Our question pertains to a project in a large urban redevelopment on an abandoned industrial site adjacent to a major waterway. All development blocks in the project will be more than 100 feet from the waterway. On our particular project site, which is one of many sites within this redevelopment area, we have 29,753 sf or 86% of our site 5\'\' or greater above the 100-yr flood plain. The remaining 14%, or 4,896 sf varies below the requirement with an average about 3 inches below. As part of the redevelopment program, we have contributed to the restoration of in-stream habitat for salmon listed under the sea, and are creating a greenway buffer with an average width of 125 feet along the river, 25 percent greater than required by code. We propose that these facts demonstrate that we have met the intent of this credit, because rather than developing in an inappropriate site, through the process of redevelopment we have actually restored the riparian areas of the site, and the degree to which a small portion our site is below 5 feet above the FEMA floodplain (an average of 3 inches for 14 percent of the site), given all of the above facts, is de minimis. Please confirm whether, given these facts, our project will qualify for SSc1.
The intent of the credit is to avoid development of inappropriate sites, including those sites lower than 5 feet above the elevation of the 100-year flood as defined by FEMA. Per the LEED v2.1 Letter Template, projects may attempt this credit under special circumstances, even if there is technical non-compliance noted with one of the five site criteria. This credit ruling only applies to projects in previously developed areas (not greenfields) that can clearly demonstrate that measures have been taken to meet the intent of the credit by spirit if not by the letter. Your project is being developed in an abandoned industrial site adjacent to a major waterway with portions of the site area under the 100-year flood plain area. A definitive ruling can not be made due to the limited project details in your narrative. Your LEED certification submittal must make the case for credit equivalence. In the least, add the following information to the details you\'ve described in this CIR: 1) Identify the lowest elevation (relative to the 5 feet above the elevation of the 100-year flood threshold) that is being built upon, and it\'s location on the site. (The "3 inches below" average may not tell the whole story.) A topographic map would be useful. 2) Provide details of what is being built on any site area that is lower than the 5 feet above the elevation of the 100-year flood threshold. E.g., buildings or walkways. 3) Describe the design and planning strategies adopted to minimize development of such areas. 4) Explain what flood protection measures are being adopted for whatever is being built in that area. 5) Detail how site stormwater is being dealt with relative to storm overflow or potential spot flooding.