NC 2009 SSc5.1: Site Development—Protect or Restore Habitat

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9 Comments

Nelson Morales Architect Hanson Professional Services Inc. Dec 10 2009

SSC5.1 - Does farm land qualify as a predeveloped site

Does farm land qualify as a predeveloped site for case 2 of the Sustainable Sites Credit 5.1?

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Mara Baum replied Sustainability Coordinator, Anshen + Allen Architects Dec 15 2009

Yes, farmland is considered to be previously developed because it has been altered by direct human activities.

Dan Dokken Dec 22 2009

SS 5.1 - What Qualifies as Farm Land

Does pasture land qualify as altered by direct human activities, i.e. land used by hoof stock?

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Mara Baum replied Sustainability Coordinator, Anshen + Allen Architects Jan 06 2010

Good question. My guess is that pasture land would not be considered farmland, as it is more directly touched by animals than by humans, and in a way that is much closer to a natural condition (packs of non-domesticated animals grazing). However, depending on the intensity of the use I could probably see an argument either way. Has anyone else on this site had relevant experience in this area?

Lauren Glasscock Green Building Consultant KEMA Services, Inc. Feb 01 2010

Grabbing a non-contiguous park

A project I am working on is going to be utilizing an off-site park (it's across the street) for stormwater management. Would it be possible for our project to include this non-contiguous park as part of our LEED Site Boundary to help assist with meeting the requirements of SSc5.1, SSc5.2 and SSc6? What rules surround the inclusion of this park? For instance, would our owner need to maintain it or would it be OK if the City was maintaining this park?

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Jean Marais replied b.i.g. bechtold INGENIEURGESELLSCHAFT MBH Feb 03 2010

SSc5.2 Userguide: "In a campus setting with no local zoning requirements, pen space that is equal to 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, landscapes, and other nonbuilding facilities are not included in the building footprint. can be considered separate from the project site, as long as the open space is preserved for the life of the building."

This clause suggests that something like what you suggest is sometimes workable. Step 1 would be to check for previous 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 rulings to support what you'd like to do. Step 2 would be to clearly define and submit your own CIR.

For SSc5, my gut feeling is probably not, unless the owner has direct influence / control on developement (or non developement) on the park grounds and could insure non-developement on the park grounds for the life of the proposed building (65 years?).

As for SSc6, since this kind of run-off would have to be allowed by the owner of the park and some sort of aggreement drawn up between park and building owner AND you somehow channel your site run-off ACROSS the road for infiltration on park grounds, then it would probably fly. The implications of executing such a plan probably won't.

Lauren Glasscock replied Green Building Consultant, KEMA Services, Inc. Feb 03 2010

Thanks Jean!

Nanik Mathieu Daswani Feb 23 2010

Documentation to be provided at the Construction phase

Hello,

I wonder if somebody could possibly help me.

I know that this is a design-stage credit, which means that the letter template and supporting documentation must be submitted at the design phase. However I was wondering if he USGBC also requires any type of documentation at the post construction phase such as pictures of open space or adapted and non invasive plants etc... ?

Many Thanks,

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Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Feb 23 2010

Maya, this one's actually a construction-phase credit, according to LEED Online 3.

Depending on which compliance path you're taking, you will need to have the contractor sign off on the site disturbance aspect, list native plants you used, etc. (See the Getting It Done tab above for more detail.) Photos are not required, however.

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