Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED BD+C: Schools, LEED BD+C: Schools, LEED BD+C: Core and Shell

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.2, v3 - LEED 2009, v2 - Schools 2007, v3 - LEED 2009, v3 - LEED 2009

Inquiry

This CIR is requesting clarification for sites located in dense urban areas that are pursuing both SS Credit 5.2 and SS Credit 2. To clear up any confusion, this references the three bulleted points under the Credit 5.2 requirements heading "ALL OPTIONS" The site is 1.7 acres located in an area with a zoning ordinance that has no requirement for open space. Using the first bullet, we include our large vegetated roof areas in the credit calculations which results in 35% open space. Under the second bullet, we also include the hardscape sidewalk area surrounding the building, as it is pedestrian oriented, giving us an additional 15% of open space. When both of these areas are included in the calculations, the resulting open space is 50% of the total site area. We would like to apply for an innovation point, but are unsure what the minimum requirements should be. The 2.2 reference guide states that the required open space must be doubled for an innovation credit, which results in a 40% requirement. Multiple CIRs state that for an innovation credit the next incremental step or doubling is appropriate. However if both the open space and the percentage of vegetated open space required under the second bullet are doubled, the area is quadrupled, ie: Baseline - 25% of 1000sf open space = 250sf vegetated Design - 50% of 2000sf open space = 1000sf vegetated We believe for the purpose of pursuing an innovation point, the required percentage of vegetated space should not be doubled. This would mean in a requirement for 40% of the site area as open space with 25% of the resulting area being vegetated, resulting in an overall doubling of the vegetated open space; Proposed - 25% of 2000sf of open space = 500sf vegetated.