City of Philadelphia - File #: 070079

• File #: 070079
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: ADOPTED
• File created: 2/8/2007
• In control: Committee on Legislative Oversight
• Title: Authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold public hearings to investigate how the City of Philadelphia could establish a green roof initiative including municipal buildings, affordable housing, and by way of grants for homeowners.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember DiCicco, Councilmember DiCicco, Councilmember Savage, Councilmember Savage, Councilmember Greenlee, Councilmember Greenlee, Councilmember Rizzo, Councilmember Rizzo, Councilmember Goode, Councilmember Goode, Councilmember Clarke, Councilmember Clarke, Councilmember Miller, Councilmember Miller, Councilmember Tasco, Councilmember Tasco, Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Krajewski, Councilmember Krajewski, Councilmember Ramos, Councilmember Ramos

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
2/8/2007	0	CITY COUNCIL	ADOPTED & REFERRED
2/8/2007	0	CITY COUNCIL	ADOPTED & REFERRED
2/8/2007	0	CITY COUNCIL	READ
2/8/2007	0	CITY COUNCIL	READ
2/8/2007	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced	Pass
2/8/2007	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced	Pass

Title
Authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold public hearings to investigate how the City of Philadelphia could establish a green roof initiative including municipal buildings, affordable housing, and by way of grants for homeowners.
Body
WHEREAS, Green roofs are layers of living vegetation installed on top of conventional rooftops; and

WHEREAS, There are numerous benefits to green roofs. The added green space protects conventional roof tops by providing an added waterproofing system. Furthermore, green roofs offer environmental and aesthetic benefits; and

WHEREAS, Green roofs filter rainwater, reduce storm water runoff and conserve energy. Rooftop gardens cover heat trapping, dark roof surfaces, which in turn reduces the 'urban heat-island' effect and air pollution. The green space also provides an additional habitat to wildlife; and

WHEREAS, Many cities throughout the world have green roofs in various capacities. Chicago, for example, has over 250 known commercial and residential green roofs. Chicago's City Hall is one of these environmentally-friendly buildings and saves an average of $4,000-$5,000 each month on energy costs; and

WHEREAS, The cost of installing a green roof ranges between $10 and $20 per square foot. However, this cost is offset by the proven energy savings; and

WHEREAS, When planning and designing a green roof the following must be considered: Condition of roof, structural capacity of the roof, access to the roof, weight of garden, cost of garden, irrigation, drainage and maintenance; and

WHEREAS, Commenting on Chicago City Hall's Green Roof, Robert Berghage, an associate professor of horticulture at Penn State University, stated, "Anything you can do to get more plant material in the city is going to make a big difference in helping to make our cities more livable," now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That City Council's Committee on Legislative Overs...