HBA Newswatch
April 18, 2008
DEFINING 'GREEN' IN BUILDING MATERIALS
What makes a building or remodeling product green?
REGREEN, a collaboration between the American Society of Interior Designers and the U.S. Green Building Council, offers the following checklist and other information at its Web site, www.regreenprogram.org.
Manufacturer's commitment to sustainability: Is there a written, working environmental policy in place? Is it easy to find on the company's Web site or product literature? Does this policy strive to make important improvements in manufacturing, reducing and reusing first, then recycling? Does it comply with the industry's voluntary testing programs?
Examine the product's composition: What are the raw materials used to create the product? And where do they come from? Did the materials come from renewable resources? Is the manufacturing process energy-efficient? Does the manufacturing process release harmful substances? Are adhesives needed to make the product viable; what are they? Are coatings or finishes needed to make the product viable; what are they?
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GROUP LEADERS REOPEN STRUBLE TRAIL DISCUSSION
CLOSURE OF TRAIL AT SHRYOCK PROPERTY STILL A CONCERN
By DANIELLE LYNCH, Staff Writer
UPPER UWCHLAN — Now that the weather is getting warmer, questions surrounding the controversial Struble Trail and Shryock Brothers property are resurfacing.
Members of the Friends of the Struble Trail, a group that supports preserving the property between Struble Trail and Marsh Creek State Park, have raised their concerns again about reopening the access points to the trail.
The 44-acre property was purchased by Shryock Brothers developer John Shelton and his wife, Linda, in 2005.
Discussions between Natural Lands Trust and the Sheltons began in August 2007, according to Natural Lands Trust spokesman Oliver Bass.
“We cannot comment on the status or specifics of those discussions,” Bass wrote in an e-mail.
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W. BRANDYWINE RESIDENTS GETTING MORE PARKING SPACE
By Joan Thompson
West Brandywine Township board of supervisors voted to approve an amendment to the land development and subdivision portion of local law. This new law will affect future development throughout the township. Supervisor Tom McCaffrey explained these changes plugged holes in the township ordinances.One of the changes will increase parking spaces per residence from two to four spaces per home. The township has no on-street parking and most residences have 2 parking spaces that may at least include a one-car garage and 1 space in the driveway. The township wants to have each household be able to have guests and still be able to accommodate them within their own household's spaces. In addition, there will be no duplexes or multi-family housing within the least dense areas within the township.
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