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- Rating System CS 2009Core & Shell
- Rating System SSSustainable Sites
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Rating System
SSc5.1Site Development—Protect or Restore Habitat
- SSp1Construction Activity Pollution Prevention
- SSc1Site Selection
- SSc2Development Density and Community Connectivity
- SSc3Brownfield Redevelopment
- SSc4.1Alternative Transportation—Public Transportation Access
- SSc4.2Alternative Transportation—Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms
- SSc4.3Alternative Transportation—Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
- SSc4.4Alternative Transportation—Parking Capacity
- SSc5.1Site Development—Protect or Restore Habitat
- SSc5.2Site Development—Maximize Open Space
- SSc6.1Stormwater Design—Quantity Control
- SSc6.2Stormwater Design—Quality Control
- SSc7.1Heat Island Effect—Nonroof
- SSc7.2Heat Island Effect—Roof
- SSc8Light Pollution Reduction
- SSc9Tenant Design and Construction Guidelines
CS 2009 SSc5.1: Site Development—Protect or Restore Habitat
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35 Comments
Building Footprint - Parking Garages
Dears,
In our recent projects we are having some doubts about the “Building Footprint” definition. These doubts have appeared in relation with the exclusion of some types of spaces of the Building footprint . Below the “Building Footprint” definition, presented in LEED On line.
“Building footprint is the area on a project site used by the building structure, defined by the perimeter of the building plan. Parking lots, parking garages, landscapes, and other nonbuilding facilities are not included in the building footprint."
Considering the text above, we have some questions about the exclusion of the parking garages and parking lots of the Building footprint, we are concerned if this exclusion is applied for all situations. So we have two scenarios in which we would like to know if we should exclude or not the parking garages area from the building footprint:
1. Case: When the garage is connected to the building and placed by its side.
2. Case: when the garage is under the building and it has a larger projection.
3. Case: When the garage is not connected to the building but placed inside the leed boundary.
Best regards,
Building Footprint
Hi all,
I have doubts about the definition of nonbuilding facilities (when it said ‘Parking lots, landscapes, and other nonbuilding facilities are not included in the building footprint’).
My project has an overhang area with ~ 5500 ft², the problem is that in some parts exists vegetation under this structure. May I count this structure as part of the building footprint? And that vegetation, can I count it to SSc5.1 and SSc5.2?
When defining the building footprintBuilding footprint is the area on a project site used by the building structure, defined by the perimeter of the building plan. Parking lots, parking garages, landscapes, and other nonbuilding facilities are not included in the building footprint. it can be difficult to distinguish between "inside" and "outside" in some climate regions when there are transitional spaces that are open to the outside but partially enclosed.
The project team will need to decide on where to draw that boundary and be able to explain it if questioned by a reviewer. Without knowing more about the space under your overhang it is difficult to say for sure, but it sounds like it would be considered "hardscape" area that would be outside the building footprint. If so, that hardscape could count toward SSc5.2. If you are earning SSc2, pedestrian oriented hardscape can be counted toward SSc5.2, but if not then only the landscaped area would be counted.
Since the SSc5.1 credit is earned by creating habitat, and not just ornamental plantings, turf grass and plants in containers don't qualify to be included. It might be possible for plantings under a canopy to be considered "habitat" if they are native and adaptive plants, and are large enough area - you may have to make a good case that they should be included.
Permeable pedestrian sidewalk
Would anyone inform if permeable pedestrian sidewalk on the ground, recharging groundwater, may be counted towards the achievement of the restored área and ecollogic site feature?
Tks
Marcio, sidewalk space, even if it's permeable, doesn't contribute to habitat onsite and so doesn't help with this credit. If you are also earning SSc2, it might help you with SSc5.2 however.
See the bird's eye view tab above for an explanation on how these two credits fundamentally differ.
OK, Thank you Tristan!
Open Space and LEED Project Boundary
If there are city/state/federal restrictions on development such that development in certain areas is prohibited by law, can I include those areas in the LEED project boundary? I have a project where we have purchased a large parcel that includes some areas that are zoned for conservation, and we're obviously not disturbing those and they are covered with natural vegatation. Are we allowed to include the whole lot as part of the LEED project boundary to achieve the point?
Sara, I believe the key document for shedding light on your question is the MPR Supplemental Guidance doc from USGBC. This includes discussion of gerrymandering and how to avoid it. I don't think your situation is really anticipated there, however, since it focuses more on preventing unreasonable exclusions.
I would say that if the land is reasonably associated with the project building in some way (and ownership is clearly one component of that) then you are justified in including it.
Bldg Footprint_Cooling Tower & Generator
We have a cooling tower and emergency generator adjacent to our building that is on a concrete pad and surrounded by a screen enclosure. Should this area count as part of the building footprintBuilding footprint is the area on a project site used by the building structure, defined by the perimeter of the building plan. Parking lots, parking garages, landscapes, and other nonbuilding facilities are not included in the building footprint.?
