This presentation was part of my senior capstone course, Environmental Impact Assessment. I and four other seniors produced a report and final presentation of our LEED ND analysis of the squalicum lofts development in Bellingham, WA.

2. LEED ND Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), and Natural Resources Defense Council to create a national standard. LEED for Neighborhood Developments (LEED-ND) emphasizes smart growth aspects of development while still incorporating a selection of the most important green building practices.

3. Smart Growth an initiative that focuses on positive growth solutions which advocates for compact, transit-oriented, walkable, bicycle-friendly mixed use development The LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System integrates the principles of: - smart growth- urbanism- green building LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a development's location and design meet accepted high levels of environmentally responsible, sustainable development.

4. Smart Location and Linkage Brownfields Redevelopment Restoration of Habitat or Wetlands Reduced Automobile Dependence

5. Neighborhood Pattern & Design Compact Development Diversity of Uses Walkable Streets

6. Green Construction and Technology Certified green buildings Reuse of existing buildings Stormwater management

7. Innovation & Design Process Exemplary Performance LEED Accredited Professional

8. Benefits of LEED-ND Reduce Urban Sprawl create more livable communities create locations that are closer to existing town and city centers areas with good transit access infill sites previously developed sites sites adjacent to existing development

9. Smart Location & Linkage Location and Connectivity Smart Location Preferred Location Reduced Automobile Dependence Bicycle Network School Proximity Credits Met: 10 Alternative Credits: 1 Total Credits: 11

10. Smart Location & LinkageLocation and Connectivity Smart Location Prerequisite is met through current actions The project is located near existing adequate transit service. More than 50% of the business entrances within the project are within ¼ mile walk distance of the Cordata Maplewood and Hospital route bus stops provided through the existing trail system and the planned service road.

11. Smart Location & LinkageLocation and Connectivity Preferred Location Credit is met through current actions The street grid density within one mile of the site boundaries is 14.3. This is an indication of connectivity to other streets in the area It is an infill site that is also a previously developed site

12. Smart Location & LinkageLocation and Connectivity Reduced Automobile Dependence Credit is met through current actions At least 50% of the business entrances are within ¼ mile of two bus stops at the corner of Maryland St and Patton St On weekdays these routes offer a total of 24 transit rides per day, meeting the minimum requirement of 20 rides per day

13. Smart Location & LinkageLocation and Connectivity Bicycle Network Credit is met through current actions Bike lanes on Squalicum Drive lead to the Bay to Baker and Cornwall Park trail systems and bike lanes on Marine Dr Diverse uses include Marine Dr Market, The North Shore Church, Whatcom Co. Fire Station and Parkview Elementary The site has 118 parking spaces and 35 spaces for bicycles, meeting the requirement of 15% capacity for bicyclists

14. BIKE MAP

15. Smart Location & LinkageLocation and Connectivity School Proximity Credit is met through alternative actions Meeting this credit requires the project to have residential component. For this to be possible the zoning would have to be changed to residential from industrial The project could meet this credit if 25% of the project square footage is converted to residential. The project is currently 1/2 mile from The Madrona School

16. Smart Location & Linkage Wetlands and Habitat Imperiled Species and Ecological Communities Wetland and Water Body Conservation Site Design for Habitat or Wetlands Conservation Restoration of Habitat or Wetlands Conservation Management of Habitat or Wetlands Credits Met: 1 Alternative Credits: 2 Total Credits: 3

17. Smart Location & LinkageWetlands and Habitat Imperiled Species and Ecological Communities Prerequisite is met through current actions No imperiled or endangered species reside within the site buffer

18. Smart Location & LinkageWetlands and Habitat Wetland and Water Body Conservation Prerequisite is met through current actions The project site is 100 feet or more removed from significant water bodies and any wetlands

