2B - Sustainable Sites (SS) - Credits

Question 1

SS Prerequisite 1: Construction Activity Pollution Prevention - Intent

Answer 1

To reduce pollution from construction activities by controlling soil erosion, waterway sedimentation, and airborne dust generation

Question 2

SS Prerequisite 1: Construction Activity Pollution Prevention - Requirements

Answer 2

Implement an erosion and sedimentation control plan during construction that prevents the loss of soil from stormwater runoff and/or wind erosion, the sedimentation of storm sewers or receiving streams, and pollution from particulates in the air.

Question 3

SS Prerequisite 1: Construction Activity Pollution Prevention - Implementation

Answer 3

Time Line: 3 Construction

Team: Civil Engineer, General Contractor

• Under natural conditions, vegetation holds soil in place. Construction activities, including excavation, grading, equipment operation, and even foot traffic, result in soil loss and water quality issues. An Erosion and Sedimentation Control (ESC) Plan ensures that measures are put into place to minimize the negative impacts of construction activities on a site.
• Typical measures in an ESC plan include stabilization measures and structural controls. Stabilization measures include planting grasses and shrubs to stabilize the soil, using mulch to voer and hold soils. Structural controls including installing silt fencing, building earth dikes, and constructing an area on-site to trap sediments.
• Educate subcontractors about the ESC plan so that measures are employed consistently
• Review the site daily and weekly to ensure that the ESC measures are being implemented properly. Correct any issues as they arise.

Question 4

SS Prerequisite 1: Construction Activity Pollution Prevention - Documentation & Calculations

Answer 4

• Develop an erosion and sedimentation control drawing and/or a written ESC plan with specifications that detail the erosion and control best management practices used on the project site and the responsible parties for implementation.



• Over the course of site work activities, document implementation of the ESC plan through date-stamped photos, inspection logs or reports, descriptions of corrective actions in response to problems, and the like.



Question 5

SS Prerequisite 2: Environmental Site Assessment (Schools) - Intent

Answer 5

To ensure that the site is assessed for environmental contamination and, if contaminated, that the environmental contamination has been remediated to protect children’s health.

Question 6

SS Prerequisite 2: Environmental Site Assessment (Schools) - Requirements

Answer 6

Conduct a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment to determine whether environmental contamination exists on-site. If contamination is found, conduct a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment and associated remediation.

Question 7

SS Prerequisite 2: Environmental Site Assessment (Schools) - Implementation

Answer 7

Time Line: 1 Predesign

Team: Project Owner, Environmental Professional

• Conduct a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. This type of assessment does not include any physical tests but relies instead on historical data, site visits, and interviews to identify whether a site may be contaminated.
• If there is reason to believe the site may be contaminated, a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment must be conducted. This level of inspection will include collection and analysis of samples from the site.
• Remediation will depend on what is discovered in the assessment; EPA Region 9 cleanup standards provide guidelines for the most appropriate cleanup measures.

Question 8

SS Prerequisite 2: Environmental Site Assessment (Schools) - Documentation & Calculations

Answer 8

Provide a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and, if required, a Phase II assessment, detailing the contamination and documentation from the governing authority demonstrating that safe contamination levels have been reached.

Question 9

SS Prerequisite 2: Environmental Site Assessment (Schools) - Notes

Answer 9

Land that was once a landfill is NOT eligible for LEED schools certification

Question 10

SS Credit 1: Site Selection - Intent

Answer 10

To avoid the development of inappropriate sites and reduce the environmental impact from the location of a building on site.

Question 11

SS Credit 1: Site Selection - Requirements

Answer 11

Do not build on sites with the following conditions:

• Prime farmland.
• Land within threatened or endangered species.
• Land near classified wetlands.
• Land that is public parkland.
• Previously undeveloped land near a body of water or in a floodplain.

