For credit 5.1 does land previously used for agricultural use qualify as "developed" under this credit?Under SS105- Credit 5.2 Inquiry 1999.11.03-010 the committee ruled "as the landscape has been disturbed by agricultural use, the 50 foot restriction does not provide any site protection in this case...."A "Greenfield" in the LEED reference guide is defined as "undeveloped land or land that has not been impacted by human activity"As curent agricultural practice requires extensive "human activity" is it not reasonable then to define agricultural land as "developed" and provide exclusion from the disturbance limitations?Application of this credit assumes that a minimum of 50% of the land previously used for agricultural purposes is restored to native or adapted conditions.
As suggested, agricultural land may qualify as \'developed\' based on current agricultural practices. The determination of whether it is \'developed\' or \'greenfield\' is dependent on the post-agricultural disposition of the land. If lying fallow, the land will revert to a more natural state relatively quickly compared to more intensive development types. If the former agricultural land has not been worked or planted recently and has proceeded toward natural succession, the flora and fauna may be well on it\'s way towards establishing a stable natural ecosystem. Based on this, the project should provide information about recent use and condition of the land to support the contention that the site should be treated as developed. The project should also clearly indicate that 50% of the remaining open areas have been restored. Applicable Internationally.