LT Credit: High-Priority Site

High-priority sites are not just about location—they’re about impact: restoring, revitalizing, and reusing land that needs attention.

 What is the Intent of this Credit?

The goal is to:

👉 encourage development in high-priority areas
👉 revitalize communities and reduce environmental impact

💡 Why This Matters

Many sites already have:

• existing infrastructure
• historical or cultural value
• environmental challenges (like contamination)

👉 Redeveloping these sites is better than building on greenfields

🧩 Three Compliance Options

🏛️ Option 1: Historic District + Infill Site

Requirement

👉 Locate the project:

• within a historic district
• AND on an infill site

❓ What is an Infill Site? (VERY IMPORTANT)

👉 A site where:

• ≥75% of land area
• within ½ mile (800 m) of project boundary
• is previously developed

⚠️ Critical Clarification

• Roads / rights-of-way → ❌ NOT counted
• What matters → land beyond the road

🎯 Exam Must-Know

75% + ½ mile = Infill Site

💡 Why LEED rewards this:

• strengthens existing communities
• reduces sprawl
• supports historic preservation

🌆 Option 2: Priority / Economically Distressed Areas

Requirement

👉 Locate the project in a qualified high-priority area

✅ Examples (You don’t need to memorize all, but recognize types)

• EPA National Priorities List
• Federal Empowerment Zone
• Enterprise Community
• Renewal Community
• Low-Income Community (Treasury CDFI Fund)
• HUD Qualified Census Tract or DDA
• International equivalent programs

🎯 Exam Insight

This option is about:
👉 economic + social revitalization

☣️ Option 3: Brownfield Redevelopment

Requirement

👉 Locate the project on a:

👉 Brownfield site with contamination AND required remediation

❓ What is a Brownfield?

👉 A site where:

• redevelopment is complicated by
• presence or potential presence of contamination