Hello there,
I have two questions:
1. The credit requires that the number of parking spaces be less than minimum code requirements. However, if let's say 89 spots (which is what code requires for our specific site) is the MINIMUM code requirements, how is it possible to achieve a 40% reduction from that? Would that not then be breaking by-laws mandated by the city?
2. If the parking lot also supplies parking for a soccer field and adjacent sports hangar (fields and such), can we divide up the parking lot into the 3 respective uses/buildings? What would a soccer field even be considered in Table 1 Base Ratios for Parking Spaces, by Building Type (p.g. 115 in the LEED v4 BD+C ref. guide)?
Thanks!
Emily Purcell
Sustainable Design LeadCannonDesign
LEEDuser Expert
371 thumbs up
April 24, 2019 - 4:17 pm
1. The credit requires a 40% reduction from the calculated LEED baseline, not from code. If that number is less than the code minimum, you'd need to find a way around that in order to earn the credit. (LEED is responding to the fact that a lot of code minimums are inflated compared to actual parking needs.) On some of our projects we've had a transit oriented development bonus set the code minimum lower than the default value for the project type. Or you might receive a variance if you can show lower demand than the minimum requires, or take an unconventional approach like pooled parking with other buildings that have peak use at different times.
2. Yes, you can divide up the lot by different groups of users to get the most accurate parking count specific to your project. I might use "other public assembly" and use peak game attendance as the population? It's not the most comprehensive list so my best recommendation is pick a use you can justify, see if the math makes sense, and write a couple sentences explaining how it fits the project for your LEED reviewer.