we are developing a >300,000 sf highrise residential project just south of downtown los angeles, in an area currently characterized by large, small, and mid-sized building, and also filled with many large surface parking lots. we seek guidance on how parking lots (which are not associated with any building) are to be considered in the calculator (or are they just ignored, like streets?), and whether one can just assume the intent of this credit is met by any project over 60,000 sf/acre in a dense urban core, regardless of immediately adjacent properties.
As stated in SSc2 CIR Ruling, dated 8/2/2001, "you cannot exempt the parking from the density boundary". Also, the project team cannot "just assume the intent of this credit is met by any project over 60,000 sf/acre in a dense urban core, regardless of immediately adjacent properties." However, a project that meets the 60,000 sf/acre density requirement on its defined site and is located within an obvious existing dense urban core certainly complies with the intent of this credit; hence, the credit can be achieved if alternative documentation clearly demonstrates compliance. A viable example would be an aerial photo (with the project site clearly identified and the required LEED density boundary indicated) visually demonstrating that the project is located in an urban area with at least 2-story downtown development, on average, within the required density radius. If compliance is not readily apparent to USGBC reviewers, further documentation and calculations, in accordance with the Reference Guide, will be required. Applicable internationally.