Entitlement refers to the existing or granted right to use property for specific types and quantities of

land uses. It is a legal process that confirms a developer's rights to develop property in a specific way,

in accordance with zoning and land-use regulations. Entitlement is an essential step in the

development process, as it determines what can legally be built on a property and ensures that the

proposed land uses align with local planning requirements. Building permits, development

agreements, and certificates of occupancy are different stages of the construction and development

process but do not provide the broad land-use rights that entitlements do.

The Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit for Indoor Water Use Reduction rewards projects that

implement water-saving technologies and fixtures, such as dual-flush toilets. Dual-flush toilets allow

users to choose between a full flush or a reduced flush, which significantly reduces water

consumption for toilet use. This strategy directly contributes to earning points under this credit by

lowering the total indoor water usage in the project.

Reference:

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Guide: This guide outlines the requirements for achieving

points in Indoor Water Use Reduction, including the use of dual-flush toilets and other water-

efficient fixtures (USGBC, LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Current Version).

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development: Provides detailed information on water-

saving strategies that qualify for the Indoor Water Use Reduction credit (USGBC, LEED Reference

Guide for Neighborhood Development).

Installing highly efficient street lights and traffic lights throughout a neighborhood project

contributes directly to the Infrastructure Energy Efficiency credit. This credit encourages the use of

energy-efficient infrastructure to reduce the overall energy consumption of the project. By using

efficient lighting, the project can lower its operational energy use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions,

and contribute to the sustainability goals of the neighborhood.

The calculation of intersections per square mile (or per square kilometer) is required for the

Neighborhood Pattern and Design Prerequisite for Connected and Open Community. This

prerequisite is designed to ensure that the neighborhood has a well-connected street network,

which facilitates walking, biking, and reduces the reliance on automobiles. The number of

intersections per square mile is a key metric used to assess the connectivity and openness of the

community's street network, which is essential for creating sustainable and accessible

neighborhoods.

The Smart Location and Linkage Prerequisite: Wetland and Water Body Conservation in LEED for

Neighborhood Development aims to protect natural hydrological systems by ensuring that

development does not negatively impact wetlands and water bodies. Projects must avoid

development on land that would disrupt these sensitive ecological areas or mitigate their impact if

such development is unavoidable.

Option C: A brownfield redevelopment is the correct answer because brownfield sites are typically

previously developed lands that may have been contaminated or disturbed. When a project is

located on a brownfield site, it avoids impacting previously undisturbed wetlands or water bodies, as

brownfields have already undergone substantial disturbance. LEED incentivizes the reuse and

redevelopment of such sites as it aligns with sustainable land-use practices and avoids the need to

develop on pristine or sensitive environmental areas, including wetlands and water bodies.

Therefore, projects on brownfield sites automatically comply with the Wetland and Water Body

Conservation prerequisite (Reference: LEED v4 ND Reference Guide).

Option A: An infill site may or may not comply automatically with this prerequisite depending on

whether the site includes or affects wetlands or water bodies. Infill sites can be adjacent to or even

contain sensitive areas.

Option B: An adjacent site does not necessarily ensure compliance with this prerequisite. Adjacent

development could still affect nearby wetlands or water bodies if it is not planned carefully.

Option D: On previously disturbed land does not guarantee compliance, as previously disturbed land

may still contain wetlands or be near water bodies that require protection.

In summary, brownfield redevelopment projects inherently avoid negatively impacting wetlands and

water bodies, making Option C the correct choice for automatic compliance with the Wetland and

Water Body Conservation prerequisite.

For the Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit related to Renewable Energy Production, wind

energy is an eligible source of renewable energy. LEED recognizes wind energy as a clean and

sustainable energy source that contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Other options,

such as ground-source heat pumps, are not considered renewable energy sources because they

typically rely on electricity or other energy sources to operate. Combustion of municipal solid waste

and forest biomass waste may produce energy, but they are not categorized as renewable in the

context of LEED's Renewable Energy Production credit.

In this scenario, where 106,240 ft² (9,870 m²) of the project buildings are oriented for maximum solar

orientation, the project is eligible for the Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit for Solar

Orientation. This credit is awarded to projects that are designed to maximize solar access, thereby

reducing energy demand through passive solar heating and daylighting. The fact that a significant

portion of the project is within proximity to diverse uses does not align directly with the solar

orientation credit, but it is relevant to other credits like Mixed-Use Neighborhoods or Walkable

Streets. However, the focus on building orientation for solar access makes the Solar Orientation

credit the most appropriate choice.

The Neighborhood Pattern and Design Credit for Reduced Parking Footprint aims to minimize the

environmental impact associated with parking facilities and promote sustainable transportation

options. Among the choices provided, the strategy of placing carpool spaces within 300 feet (90

meters) of building entrances is an acceptable strategy. This option encourages carpooling and

reduces the total number of parking spaces needed, thereby supporting the overall goal of reducing

the project's parking footprint. Off-street parking in front of buildings and large surface parking lots

are generally discouraged as they contribute to sprawl and are less sustainable.

The Neighborhood Pattern and Design Credit for Community Outreach and Involvement emphasizes

the importance of continuous and effective engagement with the community throughout the design

and construction process. Establishing an ongoing communication channel between the developer

and the community is essential because it ensures that stakeholders are kept informed, can provide

input at various stages, and can help shape the project in a way that meets community needs. This

strategy aligns with LEED’s goals of fostering collaboration and ensuring that the development is

responsive to the concerns and desires of the local community.

The intent of the Neighborhood Pattern and Design Credit for Community Outreach and Involvement

is to foster engagement and responsiveness to the needs and concerns of community members who

live or work in the area being developed. This credit encourages developers to actively involve the

community in the planning process, ensuring that the project aligns with the community’s values and

addresses local issues. It promotes transparency and collaboration, leading to developments that

better serve the community's needs.

Reference:

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Guide: The guide emphasizes the importance of community

outreach and involvement in the development process (USGBC, LEED v4 Neighborhood

Development Current Version).

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development: Provides detailed strategies for achieving this

credit by engaging with local community members and stakeholders (USGBC, LEED Reference Guide

for Neighborhood Development).