Question 12

SS Credit 1: Site Selection - Implementation

Answer 12

Time Line: 1 Predesign

Team: Project Owner

• Create a list of potential sites, surveying their attributes against the restricted criteria.
• Choose an appropriate site to reduce the impact of development and preserve ecologically sensitive areas to allow the natural habitat and wildlife to thrive.
• Consider how to incorporate the natural design of the site with complementary functions.

Question 13

SS Credit 1: Site Selection - Documentation & Calculations

Answer 13

Provide narratives describing any special circumstances if any of the prohibited criteria have been violated, indicating how the intent of the credit has still been met.

Question 14

SS Credit 2: Development Density and Community Connectivity - Intent

Answer 14

To channel development to urban areas with existing infrastructure, protect greenfields, and preserve habitat and natural resources.

Question 15

SS Credit 2: Development Density and Community Connectivity - Requirements (Option 1)

Answer 15

Build on previously developed land and meet either Option 1 or Option 2.

Option 1: Build in an existing neighborhood with a density of 60,000 square feet per acre.

Exemplary Performance: Double the project’s density compared with the average density within the calculated area.

Question 16

SS Credit 2: Development Density and Community Connectivity - Requirements (Option 2)

Answer 16

Build on previously developed land and meet either Option 1 or Option 2.

Option 2: Building within 1/2 mile of a residential area or a neighborhood with an average density of 10 units per acre, AND within 1/2 mile of 10 basic services, AND with pedestrian access between the building and the services

**Exemplary Performance: **Select a site where the average density of the surrounding area is double the credit requirement (120,000 square feet per acre).

Question 17

SS Credit 2: Development Density and Community Connectivity - Implementation

Answer 17

Time Line: 1 Predesign

Team: Project Owner

• Select a site within a developed neighborhood to curb urban sprawl. Focus development in areas with existing infrastructure such as water lines, streets, and power. Additionally, focus selection on sites that provide opportunities to walk, bike, or take public transportation and that have basic services within walking distance.
• Meet or exceed local density goals.

Question 18

SS Credit 2: Development Density and Community Connectivity - Documentation & Calculations

Calculations - Development Density (sf/acre)

Answer 18

Development Density (sf/acre) = Gross Building Area (sf) / Site Area (acres)

Question 19

SS Credit 2: Development Density and Community Connectivity - Documentation & Calculations

Calculations - Density Radius (lf)

Answer 19

Density Radius (lf) = 3 * sqrt [Site Area (acres) * 43,560 (sf/acre)]

Question 20

SS Credit 2: Development Density and Community Connectivity - Documentation & Calculations

Calculations - Average Property Density within Density Boundary

Answer 20

Average Property Density within Density Boundary = Σ Square Footage / Σ Site Area

Question 21

SS Credit 2: Development Density and Community Connectivity - Documentation & Calculations

Site Vicinity Plan

Answer 21

For community connectivity projects, create a site vicinity plan that highlights the 1/2 mile radius and locations and types of qualifying services, as well as the location of residential areas.

• No fewer than 8 of the 10 services must be existing, operational businesses.
• Anticipated services must demonstrate they will be operational within 12 months of the project opening.
• The only basic service that can be counted more than once is restaurants–two may be used.
• Mixed-use projects may only use one service within the project boundary.
• Schools are allowed to exclude project phsyical education spaces from the development density calculations.

Question 22

SS Credit 3: Brownfield Redevelopment - Intent

Answer 22

To rehabilitate damaged sites where development is complicated by environmental contamination and to reduce pressure on undeveloped land.

Question 23

SS Credit 3: Brownfield Redevelopment - Requirements (2 Options)

Answer 23

**Option 1: **Develop on a site documented as contaminated by means of an ASTM E1903-97 Phase II Environmental Site Assessment.

