505 Innovative Practices – Above Green

Intent

Innovative lot design, preparation and development practices are used to enhance environmental performance. Waivers or variances from local development regulations are obtained, and innovative zoning is used to implement such practices.

505.1 - Driveways and Parking Areas

Driveways and parking areas are minimized or mitigated by one or more of the following:

Off-street parking areas are shared or driveways are shared. Waivers or variances from local development regulations are obtained to implement such practices, if required. (5 points)
In a multifamily project, parking capacity does not exceed the local minimum requirements. (5 points)
- Required Documentation:
  Document with local regulations.
Structured parking is utilized to reduce the footprint of surface parking areas.
- 25 percent to less than 50 percent (4 points)
- 50 percent to 75 percent (5 points)
- greater than 75 percent (6 points)

505.2 - Heat island mitigation

Heat island effect is mitigated by one or both of the following.

Hardscape: Not less than 50 percent of the surface area of the hardscape on the lot meets one or a combination of the following methods. (5 points)
- Shading of hardscaping: Shade is provided from existing or new vegetation (within five years) or from trellises. Shade of hardscaping is to be measured on the summer solstice at noon.
- Light-colored hardscaping: Horizontal hardscaping materials are installed with a solar reflectance index (SRI) of 29 or greater. The SRI is calculated in accordance with ASTM E1980. A default SRI value of 35 for new concrete without added color pigment is permitted to be used instead of measurements.
- Permeable hardscaping: Permeable hardscaping materials are installed.

Required Documentation

Calculation showing percent of hardscape on the lot included in heat island minimization. Manufacturer’s literature with SRI data.

Roofs: Not less than 75 percent of the exposed surface of the roof is vegetated using technology capable of withstanding the climate conditions of the jurisdiction and the microclimate conditions of the building lot. Invasive plant species are not permitted. (5 points)

Required Documentation

Manufacture’s literature regarding vegetated roof product and/or SRI data.

505.3 - Density

The average density on the lot on a net developable area basis is:

7 to less than 14 dwelling units per acre (per 4,047 m²) (4 points)
14 to less than 21 dwelling units per acre (per 4,047 m²) (5 points)
21 to less than 35 dwelling units per acre (per 4,047 m²) (6 points)
35 to less than 70 dwelling units per acre (per 4,047 m²) (7 points)
70 or greater dwelling units per acre (per 4,047 m²) (8 points)

Required Documentation

Calculation of number of units divided by lot size for the building.

505.4 - Mixed-use development

The lot contains a mixed-use building. (8 points)

505.5 - Multifamily or mixed-use community garden(s)

Local food production to residents or area consumers.

A portion of the lot of at least 250 sq ft is established as community garden(s) for the residents of the site. [*3 points per 250 sq ft] (9 points max)
Locate the project within a 0.5-mile walking distance of an existing or planned farmers market/ farm stand that is open or will operate at least once a week for at least five months of the year. (3 points)
Areas and physical provisions are provided for composting. (1 point)
Signs designating the garden area are posted. (1 point)

Required Documentation

Site and/or landscape plan. For (b) verify operation months for any farmers market and/or farm stand.

505.6 - Multi-unit plug-in electric vehicle charging

Plug-in electric vehicle charging capability is provided for not fewer than 2 percent of parking stalls. (4 points; 10 max)

[An additional 2 points can be earned for each percentage point above 2% for a maximum of 10 points]

Note: Fractional values shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number. Electrical capacity in main electric panels supports Level 2 charging (208/240V-up to 80 amps or in accordance with SAE J1772). Each stall is provided with conduit and wiring infrastructure from the electric panel to support Level 2 charging (208/240V- up to 80 amps or in accordance with SAE J1772) service to the designated stalls, and stalls are equipped with either Level 2 charging AC grounded outlets (208/240V- up to 80 amps or in accordance with SAE J1772) or Level 2 charging stations (208-240V/80A) by a third party charging station.

Required Documents

Plan specs. These points are only available for multifamily.

505.7 - Multi-uni residential CNG vehicle fueling

CNG vehicle residential fueling appliances are provided for at least 1 percent of the parking stalls. The CNG fueling appliances shall be listed in accordance with ANSI/CSA NGV 5.1 and installed in accordance to the appliance manufacturer’s installation instructions. (4 points)

Required Documentation

Plan specs. These points are only available for multifamily.

505.8 - Street Network

Project is located in an area of high intersection density. (5 points)

Required Documentation

Intersection Density = Total number of intersections, including dead ends / Area in square miles.

505.9 - Smoking Prohibitions

Signs are provided on multifamily and mixed-use lots prohibiting smoking at the following locations:

Smoking is prohibited within 25 feet (7.5 m) of all building exterior doors and operable windows or building air intakes within 15 (4.5 m) vertical feet of grade or a walking surface. (3 points)
Smoking is prohibited on decks, balconies, patios and other occupied exterior spaces. (3 points)
Smoking is prohibited at all parks, playgrounds, and community activity or recreational spaces. (3 points)

Required Documentation

Plan specs showing signage.

505.10 - Exercise & recreation area

For multifamily buildings, on-site dedicated recreation space for exercise or play opportunities for adults and/or children open and accessible to residents is provided.

A dedicated area of at least 400 square feet is provided inside the building with adult exercise and/or children’s play equipment. (3 points)
A courtyard, garden, terrace, or roof space at least 10% of the lot area that can serve as outdoor space for children’s play and /or adult activities is provided. (3 points)
Active play/recreation areas are illuminated at night to extend opportunities for physical activity into the evening. (3 points)

Required Documentation

Plan specs.

505.11 - Battery storage system

A battery storage system of not less than 6 kWh of available capacity is installed that stores electric energy from an on-site renewable electric generation system or is grid-interactive or can perform both functions. (2 points)

Required Documentation

Manufacturer's literature confirming capacity, storage, and grid-interaction.