NC-v5 LTc3: Compact and Connected Development 6 points

Credit language

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Intent

To conserve land and ecosystem resources by encouraging development in areas with existing infrastructure. To promote livability, walkability, and transportation efficiency, including reduced vehicle distance traveled and associated emissions.

Requirements

Option 1. Surrounding Density (1–2 points)
Located on a site where the surrounding existing density within 0.25 miles (400 meters) offset of the project boundary meets the values in Table 1. Use either the “separate residential and nonresidential densities” or the “combined density” values in Table 1. Previously developed existing rural healthcare campus sites may alternatively achieve one point with a minimum combined density, for the campus, of 30,000 square feet per acre (6,890 square meters per hectare).

Table 1. Points for Average Existing Density within 0.25 miles (400 Meters)

^{note: DU = dwelling unit; FAR = floor-area ratio}

AND/OR

Option 2. Access to Transit (1–4 points)
PATH 1. PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICE (1–4 POINTS)
Locate any functional entry of the project within either:

• 0.25 miles (400 meters) walking distance of existing or planned bus, streetcar, or informal transit stops.

OR

• 0.5 miles (800 meters) walking distance of existing or planned bus rapid transit stops, passenger rail stations (e.g., light, heavy, or commuter rail), or commuter ferry terminals.

The transit service at these stops and stations in aggregate must meet the minimums listed in Table 2.

Both weekday and weekend trip minimums must be met.

• For each qualifying transit route, only trips in one direction are counted toward the threshold. 
• If service varies by day:
  • For weekday trips, count the weekday with the lowest number of trips.
  • For weekend trips, only count the weekend day with the highest number of trips.
• If a qualifying transit route has multiple stops within the required walking distance, only trips from one stop are counted toward the threshold.
• Planned stops and stations may count if they are sited, funded, and under construction by the date of the certificate of occupancy and are complete within 24 months of that date.

Table 2. Minimum Daily Public Transit Service

PATH 2. PROJECT-SPONSORED TRANSIT SERVICE (1–2 POINTS)
Commit to providing year-round transit service (e.g., vans, shuttles, or buses) for regular occupants and visitors that meets the minimums listed in Table 3. Service must provide transportation between the project site and external destinations, such as residential areas and public transportation stations, and be guaranteed for at least three years from the project’s certificate of occupancy.

Provide at least one accessible transit stop shelter within 0.25 miles (400 meters) walking distance from a functional entry of the project.

• For each qualifying transit route, total trips (inbound and outbound) are counted toward the threshold. 
• If a qualifying transit route has multiple stops within the required walking distance, only trips from one stop are counted toward the threshold.

Table 3. Minimum Daily Project-Sponsored Transit Service

AND/OR 

Option 3. Walkable Location (1–3 points)
Locate on a site that meets the location efficiency requirements in Table 4 via Walk Score® or has proximity to existing and publicly available uses within 0.5 miles (800 meters) walking distance from any functional entry.

Table 4. Points for Location Efficiency

The following restrictions apply:

• A use may be counted as only one-use type (e.g., a retail store may be counted only once even if it sells products in several categories). 
• No more than two uses in each type of use may be counted (e.g., if five restaurants are within walking distance, only two may be counted). 
• The counted uses must represent at least three of the five categories.

Schools (1–6 points)

• Meet Options 1, 2, and/or 3 (1–6 points).

AND/OR

Option 4. Connected Site (1–2 points)
Locate the project on a previously developed site that also meets one of the connected site conditions listed below:

• Adjacent site: At least a contiguous 25% of the project boundary must border parcels that are previously developed sites.
• Infill site: At least 75% of the project boundary must border parcels that are previously developed sites.

Bordering rights-of-way do not constitute previously developed land; it is the status of the property on the other side of the right-of-way that contributes to the calculation. Any part of the boundary that borders a water body is excluded from the calculation.

Table 5. Points for Connected Site

AND/OR

Option 5. Pedestrian Access (1–2 points)
Locate the project with an attendance boundary where dwelling units are:

• Within 0.75 miles (1,200 meters) walking distance of a functional entry of a school building for students in eighth grade or below or ages 14 and below.
• Within 1.5 miles (2,400 meters) walking distance of a functional entry of a school building for students in ninth grade or above or ages 15 and above.

Provide pedestrian access to the site from all residential areas in the attendance boundary.

Points are awarded according to Table 6. 

Table 6. Points for Dwelling Units within Walking Distance

Data Centers, Warehouses, and Distribution Centers (1–6 points)

• Meet Options 1, 2, and/or 3 above (1–6 points).

AND/OR

Option 6. Surrounding Development and Resources (1–2 points)
PATH 1. DEVELOPMENT AND ADJACENCY (1–2 POINTS)
Locate the project on a site that meets one of the site conditions listed in Table 7.

• To qualify as an adjacent site, at least a contiguous 25% of the project boundary must border parcels that are previously developed sites.
• Bordering rights-of-way do not constitute previously developed land; it is the status of the property on the other side of the right-of-way that contributes to the calculation. Any part of the boundary that borders a water body is excluded from the calculation.

Table 7. Points for Development and Adjacency

AND/OR

PATH 2. TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES (1–2 POINTS) 
Locate the project on a site that has two of the following transportation resources for 1 point or all four of the following transportation resources for 2 points:

• The site is within a 10-mile (16-kilometer) driving distance of a main logistics hub.
• The site is within a one-mile (1,600-meter) driving distance of an on-off ramp to a highway.
• The site is within a one-mile (1,600-meter) driving distance of an access point to an active freight rail line.
• The site is served by an active freight rail spur.

A planned transportation resource must be sited, funded, and under construction by the date of the certificate of occupancy and complete within 24 months of that date.