**Option 2: **Develop on a site defined as a brownfield by a local, state, or federal government agency.

Question 24

SS Credit 3: Brownfield Redevelopment - Implementation

Answer 24

Time Line: 1 Predesign

Team: Project Owner, Environmental Professional, Contractor

• Conduct a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment or select a site that has been defined as a brownfield by a government agency.
• Develop a plan for remediation that considers both cost and environmental issues.
• Complete remediation efforts and continue to monitor the site to ensure that contamination problems do not recur.

Question 25

SS Credit 3: Brownfield Redevelopment - Documentation & Calculations

Answer 25

Provide a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment detailing the contamination and events surrounding the remediation.

Question 26

SS Credit 3: Brownfield Redevelopment - Notes

Answer 26

Schools can achieve this point only via SS Prerequisite 2: Environmental Site Assessment and by remediating the site contamination.

Question 27

SS Credit 4.1: Alternative Transportation, Public Transportation Access - Intent

Answer 27

To reduce pollution and land development impacts from automobile use.

Question 28

SS Credit 4.1: Alternative Transportation, Public Transportation Access - Requirements (Option 1)

Answer 28

Provide dedicated pedestrian access to off-site transit lines for all of the options below.

Option 1: Select sites that are within 1/2 mile walking distance to a rail station.

**Exemplary Performance: **Institute a Comprehensive Transit Management Plan that demonstrates a quantifiable reduction in personal automobile use through any of multiple alternative options. Only one point is available for implementing such a plan under SS Credit 4, Alternative Transportation.

Question 29

SS Credit 4.1: Alternative Transportation, Public Transportation Access - Requirements (Option 2)

Answer 29

Provide dedicated pedestrian access to off-site transit lines for all of the options below.

Option 2: Select sites that are within 1/4 mile to two or more bus lines.

**Exemplary Performance: **Double transit ridership by:

• Locating the project within 1/2 mile of at least two existing commuter rail, light rail, or subway lines; or
• Locating the project within 1/4 mile of at least four or more public or campus bus lines.

Question 30

SS Credit 4.1: Alternative Transportation, Public Transportation Access - Requirements (Option 3)

Answer 30

Provide dedicated pedestrian access to off-site transit lines for all of the options below.

Option 3: (Schools) Show that 80% of the students attending the school live within 3/4 to 1-1/2 miles walking distance, depending on grade.

Question 31

SS Credit 4.1: Alternative Transportation, Public Transportation Access - Implementation

Answer 31

Time Line: 1 Predesign

Team: Project Owner

Select a site with public transportation access.

Question 32

SS Credit 4.1: Alternative Transportation, Public Transportation Access - Docs

Answer 32

• Identify local rail stations or bus routes serving the project building.
• Develop a site vicinity plan, to scale, and label walking paths between the project building’s main entrance and rail stations or bus stops.
• For Schools projects puruing pedestrian access credit, create an attendance boundary map showing a 3/4 mile radius for grades K-8, or a 1-1/2 mile radius for grades 9 and above.
• In addition to the above, Schools projects should dedicate bike and walking paths leading from the school building to the end of the school property in two or more directions.

Options 1 & 2: On a site plan, draw a 1/4 and a 1/2 mile radius from the main entrance. Identify the dedicated pedestrian routes and bus and rail stops within these circles.

Option 3: (Schools) Tally the total number of incoming students within the specified wakling r

Question 33

SS Credit 4.1: Alternative Transportation, Public Transportation Access - Notes

Answer 33

• A school bus system may count as one of the bus lines for Option 2 for Schools projects.
• If a rail system is sited, planned, and funded at the time the project is complete, this satisfies the credit.

Question 34

SS Credit 4.2: Alternative Transportation, Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms - Intent

Answer 34

To reduce pollution and land development impacts from automobile use.

Question 35

SS Credit 4.2: Alternative Transportation, Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms - Requirements (NC)

Answer 35

NC Case 1: Commercial or Institutional Projects

Provide bike parking for 5% of peak occupants, and showers and hanging rooms for 0.5% of full-time equivalent (FTE) occupants within 200 yeards of the building entrance.

