USGBC LEED-AP-ND - LEED AP Neighborhood Development (LEED ND)

For achieving Innovation, Option 1: Innovation under LEED-ND, providing an educational program on the environmental and human health benefits of green neighborhoods is the most likely proposal to succeed. This approach aligns with the objectives of LEED's Innovation category, which encourages projects to go beyond the standard criteria by introducing creative strategies that contribute to environmental education and awareness.

Innovation Credit Purpose:The Innovation credit under LEED-ND is designed to recognize and reward projects that implement exceptional sustainability strategies or performance that exceed the existing LEED requirements. These innovative strategies should contribute meaningfully to environmental stewardship, social equity, or public education.

Educational Program Justification:An educational program focused on the environmental and human health benefits of green neighborhoods directly supports the goals of LEED by increasing awareness and understanding of sustainability practices among the community. Such programs can lead to broader adoption of green practices and foster a culture of sustainability within the neighborhood.

Impact on Project and Community:Educational initiatives that inform residents, businesses, and stakeholders about the benefits of sustainable living can have a lasting impact on the community, encouraging long-term behavioral changes that support environmental objectives. This aligns with LEED’s broader goals of promoting sustainability not just within the project but also within the surrounding community.

The LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development explains the criteria for Innovation credits and provides examples of successful strategies.

TheLEED v4 Neighborhood Developmentdocumentation offers guidance on how to structure and document innovation proposals to meet LEED requirements.

Detailed Explanation:References:For more details, refer to:

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development

The Smart Location and Linkage (SLL) Credit forAccess to Quality Transitin LEED for Neighborhood Development promotes connectivity to public transportation, reducing reliance on private vehicles andencouraging walkability. To meet this credit, a portion of the dwelling units in the project must be located within a specified walking distance of a transit stop, which in this case is astreetcar stop.

For this specific scenario:

The project has3,500 dwelling unitson a600-acre (243-hectare)site.

LEED requires a minimum percentage of units to be within1/4 mile (400 meters)walk distance of a transit stop to qualify for the credit.

According to LEED guidelines,30%of the dwelling units must be located within the required walking distance to earn the credit. Thus, the calculation would be:

3,500 units×30%=1,050 units3,500 \, \text{units} \times 30\% = 1,050 \, \text{units}3,500units×30%=1,050units

Therefore,Option B: 1,050 unitsis the correct answer. This ensures that a sufficient number of residential units are within a close and accessible distance to transit, which contributes to reducing automobile dependence and fostering sustainable neighborhood development (Reference:LEED v4 ND Reference Guide).

When pursuing the Neighborhood Pattern and Design Credit for Local Food Production, restrictions in deeds or covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) may prohibit greenhouses in front yards facing the circulation network. This restriction is often put in place tomaintain the aesthetic appeal and uniformity of the neighborhood as seen from public streets and walkways.

Local Food Production Credit:This credit encourages the integration of food production into neighborhood design, allowing residents to grow their own food in spaces like gardens and greenhouses. However, certain restrictions may apply to where these facilities can be located to ensure they do not negatively impact the visual or social fabric of the neighborhood.

CC&Rs and Aesthetic Considerations:CC&Rs often include provisions that regulate the appearance of properties within a neighborhood. Restrictions on placing greenhouses in front yards facing the circulation network (streets and public pathways) are common because these areas are highly visible and contribute to the neighborhood's overall aesthetic. Allowing greenhouses in these areas could disrupt the visual harmony and lead to inconsistent appearances along the streetscape.

Alternative Locations:While greenhouses may be restricted in front yards, they are typically permitted in less visible areas, such as backyards or side yards, where they can still contribute to local food production without impacting the neighborhood's visual cohesion.

The LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development provides guidelines on how to meet the Local Food Production credit while considering CC&Rs.

TheLEED v4 Neighborhood Developmentdocumentation offers further details on managing land use and aesthetic considerations in neighborhood design.

Detailed Explanation:References:For additional guidance, consult:

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development

For a project to be eligible for the Neighborhood Pattern and Design Prerequisite on Compact Development, particularly when dealing with density limits, setting aside a portion of the land as a protected community open space easement can help meet the prerequisite requirements. By dedicating 15% of the total land area as protected open space, the project demonstrates a commitment to sustainable land use and enhances community amenities, which aligns with the LEED ND goals. This approach can help to balance density with green space, even in areas where transit service is limited.

References:

LEED v4 for Neighborhood Development, Current Version

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development

Nonstructural roofing material can be omitted from the calculation verifying the percentage of reuse of buildings undergoing major renovation in a LEED for Neighborhood Development project. The calculation typically focuses on structural elements of the building that have a significant impact on the overall sustainability of the renovation.

Reuse Calculation:In LEED-ND, the calculation for the percentage of building reuse considers the retention and reuse of structural and significant non-structural elements during a renovation. This is to ensure that the embodied energy and materials within the existing structure are maximized, reducing the need for new materials and minimizing waste.

Exclusion of Nonstructural Roofing Material:Nonstructural elements, such as roofing materials that do not contribute to the structural integrity of the building, are generally excluded from this calculation. This is because these materials are often replaced more frequently due to wear and tear and do not represent the same level of material conservation as structural components.

Structural Elements Focus:The emphasis is placed on retaining major structural components such as floors, framing, and exterior walls, which contribute significantly to the building’s embodied energy and material footprint.

The LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development provides detailed instructions on how to calculate the percentage of building reuse and what elements should be included or excluded.

TheLEED v4 Neighborhood Developmentdocumentation clarifies the definitions of structural and nonstructural materials in the context of building reuse.

Detailed Explanation:References:For more details, refer to:

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development

For the Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit related to Renewable Energy Production, wind energy is an eligible source of renewable energy. LEED recognizes wind energy as a clean and sustainable energy source that contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Other options, such as ground-source heat pumps, are not considered renewable energy sources because they typically rely on electricity or other energy sources to operate. Combustion of municipal solid waste and forest biomass waste may produce energy, but they are not categorized as renewable in the context of LEED's Renewable Energy Production credit.

For Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit related to Historic Resource Preservation and Adaptive Reuse, identifying and protecting cultural landscapes is crucial. The correct approach is to contact the state historic preservation office, the National Park Service, or a local equivalent to determine if the landscape is registered as a historic site. This ensures that the project complies with historic preservation standards and that any development respects the cultural and historical significance of the site. Enhancing the landscape or providing educational materials, while valuable, do not directly contribute to the credit without first ensuring proper identification and protection of the historic resource.

The calculation of intersections per square mile (or per square kilometer) is required for the Neighborhood Pattern and Design Prerequisite for Connected and Open Community. This prerequisite is designed to ensure that the neighborhood has a well-connected street network,which facilitates walking, biking, and reduces the reliance on automobiles. The number of intersections per square mile is a key metric used to assess the connectivity and openness of the community's street network, which is essential for creating sustainable and accessible neighborhoods.

Donating salvaged lumber to a local community organization for use in building low-income housing contributes toward the Green Infrastructure and Buildings (GIB) Credit for Recycled and Reused Infrastructure. This credit encourages the reuse of materials to reduce waste and the demand for new materials, thereby lowering the environmental impact associated with material production and disposal. By donating salvaged lumber, the project supports the goals of recycling and reuse, which aligns with the credit's intent.