Issue link: https://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/791958
POLICY DIRECTION 251 Policy Policy Intent Policy 4: Protect and Restore Open Space and the Natural Environment Protect and restore environmentally significant areas and either preserve or create open space throughout Cary and within the built environment. The intent of this policy is to manage and protect the natural environment, particularly areas of environmental significance, such as wildlife habitat and corridors, wetlands, stream buffers, contiguous forests, meadows, native grasslands, and other important natural features. Cary will look for opportunities, including working with neighborhoods, HOAs, and management companies, to protect or create interconnected ecosystems. A complementary intent of this policy is to incorporate natural features into the built environment for aesthetic, economic, quality of life, biodiversity, and sustainability purposes, in part using and preserving native trees and plants and reducing the presence of non-native invasive species within protected open spaces, including buffers. This policy also supports the use of green stormwater techniques that enhance or add to the open space and green infrastructure network. Policy 5: Improve Air Quality and Reduce Emissions Promote strategies that create a healthy community by improving air quality and reducing air pollution from development, buildings, transportation, and industry. The intent of this policy is to improve the health of residents by decreasing air pollutants and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging innovations in the built environment, transportation systems, business practices, and household habits while enhancing and maintaining Cary's natural resources. This policy will enable initiatives that address the causes and effects of climate change. Improved air quality can be achieved through a comprehensive set of strategies that encourage and optimize conservation, energy efficiency, advanced building technologies, alternative fuel sources, forest protection, and urban development that makes walking, biking, and public transportation viable modes of transportation. Policy 6: Improve Energy Efficiencies and Sustainable Energy Practices Support sustainable energy practices by promoting energy conservation and alternative energy use and production. The intent of this policy is to lower utility bills, decrease reliance on traditional energy sources, promote a green economy, and increase resiliency through energy efficiency, diversified energy sources, electrification, and increased energy storage capacity and generation with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change. Policy 7: Implement and Promote Green Building Principles Implement and promote green building principles for new construction, major renovations, and significant retrofits of buildings, as well as incentivize the use of these principles in private developments. The intent of this policy is to support the use of green building principles, especially where higher-density development occurs. Cary will lead by example by incorporating these principles within new facility construction and major renovations. Incorporating these standards will lead to developments that focus on health and wellness while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste, and the need for new resources. Green buildings will benefit the local economy by creating green jobs and attracting sustainable industries. Leading by example, Cary can demonstrate these standards in new municipal construction and in public-private development opportunities. Providing education, incentives, review of development regulations, and recognition will help facilitate larger adoption of green building standards as Cary continues to evolve and redevelop.