Page 59 - The Engineering Guide to LEED-New Construction Sustainable Construction for Engineers

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major renovations or additions would not. Each facility should be examined individually
for conformance and intent.
Wetlands are defined by the Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR Parts 230–233 and
Part 22: “Wetlands consist of areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground
water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal
circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated
soil conditions.”
The definition of water body also needs clarification. Per the LEED 2.2 errata posted
by the USGBC in the spring of 2007, small manmade ponds, such as those used in
stormwater retention, fire suppression, and recreation, are excluded, whereas manmade
wetlands and other water bodies created to restore natural habitat and ecological
systems are not exempt.
Glazing on walls that face wetlands and other natural areas may disorient birds.
Designers should include special features into such glazed surfaces to avoid these
problems.

Special Circumstances and Exemplary Performance
There is no EP point available for this credit.

2.2 SS Credit 2: Development Density and Community Connectivity

USGBC Rating System
The intention of this credit is to infill or revitalize urban areas that already have supportive
utility, transportation, and service infrastructure, or to increase services near denser
residential communities close to other supporting services such as would be found in an
urban or dense suburban area. This credit has an EB notation. This credit was worth one
point in LEED 2.2 and is worth five points in LEED 2009. LEED-NC 2.2 lists the Intent,
Requirements, and Potential Technologies and Strategies for this credit as follows, with
noted additions for LEED 2009:
Intent
Channel development to urban areas with existing infrastructure, protect greenfields and
preserve habitat and natural resources.
Requirements
OPTION 1—DEVELOPMENT DENSITY
Construct or renovate building on a previously developed site AND in a community with
a minimum density of 60,000 square feet per acre net. (Note: density calculation must
include the area of the project being built and is based on a typical two-story downtown
development.)
OR
OPTION 2—COMMUNITY CONNECTIVITY
Construct or renovate building on a previously developed site AND within ½ mile of a
residential zone or neighborhood with an average density of 10 units per acre net AND
within ½ mile of at least 10 Basic Services AND with pedestrian access between the building
and the services.
Basic Services include, but are not limited to: 1) Bank; 2) Place of Worship; 3)
Convenience Store; 4) Day Care; 5) Cleaners; 6) Fire Station; 7) Beauty ‘shop’; 8) Hardware; 9)
Laundry; 10) Library; 11) Medical/Dental; 12) Senior Care Facility; 13) Park; 14)
Pharmacy; 15) Post Office; 16) Restaurant; 17) School; 18) Supermarket; 19) Theater; 20)