I think these can be excluded from the building footprintBuilding footprint is the area on a project site used by the building structure, defined by the perimeter of the building plan. Parking lots, parking garages, landscapes, and other nonbuilding facilities are not included in the building footprint..
Building footprint
Our project is an office tower connected to a large 4 level car park with a public plaza on top and retail at the perimeter on ground level. I understand the exclusion of surface parking from the building footprintBuilding footprint is the area on a project site used by the building structure, defined by the perimeter of the building plan. Parking lots, parking garages, landscapes, and other nonbuilding facilities are not included in the building footprint., but what do you think about structured parking such as this?
Thanks
Is the parking structure part of your scope? If so, it sounds like this should be included as part of the building footprintBuilding footprint is the area on a project site used by the building structure, defined by the perimeter of the building plan. Parking lots, parking garages, landscapes, and other nonbuilding facilities are not included in the building footprint.. If this is beyond your scope (and not part of the LEED boundary), I think this can be excluded.
Tunnels counted in building footprint?
Our project has a tunnel that is totally below grade. Our initial thought is to exclude the tunnel from the building footprintBuilding footprint is the area on a project site used by the building structure, defined by the perimeter of the building plan. Parking lots, parking garages, landscapes, and other nonbuilding facilities are not included in the building footprint., as that does not get counted in the site open area calculations. Does anyone have any experience with this?
thanks,
I would agree and exclude it from the footprint. Especially since things like parking lots are exclued. It seems more liek a site feature.
Building footprint
Hi all,
I have read your definition of building footprintBuilding footprint is the area on a project site used by the building structure, defined by the perimeter of the building plan. Parking lots, parking garages, landscapes, and other nonbuilding facilities are not included in the building footprint. (Building footprint is the area on a project site used by the building structure, defined by the perimeter of the building plan. Parking lots, landscapes, and other nonbuilding facilities are not included in the building footprint) but I have some questions.
My proyect is composed by 3 buildings. The buildings are not jointed at ground floor but they are at first floor. My doubt is if the building footprint should include the projection of the first floor or if the building footprint is defined just by the walls of the ground floor.
Thanks a lot!
There is some room for interpretation, in my opinion. Given that, in this case, the buildings connect so close to the ground I would probably be inclined to include the projections in the footprint. If it's more like the Petronas Towers, I might not.
Potted plants
The project we are working on is achieving SSc2. Green roof will be installed on portion of the roof and the green area on the ground cannot be extended. Can using plans in huge pots located between the parking spots contribute to the compliance with SSc5.1 and SSc5.2 under LEED CS 2009?
They could theoretically count toward SSc5.2, due to the provision that says that for projects earning SSc2, green roofs and pedestrian-oriented hardscape can qualify. However, in practice, a parking lot with potted plants doesn't sound to me like "pedestrian-oriented hardscape."
Relative to SSc5.1, this area definitely would not count, since the focus is more on plant and wildlife habitat. Make sense?
Indoor vegetation.
Can indoor vegetation be counted as green area so we can comply with SSC5.1 under the RESTORE path?
How would you define something that "promotes" biodiversity?
Thank you.
David think about it—does your indoor vegetation provide animal habitat and promote biodiversity (not just plants, but the whole community of life)? Probably not!
We were thinking the same about it, just wanted to double check it, thanks again.
Tristan,
Our project will implement a lot of green areas outside our leed project boundary. I remember green areas outside the boundary but are maintained by the owner or the LEED building's administration can be counted for compliance with this credit requirement when 2 sqft of outside land is counted as one inside the LEED Boundary.
Please, correct me if I am wrong.
David, there is a provision for offsite conservation, but it is more complicated. See the credit language above.
You may also want to review the MPR supplemental guidance, which may help.
I just checked the credit language and visited the EPA Site, our project is located outside the US (it is in Panamá City, in the country of Panama), so my first question will be:
1. How would someone define what Level III ecoregion the project is if it is outside the US.
Our idea to achieve this credit is the following:
Our site has multiple buildings so it will be built by phases, and our 1st phase (the only one being now built) will apply for LEED-CS certification. Phase 1 and 2 will have adjacents greenrofs.
Our idea is to use the phase 2 greenroof to comply with SSC5.1, the situation here is that phase 2 greenroof will be built about a year after phase 1.
We just checked the MPR guidance number 3 (must use a reasonable site boundary) and it provides some information about buildings built by phases when all phases are applying for LEED certification so it does not provide clear enough information about our situation.
Since phase 2 greenroof will be adjacent to phase 1 we think we can use this area to comply with phase 1 credit requirements. So our question number 2 is:
2. What do you think about using phase 2 greenroof to comply with phase 1 certification requirements?
Thanks Tristan.
Vertical Greening
How does vertical greening (e.g. green roof) contribute to vegetated spaces requirement for credit SS 5.1 and 5.2 under LEED CS 2009?
I don't think a green roof will be consider vertical. If by vertical you mean something like a green wall LEED does not allow you to consider that one as a green area so it w ill be excluded from any type of calculation and credit regarding vegetation (please someone correct me if I am wrong).
