Rating System

LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.0

Inquiry

As a LEED-CI registered project, we are pursuing Sustainable Sites Credit 3.3, Parking Availability. Since our tenancy occupies less than 75% of the building area, the project falls into Case A. The parking spaces provided to the tenancy (30 + 2 barrier-free) is much lower than minimum zoning, as the building is in a large urban area with proximity to various modes of mass transit. This question relates to the second criterion required for credit, specifically I am not sure how many priority carpool parking spots are required for this project to comply. The building is a courthouse with 80 full-time staff and 18 judges. The number of FTE visitors has been estimated at 142 for the purposes of water reduction calculations (most of which stay for less than 3 hours). None of the 32 parking spots are available to these visitors. The Rating System and Reference Guide state that this criterion applies to "tenant occupants" with regard to reducing pollution and land development impacts from single occupant vehicles use. My interpretation of the intent and situation would have me apply the 5% requirement to the 98 tenant occupants, thus requiring 3 carpooling preferred spots. Since none of the visitors are provided access to parking within the building, and most take public transit, it would be logical to apply this requirement only to those who habitually occupy the building and may have access to parking. Is this correct?