Which of the following must be included in the Sustainable Sites Credit, Site Assessment?

Which of the following must be included in the Sustainable Sites Credit, Site Assessment?
A . A targeted Brownfield remedy plan
B . Historic preservation plan to include neighboring properties
C . Proximity of vulnerable populations to major sources of air pollution
D . The surrounding density within a 1/4 mi. (0.40 km) radius of the project boundary

View Answer

Answer: C

Explanation:

The correct answer is C. Proximity of vulnerable populations to major sources of air pollution.

According to the LEED v4.1 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, the Site Assessment credit requires projects to conduct and document a site inventory and analysis that covers the following topics1:

– Topography

– Hydrology

– Climate

– Vegetation

– Soils

– Human use

– Human health effects

The human health effects topic includes identifying the proximity of vulnerable populations, such as children, elderly, or low-income residents, to major sources of air pollution, such as highways, power plants, or industrial facilities. This information can help the project team design strategies to minimize the exposure of occupants and visitors to harmful pollutants and improve the indoor and outdoor air quality of the project1.

The other options are not required for the Site Assessment credit, although they may be relevant for other credits or prerequisites. A targeted Brownfield remedy plan is required for the Brownfields Remediation credit, which applies to projects located on sites contaminated by past uses1.A historic preservation plan to include neighboring properties is not required for any LEED credit, although projects that involve historic buildings or districts must comply with local regulations and standards for preservation1. The surrounding density within a 1/4 mi.(0.40 km) radius of the project boundary is not required for the Site Assessment credit, but it is used to calculate the points for the Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses credit, which encourages projects to locate in areas with high levels of existing development and mixed land uses1.