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For a site in a town with a population of 10,000 to qualify under Location and Transportation Credit, Site Selection, Option 2: Infill Development, what portion of the site's perimeter must border previously disturbed land?
The LEED for Homes Rating System (v4) outlines the requirements for the Location and Transportation (LT) Credit: Site Selection, which includes Option 2: Infill Development. This credit encourages development on sites that minimize environmental impact by utilizing previously disturbed or developed land. For a site to qualify as infill development, a specific portion of its perimeter must border land that has been previously disturbed.
According to the LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4), the requirement for Option 2: Infill Development is as follows:
Option 2. Infill Development (1 point)
Select a lot such that at least 75% of the perimeter of the project site immediately borders parcels that are previously developed or that have been graded or otherwise altered by direct human activities.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Location and Transportation Credit: Site Selection, p. 54.
This means that 75% of the site's perimeter must border previously disturbed land to meet the infill development criteria. The population of the town (10,000 in this case) does not directly affect the infill development requirement but may be relevant for other LT credits, such as Access to Quality Transit or Neighborhood Pattern and Design, which consider community size or density. However, for Site Selection, Option 2, the focus is solely on the perimeter bordering previously disturbed land.
The LEED v4.1 for Homes rating system aligns with this requirement, as it maintains the same infill development criteria for residential projects under the LT category:
LT Credit: Site Selection, Option 2. Infill Development
At least 75% of the project site's perimeter must border previously developed or disturbed parcels.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook confirms that the exam tests knowledge of the LEED v4 rating system, including the LT credits, and references the LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction as a primary study resource. The handbook does not alter the technical requirements but emphasizes understanding credit intent and compliance paths, such as the infill development perimeter rule.
Why not the other options?
A . 25%: This is too low and does not meet the minimum threshold for infill development, which requires significant adjacency to previously disturbed land to ensure compact, sustainable development.
B . 50%: While closer, 50% still falls short of the 75% requirement, which is designed to prioritize sites fully integrated into existing developed areas.
D . 100%: Requiring 100% of the perimeter to border previously disturbed land is overly restrictive and not specified in the LEED v4 or v4.1 requirements.
References:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Location and Transportation Credit: Site Selection, p. 54.
LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, USGBC LEED Credit Library, accessed via LEED Online (https://www.usgbc.org/credits).
LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook, GBCI, October 2024, p. 12 (references study resources and exam scope based on LEED v4).
USGBC LEED for Homes Rating System (v4), available via USGBC website (https://www.usgbc.org/resources/leed-homes-design-and-construction-v4).
LEED v4.1 for Homes, USGBC, accessed via LEED Online, confirming alignment with v4 infill requirements.