Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) LEED-AP-ND USGBC Study Notes

The percentage of undeveloped land that must remain undisturbed for the Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit on Minimized Site Disturbance is determined by the density of the project. Higher-density projects are generally permitted to disturb a greater portion of the land because they use the land more efficiently, while lower-density projects must preserve more undeveloped land to minimize the environmental impact. LEED encourages high-density development as a means to preserve open spaces and reduce sprawl, which directly influences the required percentage of land that must remain undisturbed.

References:

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Guide: This guide details the requirements for minimizing site disturbance, explaining how project density affects the percentage of land that must remain undisturbed (USGBC, LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Current Version).

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development: Provides the rationale behind varying land disturbance allowances based on project density (USGBC, LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development).

The Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan, required under the Green Infrastructure and Buildings Prerequisite for Construction Activity Pollution Prevention, primarily aims to prevent air pollution from dust and particulate matter generated during construction. This objective ensures that construction activities do not negatively impact air quality, particularly for neighboring communities. The plan also addresses soil erosion and sedimentation, protecting local waterways from sediment runoff, which can degrade water quality and harm aquatic ecosystems.

To meet the Neighborhood Pattern and Design Credit for Transit Facilities, it is required to display transit schedules and route information at each public transit stop. This requirement ensures that transit users have access to up-to-date and accurate information, making public transportation more accessible and user-friendly, which supports increased transit use and reduces reliance on private vehicles. The other options, such as providing park and ride lots or intersection connectivity, while beneficial, do not directly address the requirements of this specific credit.

When calculating whether a property qualifies as an adjacent site under LEED, certain borders can be omitted from the calculation. Specifically, a public street or other right-of-way can be omitted because these are considered infrastructure elements rather than natural or undeveloped land that would contribute to the adjacency calculation. This is in line with LEED's focus on encouraging developments that are connected to existing urban infrastructure while still promoting the preservation of natural spaces and minimizing the development of previously undeveloped land.