The design team wishes to clarify the intent for the credit in question. The School District in New Orleans has recently completed its master plan. The plan includes phased expansion of capacity throughout the city. Each new/renovated school has been programmed to address many needs in the community it serves. It is stated that the intent of the credit is to ensure that the environmental site issues are carried through to future plans for the site. If the site will not be developed further because of a commitment from the School District to maintain the site\'s environmental benefits (and if an increase in capacity is accounted for through the procurement of nearby sites), what is the distinction in intent? Also, what is the definition of future development for this credit? Does it include future plans for site work and habitat restoration (beyond what is covered in SS c 5.1,7.1, etc.)? For instance, if the School District plans and prepares to, over time, make the site a US Fish and Wildlife Urban Wildlife Sanctuary, does that constitute future development for the purposes of this credit?
The design team is looking to clarify the intent of the credit for a situation where there is a plan for no further development of the site. Additionally they have inquired as to the definition of "further development," particularly as it pertains to future plans for site work and habitat restoration. Since the intent of the credit is to ensure that environmental site issues are maintained during future development, projects that have no future development planned are not eligible for this credit. Future development may include future playing fields, parking lots, habitat restoration, etc, provided that a Master Plan is created according the credit requirements outlined in the rating system and reference guide. Applicable Internationally.