Property

Require the use of solar power and battery storage – either on individual units or as a community installation – on new affordable housing developments to help residents reduce energy bills as extreme Increase the resiliency of existing residential and commercial development through financing opportunities for structural strengthening, fire safe landscaping, and energy efficiency upgrades. Require floodproofing as a condition of a certificate of occupancy for structures in the floodplain, for example, when renovation costs are 25% of the value of building. Develop a design methodology for stormwater improvement projects that incorporates climate impact projections and regional development forecasts. Establish design standards for buildings located in areas susceptible to sea level rise, coastal inundation, flooding and erosion. One example is to include open or deep foundation systems (e.g., piles Develop a buyouts program to acquire residential properties and local businesses that experience repetitive flood losses. Plan for and build capacity for local government-owned facilities to stage resources when floods are expected. Obtain easements on properties at risk of flooding and use those areas for water retention and drainage. Make use of state and federal home weatherization programs for low- and medium-income households. Evaluate public housing units in flood-prone areas for opportunities to mitigate flooding. Provide resources for homeowners and businesses to plant trees on private property. Create overlay districts with that require specific erosion control measures. Use overlay zones to promote watershed-based development ordinances. Expand and increase marketing for low income retrofits. Floodproof existing structures. For example, move power equipment to higher floors. Create an education outreach campaign for the public about securing debris, propane tanks, yard items or stored objects that may otherwise be swept away, damaged or pose a hazard if picked up and washed Reference American Society of Civil Engineers’ standard 24-05 Flood Resistant Design and Construction requirements in the design and construction of public facilities in flood hazard areas. Use the transfer of development rights method to allow developers to increase densities on parcels with low flood risk in return for keeping flood-prone areas vacant. Elevate coastal buildings, roads, bridges and other infrastructure to manage projected sea level rise, recurrent tidal flooding and storm surge. Develop or reference existing guidelines for substantial rehabilitation and new construction of housing in wildfire hazard areas.