NC Case 2: Residential Projects

Provide covered bike parking for 15% of occupants.

**Exemplary Performance: **Institute a Comprehensive Transit Management Plan that demonstrates a quantifiable reduction in personal automobile use through any of multiple alternative options. Only one point is available for implementing such a plan under SS Credit 4, Alternative Transportation.

Question 36

SS Credit 4.2: Alternative Transportation, Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms - Requirements (CS)

Answer 36

CS Case 1: Commercial or Institutional Projects (less than 300,000 square feet)

Provie bike parking for 3% or more of average occupants AND provide shower and changing facilities in the building, or within 200 yards of a building entrance, for 0.5% of full-time equivalent (FTE) occupants.

**CS Case 2: Commercial or Institutional Projects **(greater than 300,000 square feet)

Provide bike parking for 3% of average occupants up to 300,000 square feet then an additional 0.5% for the occupants for spaces over 300,000 sqaure feet AND showers and changing rooms for 0.5% of peak occupants within 200 yards of the building entrance.

CS Case 3: Residential Projects

Provide covered bike parking for 15% of occupants.

**Exemplary Performance: **Institute a Comprehensive Transit Management Plan that demonstrates a quantifiable reduction in personal automobile use through any of multiple alternative options. Only one point is available for implementing such a plan under SS Credit 4, Alternative Transportation.

Question 37

SS Credit 4.2: Alternative Transportation, Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms - Requirements (Schools)

Answer 37

Schools

Provide bike parking for 5% of peak staff and students above 3rd grade level and shower and changing rooms for 0.5% of the FTE within 200 yards of the building entrance.

**Exemplary Performance: **Institute a Comprehensive Transit Management Plan that demonstrates a quantifiable reduction in personal automobile use through any of multiple alternative options. Only one point is available for implementing such a plan under SS Credit 4, Alternative Transportation.

Question 38

SS Credit 4.2: Alternative Transportation, Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms - Implementation

Answer 38

Time Line: 2 Design

Team: Architect

• Provide bike racks, showers, and changing facilities for occupants.
• Design safe biking paths on-site.
• Design covered, secure bike parking for residential occupants.

Question 39

SS Credit 4.2: Alternative Transportation, Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms - Documentation

Answer 39

Develop a plan showing the location and quantity of bicycle storage and shower facilities, and determint he distance between the facilities and the building entrance.

Question 40

SS Credit 4.2: Alternative Transportation, Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms - Calculations

Answer 40

See requirements section.

Question 41

SS Credit 4.2: Alternative Transportation, Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms - Notes

Answer 41

• Schoosl must provide dedicated bike lanes that extend to the end of the school property in two or more directions.
• Schools calculate bicycle storage based on peak occupancy that includes 5% of all building staff plus 5% of students above third grade.
• Showering facilities and changing facilities can be located in another building as long as it is within 200 yards and the project occupants have appropriate access.
• Core & Shell projects may use the default occupancy counts found in Appendix 1 of the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design and Construction to determine FTE.

Question 42

SS Credit 4.3: Alternative Transportation, Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles - Intent

Answer 42

To reduce pollution and land development impacts from automobile use.

Question 43

SS Credit 4.3: Alternative Transportation, Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles - Requirements (Option 1 - Preferred Parking)

Answer 43

Option 1: Preferred Parking

NC/CS

Provide preferred parking for 5% of the total parking.

Schools

Provide preferred parking for 5% of the total parking, and provide one or more carpool drop-off areas for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles.

**Exemplary Performance: **Institute a Comprehensive Transit Management Plan that demonstrates a quantifiable reduction in personal automobile use through any of multiple alternative options. Only one point is available for implementing such a plan under SS Credit 4, Alternative Transportation

Question 44

SS Credit 4.3: Alternative Transportation, Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles - Requirements (Option 2 - Alternative Fuels)

Answer 44

Option 2: Alternative Fuels

NC/CS

Provide alternative-fuel fueling stations for 3% of the total vehicle parking.

