City Of Parkland Is Going Green

By Nicol Jenkins
Editor

Solar powered lighting, paperless agendas, and energy efficient cars.
The City of Parkland is going green and that could mean solar-powered outdoor lighting for all city businesses.
It could also mean more green for residents, who may have to pay an energy conscious fee.
Vice Mayor Jared Moskowitz proposed at a recent City Commission meeting a possible $5 fee for Parkland residents for some of the city’s green initiatives.

“The Vice Mayor discussed the imposition of a $5 fee for carbon foot print, a fee to compensate for Parkland residents use of carbon,” according to City Manager Caryn Gardner-Young. “The City Commission wanted to take the lead to implement these [green] policies. The Carbon foot print fee has not been approved.”

Parkland Mayor Michael Udine added that the City Attorney is reviewing the fee prior to the City Commission voting.
Parkland has approved many green initiatives including: paperless City Commission agendas, environmentally friendly cleaning products, recycling cans, and paper and ink cartridges. Furthermore, the Commission has approved buying flex fuel cars so they can run on ethanol, implementing additional recycling products to be picked up by Waste Management, and replacing light bulbs with environmentally friendly and cost efficient ones. The city has also included green items in its proposed eastern fire station/public works facility including solar power, and has purchased playground equipment that is made of recyclable materials. 

“The city has implemented an energy incentive program for the residents to receive an incentive in implementing green friendly programs or buying green friendly products,” said Gardner-Young.

Parkland eventually wants all city businesses to use solar-powered outdoor lighting. The City Commission has imposed a 180-day zoning in progress prohibition regarding signage and signage lighting. The purpose is for the city to consider regulations to require all illuminated signage to be 100 percent solar powered. No approval for illuminated signage will be granted during this time period, said city officials.