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Healthcare-v2009 SSc9.1:Connection to the natural world - places of respite

Noise problems?

Profile picture for user garrett.ferguson
Garrett Ferguson
Senior Sustainability Manager
JLL
LEEDuser Basic Member
10 thumbs up

We recently received comments back on this credit, stating that although we had provided the area required, "it does not appear that the areas indicated to be places of respite meet the definition of a place of respite. The documentation indicates they are located next to areas with vehicular traffic. Areas subject to direct noise from vehicles or traffic do not qualify as areas of respite." The adjacent road is not a primary access point, and will have minimal traffic. The site was designed around this place of respite, ensuring that traffic nearby would be minimal. I have scoured the Reference Guide and only found the word "noise" under implementation, being an environmental factor to take into account. No guidelines are given, nor does it mention traffic. The area we have provided is a large green space that overlooks a river on the other side of this road, not immediately adjacent. Could the reviewer just not understand the scale? Does anyone know where the reviewer is getting this claim that this does not qualify? I haven't found any interpretations or any other info on this point. Thanks for your help! Garrett

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Mon, 12/14/2015 - 01:44

We just received this same response from GBCI. I am curious to know how you responded and what GBCI to your response.

Mon, 12/14/2015 - 21:34

I would look at the Acoustical credit for exterior noise. ETA: I realized that my quick answer was a little too brief. My thought was that there is a conversation in the acoustical credit about these spaces. If one were to have a conversation with the GBCI, it would be good to review that credit and if the acoustical credit were part of the project strategy, then you would need to address both. If you weren't going for exterior acoustics, the opposite would be true. It seems that reviewers tend to lump these kinds of requirements together when that isn't always the right thing to do because it isn't consistent with either LEED or the project's strategy.

Mon, 12/14/2015 - 21:13

Do you reference the acoustical credit in terms of using the acoustical testing data as documentation to support at that a location for an area of respite near parking area(s) or an emergency department entrance could still be relaxing and restful?
Profile picture for user garrett.ferguson
Garrett Ferguson
Senior Sustainability Manager
JLL
LEEDuser Basic Member
10 thumbs up

Mon, 12/14/2015 - 21:27

We looked through the guidelines and prepared a well-documented response that included further info showing the distance between the space and the road, and how the road was not a primary way of traffic by any means. Before submitting this we were advised to contact the LEED Coach before resubmitting. They were able to go over the review (which we believe to be incorrect), and overturn it without submitting all of the info that we had prepared.

Mon, 12/14/2015 - 21:58

Great feedback, Garrett.

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