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If you already have a site plan, this credit is cut-and-dried
Typically, projects have already determined their site plan by the time the team begins considering LEED certification; if this is the case, you either have the credit or you don’t.
If your project location has not yet been determined, you can use the credit requirements as an environmental screening process when choosing your site. If the site is determined but the site plan isn’t set, consider whether the placement of buildings, roads, and other hardscapes on the site will tip you to compliance or non-compliance.
Previously developed or not?
This credit is intended to protect sensitive land as defined in the credit language. It also encourages projects to use previously developed land, by allowing specific exemptions for the criteria on water bodies and...
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7 Comments
Undeveloped land - definition
The 3.5 acre project site is wooded with mature trees. It was developed years ago, but all structures were demolished 40-50 years ago.
Should this site to be considered developed or undeveloped?
Thank you.
There is no time frame in regards to the previous development and your site has previously been altered by direct human activity. So I would define it as 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.".
The intent of the credit is to avoid inappropriate site development. So as long as you meet the other criteria, I think you are following the intent.
I actually had a project on a urban site, which also had new tree development since the previous buildings were destroyed during the 2. World War. The local regulations required as to protect some trees but other than that the site was consider as previously developed.
USGBC has more specifically defined "previously developed" in its Nov. 2011 addenda. This is very helpful in terms of clarifying that some land alteration and human hands, like agriculture, is NOT considered development. Here is the definition:
Previously 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."
Prime Farmland
I have reviewed the websoilsurvey site at nrcs.usda.gov and half of our site boundary includes prime farmland. The half that is in the prime farmland category is also where we have located the detention/wetland for the project. More importantly, it is an in-town site. Any advice on whether this situation is acceptable to meet the SSc1 requirements?
The requirement is that you can't develop hardscape on prime farmland. It sounds like you're not going to do that, although it depends on your stormwater design. Given what you've said so far, I'd say you meet the requirement.
FEMA mapping
We have a school project in Southern California. The FEMA website has a map designation for that area, but it is listed as Zone D (Undetermined risk). Calls to the local county public works dept. confirms the FEMA map for that area as Zone D. Many of the surrounding communities in that area are Zone D, and are not in any real danger of flooding. But this does not meet the credit requirements. What other options have people used to document their project is minimum 5 feet above a FEMA defined flood plain?
Thanks!
This seems like a tough one. Could you check with flood insurance folks to see if they have a sense of things? Though that could lead to a lot of phone calls with no answers. Another thought would be to see if there are areas nearby that have FEMA mapping and compare elevations. But USGBC/GBCI might not accept either of those options.
I would also consider whether it's worth the pursuit of the credit, especially if you don't need the extra point.
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