Hello, I have a question related with the approach that can be followed in order to pursue the credit of LT Access to Quality Transportation. Is it possible to follow the same approach (as an alternative path) as the one follow by schools for a building that is only occupied from Monday to Friday?
Thank you!
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Marilyn Specht
Senior Principal | Director of Sustainability IntegrationSmithGroup
LEEDuser Expert
51 thumbs up
June 8, 2016 - 4:31 pm
Lourdes,
I am assuming your project is not a school...what is your reasoning behind this? Are you still meeting the intent of the credit?
Lourdes Salinas
THREE Consultoría Medioambiental1 thumbs up
June 9, 2016 - 12:24 pm
Hi Marilyn!
Your assumption is right, the project is not a school, is an office building. The reason why we are trying to pursue an alternative path is that in the municipality where the project is located do not have a governmental study that certifies the public transportation frequency during the weekends, this study has just been develop for weekdays (Monday -Friday).
Also considering that public transportation frequency is not asked for school projects because the use of the building is only during weekdays. Does this consideration may apply to the project if it is also only used during weekdays, just as schools?
I am excited to hear about your opinion and point of view.
Thank you.
Marilyn Specht
Senior Principal | Director of Sustainability IntegrationSmithGroup
LEEDuser Expert
51 thumbs up
June 15, 2016 - 7:47 pm
Lourdes,
Alternative compliance is typically awarded if projects can still demonstrate they meet the intent of the credit. Focus on the intent and provide the review team with a narrative explaining your case. You can also contact GBCI to try to confirm this prior to your review if you need to know where you stand.
Brightworks Sustainability
Brightworks Sustainability LLC47 thumbs up
July 21, 2017 - 4:26 pm
Lourdes, do the transportation lines not publicly post their schedules? If so, you could count the number of trips to get the frequency for weekends.
emily reese moody
Sustainability Director, Certifications & ComplianceJacobs
LEEDuser Expert
476 thumbs up
April 25, 2018 - 2:16 pm
I contacted LEED Coach and asked for some guidance regarding projects that are only occupied on the weekend, and the possibility of still earning this credit with no/little weekend services. Here is their response, for reference:
For LEED v4, the intent of this credit is to encourage development in locations well served by transit, and the definition of quality transit developed for the rating system includes weekend transit. Exceptions to the weekend service requirement are generally not available to NC or CI projects.
However, if your team feels that the intent of the credit can be met with project-specific circumstances, the alternative compliance path would need to demonstrate how the intent is met. Additionally, since the weekend requirements cannot be met, the team would need to demonstrate that the building is intended to have zero weekend occupancy (including custodial / maintenance / security staff). For example, a secure facility that is not accessible outside weekday opening hours might be granted an exception. If submitting a CIR, your team should provide a narrative describing the anticipated occupancy and any restrictions on weekend access.
Hope that helps!