In regard to parking capacity, there are currently no "minimum local zoning requirements" for Battery Park City (or the rest of Manhattan, for that matter). In an effort to meet the intent of this credit, the project design team has deliberately minimized the parking capacity to a total of 50 spaces. Since the building accommodates 282 apartments (with an expected total occupancy of approximately 840 - 920 persons), only 18% of the units, at most, will have parking (or approximately 5 - 6% of the building occupants).Designated carpool spaces are difficult to justify in a residential parking area - carpooling is by nature a "destination" concept, rather than an "origination" (residence) concept. In Manhattan, it is not anticipated that many residents with vehicles will use them to commute to work. In addition, the current credit requirements would theoretically force the building owner to designate almost half of the 50 spaces for carpool participants. We are therefore proposing that, for residential facilities, the carpooling requirement be excluded.
It is agreed that carpool/vanpool spaces are not appropriate for the residents of a residential facility. However, to achieve this point you must still address the performance aspect of the credit, which is to increase the proportion of HOV capacity of a given site. In your case you could provide a designated carpool drop-off and pick up area, add rider boards, or flex car parking to serve 5% of the residents. Provide a calculation that helps LEED understand how the increased HOV utilization is accomplished. Applicable Internationally.