a primary source of air pollution and a greenhouse gas that contributes to
climate change.
The concrete industry is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions as concrete
production accounts for 4% to 8% of global CO2 emissions. In concrete production, CO2 is emitted
due to the chemical reaction when limestone is heated in kilns to form cement and from the fuel
used to heat the kilns. The CO2 emissions from the cement production, material extraction,
transportation, and installation become part of the embodied carbon of projects that include
concrete in construction projects.
The reduction of CO2 emissions in the production of concrete can be achieved through a variety
of methods including replacing a portion of the cement in concrete with secondary cementitious
materials (SCMs) during the manufacturing process. Such materials include, but are not limited
to, ground granulated blast furnace slag, silica, natural pozzolan, fly ash, and uncalcined
limestone. These materials are lower in embodied carbon since these materials do not give off
CO2 as part of the cement manufacturing process. By substituting these SCMs for a portion of the
cement in concrete, the CO2 emissions of the concrete are reduced.
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The economics of producing low carbon concrete are also more favorable than producing
common Portland cement. This is accomplished through the reduction of fossil fuels used in the
heating of limestone (parent material of Portland cement) and the use of SCMs as a former waste
product.
The adoption of low carbon concrete standards will assist the State of California, the San
Francisco Bay Area, and the City of Dublin in the overall reduction of greenhouse gasses.
Global climate change imposes substantial and local impacts and risks on the San Francisco Bay
Area, and thus the City of Dublin, including rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns
and amounts, sea level rise, flooding, drought, and wildfire.
A general summary of climate risks facing the San Francisco Bay Area and the City of Dublin are
as follows:
• Increased temperatures and extreme heat events. The Bay Area is expected to
see an increase in average annual temperature of 2.7°F by 2050, and 3.5°F to 11 °F
by 2100.
• Reduction in the Quality and Supply of Water in the Sierra Snowpack. If heat -
trapping emissions continue unabated, more precipitation will fall as rain instead of
snow, and the snow that does fall will melt earlier, reducing the Sierra Nevada spring
snowpack by as much as 70% to 90%. This can lead to challenges in securing
adequate water supplies. It can also lead to a potential reduction in hydropower.
• Changes in Rainfall Intensity. By mid-century, more precipitation is projected to
occur in winter in the form of less frequent but larger events. Most climate models
predict drying trends across the State by 2100.
• Increased Risk of Large Wildfires. A hotter, drier climate could promote up to 90%
more Northern California fires by the end of the century by drying out and increasing
the flammability of forest vegetation.
• Exacerbation of Air Quality Problems. If temperatures rise to the medium warming
range, there could be 75% to 85% more days with weather conducive to ozone
formation, relative to today's conditions. This is more than twice the increase expected
if rising temperatures remain in the lower warming range. This increase in air quality
problems could result in an increase in asthma and other health -related problems. The
average air quality index in Dublin has consistently worsened over time and is lower
than the State and national averages. The air quality index also worsens during
extreme heat and wildfire events, As the air quality index increases, an increasingly
large percentage of the Dublin population is likely to experience increasingly adverse
health effects.
B. Specific Findings.
The Dublin City Council hereby makes the following specific findings, which, in addition to the
general findings regarding the production of concrete and low carbon concrete approves local
modifications to the California Building Standards Code as cited below:
California Green Building Standards Code
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7.94.050
7.94.085
7.94.120
Section 202, Chapter 2 Definitions — Amended.
Section 4.420, Division 4.4, Chapter 4, Low Carbon Concrete — Added.
Section 5.420, Division 5.4, Chapter 5, Low Carbon Concrete — Added.
FINDING: The amendment and additions are needed due to local climatic conditions.
Incorporating low -carbon concrete into building construction has a
significant and positive effect on resource efficiency resulting in the
reduction of waste and pollution. Low carbon concrete meets or exceeds
the same performance standards as traditional concrete thus ensuring
building structural integrity. Low carbon concrete is available locally and
can feasibly be incorporated into projects occurring in the City. Producing
low carbon concrete results in fewer emissions of CO? a greenhouse gas,
resulting in the reduction of heat absorption in the atmosphere. The
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the use of low carbon
concrete helps mitigate climate change and its negative effects such as
extreme heat events, droughts, intense storms, and flooding, that may
occur in the City thus making these amendments reasonably necessary
because of local climactic conditions.
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