GB1: Additional Commercial Green Building Certification

(3-6 points)

Purpose

Promote energy, water and material resource efficiency by supporting green commercial structures.

Criteria

Meet the ECC Commercial Green Building requirement.

AND

Make provisions for additional commercial building square footage to certify as EarthCraft for Light Commercial (ECLC), LEED or a recognized green building certification program.

Percentage of additional floor area is based on the total commercial building square footage allowed by zoning or planned via permitted site plan in the project less the square footage certified for ECC requirement. Projects should round up to the nearest whole building. Additional percentage of floor area:

Additional Percentage of Floor Area	Points
25%	3
50%	4
75%	5
100%	6

* If only one qualifying structure exists on site (e.g. a community center within a residential development) then the 3 point item will be awarded upon successful certification.

Example

The project’s permitted site plan contains 50,000 ft2 of commercial square footage. One parcel is a 15,000 ft2 building the project team has selected to certify as EarthCraft Light Commercial. The remaining commercial area is 35,000 split between two building sites; one is a small community building of 5,000 and the other is an office/retail building of 30,000. To receive credit, the project must certify the larger building because at least 25% of the remaining 35,000 ft2 must certify. In this case, that is 8,750 ft2 . Thus, the project selects to certify the 30,000 ft2 building; which is 85% of the remaining square footage. The project receives 5 points.

Verification 

• Calculation of total commercial square footage. 
• Copy of sale or lease agreement that specifies the commercial structures to certify under an approved green building program. This section can take the form of an addendum to lot purchase contract.