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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
Extra point?
Is this extra point for anyone or only areas where it is a regional priority credit?
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Feb 19 2010
Grant, the Exemplary PerformanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements. point available through IDc1 is available to all projects. Note that you have to go above and beyond the basic credit requirements to earn this point.
Regional priority points available through RPc1 are available only in areas where it is identified as regionally significant. In these areas, it would be automatically earned once the credit itself was earned. (You don't have to go above and beyond.)
Private Balconies
Hi all,
We are performing a LEED 2009 NC assessment for a 42-story high rise residential building. Each apartment has several balconies. Can we consider all these private balconies to be "open space" when satisfying LEED 2009 SS Cr 5.2 - Site Development - Maximize Open Space ?
Many thanks.
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC May 05 2010
What would the logic for counting them as open space? In general, the credit language calls for "vegetated open space." If you are also earning SSc2, then that requirement broadens to include vegetated roofs or pedestrian-oriented hardscape. Private balconies don't seem to qualify under any of these descriptions.
Mike Kros replied Architect, DLR Group Jul 30 2010
We are doing a project that deals with a private balcony as well. Would the area underneath the balcony (at street level) count as pedestrian oriented hardscape if we are earning SSc2?
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Aug 03 2010
I don't see why not, if it's in your LEED boundary. Some of the open space must be vegetated, per the requirements described in the tabs above.
Vegetated Open Space in the Desert
The majority of open space on our project site (located in southwestern AZ) consists of a groundcover of native crushed rock and river cobble. Parking islands, bioswales and small planting beds will include native desert plant material. Will the area covered in crushed rock count as vegetated open space? (And will these areas also qualify for SSc5.1?)
Shannon Gray replied Consultant, YRG sustainability Jun 11 2010
That is tough question. The intent of the credit is to provide vegetated open space that promotes biodiversity. I have a feeling that crushed rock (native or not) won’t count. You could try a 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 arguing for biodiversity in the arid southwest. However, past project have not been successful arguing for biodiversity with 10+ different types of sedums. I think you are in the same situation for SSc5.1…but worth a CIR.
open space requirement
in a 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 dated 11.9.2001 asking for a definition of open space, the USGBC ruled " Determining the Local Zoning Open Space requirement can be difficult. Jurisdictions may or may not include hardscape in their definition of open space for example." does that mean you have to find a similar 'vegetated open space' requirement in the zoning ordinance? in the ordinance i'm looking at, there is no 'open space' requirement - there is a building 'max lot coverage' of 50% implying that at least 50% of the lot must be ‘open space’ - but open space is defined as simply any area not covered by a roof – including the parking area. it also has a 'landscaped area requirement' of 5% of the off-street parking area... i'm thinking that i should use that landscape requirement as it is more in line with the LEED language.
any thoughts?
David Posada replied Sustainability Manager, GBD Architects Aug 19 2010
To clarify your question, are you asking if one or the other of two scenarios would comply with SSc5.2 Case 1:
1. Assume the "open space requirement" is based on max lot coverage, which is 50% of the site. If the site is, say, 10,000 sf, then to meet the credit you'd provide 6,250 sf of vegetated open space, since that's 125% of 5,000.
2. Assume the "open space requirement" is based on the landscape requirement, which could be 5% of the non-building area. Technically, your landscape requirement may only be 5% of the parking area, not non-building area, but I'm assuming that 50% of the site could be parking lot. So for the 10,000 sf lot with a 5,000 sf 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. and 5,000 sf of possible parking lot, the landscape zoning requirement would be 250 sf. 125% of that would be 312.5 sf.
Pretty different results, eh? Since "open space" is typically defined as space that is to be vegetated, natural, landscaped, undeveloped, etc, I'd be inclined to go with the second interpretation, which sounds like what you're thinking, too.
matthew vansweden replied Aug 19 2010
thanks for your reply david.
i'm simply frustrated with the lack of consistent language used here. the reference guide says 'open space' and means 'vegetated open space' while every ordinance i have ever read defines open space as any area not covered by a roof, which includes hardscapes. i've been asking my peers and they all agree that in my case, i should use the 'landscape requirement' in the ordinance [which is your scenario no.2].
so yes, i'm asking if scenario no.2 would meet the definition of 'open space' in SSc5.2.
David Posada replied Sustainability Manager, GBD Architects Aug 20 2010
Yes, I'd agree with your interpretation to go with scenario 2.
Not sure if it helps, but your frustrations are common. I've found that expecting a certain amount of ambiguity and confusion may lessen the aggravation. Most don't expect this when they sign on, but maybe part of the "L" in LEED is being willing to deal with some growing pains and a bit of chaos from being out front.
matthew vansweden replied Aug 20 2010
i'll roll with it. thanks for your input.
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