Our project is a high-density residential tower combined with single-family street level private entry brownstones. The brownstones are less than 5% of the total unit mix for the project. All requirements of EQc5 have been able to be achieved through out the project with one notable exception. The single family brownstones units have been unable to comply with the permanent entryway system at least six feet in length in the primary direction of travel Previous CIRS confirm that some form of entry way system is required, with no exceptions, for all entry ways from exterior spaces into residential units. Walk off mats have been considered by the developer in lieu of the permanent grills or grates; however, since each brownstone unit will be sold, not rented, it is not legally possible through CC&Rs to require each brownstone owner to grant access to a matt cleaning service on a weekly basis for a 2 year term. In the interest of meeting the intent of credit, we propose that the developer provide two washable walk off mats as part of the amenities provided with each unit (each brownstone has its own has it\'s own private point of entry from a public street or parking garage). The Owner\'s User Manual shall include instructions on how each owner can and should regularly wash their entry mats in an effort to reduce/prevent dirt and particulates from entering their unit. The building concierge will also offer a mat cleaning service to tenants that will be covered by HOA dues. The mats will be custom fit and a design selected that allows particulate matter to be trapped but also has an aesthetic that matches the design style of the brownstones. We also propose that since these brownstone units are single family, that the developer is not required to provide "at least 6\' in the primary direction of travel" as there is already precedent for this in LEED for Homes IEQc8.0 Contaminant Control which states that ".walk-off mats.are at least 4 feet in length." Please confirm if this alternative compliance will be acceptable for all private entries to single family units entryways that are directly connected to the outdoors, and if not, what would be an acceptable solution that acknowledges the limits of CC&Rs.
The alternative compliance path is not acceptable. The CIR asks whether 4\' long walk-off mats can be placed at all exterior entrances to a single family (brownstone) home to fulfill credit requirements within a mixed-use submittal. LEED-NC v2.2 allows for minimum 6\' long walk-off mats (when maintained on a weekly basis by a contracted service organization) as a compliance path for commercial buildings, however LEED for Homes (v1.11a, January 2007, available as a free download during the Pilot phase from the USGBC website) requires that project teams, "Design and install permanent walk-off mats at each entry that are at least 4 feet in length and allow accessibility for cleaning (e.g. grating with catch basin.)" Single family homes, as part of a mixed-use LEED-NC submittal, should pursue either the compliance path established in the LEED-NC Reference Guide (excluding compliance paths and CIRs developed for non-single family home applications) or the LEED for Homes compliance path in effect at the time of LEED submittal.Please see updated guidance for this LEED Interpretation under a LEED Interpretation Ruling 10098 posted date 8/01/2011. Projects registered on or after this date must use the new ruling.