We have an urban mixed-use project--about 90% residential and about 10% retail. We are building new parking for the residential units only. Parking for retail is provided on the street and in an adjacent lot down the street which the project owner does not own/control (and is therefore not in our LEED boundary).
Our USGBC reviewer is asking that we also provide preferred parking for the retail as well. If the leased lot owner will not set these spaces aside, can we work with the municipality to reserve LE/FE spaces in the parallel parking spots in front of our retail spaces?
Eager to hear your thoughts--thanks very much
Kathryn West
LEED AP BD+C, O+M, Green Globes ProfessionalJLL
154 thumbs up
September 26, 2013 - 9:00 am
I'd include spaces based on whether your LEED Project Occupants/visitors could be expected to use them. The Supplemental Guidance to the Minimum Program Requirements says:
The LEED project boundary may not include land that is owned by a party other than that which owns the LEED project unless that land is associated with and supports normal building operations for the LEED project building. (pg 23)
There is also guidance on how to divvy up spaces if the spaces will be used by multiple buildings. (pg 27)
Brooks Critchfield
PrincipalOpen Field Designs, Inc.
71 thumbs up
September 26, 2013 - 10:00 am
Thanks very much, Kathryn--especially for the quick response
To clarify--specifically, do you see the parallel parking spots at the city street in front of the stores reserved for LE/FE vehicles an acceptable approach? (again, despite ownership by city).
And I believe you are also arguing that the LEED project boundary should be adjusted to grab these spots and the sidewalk between these spots and the project?
Much appreciated--
Kris Phillips
Arcadis10 thumbs up
September 26, 2013 - 10:36 am
I would argue that you have provided the required 5% preferred parking in the NEW parking areas - those areas within the scope and control of your project. Negotiating with the leased lot owner or local municipality is a nice idea, but I do not believe your project can be expected to have control over EXISTING parking outside your scope - and control.
I might suggest submitting a formal request for clarification through GBCI: http://www.gbci.org/org-nav/contact/Contact-Us/Project-Certification-Que...
Before submitting that formal request for clarification, you might look through LI's on this subject to see if there is a precedent that you can cite to strengthen your case: http://www.usgbc.org/leed-interpretations
One final consideration: the list of approved "LE/FE" vehicles is quite extensive. This might assuage any concerns by the leased lot owner or municipality:
http://www.greenercars.org/news.htm
Good luck and please let us know what you find out.
Kathryn West
LEED AP BD+C, O+M, Green Globes ProfessionalJLL
154 thumbs up
September 26, 2013 - 11:01 am
Correction: It looks like on page 25 of the Supplemental Guidance to the MPR they address this and you're good to include them in the parking calculations but not the LEED project boundary.
The problem the LEED reviewer is pointing out is that the intent of the credit isn't met for the retail portion of the building if none of the retail customers can get "preferred" parking for using a LE/FE vehicle. Kind of annoying since it's not covered in the reference guide! I'm sure there is a LEED Interpretation on this I just don't have time to research that at the moment!