TOPIC: SITE CLEARANCE ACTUAL VS ALLOWABLEOur project is on a large previously undeveloped site, and limiting site clearance was a primary goal to the client and design team. We were unable to limit the roadway clearing to less than 5 feet; however, the project far exceeds the clearing limitations for the building and other constructed areas. We calculated the area of Allowable Clearing using the LEED maximums in each category and compared this to the area of Actual Clearing. The Actual Clearing was far less than the Allowable Clearing, so we believe that the credit intent was met.(* Incidentally, the reason that we could not meet the roadway clearance limitation was partially due to other environmental considerations, such as positioning the road to avoid impacting specimen trees.)
The alternative compliance path you have described meets the intent of this credit by conserving existing natural areas to provide habitat and promote biodiversity. The following documentation must be provided to demonstrate compliance: 1) Two of the three site disturbance limitations (building perimeter; roadways, walkways and utilities; permeable surfaces) have been met per LEED requirements.2) Highlighted site drawing with calculations demonstrating that the amount of actual site disturbance is less than the amount of site disturbance allowed under LEED requirements for greenfield sites.3) A detailed narrative describing why the roadway clearing limitation requirement was not obtainable, and how the alternative compliance path resulted in a net environmental benefit greater than what could have been achieved by adhering to the LEED requirements. Applicable Internationally.