Hi,
I am following a project of a hotel complex located in the Italian alps. It will be certificated as an aggregate of major renovation and new built additions using the LEED Interpretation 10203.
The project site is located in the city “historical” core with 17th to 19th century buildings. The existent building that will be renovated is subjected by a public authority constrain to conserve its architectural features.
I would like to ask your opinion about the eligibility of this location for historical status within LTc3 credit.
Is the project also eligible for LEED BDC V4: MRc1 – opt. 1 (Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction)?
The location is a small alpine village, the majority of 800-meters range is covered by forest, a water body and some farmlands where local planning prohibits developing activities or allows for minor additions on existing buildings (a small amount).
In order to confirm infill status, should I consider all the land included within the range (except water bodies as indicated by LEED v4 reference guide) or can I exclude forest and farmlands?
The local city regulation does not expect for future developing therefore is it actually a project which chose to use existing infrastructure to encourage economic development within a small community responding to credit intent: “To build the economic and social vitality of communities, encourage project location in areas with development constraints and promote the ecological, cultural, and community health of the surrounding area while understanding the needs and goals of existing residents and businesses.”.
Thank you in advance.
Emily Purcell
Sustainable Design LeadCannonDesign
LEEDuser Expert
370 thumbs up
October 22, 2024 - 10:22 am
Typically you would need to include forest and farmland to determine whether a site is an infill site. The credit rewards projects that are developed in areas surrounded by other development, not those that encroach into undeveloped areas like forest and farmland. But I agree that renovating at an existing property in a village aligns with the credit intent, and I think this credit option makes sense in an urban / suburban context but doesn't translate well to rural areas that still have "city centers". I'd recommend asking LEED Coach if they can provide an alternate compliance option for the city center of a rural village, and what documentation you might need in order to demonstrate it.
Jacopo Cattaruzzi
October 22, 2024 - 10:40 am
Thany you for your response about infill status! I believe I will try to submit for opt.1 trying to ask for an ACP.
May I also ask your opinion about historical status eligibility within LTc3 - opt 1 and MRc1 – opt. 1?
Emily Purcell
Sustainable Design LeadCannonDesign
LEEDuser Expert
370 thumbs up
October 22, 2024 - 12:20 pm
For MRc1, the standard is "To qualify, the building or historic district must be listed or eligible for listing in the local, state, or national register of historic places." I don't know if Italy or the local municipality has such a register, but it sounds like the requirement to retain its architectural features is equivalent.
The LT credit is about whether the building is within a historic district, so the building itself being designated historic doesn't matter. If there is a requirement to maintain the historic character of the whole village center, that would qualify.
Jacopo Cattaruzzi
October 23, 2024 - 3:41 am
Thank you Emily,
Yes the local planning requires conservation measure within the zone my project is located. Still, it remains questionable the infill status.
Perhaps, the project may fit better within opt. 2 since it use a funding program with the purpose of encouraging investment in selected economically disadvantaged areas. The problem is that it is administrated by regional authority and not directly by a statal authority as required by credit.
Just a final issue: I am not sure if is possible to submit both opt. 1 and 2 trying to achieve two points because the conjunction "OR" however, its eems possible for exemplary performance.