Our project is a new 320,000 s.f. mixed-use project being designed and constructed to achieve various LEED NC 2.2 credits. The mixed use components consist of residential units, residential parking and commercial tenant space located in the bay area. The development is surrounded on all four sides by existing mixed use, commercial, retail and high density residential developments. The property sits at the intersection of two streets, and the building hugs the property line so that there is a "zero-property line" condition along the street corner. We have determined that the site qualifies as LZ3 - Medium (Commercial/Industrial, High-Density Residential) Environmental Zone. We are requesting an interpretation for the requirement to design exterior lighting so that it meets the intent of this credit in all areas except at the egress areas which are at levels required by code. 1) The proposed mixed use high density residential project is to be built from property line to property line and all of the exterior building lighting is provided for safety and comfort of the project and all of the lighting is part of the emergency egress pathway and is on emergency back up power. The values in the egress areas are as required by code and are the desirable levels for the safety of the occupants. 2) Because of the proximity of the property and/or curb line the max initial (and maintained) illimunance value will be greater than the .20 horizontal and vertical allowed levels to the site boundary. We are exceeding 1 foot-candle in most places, but it is all path of egress. 3) Because of the proximity to the site boundaries the .01 horizontal levels from the site boundary to 15 feet out will also be exceeded. Please confirm that this design meets the credit intent to reduce light pollution by minimizing light trespass while still upholding current design practices and meeting code requirements.
The applicant is inquiring whether exceeding the illuminance values both for the property/curb line and 15ft beyond as required for LZ3- Medium Environmental Zone at egress areas while meeting the requirements at other areas is acceptable. In addition, the applicant indicates that the illuminance values maintained at the egress areas are required by code and are desirable for the safety and comfort of the occupants. The project cannot achieve SSc8 as currently described. In the CIR ruling 12/15/2006 light trespass only at entries are allowed to exceed the requirement at the property/curb line, but not 15ft beyond the property/curb line. For further clarification of the 12/15/2006 CIR, when using the curb line as the property line the proponent must document that the code requirement for egress lighting extends to the curb to exceed the trespass requirement at the curb line. In all areas the light trespass 15ft beyond the property/curb line must meet the 0.01fc requirement. Furthermore, the CIR process does not constitute credit acceptance, it is the project team\'s responsibility to fully document the credit requirements by citing referenced sources and providing relevant data when submitting the project for LEED review.