Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Etn-presco.net

RELATIONSHIP OF LOT SHAPE AND SET-BACKSTO BUILDING ZONE AND SITE LAYOUTFigure 4❑ Analyze specific characteristics of climatezones.Climate zones (hot-humid, hot-arid, temperate,and cold) have specific characteristicsrequiring mitigation, augmentation, andexploitation (Table 1). Each climate zone suggestshistorically amenable siting and buildingpractices.❑ Analyze the site’s existing air quality.Most state and federal projects require anenvironmental impact statement (EIS) outliningthe potential negative impacts of a proposeddevelopment and how they might bealleviated. Site planning requires two kinds ofair-quality analysis regarding: (1) assessmentof the existing air quality of the site to determinethe presence of noxious chemicals andsuspended particulates, and (2) projection ofthe negative consequences (if any) of the proposeddevelopment on existing air quality. Inprimarily commercial or industrial areas, poorair quality should be a key factor in determiningsite suitability and use, especially for suchfacilities as schools, parks, or housing forseniors. Testing should anticipate seasonal ordiurnal wind patterns to make certain thatthe worst possible case is tested. Certified labsshould perform testing to determine bothchemical and particulate pollution.❑ Perform soil and groundwater testing.Perform soil tests to identify the presence ofchemical residues from past agriculturalactivities (arsenic, pesticides, and lead); pastindustrial activities (dumps, heavy metals,carcinogenic compounds and minerals, andhydrocarbons); and any other possible contami n ation both on or in the vicinity of thesubject site. Also, the possibility of water contamination,in areas where the native rockand substrata are radon-bearing deserves specific attention. These tests are crucial todetermine both site feasibility and/or the construction methods required to either mitigateor remove contaminants.❑ Test soil suitability for backfills, slope structures, infiltration.The native soil should be tested to determine bearing, compactability, and infiltrationrates, and, in turn, structural suitability and the best method for mechanical compaction(i.e., clay soils require non-vibrating compaction and non-erosive angles ofrepose for cut-and-fill slopes).❑ Evaluate site ecosystem for existence of wetlands and endangered species.In addition to wetland regulations governing vegetative-cover removal, grading,drainage alterations, building siting, and stormwater runoff mitigation, there areendangered species regulations designed to preserve specific plant and animal species.Preservation and restoration strategies require thorough economic analysis, specializedexpertise, and sound baseline data gathered through both remote and on-sitesensing methods.