Previously Developed or Not

Kristopher Lashley

INVIRO Engineered Systems Ltd.

LEEDuser Basic Member

1 thumbs up

Project location :

Canada

March 31, 2015

Our current project is located on a plot of land that 3/4 of it was developed into commercial retail. It "appears" that the last quarter had electricity and water mains laid out for a future commercial development, however it has grown over with grassy vegetation. The site has now been rezoned and a mixed use commercial/residential 10 story building is going to be constructed. My question is since it has grown to look some what like a greenfield is it classified as undeveloped or is it previously developed since it has been graded previously and does appear to contain some infrastructure below the "green field". Thank you to anyone who helps!

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Jon Clifford

LEED-AP BD+C

GREENSQUARE

LEEDuser Expert

261 thumbs up

Wed, 04/01/2015 - 02:31

Kris—Over the years, USGBC has tweaked its definition of “Previously Developed,” so I am not sure whether the latest definition aligns with that used by CaGBC for LEED-Canada. In November 2011, USGBC issued its latest revisions for LEED-BD+C 2009 (see http://www.usgbc.org/leed-interpretations?clearsmartf=true&keys=100001040). If LEED-Canada uses the same definition, and if the abandoned utilities really were installed on your site after being approved by the local jurisdiction, that portion of the site still qualifies as previously developed. [Note that USGBC further tweaked this definition when it issued LEEDv4, ultimately replacing it with the term “previously disturbed” in July 2014 LEEDv4 Addenda.]