The City of San Mateo continues to be a leader in advancing sustainability and green policies and practices throughout the City. Below are highlights of some the City’s green activities, from the adoption of land use policies which promote transit-oriented development to the incorporation of green building standards in new City facilities.

• Using a Green Approach to City Facilities & Operations
• Encouraging a Green Approach to Development
• Increasing Public’s Awareness of Green Issues

Using a Green Approach to City Facilities & Operations

• The City Council adopted a policy that new City facilities will be as sustainable as possible (while also economically feasible). The New Main Library and the proposed new Police Station will have the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification.
   
• The City Council adopted policies on purchasing alternative fuel vehicles. There are currently five hybrid and four electric vehicles in City’s fleet. The City has incorporated biodiesel into its fueling program and almost a third of the City’s fleet use alternative fuels.
   
• The Council adopted a green purchasing policy. Under the policy, the City purchases green items such as:
   
  • copy paper (white and color) that contains 35% Post-Consumer Content
  • file folders that contain between 30-95% Post-Consumer Waste
  • paper towels and toilet paper that contain 100% Post-Consumer Waste
     
• The City conducted an energy audit of City facilities which led the City to increase its use of energy-efficient lighting and other equipment. The City decreased its electric usage by about five percent between 2001 and 2005, and reduced its gas usage in most of its civic facilities by almost 30 percent during that time.
   
• The City has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the last 26 years. To achieve this award the City has met the foundation’s four standards: a department dedicated to trees, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance.
   
• The City uses an automated sprinkler system in most of its parks which conserves water by adjusting the timing and flow of irrigation based on weather conditions.
   
• The City’s wastewater treatment plant has had several pieces of equipment retrofitted with energy efficient alternatives and staff has altered processes in the plant that have resulted in reduced energy usage. The plant also sends the biosolids it produces to be reused in composting, as a fertilizer, and to create protective landfill caps.

Encouraging a Green Approach to Development

• Two large development efforts incorporate substantial sustainability features: a) the Bay Meadows Specific Plan Amendment, which proposes mixed-use and transit-oriented development features that will lend to a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly environment; and b) the Transportation Corridor Plan, which created two transit-oriented development zones, one close to the new Hillsdale train station and one near the Hayward Park train station.
   
• The City uses the San Mateo Countywide Sustainable Buildings Checklist to promote sustainable development when discussing potential projects with applicants.
   
• In June 2006 the City Council adopted a draft sustainable strategy for the City. Staff is currently refining the strategy and plans to present a specific policy based on City Council input by April 2007.

Increasing Public’s Awareness of Green Issues

• The City also completed the first phase of construction of Shoreline Parks, which are not only beautiful places to enjoy the outdoors, but also foster greater awareness and understanding of our natural surroundings. The parks provide more than 70 acres of outdoor exploration and feature educational stations with interpretive signs about the wildlife and natural habitat. The parks also include two outdoor classrooms for hands-on environmental education activities.
   
• The City is partnering with the County of San Mateo for the Green Business Program, a pilot program to encourage small businesses to adopt “green” practices. To obtain the “green” certification, a business must track energy and water use and adopt environmentally-sound practices. During the pilot phase of the program (July 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007), the City will be working with a select few businesses from the following sectors: auto service, restaurants, hotels, and office/retail. The application deadline for this pilot phase is July 31, 2007, so apply now!
   
• The City Council adopted a policy to help reduce smoke emission from wood burning stoves within the City. Part of the policy includes educating residents about the problem and ways they can reduce such pollution. In addition to posting information on the City’s website, staff provides this type of information to residents who are replacing fireplaces or undergoing remodeling projects when they visit the Building and Planning counter in City Hall or apply for a building permit.
   
• To help residents recycle and reuse unwanted items, the City provides information about recycling, composting, and alternative disposal options for hazardous materials on its website.
   
• The City encourages residents to conserve energy by walking or biking around town. The City created a bike map of routes in the City and a wall map of all of its parks and recreation areas as user-friendly resources for residents.