Schematic Design

Consider the time that will be spent by administrative or maintenance personnel in administering any programs. Procedures, policies, and enforcement mechanisms may need to be developed.

Before implementing any programs to reduce reliance on single occupancy vehicles, assess the likelihood that tenant occupants will actually use them; you may have to provide carpooling incentives to motivate people to share rides, for example. See Resources for more information on rideshares and carpools.

If you’re not careful, limiting parking capacity could be frustrating for occupants, and not behavior-changing. Consider strategies that go above and beyond the credit requirements:

Research local and state tax incentives for carpooling programs. In order to qualify for state or local programs the carpooling program typically must be verifiable and meet specific requirements.

While salvaged materials—such as a reclaimed raised-floor frame—may be hidden from the end user’s view, other salvaged materials can add historic character to a space when displayed prominently, such as reclaimed wood flooring.

Research the availability of appropriate salvaged materials for your project. See the Resources section for sites that can help with this.

The civil engineer or landscape architect responsible for site layout should coordinate pedestrian and bike paths with school exits for student safety and compliance with the credit requirements. Early planning is a must.

This approach can be challenging to document, as information about where students live may not be readily available and compiled.

Schools can meet this credit through providing pedestrian access. To determine whether you comply with this option, develop two lists of students and their walking distances from home to school, one for students who are in Grade 8 and below (maximum distance from school of 0.75 miles), and one for students Grades 9 and above (maximum distance from school of 1.5 miles). Distances are as the crow flies, not actual walking distance—as long as there is actual pedestrian access. Then determine whether a minimum of 80% of the students live within those distances.

Schools must also provide dedicated walking paths and biking lanes that connect the school buildings to the edge of the school property without the interference of vehicles or fences. A minimum of two paths going in two different directions must be provided.