Bothell, Wash. - At its July 21 meeting, Bothell City Council formally adopted a community commitment to sustainability and supported that commitment with new regulations providing incentives for green building. The Council revised the Bothell Vision Statement to reflect that commitment stating: “…to live and work in ways that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

This policy implements new regulations that reduce parking requirements and permit fees for certified green buildings and create a new development type, the Green Planned Unit Development (PUD). Under the Green PUD regulations, developers may reduce lot sizes and street width in exchange for building energy-efficient buildings, using pervious pavement, maximizing indoor air quality and natural lighting, and other sustainable practices.

"As Mayor, I am proud that the City of Bothell is a leader in encouraging sustainable development that will ensure a natural and healthy environment for generations to come," said Mayor Mark Lamb. "Sustainability is a City Council priority and these green building incentives will preserve open space and result in healthier, more efficient homes and office buildings in our community."

“According to the Washington State officials, Bothell is one of the first cities to incentivize green building in this way,” said Community Development Director Bill Wiselogle. “I commend our City Council for having the vision to establish Bothell as a leader in sustainability.”

With green building incentives, these new development standards lessen impacts to native plants and animals and reduces consumption of raw materials, lower greenhouse emissions, provide healthier living and working environments, and decrease human impacts on local and global ecosystems.

For more information about the City’s sustainability effort, visit www.ci.bothell.wa.us and search Bothell COOL.

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