Which one of the following uses on the west side would make this an infill site?

A square site with four equally sized neighboring parcels is being considered for a LEED for Neighborhood Development project. Consider the following: on the north side of the site is forest land; on the east side Is a church located on a parcel that is 100% developed: and on the south side is a school located on a parcel that is 50% developed.

Which one of the following uses on the west side would make this an infill site?
A . A parcel that is 100% farmland
B . A library on a parcel that is 75% developed
C . A market on a parcel that is 50% developed
D . A post office on a parcel that is 25% developed

View Answer

Answer: B

Explanation:

For a site to qualify as an infill site under LEED for Neighborhood Development, at least 75% of the boundary must border parcels that are developed, meaning they have been previously disturbed by human activity. In this scenario, the addition of a library on a parcel that is 75% developed on the west side of the site would meet the criteria for an infill site because it would ensure that the site is surrounded by developed parcels.

Detailed Explanation

Infill Development Criteria:

Infill development is central to the LEED-ND program as it encourages the use of land within existing urban areas rather than contributing to urban sprawl. The requirement that 75% of the boundary borders developed parcels ensures that the site is integrated into an already developed area, making it easier to connect to existing infrastructure and services. Development Status of Parcels:

The key factor in determining whether a site qualifies as infill is the extent of development on adjacent parcels. A parcel is considered developed if a significant portion (typically 50% or more) has been altered by human activity, such as buildings, roads, or other infrastructure. Scenario Analysis:

In the given scenario:

North: Forest land (undeveloped)

East: Church (100% developed)

South: School (50% developed)

West: The library (75% developed)

The addition of the library on a 75% developed parcel ensures that the site meets the infill criteria, as it increases the percentage of the boundary that is adjacent to developed parcels.

Reference: The LEED-ND Reference Guide provides criteria for what constitutes infill development under the Smart Location & Linkage (SLL) category.

Detailed guidelines and examples can be found in the LEED v4 Neighborhood Development documentation, which clarifies the requirements for infill sites.

For more comprehensive information, consult the following resources:

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development