Sustainable Sites: 14 possible points
Overview
Goals
Overall, general summary of LEED-NC Sustainable Sites goals go here
Methods
A general summary of how these credits were obtained, with some simple photos goes here.
Sustainable Sites: 14 possible points
LEED-NC Scorecard
Scorecard will get filled in……………………….
SS Prerequisite 1: Construction Activity and Pollution Prevention
LEED-NC Credit: YES | UNSURE | NO
Prerequisite Intent
Reduce pollution caused by construction activities. To demonstrate this, we will show what steps will be taken to control soil erosion, waterway sedimentation, and airborne dust generated during construction.
Feasibility
This prerequisite must be achieved to receive LEED-NC certification, therefore it is pursued. This project will meet this prerequisite by using an Erosion and Sedimentation Control (ESC) plan, and by meeting the three required objectives:
1. Prevent loss of soil during construction by stormwater runoff and/or wind erosion, including protecting topsoil by stockpiling for reuse.
2. Prevent sedimentation of storm sewer or receiving streams.
3. Prevent polluting the air with dust and particulate matter.
Analysis
This prerequisite will be met by following Stanford’s own sustainability guidelines, as well as the pre-schematic design civil narrative provided by Arup.
First, the Stanford Sustainability Guidelines[1] state that soil erosion is to be prevented before, during and after construction, to be achieved by controlling stormwater runoff and/or wind erosion. The guidelines suggest implementing silt fencing, sediment traps, construction phasing, and maintaining or enhancing vegetation and groundcover. Given the relatively flat topography (See Figure XX) of the site, slope stabilization methods for steep grades and hillsides will not need to be considered.
Second, Arup’s pre-schematic design civil narrative[2] indicates that “temporary erosion and sediment control (TESC) facilities will be provided during the construction of the project, in accordance with the ABAG Erosion & Sediment Control Manual.” Arup’s narrative continues by suggesting the following methods: “stabilized construction entrance, temporary swales, sediment basins, inlet protection, temporary seeding, protection of stockpiled materials.” This narrative also notes that “site won excavated material will be reused for on-site fill wherever possible,” reducing the need to ship excavated soil off-site.
Currently, sediment traps are being used on other construction projects at Stanford (See Figure xx). As promoted by Stanford guidelines and outlined in Arup’s narrative, these sediment traps could greatly reduce soil loss and sedimentation during construction if used around the perimeter of the construction site, as shown in Figure xx.
SS Prerequisite 1: Construction Activity and Pollution Prevention
LEED-NC Credit: YES | UNSURE | NO
Figure xx: Plan view of existing site, before construction. Red line indicates approximate boundary for new GSB campus as well as areas where sediment traps could be located to limit sedimentation construction run off. From Google Maps.
Figure xx: Sediment trap currently used at Stanford during construction of Munger underground parking garage. Photo by John Millea, 5/10/07.
Figure xx: Existing site, note flat topography. Photo by John Millea, 5/10/07
SS Credit 1: Site Selection
LEED-NC Credit: YES | UNSURE | NO
Credit Intent
Choose a development site that minimizes adverse environmental impacts by avoiding undeveloped land and limiting effects on wetlands or endangered species. Give site preference to previously developed areas to limit or even improve site conditions.
Feasibility
Given constraints imposed by the Stanford campus, and the fact that the GSB campus site has already been selected, there is limited control with this credit. However, in this case, the Knight Management Center will be developed on an area composed of primarily asphalt parking lots. Arup’s civil design narrative also notes that “the existing site consists almost entirely of impermeable surfaces such buildings and asphalt parking lot.”[3] In general this is beneficial, because the conversion of this site from parking lots into the new GSB campus will likely improve the location’s immediate impact on the environment. Overall, this credit can be obtained.
Analysis
This credit is met by avoiding development on the six types of sites prohibited by LEED-NC guidelines, all discussed below.
1. Do not develop on prime farmland as defined by the USDA
The new GSB site is not prime farmland, and is composed of 2 buildings surrounded by parking lots.
2. Do not develop on previously undeveloped land whose elevation is lower than 5 feet above the elevation of the 100-year flood as defined by FEMA
This site has been previously developed.
Figure xx: Completely developed GSB site.
3. Land that is specifically identified as habitat for any species on federal or state threatened of endangered lists.
This site, because it is primarily for vehicle parking, is not listed as habitat for any plant or animal species on both the Federal and State levels. The only specifically identified threatened species on the Stanford campus is the tiger salamander, but their habitat area does not intersect with the GSB site, as shown on Figure XX below.
