The intent of this credit is to conserve existing natural areas and restore damaged areas to provide habitat and promote biodiversity. Our project is a 550,000 square foot high-rise residential property in New York City. The zoning requirement for open space in this case is zero. The availability of ground-level open space on our site is greatly reduced due to our location in a high-density urban area. We will be providing 11,906 square feet of open space in the form of green roofs, which is equal to 54% of the project site area. The green roofs in this project provide an amenity to building residents, while restoring a previously impervious surface with adaptive vegetation. We are seeking credit equivalency, in relation to an allowance based on a CIR ruling for SSc5.2 dated 8/5/2004: "if the project is to be located in a high-density urban setting, the credit can be achieved by allocating 25% of the entire site area to open space." We greatly exceed this requirement, by dedicating over 50% of the entire site to open space in the form of green roofs. In order to comply with the intent of this credit, we will provide the following items: 1) Zoning document; 2) Green roof calculations. 3) Documentation of the achievement of Sustainable Sites credit 2.0 We anticipate that this is an appropriate manner in which to approach this credit interpretation. Please confirm that this approach meets the credit intent.
Green roofs are an acceptable alternative compliance path for achieving this credit in high density urban environments where no other opportunities for open space exist. The 8/5/2004 credit ruling provides a relevant precedent. In order to receive credit for this approach, the project must: 1) Achieve SSc2, Development Density. 2) Dedicate at least 25% of the total site area as open space (including green roof). Applicable internationally.