20. Smart Location & LinkageWetlands and Habitat Conservation Management of Habitat or Wetlands Credit is met through alternative actions There are no wetlands on the property The restored pond and surrounding area would be converted to a wetland ecosystem and donated to an accredited land trust such as The Nature Conservancy The 10-year management plan for the site would include measures regarding: Hydrology Maintenance as a self-sustaining, persistent system Effects on nearby upland and deepwater habitat Monitoring of the wetland throughout the course of the management program

21. Smart Location & Linkage Land Use Proximity to Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Agricultural Land Conservation Floodplain Avoidance Prerequisites Achieved

24. Smart Location & LinkageLand Use Floodplain Avoidance Prerequisite is met through current actions Project is located on a previously developed site No buildings will be constructed on the part of the site that is within the 100-year floodplain

25. Smart Location & LinkageUnachievable Credits Brownfield Redevelopment High Priority Brownfields Redevelopment Housing and Jobs Proximity Steep Slope Protection

26. Smart Location & LinkageSummary and Recommendations All Prerequisites are achieved Credits Met: 11 Alternative Credits: 3 Total Credits: 14 out of a possible 30 Recommendations Convert on-site pond and surrounding area into a wetland Donate restored pond area to an accredited land trust

27. Neighborhood Pattern & Design Community Connectivity Open Community Compact Development Diversity of Uses Walkable Streets Street Network Credits Met: 0 Alternative Credits: 9 Total Credits: 9

28. Neighborhood Pattern & DesignCommunity Connectivity Open Community Prerequisite is met through alternative actions The main street access and the sidewalks within the site is currently planned to be gated to the community along with the emergency access road. In order to meet this prerequisite, all streets and sidewalks that are built as part of the project or serving the project directly would be designated as available for general public use and not gated.

29. Neighborhood Pattern & DesignCommunity Connectivity Compact Development Prerequisite and credit are met through alternative actions Redesign the project to include two additional levels on each of the four buildings The result would be an increase of 191,918 square feet for a project total of 291,378 square feet The floor area ratio would equal 0.87 and the project would earn one point for the credit and meet the prerequisite.

30. Neighborhood Pattern & DesignCommunity Connectivity Diversity of Uses Credit is met through alternative actions A residential component equaling at least 25% of the project’s total building square footage would be achieved in the redesign, as the additional floors in buildings B and C would be dedicated exclusively to residential units. After completing this action the credit will be passed as the current building entrances are within a half mile walking distance of 4 diverse uses including Squalicum Park, Bellingham Technical College Library, Madronia School, and Immanuel Bible Church. Additional points could be earned for this credit if additional diverse uses were added.

31. Diverse use map?

32. Neighborhood Pattern & DesignCommunity Connectivity Walkable Streets Credit is met through alternative actions Arrange the buildings so that the site allows for parking to be placed in the rear of the building or create an underground garage for the site parking, leaving the frontages and streetscapes free of surface parking. As the buildings will be redesigned to increase residential density the building height to street width proportions of 1:3 will be met. There are no streets currently bordering the project site or planned adjacent buildings. Redesign the sidewalks throughout the sight to border both sides of the street at a minimum of 4 feet. And provide connections to all footpaths from sidewalks for connectivity to areas surrounding the site.

33. Neighborhood Pattern & DesignCommunity Connectivity Street Network Credit is met through alternative actions The street grid density of the 7.56 acre site is approximately 49.1centerline miles per square mile, meeting the standard for street grid density. However, his credit is not met currently due to the emergency access road being gated and closed to public access. This credit could be met if the current emergency access road is opened to traffic, auto and bike. The topography of the site does not allow for any other street connections to the adjoining neighborhood.

34. Street map?

35. Neighborhood Pattern & Design Socioeconomic Diversity Diversity of Housing Types Affordable Rental Housing Affordable For-Sale Housing Credits Met: 0 Alternative Credits: 5 Total Credits: 5

36. Neighborhood Pattern & DesignSocioeconomic Diversity Diversity of Housing Types Credit is met through alternative actions The development would be rezoned to include residential units in Buildings B and C in the levels added in the redesign. Four different housing types could possibly be represented in the units. 94 new residential units could be built in this space at an average of 23.5 units for each dwelling type, earning a score of 0.53 on the Simpson Diversity Index, indicating a moderate diversity of housing types within the development.

