Methods to restore soils include stockpiling and reusing topsoil from the site, with organic amendment if needed; amending site soils in place with organic matter and mechanically correcting compaction if needed (e.g., by ripping); and importing a topsoil or soil blend designed to serve as topsoil.
You are not required to implement any strategies that you examine. However, it’s wise to take the opportunity to holistically examine your design decisions to ensure they are optimized to produce a high-performing building.
This is an optional credit (not a prerequisite) and is therefore not required.
No. Open space, as defined by this credit, is an outdoor space that must be physically accessible and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation (see the LEED Reference Guide for specifics). Vegetation is the portion of this open space that is not paved or made up of turf grass.
Yes, the preferred spaces should be distributed through the long-term and short-term parking spaces to ensure occupants and visitors have access to the preferred spaces.
No, only the 5% of preferred parking spaces must be in an optimal location for building users. The EV charging stations or other alternative fuel stations may be anywhere onsite. These stations have no location requirements.
No. The LEED Reference Guide makes it clear that EV charging stations must be provided in addition to preferred parking for green vehicles. One space may not be swapped out for the other, they must both be provided together.
LEED defines preferred parking spaces as spaces that are the closest driving distance and the closest walking distance to the entrance of the building. In a multi-level garage, the preferred spaces would be those on the first level (closest driving distance), and those that are located with the best proximity to the building entrance (closest walking distance).
Tenant energy use is not considered to be an energy end use because tenant meters typically monitor energy use for lighting, plug loads, and occasionally other equipment such as supplemental cooling. Because of that, a single system is typically not represented by tenant-level metering, and therefore cannot qualify as an end use for the purposes of this credit.
No, only interior nonstructural elements can contribute to earning this credit. The following items should be excluded from calculations:
Exterior windows and doorsElements that are outside the scope of work (example: exterior of a wall)Items demolished and not replacedHazardous materials that are remediated as part of the project