County looking to promote green roofs

Thursday, September 27, 2007

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The process of green roofs involves installing a waterproof membrane on the roof, followed by dirt and soil and then vegetation.

TAMPA (Bay News 9) -- Hillsborough County is going green.

At least some of the rooftops might be.

The County is examining a new incentive plan geared towards installing green roof systems.

General Works in Tampa is one of the few companies in Florida installing green roof systems, in which crews install soil and plants or grass on roofs. The grassy roofs can help building conserve on energy costs.

The process involves installing a waterproof membrane on the roof, followed by dirt and soil and then vegetation.

But although the green roofs are environmentally friendly, they are more expensive.

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"The biggest drawback at this point and time has been budget,'' said Kevin Palmer, with General Works of Tampa. "If they can figure out a way to make it a little more budget friendly, that could push people over the edge."

And that's exactly what Hillsborough County is working on.

A new initiative would officially recognize the green roof system, allowing developers to construct a green roof and apply it to the property's open space requirement.

The county is pushing an initiative to promote more green roofs.

If the first green roof incentive passes in November, more could be on the way by next spring.

"Depending on what zoning district it is, you have different minimum amounts of open space or maximum amounts of impervious surface permitted on the site,'' said Dyan Backe with the county's planning and growth management division. "And this would allow the green roof to count toward that requirement."