DuPage program encourages developers to build green

DuPage officials say they want to encourage developers and property owners to pursue more eco-friendly projects around the county.

Toward that end, county board members have approved a program that will offer incentives meant to reduce permitting time and costs for projects that qualify under standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council.

"We want to encourage private developers to conserve natural resources, reduce environmental impacts and develop sustainable initiatives," said board member Tonia Khouri, who serves as chairman of the county board's economic development committee.

Khouri said the Green Building Incentive Program allows developers and property owners who implement green design standards into their projects to receive the following incentives:

• a 25 percent time reduction in the building review process;

• a 25 percent time reduction in the stormwater review process;

• a 10 percent cost reduction for building permit, zoning and plat application fees;

• and an expedited zoning and plat process.

Officials said the expedited stormwater review process would be applied to projects in unincorporated and incorporated areas. The other incentives would be limited to projects done in unincorporated parts of the county.

All types of construction and development projects that meet the U.S. Green Building Council criteria for Platinum or Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification would qualify for the incentives, officials said.

Applicants don't need to register or certify their projects with the USGBC. They just have to demonstrate their projects would qualify. They should apply to be considered for the Green Building Incentive Program at the time of permit submittal.

For more information, contact the county's regulatory services division at (630) 407-6700 or visitdupageco.org/greenbuildingincentive/.