Can amenities inside the project building be counted in the Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses credit?

I have the same question because we're designing airports.

Amenities within the project itself have not been able to count for diverse uses in the BD&C New Construction rating system, but this credit is quite different in the BD&C Warehouses and Distribution Centers rating system version. It sounds as though that version of the rating system may be more appropriate for your project, and the credit awards points for building on a previously developed indistrial site.

Check the online Credit Library for BD&C: Warehouses and Distribution Centers: 

"Option 1. Development and adjacency (2–3 points)

Construct or renovate the project on a previously developed site that was used for industrial or commercial purposes (2 points). OR Construct or renovate the project on a site that is both a previously developed and an adjacent site. The adjacent sites must be currently used for industrial or commercial purposes (3 points)." 

For explanation of "adjacent," see the LEED Glossary on the USGBC site:

"a site having at least a continuous 25% of its boundary bordering parcels that are previously developed sites. Only consider bordering parcels, not intervening rights-of-way. Any fraction of the boundary that borders a water body is excluded from the calculation."

Hope that helps. 

@ Trina, there is guidance available for airport projects, specifically, that outlines some variations allowed for these specific project types. You'll need to contact LEED Coach directly to ask for it, as they don't make it publicly available for some reason.

For this credit, this is the guidance:

Surrounding Density & Diverse Use

Question/Clarification Item

Meeting the intent of the Surrounding Density and Diverse Use credit at an airport can be tricky, as a result of land use planning requirements by FAA, noise ordinances, and other barriers that may prevent many of the LEED approved uses.

Considerations

USGBC is working with subject matter experts and our LEED liaison to consider these challenges and provide a pathway to meeting the requirements of this credit specific  to  airports. While we work through this process, please arrange a call with us to discuss the best option for your project.

Please consider the following points for airport terminal projects:

Option 1

• Consider drawing a radius around multiple entrances to identify services that are within ½ mile radius.
• Multiple basic services located within the project boundary may be included as long as they are 50% or less than the total required. It is important  to note that all basic services must  be located within a permanent storefront. Services located at kiosks would not be allowed.
• Currency exchange could only be allowed under bank basic service category if more than one service was provided at this location (i.e. - currency exchange and ATM).
• Place of worship inside of the Taxi Stack may be allowed as long as it has a permanent dedicated location.
• Certain "spas" may be allowed as a beauty salon as long as they provide more than one service and they are located within a permanent storefront (i.e. - nails and hair).
• It is possible that a hotel that is within½ mile walking distance of the airport terminal project could qualify as one of the diverse uses.
• Services that are accessible by people-mover shuttles can be used if the shuttle time is on average 10 minutes.

Option 2

• USGBC has determined that as the runway areas are not public roadway, park, right-of­ way, etc. they are considered buildable land for the purposes of this credit. The LEED definition being: "the portion of the site where construction can occur, including land voluntarily set aside and not constructed on. When used in density calculations, buildable land excludes public rights-of-way and land excluded from development by codified law." Therefore runway areas are not able to be excluded.
• However, it is understood that airport campuses closer to developed areas are more likely to meet the intent of the credit as a whole for "encouraging development in areas with existing infrastructure. To promote walkability, and transportation efficiency and reduce vehicle distance traveled." Therefore it has been determined that the "site" may be defined as the airport property, and the calculating density can be based on the land within¼ mile (400m) of the airport property versus the project's individual LEED Project Boundary