Community Connectivity: Minimum area for 10 units per acre

Hi Bob, we have a couple FAQs above that I think provide the guidance you're looking for. I'd suggest reviewing those.

On our project, we have the latest v4 formand it asks for the: "Development density of the surrounding residential zone or neighborhood." It sounds very much like they are asking for the entire residential area within the 1/2 mile radius of the site to be 10 units per acre or more. In fact, we probably have that, but it is going to be really difficult to document: this is a dense historic neighborhood with a mix of 1, 2 and 3 family bungalows on each 5000 SF lot. And there are several hundred lots. The only way I know of to document the density is to look up each lot on the county assessor's web site and there are well over a hundred lots. Aiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! Can I do a representative sample and extrapolate? How big do you think it would need to be?

For the development density option, you will need to document the density of all of the properties within the density radius to make sure that the average is greater than 60k sf. However, your radius is not necessarily a half mile. The example section in the reference manual will give you the formula for determining the radius and will walk you through the calculations. Just a note for clarification though, the community connectivity option for this credit only asks to you identify a single residential area with a density of 10 units/acre net and does not expect you to document the densities of all the buildings in your half mile radius.Obviously that is the easier option if you can come up with the 10 basic services.

Thanks, I didn't state it clearly but we are going for the connectivity option, and the wording of the v4 template is to provide "Development density of the surrounding residential zone or neighborhood" in units per acre, right above the field for listing services. This would constitute a major change in the requirements for the credit, but if that's not what they meant, why word it that way?

I will not even try to reason why it is worded that way and agree that it is confusing. I have submitted this form with only inputing in the denisty of a single apartment building or complex (as well as identifying it on my map) and had it pass successfully so I don't think it is meant to be a change in the requirements.

I read 'development density' and think 'zoning'. Luckily, some counties align the residential zoning with the units per acre allowed - for example R-10 means residential, 10 units per acre. Others are more obtuse, as is their way. Now if you aren't zoned to the required level, you may need to prove actual density to the reviewers.

Careful - 'Zoning' does not equal 'Existing Density' in LEED's eyes. Typically, it seems like projects will be kicked back as pending when they try to provide just the local zoning regulations as that isn't really proof that the existing area actually meets LEED's minimum level of 10 units/acre (perhaps the zoning was just increased/changed, perhaps other types of development have gone in that have actually decreased that existing density level to below the zoned amount, etc). You need to make sure that you demonstrate that the existing actual density is at least 10 units/acre. Ellen's method of demonstrating the existing density of at least one apartment building/complex is probably the most common for urban projects.