37. Neighborhood Pattern & DesignSocioeconomic Diversity Affordable Rental Housing Credit is met through alternative actions About half of the 94 residential units in the development’s redesign would be rental properties. The median income in Bellingham, WA for 2009 is $64400. 15% of the rental units would be priced for households with an income of up to 50% of $64400, and 15% of the rental units would be priced for households with an income of up to 80% of $64400.

38. Neighborhood Pattern & DesignSocioeconomic Diversity Table 1. Monthly rental rates for households at 50% and 80% of the median income for Bellingham, WA for five property types. Source: 50th Percentile Rent Estimates, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2009.

39. Neighborhood Pattern & DesignSocioeconomic Diversity Affordable For-Sale Housing Credit is met through alternative actions 10% of the for-sale units would be priced for households with an income of up to 80% of the median income, and 10% of the for-sale units would be priced for households with an income of up to 120% of the median income. Affordable housing is defined by the Area Median Income (AMI) Standard as 30% or less of a household’s monthly income being spent on housing costs. For 10% of the units, monthly housing costs could not exceed $1288, and for another 10% of the units, monthly housing costs could not exceed $1932. Additionally, the mortgages on the specified units would need to be such that households at 80% and 120% of the median income could be eligible for them.

40. Neighborhood Pattern & Design Transportation Reduced Parking Footprint Transit Facilities Transportation Demand Management Credits Met: 0 Alternative Credits: 4 Total Credits: 4

41. Neighborhood Pattern & DesignTransportation Reduced Parking Footprint Credit is met through alternative actions The sites surface parking facilities are within the 20% development footprint maximum requirement and the site plans show that118bicycle parking spots will be installed. However, all the non-residential buildings within the project locate their off-street parking along the frontages of Buildings A and B. Building A has a majority of the parking to the side between the building and the street, thus not meeting the streetscape and building frontage requirements. The alternative would arrange the buildings so that the site allows for parking to be placed in the rear of the building or create an underground garage for the site parking, leaving the frontages and streetscapes free of surface parking.

43. build kiosks displaying local transit information and a description of the kiosk

45. Neighborhood Pattern & Design Site Accessibility Access to Surrounding Vicinity Access to Public Spaces Access to Active Public Spaces Universal Accessibility Credits Met: 1 Alternative Credits: 2 Total Credits: 3

46. Neighborhood Pattern & DesignSite Accessibility Access to Surrounding Vicinity Credit is met through alternative actions The access road that runs along the east side of the site is gated and does not allow open access Removing the gate would allow for a through street from Squalicum Parkway to Lafayette Street The west side of the property is exempt from this requirement due to the extreme topography

47. Neighborhood Pattern & Design Site Accessibility Access to Public Spaces Credit is met through alternative actions There are small green spaces on the east side of each building but none of them are 150 feet wide, and do not equal ½ acre. Use space behind Building A as a green space measuring at least 150 feet wide and equaling at least 1/6 acre. In order to meet the required sum of ½ acre, additional green space would be added on the west side of Building C. The above changes coupled with the existing green spaces would meet the ½ acre requirement.

49. Neighborhood Pattern & Design Local Food Production Credit is met through alternative actions Develop regulations that prevent the ban of food production on the site. Purchase shares in a CSA program for at least 80% of the households on the site for at least two years. Choose from the many CSA programs in Whatcom County by inhabitants’ vote.

