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Credit language straight from USGBC
Need to check up on the exact LEED credit language from the LEED Rating System on the fly? LEEDuser includes the verbatim language. Members get:
- Easy access to the official LEED credit language with just a couple of clicks.
- On the jobsite without your bulky LEED Reference Guide? Check up on the credit language details here.
- Credit language content is used by permission of the U.S. Green Building Council.
13 Comments
greenfield
Is the site which was an agricultural area in the past (now is green out-of-use field) "greenfield" or not?
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC May 05 2010
We recently had some discussion about this over on the SSc5.1 forum. According to that discussion, which I think makes sense, fields that have been graded and tilled would be considered "previously developed" since they are altered by human activity.
For SSc1, remember to also check whether the land is considered "prime farmland."
Armen Khachikyan replied May 05 2010
Thank you!
Within 100ft of Wetland
If a project includes a wetland withitn the LEED boundary, but does not impact the site with any hardscapes within the 100ft limit, can the project apply for this credit?
Allison Beer McKenzie replied Architect/Director of Sustainability, SHP Leading Design Jul 12 2010
Summer- absolutely! They are primarily concerned with creating that 100 ft buffer, so as long as you do not develop within 100 ft (and meet the other credit requirements of course!) you can definitely achieve the credit.
SS CRedit 1: Site Selection
Are there any exceptions to the Prime Farmland requiremnts? We're building a new building on a site within city limits where an existing building was built in 1954. The site is considered prime farmland by the USDA but is there any way around that when it's been previously developed?
thanks,
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Jul 29 2010
With the floodplain and wetland requirements there are exceptions for previously developed sites, but there is not an exception for farmland in the credit language. I don't see a way the project could earn SSc1.
Gayle Borst replied President / CEO, Stewardship, Inc. Sep 02 2010
We have had a couple of sites that were shown as prime farmland by the USDA's Web Soil Survey but were surrounded by development. I contacted my local USDA representative and asked for an evaluation for possible exemption. In both cases we were granted an exemption due to the low probability that the land could be usable for agricultural purposes. You may need to make arrangements for your local USDA representative to visit the site, but often times they can make a determination without a visit.
That said, it is sort of sad that just because a tract of prime soils is small and surrounded by development that we should "give up hope" of it being farmed.
100-year floodplain
Dear all,
I have a question regarding the definition on the elevation of a previously undeveloped land.
As stated in the reference guide, "Previously undeveloped land whose elevation is lower than 5 feet above the elevation of the 100-year flood as defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) "
The elevation for the previously undeveloped land is considering the ground zero elevation? or the building's first floor elevation?? I currently have a project that the ground zero elevation is around 4'6 above the 100-year flood plain, and the first floor elevation more than 5' above the 100-year flood plain. I need some help to clarify the definition.
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Aug 29 2010
The elevation would be considered "at grade," i.e. the site elevation, not the building. (Since the credit is about "site selection," not building design.)
In this case, I think you could meet the requirement by adding 6 inches of fill.
Johnny Chen replied President, Enertek Sustainable Design & Technology Sep 01 2010
Thanks for your response. It's very helpful!
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Sep 01 2010
Hold on, I need to retract part of what I said.
If the site is previously undeveloped, I don't think you can just add fill to meet the requirement. You may want to do that anyway to get above the floodplain, but I don't think you could earn SSc1. Sorry for my confusion.
Johnny Chen replied President, Enertek Sustainable Design & Technology Sep 01 2010
For this project, it's nearly impossible to add fill at this stage, I'd probably just give up this credit, and focusing on earning more points from other credits. Thanks!
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