Schools

Provide 20% of the buses and maintenance vehicles that use natural gas, propane, or biodiesal or are low-emitting and fuel-efficient.

**Exemplary Performance: **Institute a Comprehensive Transit Management Plan that demonstrates a quantifiable reduction in personal automobile use through any of multiple alternative options. Only one point is available for implementing such a plan under SS Credit 4, Alternative Transportation

Question 45

SS Credit 4.3: Alternative Transportation, Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles - Requirements (Option 3 - Provide Vehicles)

Answer 45

Option 3: Provide Vehicles

NC

Provide low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles for 3% of the FTE occupants, and provide preferred parking for these vehicles.

**Exemplary Performance: **Institute a Comprehensive Transit Management Plan that demonstrates a quantifiable reduction in personal automobile use through any of multiple alternative options. Only one point is available for implementing such a plan under SS Credit 4, Alternative Transportation

Question 46

SS Credit 4.3: Alternative Transportation, Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles - Requirements (Option 4 - Vehicle Sharing)

Answer 46

Option 4: Vehicle Sharing

NC

Provide access to a vehicle-sharing program for 3% of FTE occupants.

**Exemplary Performance: **Institute a Comprehensive Transit Management Plan that demonstrates a quantifiable reduction in personal automobile use through any of multiple alternative options. Only one point is available for implementing such a plan under SS Credit 4, Alternative Transportation

Question 47

SS Credit 4.3: Alternative Transportation, Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles - Implementation

Answer 47

Time Line: 2 Design

Team: Architect

• Designate preferred parking spaces closest to the main entrance for low-emitting, fuel-efficient vehicles with either signage or marking on the pavement.
• Offer discounted parking rates for low-emitting, fuel-efficient vehicles.
• Ensure that low-emitting, fuel-efficient vehicles are defined for users.
• Provide fueling stations for alternatuve fuels such as natural gas, biodiesel, electricity, or propane.
• Schools: Purchase or retrofit fleet vehicles to use alternative fuels.

Question 48

SS Credit 4.3: Alternative Transportation, Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles - Documentation (Option 1 - Preferred Parking)

Answer 48

On a site plan, highlight the total number of parking spaces and clearly identify preferred spaces for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles. For discounted parking, assemble information about the discount program and how it is communicated to occupants.

Question 49

SS Credit 4.3: Alternative Transportation, Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles - Documentation (Option 2 - Alternative Fuels)

Answer 49

Prepare information about the number of fueling stations provided and the alternative-fuel station types, manufacturers, model numbers, and fueling capacity per station.

Question 50

SS Credit 4.3: Alternative Transportation, Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles - Documentation (Option 3 - Provide Vehicles)

Answer 50

• Provide information on the FTE value and calculation showing the number of qualifying vehicles that must be provided.
• Record information about purchased vehicles (make, model, and fuel type).
• Prepare a site plan showing the location of preferred parking spaces.

Question 51

SS Credit 4.3: Alternative Transportation, Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles - Documentation (Option 4 - Vehicle Sharing)

Answer 51

• Prepare information about low-emitting and fuel-efficient shared vehicles, including quantity, make, model, and fuel type.
• Retain a copy of the contractual agreement with the vehicle-sharing program.
• Assemble informaton about the vehicle-sharing program, including estimates of the number of sustomers served per vehicle and descriptions of its administration.
• Develop a site plan or area map that highlights a pedestrian walkway from the parking area to the project site.

Question 52

SS Credit 4.3: Alternative Transportation, Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles - Documentation (Option 5 - Schools)

Answer 52

• Perform calculations showing the percentage of vehicles or fuel consumption that meets the requirements.
• Assemble information about the alternative-fuel and/or low-emitting or high-efficiency vehicle program.

