We have a project on a university campus in a highly developed area. There is a piece of open ground close to the building though not immediately adjacent to it. The distance from the building itself is 210\', less than the length of the building. Contained within the area is an underground water reservoir that has been landscaped over to create green space. The area of the open space less the area of the water reservoir is still equal to the building footprint. If the landscaped area over the reservoir is counted the area is increased by 3,421 s.f. It has been discussed to relocate the water tank to allow for further construction projects on this site. If this space were to qualify for SScr5.2 it would be added to the Heritage Trust Reserve, a 1,500 acre undeveloped space adjacent located along the east side of the developed area. Our questions are twofold: 1. Does the distance from the building to the open space preclude it from qualifying for SS cr. 5.2? 2. If not, does the fact that there is an underground water tank present pose an issue of any kind to achieving the point?
As outlined in SSc5.1 CIR Ruling dated 9/2/2003 and SSc5.2 CIR Ruling dated 4/18/2005, "this credit can be achieved in a campus setting via open space in a part of the campus that is separate from the project site." Therefore the distance from the building to the open space does not preclude earning SSc5.2. There is not enough information provided to determine if the landscaped underground reservoir qualifies as open space for SSc5.2. As defined in the Reference Guide, "open space must be vegetated and pervious, thus providing habitat and other ecological services." If it does not qualify, then the total area of the open space provided minus the reservoir area (if included within the open space) must be at least equal to the building footprint. Please remember that the open space must be protected for the life of the building, which might not "allow for further construction projects on this site" as mentioned above.