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Easier for dense urban sites
This credit addresses two basic issues: density of the surrounding neighborhood and occupant access to everyday services. It encourages use of existing infrastructure and tries to reduce environmental impacts of transportation. It’s easier for projects located in a densely built area or with a host of community services nearby.
This credit is not likely to drive the project location decision, but it does reward projects for locating in developed areas and for choosing infill instead of greenfield sites (you can’t earn the credit on a site that is not previously developedPreviously developed sites are those altered by paving, construction, and/or land use that...
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6 Comments
Development density - project building density
The LEED Reference Guide, in the example calculation for development density, indicates the project building and site must have a 60k sq ft density per acre or more. However, the LEED online form awards points even if the project density on its own is less than 60k. Also, on the first page of the credit in the Reference Guide, under the Requirements section (Option 1) there is no mention that the project in isolation must achieve the 60k density.
We are not clear on this point. Is the project building and site, in isolation, required to meet the minimum density requirement?
Yes both. 60,000 s.f. per acre. Which version of LEED are you using? If the form is indeed incorrect, and that is entirely possible, Use the LOL Feedback button.
Definition of "residential area or neighborhood and more
Our school project is located to plenty of basic services in the "downtown" area of a rural community. But, I'm wondering if there is any specific definition of "residential area or neighborhood." There are several areas within the 1/2 mile radius that have large apartment / condo complexes but not sure if that is defined as a neighborhood?
Also, for a service to count, it's actual front door has to be within a 1/2 mile of the school's front door, is that correct? Can it be any entrance?
Kimberly, a neighborhood could be as simple as a condo building or a cluster of homes.
For your second question, yes, and yes, as long as it's a regular public entrance.
SS-5 / Basic services
The Guide list of specific basic services cites Medical OR Dental office. Should this be interpreted that Dental can't be counted as a separate service from Medical? They're always separate services in our region.
If a Beauty Salon or other service is located within an indoor shopping mall, could the 1/2 mile distance be taken from a mall entrance, or must it extend to the actual store entrance?
Would 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 be required to receive approval of a proposed basic service that's not on this list?
I can speak to your last question about the 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 by referring you to this thread in the NC SSc2 forum, which I think sums things up well.
My gut would be that you cannot count both medical and dental, and that you would have to go to the store entrance, but I'd love to hear from others with more experience.
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