If you only mean greenroofs then they can be considered as green area so you can use it to comply with SSC5.1 only under the path restoring the site (if it has local and adapted vegetationAdapted (or introduced) plants reliably grow well in a given habitat with minimal winter protection, pest control, fertilization, or irrigation once their root systems are established. Adapted plants are considered low maintenance and not invasive.) and you can also use it to comply with SSC5.2 under any kind of path. But remember, you can only comply with those two using a green roof not only if it has local and/or adapted vegetation but also if you are achieving SSC2 and your project is located in an urban area.
Restored Areas
I´m reviewing a project which is a case 2 (Previously DevelopedPreviously developed sites are those altered by paving, construction, and/or land use that would typically have required regulatory permitting to have been initiated (alterations may exist now or in the past). Previously developed land includes a platted lot on which a building was constructed if the lot is no more than 1 acre; previous development on lots larger than 1 acre is defined as the development footprint and land alterations associated with the footprint. Land that is not previously developed and altered landscapes resulting from current or historical clearing or filling, agricultural or forestry use, or preserved natural area use are considered undeveloped land. The date of previous development permit issuance constitutes the date of previous development, but permit issuance in itself does not constitute previous development."). It complies with SS C.2 and will several have roof gardens. It´s also planning to have some vertical vegetation (ej. vegetated walls, or vegetated sculptures). I would like to know if the area of vertical surfaces with native vegetationPlants indigenous to a locality (native) and adapted to the local climate; they require limited irrigation following planting, do not require active maintenance such as mowing, and provide habitat value. can count towards the achievement of this credit. Does somebody know?
I don't think this would normally be approvedl. You would have to make a strong case that it should be considered equivalent, or at a fractional value of, regular open space.
Keep in mind that the intent of this credit is to provide plant
and animal habitat and promote biodiversity.
Does the vertical vegetation do that?
I remember asking the same question to the GBCI, the answer was that per CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide green walls are not considered green areas that count to any LEED credit so they cannot be used to comply with anything.
I would double the CIR database regarding greenwalls.
Restored Areas
Reference Guide - SS Credit 5.1
For case 2 of credit - Previously DevelopedPreviously developed sites are those altered by paving, construction, and/or land use that would typically have required regulatory permitting to have been initiated (alterations may exist now or in the past). Previously developed land includes a platted lot on which a building was constructed if the lot is no more than 1 acre; previous development on lots larger than 1 acre is defined as the development footprint and land alterations associated with the footprint. Land that is not previously developed and altered landscapes resulting from current or historical clearing or filling, agricultural or forestry use, or preserved natural area use are considered undeveloped land. The date of previous development permit issuance constitutes the date of previous development, but permit issuance in itself does not constitute previous development."
I wonder what the percentage should reach?
If it is 50% of the site (excluding building footprintBuilding footprint is the area on a project site used by the building structure, defined by the perimeter of the building plan. Parking lots, parking garages, landscapes, and other nonbuilding facilities are not included in the building footprint.), or 20% of the site?
Or do I calculate the two equations and choose the result is greater?
Thanks
Yes, calculate both and choose the greater of the two.
Restored Areas
I'm having some doubts in the calculation of areas for achievement of this credit.
My new development (Residential Building) fits into this credit option 2 - Previously DevelopedPreviously developed sites are those altered by paving, construction, and/or land use that would typically have required regulatory permitting to have been initiated (alterations may exist now or in the past). Previously developed land includes a platted lot on which a building was constructed if the lot is no more than 1 acre; previous development on lots larger than 1 acre is defined as the development footprint and land alterations associated with the footprint. Land that is not previously developed and altered landscapes resulting from current or historical clearing or filling, agricultural or forestry use, or preserved natural area use are considered undeveloped land. The date of previous development permit issuance constitutes the date of previous development, but permit issuance in itself does not constitute previous development.". Well, this venture will make the restoration of green areas. And around these green areas will have many sidewalks and small artificial lakes. My question is if the sidewalks and the small lakes can be considered as the restored area.
Thanks.
The sidewalks wouldn't count. The lakes would only count if they can be considered supporting native habitat. Note that SSc5.1 is specifically about habitat. SSc5.2 is a little broader—it looks at open space more generally. Consider these spaces under that credit.
Buildings to be built in stages
For this credit and 5.2 Maximize Open Space.
If I have a site in which 3 buildings are going to be built in three different stages and only the first one will be built at the moment and will be the only one pursuing certification. Should I take into account the overall site area or just the part of the site intended for the first building only. Certification will be under CS 2.0. The question is if I can take advantage of the extra open space I would have by taking into account the others undeveloped sites of the remaining buildings.
If you count that open space now with this buildng, you can't count it again with the future builldings for the purpose of SSc5 compliance. Ideally you could divide the space up evenly so that each building is able to comply, or if that is not possible, divide so that at least one or two complies.
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