Let me share a little more about our experience with the Chicago Green Homes Program and Green Permit process.
I described the Chicago Green Homes Program (CGHP) in a post last September. I explained the point system and how it is tied to a one-, two- or three-star tier and talked about the Green Permit Menu Items.
Participation in the CGHP paves the way for the Green Permit process, which saves us on permit fees and shortens the review time. In fact, participation in the CGHP is a prerequisite for a Green Permit.
Here are the steps we took to enroll in the CGHP:
1) CGHP forms and guide
The CGHP webpage was my first stop. I downloaded the various forms listed at the bottom of the page, such as the application agreement, enrollment form, checklist and CGHP guide. The forms made for good bedtime reading.
2) Registering for the Enrollment Review Session
The city requires a CGHP applicant to attend an “Enrollment Review Session.” Any first time applicant must attend an Enrollment Review Session. At the time (i.e. last summer), review sessions were offered every second week at 12:30 pm on Thursdays.
All it takes to register for the Enrollment Review Session is to complete the
- application agreement,
- enrollment form and
- a preliminary checklist,
and then e-mail the three documents to CGHP (the e-mail is listed on their webpage). I did not need to have design, engineering or construction plans for the project – not at this time.
3) Participating in the Enrollment Review Session
Someone at CGHP responded the same day, acknowledging the receipt of my e-mail and forwarded me the date for the next Enrollment Review Sessions.
The session itself was very straightforward and lasted for only about 1 ½ hours. The CGHP and Department of Building (DOB) staff walked us through a PowerPoint presentation that summarized the various menu items and points from the CGHP guide. The more interesting and informative part was about the enrollment, permitting and certification process.
With my name and my signature on the review session attendee list, I was formally registered with the CGHP – but not yet enrolled.
4) Project design and engineering
To take the next step, I needed to have the design and engineering for the project complete. CGHP and the DOB require a complete permitting plan set for review. Any licensed design professional working in Chicago will know what items, information and details should be included.
If you would like to read up on what information is required you can check out the Standard Plan Review – Project Submittal Checklist.
5) Updated checklist
I also have to update my checklist. The important thing here is that the updated checklist actually corresponds with the plan set. In other words, all the points from the checklist must be documented and shown on the plans, sections and details.
The updated checklist is rather different from the first one. I only went for the points absolutely necessary to get us to the two star level (above 250 points) and qualify us for the green permit. This does not mean that we have given up on other points that we originally considered.
Documenting all 440 points from the original checklist in the plans would have been complex and thus costly. We’d rather invest that money in more insulation or better windows.
6) CGHP enrollment submittal
Once the plan set and checklist are ready, I can submit them to CGHP for review. My first submittal wasn’t too successful, because I did not complete the “Applicant Comments” section on the checklist.
I learned that I should include reference notes that point the reviewer to the corresponding plan sheet or details, facilitating the review process. Makes sense, doesn’t it?
Because I had my plan set in PDF format, I was able to submit it via email, along with the checklist.
7) CGHP enrollment
CGH took one week to review my submittal, i.e. scrutinizing my checklist against the plan set. I was happy to learn that I had my ducks in a row, because I receive an e-mail confirming my enrollment in the Chicago Green Homes Program! Hurray!
The entire package (plans and checklist) was passed on to DOB to initiate the Green Permit process. And that process deserves its own blog entry. Stay tuned!