Title/Name/Summary
Commercial Façade Improvement Program
Energy Efficiency Module (EEM)
Auto Mall Module (AMM)
History
ATTACHMENTS
Energy Efficiency Module Program Description
Auto Mall Module Program Description
Energy Efficiency and Auto Mall Review Process (flowchart)
PLANNING OVERVIEW
As part of the 2009 ComEd Community Energy Challenge (CEC), ComEd set aside $200,000.00 in business incentives for commercial energy efficiency projects in Orland Park. As part of the CEC, ComEd requested that participating municipalities assist in the delivery of these incentives. The Commercial Façade Improvement Program (CFIP) was determined to be the best existing program that could help Orland Park businesses improve their energy efficiency. By taking advantage of ComEd and Village incentives, Orland Park businesses will save money and improve their overall economic competitiveness.
This is also part of the Village’s efforts outlined in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Municipal Action Plan (ECOMAP).
DISCUSSION
Under normal conditions, the Commercial Façade Improvement Program (CFIP) focuses primarily on façade improvements and restoration (with some foundation and rooftop work) in the Central 143rd Street Commercial District. In order to fit CFIP to the energy efficiency initiatives outlined in ECOMAP and CEC, and to serve a larger area, two program extension modules were created. The first program extension module is the Energy Efficiency Module (EEM) and the second is the Auto Mall Module (AMM). EEM will assist in the disbursement of $100,000.00 in ComEd Smart Ideas for Your Business incentives, while AMM will assist in the disbursement of $50,000.00 in ComEd incentives. The remaining $50,000.00 in ComEd incentives will be used by the Smart Energy Improvement Revolving Loan Program, currently under development using Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds.
Energy Efficiency Module and Auto Mall Module
The Energy Efficiency Module is designed as a one year program extension to CFIP and will expire on May 31, 2010. EEM is voluntary and is open to commercial buildings and properties located east of La Grange Road in the BIZ General Business Districts along Harlem Avenue, 94th Avenue, 151st Street and 159th Street. These areas have the highest energy demand after the La Grange Road corridor, which has the highest overall demand. (The Smart Energy Improvement Revolving Loan Program will handle energy efficiency incentives for the La Grange Road corridor).
The Auto Mall Module is also designed as a one year program extension to CFIP and will also expire on May 31, 2010. AMM is voluntary and open to all automobile dealerships in Orland Park. The automobile dealerships are targeted to provide lighting and other mechanical energy improvements that will help reduce energy costs.
The two programs are attached for a more technical review of what is offered.
Program Details
Property owners and /or tenants of eligible commercial buildings install at least $1,000.00 of energy efficiency improvements qualify to apply for a matching grant from the Village (using Village funds) equal to 20% of the cost of work, up to a maximum $10,000.00 per project, for eligible improvements that receive funding through ComEd’s Smart Ideas for Your Business program incentives. Energy efficiency projects funded through CFIP are required to apply to ComEd’s Smart Ideas for Your Business program incentives, which can further subsidize a project up to an additional 30% (using ComEd funds) depending on the improvements.
The Village will not fund projects that do not obtain ComEd Smart Ideas for Your Business incentives. Part of the 2009 ComEd Community Energy Challenge is to leverage ComEd dollars using municipal and other funds. If the Village does not leverage ComEd incentives, the potential exists for ComEd to pull the allocated amount of incentives for Orland Park businesses and re-allocate the funding elsewhere. By providing a matching share, the Village further subsidizes an already subsidized project by ComEd, potentially providing up to a 50% incentive.
The two program extension modules follow the same rules as the original Commercial Façade Improvement Program with regard to funding. If more applications are received than current funding levels will allow the Village will rank the approved applications on a first-come first-serve basis and reimburse applicants according to that order when funding is available again. This can create a situation where the Village will be paying back EEM and AMM costs over a period of time beyond the May 31, 2010 expiration.
Abbreviated Review Process
Because eligible projects applying to the program extension modules will have already undergone an energy analysis and review by ComEd and been awarded ComEd incentives, the Village’s review is abbreviated. The eligible project will be reviewed for Code compliance to the Land Development Code and Building Code by the Development Services Department and then sent to the Development Services and Planning Committee of Trustees for review and recommendation to the Village Board. Projects denied by the Village will not receive EEM or AMM assistance, but may still receive ComEd assistance. Building permits will still be required prior to improvement implementation.
All project costs will be borne by the applicant with reimbursement of matching funds pending from the Village only after work is completed per the approved plan and all conditions are met as verified by Village inspections and per the Façade Improvement Program Agreement, which is required per CFIP.
ComEd will deliver Smart Ideas for Your Business program incentives to the eligible applicant separately.
On September 28, 2009 the Development Services/Planning Committee moved 3-0 to recommend to the Village Board of Trustees approval of the proposed program extension modules to the Commercial Façade Improvement Program titled “Energy Efficiency Module” and “Auto Mall Module”, prepared by the Development Services Department, dated September 28, 2009.
This is now before the Village Board for consideration.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve the proposed program extension modules to the Commercial Façade Improvement Program titled “Energy Efficiency Module” and “Auto Mall Module”, prepared by the Development Services Department, dated September 28, 2009.