Hello!
Quick question about the Nonresidential Density (FAR) -
Our site is located in the heart of a very dense urban area, the residential density exceeds the requirement and so does the Nonresidential density, almost... There is one property on the very edge of the 1/4-mile radius that is a Used Car business. This lot is quite large since they are using the parking lot to sell their product and only have a few smaller structures, needless to say this site does not meet the FAR minimum of 0.5. When we average the total FAR for all Nonresidential this behemoth brings everything down. Is there any sort of exception to the Nonresidential calculation for circumstances like this? The project location most definitely meets the intent of this category and it seems like a waste to lose 2 points for one business who uses the exterior surface lot as a show room.
Advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!
Kimberly Schlaepfer
Sustainability Coordinator LEED AP O+M, BD+C75 thumbs up
November 21, 2016 - 2:32 pm
Hi Sarah,
There are no LEED interpretations or other published guidance I can find to address this issue. My advice would be to pursue combined density rather than separate residential and non-residential density. Because you noted above the residential density exceeds the requirement, this delta may be enough to make up for the lack in non-residential density.
If the combined path reveals the same shortage in density, you may be able to reason that the surface lot of the Used Car business should be counted as "floor area" rather than surrounding site and/or be able to exclude this square footage from the density boundary. LEED has an exception for parking garages allowing them to be completely excluded from the density boundary. This is the only requirement within the RG that may help set a precedent to make the argument.
I hope this helps!