Last week the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a measure approving the plan and EIR for the redevelopment of the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood. The measure was championed by City Supervisor Sophie Maxwell, and passed with an 8-3 margin.
The project, encompassing 720-acres along the Southeast waterfront of San Francisco, adds 10,500 residential units, nearly a third of which would be priced for low-income residents. The plan also calls for 320 acres of parkland and open space; retail and commercial space – including a new stadium if the 49ers show some loyalty (they won’t) – and new transportation.
Predictably, there are more than a few immediate issues with the project. At the top of the list….Lennar needs funding, the stadium has no tenant, the shipyard at the site is highly toxic, and a proposed bridge appears to unnecessarily impact sensitive wetlands. Lets just gloss over those for a minute and imagine what this current symbol of blight might look like if these initial issues are solved and the plan moves forward.
We are interested in green building here at the CGBB, so let’s look at this statement from the project website:
“Hunters Point Shipyard will be the first neighborhood in San Francisco powered entirely by clean, reliable public power. In the new “Green Public Power Community,” the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission will deliver reliable, 100 percent renewable and cost-competitive power to new residents and businesses of the current and future developments through its extensive hydropower, solar and other renewable energy generation projects.”
What? 100% from renewable sources? Until someone really proves they can pull this off, I’m going to say this looks like greenwash. Where’s the co-gen plant? Where’s the solar array? There is not much on their website about how efficient the structures will be, so just stating they will pull 100% of renewable energy from the PUC sounds like Lennar is setting up a patsy if the plan falls short, and the PUC will still get paid. Lennar’s plan relies on the development of new energy production technology, and the cost reduction of existing technology. That, in and of itself, is risky. One can not rely on new technologies. For example, as we discussed last month, the California Solar Initiative is reducing the state (taxpayer) funded incentives and rebates for solar installations.
But, before I just cynically dismiss this lofty and worthy project, let’s look at Lennar’s track record. Lennar is experienced in green development, and has the ability to scale the implementation of sustainable technologies. According to a June 15, 2010 press release, Lennar is the largest producer of solar residential homes in the nation. In the press release, Lennar discussed the success of its “SunPower Access” partnership with SunPower Corporation to provide a “no-money-down” leaseback program for residential photovoltaic solar installations. (I am not familiar with the program, but I imagine it follows a Solar City model). Additionally, Lennar, through its PowerSmart program, offers a pre-designed green home in about a dozen cities in four states (including California). The PowerSmart program offers homes that are 15% more efficient than California’s current Title 24 requirements.
Whether PowerSmart homes are more efficient than the CalGreen codes that are mandatory starting in 2011 is another story. And, it will take more than green building to make Bayview Hunters Point stick to its 100% renewable energy promise. Stay tuned for more on this project.
For more information visit the community group by clicking here, or Lennar’s website by clicking here.
Steve Sacks
