Alternative transportation - low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles

Intent

To reduce pollution and land development impacts from automobile use.

Requirements

Option 1: Preferred or discounted parking

Provide preferred parking¹ for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles² for 5% of the total vehicle parking capacity of the site. Providing a discounted parking rate is an acceptable substitute for preferred parking for low-emitting/fuel-efficient vehicles. To establish a meaningful incentive in all potential markets, the parking rate must be discounted at least 20%. The discounted rate must be available to all customers (i.e., not limited to the number of customers equal to 5% of the vehicle parking capacity), publicly posted at the entrance of the parking area and available for a minimum of 2 years.

OR

Option 2: Alternative fuel

Install alternative-fuel fueling stations for 3% of the total vehicle parking capacity of the site. Liquid or gaseous fueling facilities must be separately ventilated or located outdoors.

OR

Option 3: Provide vehicles

Provide low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles for 3% of full-time equivalent (FTE) occupants.

Provide preferred parking for these vehicles.

OR

Option 4: Vehicle sharing program

Provide building occupants access to a low-emitting or fuel-efficient vehicle-sharing program. The following requirements must be met:

• One low-emitting or fuel-efficient vehicle must be provided per 3% of FTE occupants, assuming that 1 shared vehicle can carry eight persons (i.e., 1 vehicle per 267 FTE occupants). For buildings with fewer than 267 FTE occupants, at least 1 low emitting or fuel-efficient vehicle must be provided.
• A vehicle-sharing contract must be provided that has an agreement of at least two years.
• The estimated number of customers served per vehicle must be supported by documentation.
• A narrative explaining the vehicle-sharing program and its administration must be submitted.
• Parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles must be located in the nearest available spaces in the nearest available parking area. Provide a site plan or area map clearly highlighting the walking path from the parking area to the project site and noting the distance.

¹For the purposes of this credit “preferred parking” refers to the parking spots that are closest to the main entrance of the project (exclusive of spaces designated for handicapped persons) or parking passes provided at a discounted price. To establish a meaningful incentive in all potential markets, the parking rate must be discounted at least 20%. The discounted rate must be available to all eligible customers (i.e. not limited to the number of customers equal to 5% of the vehicle parking capacity), publicly posted at the entrance of the parking area, and available for a minimum of 2 years.

²For the purposes of this credit, low-emitting vehicles are defined as vehicles that are classified as Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) by the California Air Resources Board. Fuel-efficient vehicles are defined as vehicles that have achieved a minimum green score of 40 on the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual vehicle rating guide.