Retail-CI-v2009 SSc2: Development Density and Community Connectivity 6 points

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Requirements

Option 1: Development density

Select space in a building that is located in an established, walkable community with a minimum density of 60,000 square feet per acre net (13,800 square meters per hectare net). The density calculation is based on a typical two-story downtown development and must include the area of the project being built.

OR

Option 2: Community connectivity

Select space in a building on a site that meets the following criteria:

• Is located within 1/2-mile (800 meters) of a residential area or neighborhood with an average density of 10 units per acre net.
• Is within 1/2-mile (800 meters) of at least 10 basic services.
• Has pedestrian access between the building and the services.

For mixed-use projects, no more than 1 service within the project boundary may be counted as 1 of the 10 basic services, provided it is open to the public. No more than 2 of the 10 services required may be anticipated (i.e., at least 8 must be existing and operational). In addition, the anticipated services must be documented appropriately to demonstrate that they will be operational in the locations indicated within 1 year of occupation of the applicant’s project. Examples of basic services include the following:

• Bank
• Place of Worship
• Convenience Grocery
• Day Care Center
• Cleaners
• Fire Station
• Beauty Salon
• Hardware
• Laundry
• Library
• Medical or Dental Office
• Senior Care Facility
• Park
• Pharmacy
• Post Office
• Restaurant
• School
• Supermarket
• Theater
• Community Center
• Fitness Center
• Museum

Proximity is determined by drawing a 1/2-mile (800 meter) radius around a main building entrance on a site map and counting the services within that radius. Greenfield developments and projects that do not use existing infrastructure are not eligible. See all forum discussions about this credit »

What does it cost?

Cost estimates for this credit

On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.

Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.

This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.

Learn more about The Cost of LEED v4 »

Frequently asked questions

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Addenda

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