Forum discussion
NC-2009 SSc5.2: Site Development—Maximize Open Space
Our LEED boundary has a power line easement running through it. The city's zoning doesn't allow development in this area. It also has a requirement for open space that cannot overlap the power line easement. Would there be a problem counting this natively vegetated easement as our 25% additional LEED open space if there is a power line overhead?
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Saurabh Shrestha
HKS Architecture4 thumbs up
April 5, 2016 - 8:41 pm
I do not have experience documenting under any similar circumstance, but since the credit requires you to exceed local zoning requirements by 25% and the local zoning requirement itself does not let you count the easement area under open space, I do not think it can be included. I am thinking of the exclusion of the easement area as a part of the local zoning requirements, and if you include it, you are no more meeting the local zoning requirement. That's my point of view, but its still worth a try rather than not attempting at all.
I understand why development is prohibited in the easement area, but it seems odd to me why that area cannot be counted under open space though, since it still contributes to biodiversity.