Dec 26 - McClatchy-Tribune Business News Formerly Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - Joe Kollin South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The city that created the state's first municipal charter school system and the state's first public school building designed to serve as a community center now wants to be the first to go "green."

"The idea is to have every other city in Florida green with envy at the city of Pembroke Pines," Mayor Frank Ortis told commissioners. .

He has proposed the commission adopt mandatory standards for construction so new and renovated buildings are environmentally friendly and help reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

Commissioners agreed to discuss the proposal at a date to be set in January. The discussion will include construction techniques, a proposal for a "Green City Advisory Board" and the possibility of offering financial breaks on city-issued permits to developers who go green.

"We're a city that's not afraid to take chances. The city of Pembroke Pines should take the lead in this," said Ortis, who added, "I'd like an ordinance saying that all buildings must be built under these standards. I'm excited about doing this."

Other cities are getting involved as well. Hollywood recently created a Green Team Advisory Committee of interested residents. Fort Lauderdale is working on a measure to require more trees in the city. Eighteen Broward mayors have signed the Kyoto Protocol, which calls for a 7 percent reduction in greenhouse gases below 1990 levels by 2012.

Two developments spurred Pembroke Pines.

The first "green" building owned by Broward County is nearing completion in Pembroke Pines. The 70,000-square-foot, two-story facility at 7300 Pines Blvd. will be shared by Broward Community College and the Broward County Library Division.

Also contributing to Ortis' proposal were presentations at the National League of Cities and U.S. Conference of Mayors annual meetings. He told of learning that buildings are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and the United States Green Building Council created a program called LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, to establish guidelines for construction.

Pembroke Pines Commissioner William B. Armstrong said he wants more information before committing to it.

He said that about 25 years ago the city built a fire station according then-new standards that were supposed to make use of solar energy to help the environment.

"It was a disaster. We ended up with mold and sweaty firefighters. We had to take it out," he said of the solar fixtures

The January meeting will attempt to answer questions such as costs and experience with new designs and materials in other cites.

While using more glass in buildings could save electricity, for example, is the glass hurricane resistant? asked Armstrong.

"We need to take a hard look at it, with documentation to support it," he said.

Joe Kollin can be reached at jkollin@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7913.