Question 53

SS Credit 4.3: Alternative Transportation, Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles - Notes

Answer 53

• Providing a 20% or greater discounted parking rate is an acceptable substitute for preferred parking for low-emitting/fuel-efficient vehicles via Option 1.
• There are many vehicles that are not hybrids that meet the definition of low emitting and fuel efficient.

Question 54

SS Credit 4.4: Alternative Transportation, Parking Capacity - Intent

Answer 54

To reduce pollution an dland development impacts from automobile use.

Question 55

SS Credit 4.4: Alternative Transportation, Parking Capacity - Requirements (Case 1 - Nonresidential Projects)

Answer 55

“Provide no new parking” is an option in addition to those listed below in every case.

**Option 1: **Do not exceed local zoning requirments for parking, AND (NC) provide preferred parking for 5% of parking capacity for carpools (same as Schools Option 1)

**Option 2: **Do not provide parking for more than 3% to 5% of FTE, and provide preferred parking for carpools for 3% to 5% of parking spaces.

Exemplary Performance: Institute a Comprehensive Transit Management Plan that demonstrates a quantifiable reduction in personal automobile use through any of multiple alternative options. Only one point is available for implementing such a plan under SS Credit 4, Alternative Transportation.

Question 56

SS Credit 4.4: Alternative Transportation, Parking Capacity - Requirements (Case 2 - Residential Projects)

Answer 56

“Provide no new parking” is an option in addition to those listed below in every case.

Do not exceed local zoning requirements for parking, and support shared-vehicle use.

**Exemplary Performance: **Institute a Comprehensive Transit Management Plan that demonstrates a quantifiable reduction in personal automobile use through any of multiple alternative options. Only one point is available for implementing such a plan under SS Credit 4, Alternative Transportation.

Question 57

SS Credit 4.4: Alternative Transportation, Parking Capacity - Requirements (Case 3 - Mixed-Use Projects)

Answer 57

“Provide no new parking” is an option in addition to those listed below in every case.

Split the spaces based on their use. The spaces must meet the requirements associated with residential and commercial FTE for credit calculation.

**Exemplary Performance: **Institute a Comprehensive Transit Management Plan that demonstrates a quantifiable reduction in personal automobile use through any of multiple alternative options. Only one point is available for implementing such a plan under SS Credit 4, Alternative Transportation.

Question 58

SS Credit 4.4: Alternative Transportation, Parking Capacity - Requirements (Case 4 - Schools)

Answer 58

“Provide no new parking” is an option in addition to those listed below in every case.

**Option 1: **Do not exceed local zoning requirements for parking, and provide preferred parking for 5% of parking capacity for carpools.

**Option 2: **Provide 25% fewer parking spaces than suggested inthe Institute of Transportation Engineers’ “Parking Generation” study.

**Exemplary Performance: **Institute a Comprehensive Transit Management Plan that demonstrates a quantifiable reduction in personal automobile use through any of multiple alternative options. Only one point is available for implementing such a plan under SS Credit 4, Alternative Transportation.

Question 59

SS Credit 4.4: Alternative Transportation, Parking Capacity - Implementation

Answer 59

Time Line: 2 Design

Team: Architect, Project Owner

• Provide preferred parking for carpool vehicles.
• Do not provide any new parking.
• Provide space for carpool drop-off/pickup.

Question 60

SS Credit 4.4: Alternative Transportation, Parking Capacity - Documentation

Answer 60

Prepare information about the amount and type of parking provided, and how carpooling or vanpooling is supported by infrastructure and/or programming. Depending on the option pursued, this might include information about parking capacity, number of preferred parking spaces, number of FTEs, and zoning requirements, or copies of brochures that communicate carpooling and vanpooling support structures to occupants.

Question 61

SS Credit 4.4: Alternative Transportation, Parking Capacity - Notes

Answer 61

Buildings that contain less than 10% commercial area must be considered residential.