Hi, LEED Experts!
I am actually confused. With the requirements for Open Spaces, the guideline says that turf grass is not counted as a vegetated area. Then it says that the outdoor space should be one of the following... and lists several options, where turf area is mentioned.
If the 25% of the open space area can not be turf grass, how come they suggest to have paving or turf area as an option?
Thank you in advance.
Amir Farsi
August 24, 2023 - 4:50 am
As far as I know It counts as open space, but not as vegetated space.
Marine Petrosyan
Project ManagerEnergy Systems LLC
August 24, 2023 - 8:13 am
Makes sense. Thank you!
Glen Boldt
ZC SustainabilityAugust 24, 2023 - 1:02 pm
Correct. 30% of the whole site needs to be pedestrian-oriented/ non-vehicular open space (not used for car/truck circulation or parking). Of that 30%, 25%, which is only 7.5% of the whole site, must hold to that stricter "vegetated space" standard. Also, I beleive that even if you have more that 30% of the overall site as qualifying open space, still, only that 7.5% needs to comply with the "vegetated space" standard.
In other words, for a 100,000 SF site, at least 30,000 SF must be non-vehicular open space, and of that, at least 7,500 must be vegetated area.
If there is 40,000 SF of open space, still, only 7,500 SF needs to comply w/the vegetated space requirements.