I am currently submitting for a LEED CI v3.0 project and need to document the Development Density. I have no issues with Community Connectivity. That being said, how do I find the numbers that are needed to answer the following questions on the LEED Template:
Average property density within density boundary (sf/acre)
(Note: Must be at least 60,000 to document credit compliance)
Density radius (linear feet)
A map will visually illustrate that my project easily meets this credit, I just need to find out how to obtain the numbers to complete the template to confirm that I have met the credit. Thanks!
Kate Kelly
Sustainability CoordinatorYR&G
17 thumbs up
November 28, 2011 - 10:10 pm
Jennifer- You should be able to find both of these answers in the reference guide. The density radius equation is based off project site area and gives a radius in linear feet...
Density Radius (lf) = 3* sqrt{site area(acres)*43560(sf/acre)}
Average property density (within that boundary/radius) is determined by summing each property's building area/site area. NYC has an interactive map which makes finding this info veryvery easy (http://gis.nyc.gov/doitt/nycitymap/)...
Development Density (sf/acre) = Gross building Area (sf) / Site Area (acres). The documentation toolkit tab here has a step by step guide to creating a density map if that is useful
Hopefully that answers it!
Jennifer Berthelot-Jelovic
Director of SustainabilityShangri-La Construction
69 thumbs up
December 1, 2011 - 5:29 pm
Kate, thank you. I understand how to actually calculate all the numbers. The issue I have in Los Angeles, especially in unincorporated cities, is getting access to the surrounding buildings' information. I was wondering if there was a tool I didn't know about like a special feature in google earth that ties into density. It is one of those credits that can be especially easy in the right city, or terribly hard in others based on what information that city has available online. I appreciate the step by step guide to creating a density map though. Very helpful!
Susan Walter
HDRLEEDuser Expert
1296 thumbs up
December 2, 2011 - 8:58 am
Jennifer, Do you think that your project will qualify for the exemplary performance credit? If yes, then keep pursuing the information. If not, document the credit with Community Connectivity and be done. Most of our projects don't qualify for the EP credit so we document this credit via Community Connectivity as a general rule.