50. Neighborhood Pattern & DesignUnachievable Credits Community Outreach and Involvement Does not meet the requirement to receive this credit, nor are there any applicable alternatives given that community involvement must occur in the pre-design phase. Universal Accessibility Does not meet the requirement due to inability to meet the requirements for separate kinds of residences (err this is awkward)

51. Neighborhood Pattern & DesignSummary and Recommendations

52. Green Construction & Technology Minimization of Pollution and Site Disturbance Construction Activity Pollution Prevention Minimize Site Disturbance through Site Design Minimize Site Disturbance During Construction Light Pollution Reduction Heat Island Reduction Credits Met: 0 Alternative Credits: 4 Total Credits: 4

53. Green Construction & TechnologyMinimization of Pollution and Site Disturbance Construction Activity Pollution Prevention Prerequisite is met through current actions The Squalicum Lofts Stormwater Report indicates areas where sedimentation and erosion control are necessary during construction. BMPs include means to: Control flow rates Install sediment controls Stabilize soils Protect slopes Control pollutants The plan also includes means for monitoring and adjusting the plan if it is not working as intended.

54. Green Construction & TechnologyMinimization of Pollution and Site Disturbance Minimize Site Disturbance Through Site Design Credit is met through alternative actions Limit the zone of construction impact to the area immediately near the site which is also previously developed Protect the conservation easement, that includes the proposed wetland, from development

55. Green Construction & TechnologyMinimization of Pollution and Site Disturbance Minimize Site Disturbance During Construction Credit is met through alternative actions For any areas in the construction impact zone that fall beyond the previously developed area, create construction impact zones that limit the site disturbance to: 40 feet beyond the building perimeter 10 feet beyond surface walkways and parking 15 feet beyond primary roadway curbs 25 feet beyond constructed areas with permeable surfaces

56. Green Construction & TechnologyMinimization of Pollution and Site Disturbance Heat Island Reduction Credit is met through alternative actions The site has plans to use pervious pavement, but not the required 50% The project could meet this credit by following these actions: Use pervious pavement to cover at least 50% of the projects impervious areas Using trees for shade or reluctant pavement may be a better option if more cost-effective

57. Green Construction & TechnologyMinimization of Pollution and Site Disturbance Light Pollution Reduction Credit met through alternative actions Reduce the luminance to a value lower than 0.20 footcandles at the sites boundary, and 0.01 15 feet beyond the site No more than 5% of the fixtures should emit light at an angle of 90 degrees or higher.

58. Green Construction & Technology Energy Efficiency LEED Certified Green Buildings Energy Efficiency in Buildings District Heating & Cooling Infrastructure Energy Efficiency Credits Met: 3 Alternative Credits: 3 Total Credits: 6

59. Green Construction & TechnologyEnergy Efficiency LEED Certified Green Buildings Credit met through current actions This project is planned for four LEED silver structures.

60. Green Construction & TechnologyEnergy Efficiency Energy Efficiency in Buildings Confusing Credit met through alternative action To earn one point under this credit the project would need 90% of buildings to show a 10% improvement in the proposed building performance rating compared to the baseline building performance rating Must follow ASHRA/IESNA guidelines

61. Green Construction & TechnologyEnergy Efficiency District Heating and Cooling Credit met through alternative actions Include a district heating system for all buildings, such that 80% of the project's total square footage is connected and 80% of the project total peak heating load is connected If the project does not already include a district heating system the viability of installing a district heating system would need to be assessed

62. Green Construction & TechnologyEnergy Efficiency Infrastructure Energy Efficiency Credit met through alternative actions Meeting this credit requires a large investment by the developer. If the budget is large enough this credit could plausibly be met The project could meet this credit if infrastructure such as traffic lights, street lights, water and wastewater pumps and treatment systems achieve a 15% annual energy reduction from an estimated baseline

63. Green Construction & Technology Water Management Reduced Water Use Stormwater Management Wastewater Management Credits Met: 0 Alternative Credits: 9 Total Credits: 9

64. Green Construction & TechnologyWater Management Reduced Water Use Credit met through alternative actions 90% of all buildings need to be built so that indoor water use is reduced by 30%. This can be accomplished by using efficient fixtures: urinals, lavatory faucets, showers, and kitchen faucets Install landscaping that doesn’t require irrigation

