Do existing spaces count?

Hi Denise,

I think it would need to be part of the LEED project in order to count towards this credit. Can you include parking spaces or playing fields as shared spaces? Those are usually pretty easy to make work.

Shannon

I would have guessed that you could make a case for it, as playing fields or parking lots, which are commonly used for this credit, might be on the same campus but not naturally within the LEED boundary. I would defer to Shannon's expertise, but if you really want to make a case for it in your submission because the other options are tougher, I might try for it.

I heard from USGBC that shared facilities used in SSc10 may lie outside of the LEED Project Boundary provided that the spaces are within the school’s larger campus boundary.Good news for you and other projects! And I think this fits well with the credit intent. You don't have to include those spaces in other LEED credits.

Hmm, that's helpful, Tristan. Can you share the USGBC contact or document that confirmed for you that shared facilities may lie outside of the LEED boundary as long as they are within the campus boundary? I ask because I am working on a LEED for Schools v2.0 project that was denied the credit with the following explanation:
"The project team has indicated that the shared use facilities are located within the existing school building and outside of the LEED project boundary for this project. Shared use facilities must be within the LEED project boundary to qualify for this credit. The documentation does not demonstrate credit compliance."
That struck me as unfair at the time since the existing school had never been a LEED project, meaning there was no opportunity for double-counting. And your news definitely makes me want to push for the credit. So where will I find the official ruling?

Kris, was this a recent ruling that you received? What is the number of the review team?I would look first at the MPR supplemental guidance, page 14, which supports this kind of compliance, although not this specific situation.The guidance I referenced earlier was in a direct communication from USGBC LEED staff, so unfortunately it's not "precedent setting."

No, it was some time ago. The final design review comments were received 10/06/2009. The review team was #15, and an individual who responded to our inquiry regarding another credit was Christine Frankovich

From the information you gave, I don't see the logic for the ruling. Given that the LEED reviewers are fallible, I think this is a case of an incorrect ruling. But again, they may be using logic that I'm not thinking of, and of course it's up to how they interpret it.

Anyone have any new experience with using spaces outside of the LEED boundary but part of the campus?