Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.2

Inquiry

The project is a new Public Utility Operations Center, accessible via a public bike path, containing multiple buildings, as well as several smaller structures and vehicle canopies. The team has been using the LEED-NC Application Guide for Multiple Buildings and On-Campus Projects. We intend to certify the entire project and not just an individual building.\n\nAlthough the LEED-NC AGMBC (October 2005) states that the requirements for this credit are applicable to each building in a multiple-building project, there are circumstances for the project which require a unique approach.\n\nThe Utility Operations Center contains a utility yard enclosed by a secure perimeter fence. A main building on the boundary of the utility yard fence serves as the single, primary entrance to all the buildings and users of the project. All employees (281 FTE) & visitors, regardless of final destination at the Center, must enter through this point. They cannot park personal vehicles or bicycles within the utility yard. This is a matter of employee safety, as the secure yard contains large truck traffic and heavy equipment usage.\n\nThe project provides all users with secure bicycle parking, within 200 yards of their building entrance, and showering/changing facilities within 200 yards of their building entrance, with one exception. The vehicle maintenance building (Fleet Building), with an FTE of 11, does not sit within the required distance. The industrial nature of its program requires it to be located in a more remote corner of the site, within the secure utility yard. The users of the Fleet Building will not be permitted, for safety reasons, to park personal vehicles or bicycles adjacent to the Fleet Building and must enter through the primary Operations Center entrance (along with every project user) and utilize the bike parking and showering facilities there. These facilities are sized to accommodate the additional 11 FTE and Fleet Building peak period users.\nThe distance from bike parking to Fleet entrance is 355 yards. The distance from the shower and changing facility to the Fleet building entrance is 236 yards.\n\nWe are requesting a ruling that bicycle parking & showers are not required at the Fleet Building, due to its restricted access. The project still has the potential to meet the intent of the credit by providing ample, conveniently located facilities which encourage bicycle transportation for employees and visitors.\n\nPlease confirm that our solution meets the intent and requirements of this credit.