My company moved into a new building this year and they have recently submitted the paperwork for LEED Gold certification. There are a number of spaces in the parking garage with signs stating that they are reserved for Alternate Fuel or Hybrid vehicles. There are also spaces designated for Car Pools. Several weeks after moving into the building, it was announced that these spaces were available for general parking after 8:45 AM (Starting Time is 9AM). I sent emails to Management stating that this was a violation of the LEED certification, but they did not agree with me. Can someone tell me if this would be allowed under LEED rules? Is there any resource that would state the requirements?
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Kathryn West
LEED AP BD+C, O+M, Green Globes ProfessionalJLL
154 thumbs up
August 1, 2013 - 10:20 pm
Ugh. Just obliterates the intent of the credit. Of course this is not allowed. If they want to do this they should not pursue the points. In LEEDv4 the signage is supposed to be enforced. The signage needs to say "low emitting and fuel efficient" and should not mention hybrids anyways.... Some hybrid SUVs are not fuel efficient.
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11477 thumbs up
August 1, 2013 - 10:49 pm
Michael, the LEED credit language which you can find on this page, and the guidance above on LEEDuser, describes the requirements, and clearly this situation does not meet them. I would inform the responsible party that the credit should be withdrawn, or signage and policy changed, although if the credit documentation was submitted with that wording the building won't earn the credit anyway.
Michelle Rosenberger
PartnerArchEcology
522 thumbs up
August 2, 2013 - 10:36 am
Hi Michael,
Preferred parking is often sensitive to our project owners and developers, too. As Kathryn says, it might be worth reminding them that "low emitting and fuel efficient" does not necessarily mean alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles. Then you could send them the list of compliant vehicles from the ACEEE website. Once they see how many common vehicles can actually use the spaces, some of their concerns may be allayed. This approach has worked for us before.
SS4.4 is a bit different to deal with particularly if they are concerned about visitor parking. Since carpool spaces are mostly geared for staff, it seems like there ought to be some way to encourage carpooling amongst yourselves and take good advantage of the spaces by 8:45. If they perceive the spaces wouldn't be available for non-carpoolers anyway, they might reconsider. Good luck.
Kathryn West
LEED AP BD+C, O+M, Green Globes ProfessionalJLL
154 thumbs up
August 2, 2013 - 10:50 am
maybe they got the credit denied so they aren't following the credit requirements now? I'm sure that could happen if you submit your documentation after installing the sign and didn't have the language right.
The acceptable cars that meet these requirements are difficult to convey to people in a succinct manner. It's good to have some sort of brochure or email to educate people that many cars (~1,400) meet the "low-emitting and fuel efficient vehicle" definition including economy cars (like I drive!) including Toyota corolla, ford focus, hyundai elantra... the list is here http://www.greenercars.org/news.htm
Michael Gillen
January 17, 2014 - 11:25 am
I appreciate all the good replies I received to my question. I sent the replies to management and, soon after, the signage was changed to comply. However, they have never rescinded the announcement that stated that the spaces were available for general parking after 8:45 and there is no enforcement. So, now the situation is worse and people are parking SUV's in these spaces on a regular basis. Is there a requirement that the parking rules be enforced? Are there any on-site inspections prior to the certification being granted?