SS Credit 1: Site Selection
LEED-NC Credit: YES | UNSURE | NO
Figure XX: Tiger salamander habitat outlined with dotted
Line, new GSB campus in red.[4]
4. Do not develop within 100 feet of any wetlands.
The new GSB site is completely surrounded (at a radius much larger than 100 feet) by developed campus area that does not include any wetlands.
5. Do not develop of previously undeveloped land that is within 50 feet of a body of water.
Just as requirement 2 states and Figure XX shows, this site was previously developed.
6. Do not develop on land which prior to acquisition for the project was public parkland.
Again, this existing site is almost entirely composed of a parking lot and contains no public parkland.
SS Credit 2: Development Density & Community Connectivity
LEED-NC Credit: YES | UNSURE | NO
Credit Intent
Ease the burden on existing municipal and transportation infrastructure and preserve open spaces by developing in denser urban areas near site users’ homes and basic services. This will help to reduce urban sprawl and may promote a sense of community.
Feasibility
This credit should definitely be pursued, because the Stanford campus already has a mature infrastructure (i.e., water, electricity, campus transportation, proximity to student residences) that promotes the overall sense of community connectivity that lies at the heart of this credit. In short, given the chosen site, it would be very difficult for the new GSB campus to remain isolated from the greater Stanford community. This credit is met through Option 2: Community Connectivity.
Analysis
To attain this credit through Option 2, several requirements must be met: Construct on a previously developed site, be within ½ mile of a residential zone or neighborhood with an average density of 10 units per acre, be within ½ mile of 10 basic services and allow for pedestrian access between the buildings and basic services.
1. Construct on a previously developed site
As shown in previous credits, this site has already been developed.
2. Be within ½ mile of a residential zone or neighborhood with an average density of 10 units per acre.
The Stanford campus is packed with residences, including the Schwab Residential Center for GSB students, which is directly across the street from the new GSB site. Dense multistory graduate residences also exist to the southeast of the new GSB, especially in Escondido Village and the Rains Houses. These residential areas are shown as blue diamonds in Figure XX below.
3. Be within ½ mile of 10 basic services
The Stanford campus has a multitude of basic services in a relatively small area. Although there are much more, 11 of those services within a ½ mile radius from the new GSB are shown along with residences in Figure XX below.
4. Provide pedestrian access between the buildings and basic services
The Stanford campus is extremely pedestrian friendly, with minimal vehicle traffic through the central campus area southwest of the new GSB campus. The central campus area is even blocked off to all but registered vehicles, and the primary modes of transportation throughout campus are walking or biking on the well defined sidewalks and pedestrian paths.
SS Credit 2: Development Density & Community Connectivity
LEED-NC Credit: YES | UNSURE | NO
Figure xx: Campus map with ½ mile radius circle shown. Residences and basic services are marked within this area.
Figure XX Key Basic Services shown on map
No. / Service / Name1. / Bank / Stanford Credit Union
2. / Worship / Memorial Church
3. / Conv. grocery / Tresidder Express
4. / Fire Station / Stanford Fire Station
5. / Post Office / Stanford Post Office
6. / Pharmacy / Vaden Pharmacy
7. / Restaurant / Multiple
8. / Fitness Center / Arrillaga Rec. Center
9. / Community Ctr / Graduate Comm. Ctr.
10. / Park / The Oval
11. / Museum / Dohrmann Grove Gallery
New GSB Campus
Residential buildings
or complexes
Schwab Residential
Center
SS Credit 3: Brownfield Redevelopment
LEED-NC Credit: YES | UNSURE | NO
Not a brownfield!
SS Credit 4.1: Alternative Transportation: Public Transportation Acess
LEED-NC Credit: YES | UNSURE | NO
SS Credit 4.2: Alternative Transportation: Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms
LEED-NC Credit: YES | UNSURE | NO
SS Credit 4.3: Alternative Transportation: Low Emitting & Fuel Efficient Vehicles
LEED-NC Credit: YES | UNSURE | NO
SS Credit 4.4: Alternative Transportation: Parking Capacity
LEED-NC Credit: YES | UNSURE | NO
Billings, Millea, Victorsson | LEED-NC Analysis: New GSB Campus | Page 9
[1] Stanford Sustainability Guidelines, Environmental Stewardship Committee. March 2002, pg. 19.
[2] Arup: Stanford GSB Pre-SD Civil Narrative, 30 April 2007, pg. 2 and 3.
[3] Arup: Stanford GSB Pre-SD Civil Narrative, 30 April 2007, pg. 1.
[4]El Camino Reborn: Stanford Community Plan Issues and Policies. <http://www.elcaminoreborn.com/library/Stanford/StanfordCommunityPlan/631478pl_stanford06_final_CP_ResourceConservation.pdf