Page 207 - Solar Power in Building Design The Engineer's Complete Design Resource

LEED 177

by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); lands that are designated
habitats for endangered species; lands within 100 ft of any wetland; or a designated
public parkland.
To meet site selection requirements, it is recommended that the sustainable project
buildings have a reasonably minimal footprint to avoid site disruption. Favorable
design practices must involve underground parking and neighbor-shared facilities.
The point weight granted for this measure is 1.

Development density and community connectivity, credit no. 2 The intent
of this requirement is to preserve and protect green fields and animal habitats by
means of increasing the urban density, which may also have a direct impact on the
reduction of urban traffic and pollution.
A specific measure suggested includes project site selection within the vicinity of
an urban area with high development density.
The point weight granted for this measure is 1.

Brownfield redevelopment, credit no. 3 The main intent of this credit is the
use and development of projects on lands that have environmental contamination. To
undertake development under this category, the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) must provide a sustainable redevelopment remediation requirement permit.
Projects developed under Brownfield redevelopment are usually offered state, local,
and federal tax incentives for site remediation and cleanup.
The point weight granted for each of the four measures is 1.

Alternative transportation, credit no. 4 The principal objective of this meas-
ure is to reduce traffic congestion and minimize air pollution. Measures recommended
1 _
include locating the project site within mile of a commuter train, subway, or bus
2
station; construction of a bicycle stand and shower facilities for 5 percent of building
habitants; and installation of alternative liquid and gas fueling stations on the prem-
ises. An additional prequisite calls for a preferred parking facility for car pools and
vans that serve 5 percent of the building occupants, which encourages transportation
sharing.
The point weight granted for this measure is 1.

Site development, credit no. 5 The intent of this measure is to conserve habi-
tats and promote biodiversity. Under this prerequisite, one point is provided for
limiting earthwork and the destruction of vegetation beyond the project or building
perimeter, 5 ft beyond walkways and roadway curbs, 25 ft beyond previously devel-
oped sites, and restoration of 50 percent of open areas by planting of native trees and
shrubs.
Another point under this section is awarded for 25 percent reduction of a building
footprint by what is allowed by local zoning ordinances.
Design mitigations for meeting the preceding goals involve underground parking
facilities, ride-sharing among habitants, and restoring open spaces by landscape archi-
tecture planning that uses local trees and vegetation.