USGBC Updated LEED-AP-ND Exam Questions and Answers by kyro

The requirement for an infill site under LEED® Neighborhood Development is that at least 75% of the site’s boundary must border parcels that are individually at least 50% previously disturbed, and in aggregate, at least 75% of the boundary must be adjacent to previously disturbed parcels.This criterion supports the redevelopment of previously developed land and helps in reducing urban sprawl by encouraging the use of already impacted sites.

Infill Development:Infill development refers to the practice of developing vacant or underused parcels within existing urban areas that are already largely developed. LEED-ND promotes infill development as it typically results in more efficient land use, reduces the need for new infrastructure, and supports the revitalization of existing communities.

Previously Disturbed Parcels:A "previously disturbed" parcel refers to land that has been altered by previous development or human activities, making it more suitable for redevelopment without contributing to the loss of greenfield sites (undeveloped land).

Boundary Criteria:The specific requirement that 75% of the project’s boundary borders disturbed parcels ensures that the site is surrounded by areas that have already experienced some level of development. This aligns with LEED-ND’s goals of encouraging sustainable development patterns that optimize land use within existing urbanized areas.

The LEED-ND Reference Guide elaborates on the criteria for infill sites under the Smart Location & Linkage (SLL) category, particularly emphasizing the importance of reusing previously disturbed land.

TheLEED v4 Neighborhood Developmentdocumentation provides detailed definitions and examples to clarify what constitutes an infill site.

Detailed Explanation:References:For more information, review the materials available through USGBC:

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development

The Neighborhood Pattern and Design Credit for Community Outreach and Involvement encourages project teams to actively engage with the community during the development process. Creating and maintaining an interactive website for ongoing dialogue between the developer and the community is a strategy that fosters continuous engagement, transparency, and inclusivity. This approach ensures that the community's input can be incorporated throughout the project’s duration, addressing concerns and suggestions in real-time. While other options like conducting a design charrette or open house are also valuable, the continuous interaction facilitated by a dedicated website aligns more closely with the credit’s intent for ongoing community involvement.

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).

To achieve the Neighborhood Pattern and Design Credit for Neighborhood Schools in LEED-ND, at least 50% of the dwelling units must be within a 1/2 mile (800 meters) walking distance of an existing or planned school. The scenario where three units are within a 1/2 mile and seven units are within a one-mile distance meets the criteria, as it ensures that a significant portion of the residences are within a close, walkable distance to a school.

Neighborhood Schools Credit:This credit encourages the development of neighborhoods where schools are within walking distance of homes, promoting walking and reducing the need for car travel. It supports the idea of integrating educational facilities into the community fabric.

Walking Distance Requirements:For this credit, the LEED-ND standard typically requires that a certain percentage of theproject's dwelling units be within a 1/2 mile (800 meters) walking distance of a school. This distance is measured along safe and accessible pedestrian paths.

Scenario Compliance:In the given scenario, three of the ten units are within the optimal 1/2 mile walking distance. While the remaining seven units are slightly further away (within one mile), the distribution still supports the credit's intent by making a school accessible to most residents.

The LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development outlines the criteria for Neighborhood Schools and how to measure and document walking distances.

TheLEED v4 Neighborhood Developmentdocumentation provides specific guidelines on the distribution of dwelling units in relation to schools.

Detailed Explanation:References:For more information, refer to:

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development