Building & Site Efficiency Component

A healthy environment is critical to ensuring and sustaining a strong, productive, and resilient community. An important health component of Plano’s environment is the relationship between buildings or site improvements and their natural setting. Developing a site that is respectful of the natural environment is key to achieving a balance between conservation of natural resources and continuing economic growth.

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Policies
  1. Building & Development Design
    Background: Plano consistently updates its building codes to implement the latest building efficiency measures as defined by the International Code Council. Since building codes provide minimum requirements, the city will explore incentive programs to encourage greater energy efficiency measures for both new and renovated buildings city-wide. In 2007, Plano decided to lead by example through implementation of a policy requiring all new city-owned buildings and significant remodels to incorporate energy conservation measures. As we move into the future, Plano will invest responsibly in municipal facilities and utilize codes and incentive programs, to protect, conserve, and enhance the city’s environmental resources.
  1. Renewable Energy
    Background: An important energy conservation measure for buildings is reducing the dependence on non-renewable energy sources. The State of Texas ranks in the top of the nation in several renewable energy rankings. With an average of 232 days of sunshine a year, solar is the most viable option for our community. Drought and topography make other renewable energy sources less economically feasible. However, energy providers across the state produced 104.1 million megawatt-hours of renewable energy in 2020, over 2.5 times the amount generated in 20131. Consumers, including the city, have the ability to negotiate for higher percentages of these resources. Plano will increase the use of renewable energy sources for city operations and encourage residents and businesses to make improvements in energy efficiency.

    1U.S. Energy Information Administration
  1. Stormwater Management
    Background: The design of buildings and development sites should also incorporate efficient management of stormwater. Although a natural part of the water cycle, stormwater runoff can also be an environmental concern. Pollutants such as oil and gasoline from roadways or fertilizers from lawns and farming can enter our lakes, creeks, streams, and other natural waters. Stormwater can also cause stream bank erosion and habitat destruction if it’s not properly managed. To improve water quality, Plano will require development plans to minimize contamination of waterways and protect natural habitats.
  1. Water Conservation
    Background: Drought continues to be an ongoing concern in the state, which makes water conservation an important aspect in the design of buildings and development sites. From 2010 to 2020, the Dallas-Fort Worth region averaged only 3.1 inches of rain per month1. In the same amount of time, the region grew by 1.2 million people2 and continues to grow at a rapid pace.
    Residents must make a conscious effort to conserve water for future generations. In our community, the irrigation of lawns continues to be one of the greatest uses of water and new conservation techniques such as xeriscaping, drought tolerant landscaping, rain barrels, and drip irrigation systems must be encouraged. To ensure the city has an adequate long-term water supply, Plano will expand education and incentive programs to encourage water conservation measures.

    1NOAA
    2U.S. Census Bureau

Resources