Written by: Pinecrest

Pinecrest is First Municipality in the County to be STAR Communities Certified

Pinecrest receives 3-STAR Community rating for national leadership in sustainability.

Pinecrest is the first municipality in Miami-Dade County to receive the STAR Communities certification for its participation in the STAR Community Rating System, which evaluates the livability and sustainability of US communities.

Other STAR certified communities in the region include Monroe County, Broward County, West Palm Beach, Lee County, Palm Bay, and St. Petersburg. The prior Village Council initiated the endeavor making Pinecrest the 60th in the nation to receive the certification.

Pinecrest received a score of 241.4, which qualifies it as a 3-STAR Community. The highest rank is 5-STAR (600+ points). Several efforts stood out among community sustainability initiatives which include:

  • A strong commitment to solid waste reduction in the Village’s Comprehensive Plan
  • The Youth Advisory Council, which teaches middle and high school students leadership and decision-making skills for safe and healthy living
  • A robust park system with 79 percent of households within a half-mile walking distance of a public space or park

“The STAR rating process gives cities a roadmap for how they can refine and improve their operations to drive continuous improvement,” said Hilari Varnadore, executive director of STAR Communities. “The Village of Pinecrest should be applauded for its commitment to sustainability, and for the clarity and transparency provided while achieving its goals.”

STAR Communities provides support as localities benchmark progress, and a robust third-party verification process ensures accountability. It is the nation’s leading framework and certification program for evaluating local sustainability, encompassing social, economic and environmental performance measures.

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Last modified: January 4, 2018