65. Green Construction & TechnologyWater Management Stormwater Management This seems super confusing Credit met through alternative actions Although the site has a progressive and well-developed stormwater management system planned, it is based on capture of storm water and energy/temperature dampening, with the intent of mitigating the impacts of stormwater released into the bay. LEED-ND GCT Credit 9 is rated on how much rainfall re-enters ground stock, so Squalicum’sstormwater management plan is not necessarily creditable under LEED. Adding green roofs, more permeable pavements, rain gardens, would allow maximum point reward of 5 to be awarded, based on a successful capture and infiltration of 2.25" of rain.

66. Green Construction & TechnologyWater Management Wastewater Management Credit met through alternative actions Greywater recycling systems would allow for the project to capture and reuse a high portion of water, and reduce the amount of potable water used for non-human consumptive purposes. The addition of greywater recapture and infiltration into rain gardens would also help satisfy the requirements of GCT Credit 9: Stormwater Management

67. Green Construction & Technology Waste and Recycling Management Recycled Content for Infrastructure Construction Waste Management Comprehensive Waste Management Credits Met: 0 Alternative Credits: 3 Total Credits: 3

68. Green Construction & TechnologyWaste and Recycling Management Recycled Content for Infrastructure Credit met through alternative actions Design project such that the aggregate base and subbase are at least 90% recycled aggregate materials Any asphalt base is at least 15% recycled content Any asphalt concrete pavement is at least 15% recycled asphalt pavement Any Portland cement concrete pavement and any piping made from Portland cement concrete needs to contain at least 25% recycled mineral admixtures and 10% reclaimed concrete material aggregate

69. Green Construction & TechnologyWaste and Recycling Management Construction Waste Management Credit met through alternative actions Garco Building Systems would need to develop a construction waste management plan Recycle at least 50% of the excess steel used in the manufacturing process

70. Green Construction & TechnologyWaste and Recycling Management Comprehensive Waste Management Credit met through alternative actions Add any 2 of the following 3 services household hazardous materials pickup, composting, and separated recycling Recycling is likely to be included, although composting is not likely, as the current site usage is slated for commercial and light industrial works. Household hazardous materials include substances such as bleach and other cleaning supplies, making pickup service a valuable portion of the credit, even if recycling and compost have already been added

71. Green Construction & Technology On-Site Energy On-Site Energy Generation On-Site Renewable Energy Sources Credits Met: 0 Alternative Credits: 2 Total Credits: 2

72. Green Construction & TechnologyOn-Site Energy On-Site Energy Generation Credit met through alternative actions 5% of the project's total energy consumption must come from on-site generation Examples?

73. Green Construction & TechnologyOn-Site Energy On-Site Renewable Energy Sources Credit met through alternative actions Incorporate renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, or biomass so that 5% of the project’s energy comes from these technologies A written commitment to meet the requirements would be included

74. Green Construction & TechnologyUnachievable Credits Building Reuse and Adaptive Reuse Reuse of Historic Buildings Contaminant Reduction in Brownfields Remediation Solar Orientation

75. Green Construction & TechnologySummary Prerequisite is achieved Credits Met: 3 Alternative Credits: 21 Total Credits: 24 out of a possible 31

76. Green Construction & TechnologyRecommendations Limit the zone of construction impact to the area immediately near the site Create construction impact zones that limit the site disturbance Use pervious pavement to cover at least 50% of the projects impervious areas Reduce the luminance of lighting systems Include a district heating system for all buildings Install water efficient fixtures

77. Green Construction & TechnologyRecommendations Add green roofs, greywater recycling systems and rain gardens for rainwater capture Use recycled aggregate materials in pavement and concrete structures Recycle at least 50% of the excess steel used in the manufacturing process Add 2 recycling or waste management services Receive 5% of energy from on-site or on-site renewable sources such as solar or wind