Schools 2009 SSc9: Site Master Plan

  • 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.

Member Sign In

Forgotten your password?

7 Comments

Erik Bergstrom Green Building Associate Dec 07 2009

Site Master Plan - Recalculations

According to our review team for a Schools project, we are required to provide documentation for each selected Master Plan credit. For example, for stormwater, they are asking us complete two separate calculations and upload a copy of the revised templates and plans under SSc9. This seems rediculous since we completed the stormwater plan based on the Master Plan design which is a "worst-case scenario". Given the added development footprintThe development footprint is the area affected by development or by project site activity. Hardscape, access roads, parking lots, nonbuilding facilities, and the building itself are all included in the development footprint., this clearly meets the requirements for the current phase of development as well as future development. The Reviewer is asking that we create an additional plan representing stormwater management for current plan only, which is essentially only extra work for the civil engineer. Has anyone else had this issue? We were under the impression that "recalculated" meant "revised" or "redone" for the Master Plan, not as in completing two separate submittals - esentially just a waste of everyone's time.

Post a Reply

Shannon Gray replied Consultant, YRG sustainability Dec 07 2009

I may need a little bit more clarification on your question, however I will try to answer it. In our experience you will need to provide two calculations; one for SSc6.1 (or 6.2) and one again for SSc9. The calculations for SSc6.1 will include pre-development and post-development (what is actually being designed for - not the master plan) rate and quantity calcs. Then for SSc9, you will use the same pre-development calculations but different post-development calcs that deal with the site master plan. A few questions for you: What did you submit for the stormwater credit? This generally includes stormwater calcs for the current plan. Also, if you meet any of the other seven potential credits, you may want to consider providing that information too...we generally recommend that project try to avoid recalcs for the stormwater credits as they are the most complicated.

Erik Bergstrom Green Building Associate Dec 09 2009

What you are saying is indeed

What you are saying is indeed in line with the comments we received. However, what is the value in completing two calculations when, for stormwater, the Master Plan is a worst case scenario, and that is basis you're using to size the system as you're building it now. For example, if your retention ponds are sized for the full development, what is the value of completely re-doing the calcs for the current phase when the runoff quantity and rate are necessarily going to be lower?

Post a Reply

Shannon Gray replied Consultant, YRG sustainability Dec 11 2009

I don't see much value in run the calcs either but unfortunately, those are the requirements and there is not much you can do to get around them. You could consider writing 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 but it would probably be a month before you receive a response.

Erik Bergstrom Green Building Associate Dec 09 2009

Master Plan:Open Space

GIven that the requirement for Open Space is that it is to be "dedicated" over the life of the building, I'm having trouble deciding which plan (current, or master) to use for the SSc5.2 section. Under SSc9 we are required to show open space on a master plan basis, which includes additional building etc. on areas we would have originally counted as open space without master planning. Now that we have done master planning, those spaced are no longer "dedicated" open space. Shouldn't we use the master plan 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. for the calculation of SSc5,2 now that we know of this potential future development? This would result in open space quantites for SSc5.2 and SSc9 to be the same.

Post a Reply
peter doo Jan 04 2010

What constitutes a "Master Plan"?

Our project is essentially a build out of a school site. There is no capacity for new buildings however, we are showing the potential for small future classroom additions (4 classrooms). Will these small additions allow us to claim that we have a "master plan"?

Post a Reply

Shannon Gray replied Consultant, YRG sustainability Jan 04 2010

The rating system does not set a limit as to how much "change" is necessary for a site to have a master plan. It seems as if the addition of four classrooms would be adequate to claim a master plan, as long as all of the other requirements of the credit are met. We are planning on pursuing this credit for a school in a similar situation where there will be a small addition and changes to the site hardscape.

Copyright 2010 – BuildingGreen, LLC