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Public Comment on LEED-ND Open Until January 5

CNU calls on new urbanists to review and comment on the latest draft of the rating system

CNU has partnered with U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to create LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND), a rating system to assess green neighborhood design. As the rating system approaches completion, the partners are opening it up for public comment. The public comment period will close Jan. 5, 2009, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. The final rating system will be balloted by CNU members in spring 2009 and is predicted to launch mid-2009.

"We now ask new urbanists to review this work to help ensure that the rating system follows the principles outlined in the Charter of the New Urbanism and reflects the best practices within the movement," stated Susan Mudd, CNU Board member and LEED-ND Core Committee Vice-Chair. Earlier this year, the Core Committee and technical advisory groups revised the rating system to reflect what they learned from real world pilot projects. 

"CNU is a relatively small organization of skilled designers and community builders and that is why it is so important for members to comment and make sure their voices are heard," explained CNU President and CEO John Norquist. "Capturing the knowledge and experience of our members who are designing and developing complete neighborhoods is vital to the success of LEED-ND."

For more details about recent changes to the rating system, check CNU's LEED-ND initiative page. In addition to the latest draft, pilot projects, and commenting information, the website highlights specific credits and explains a bit of their evolution. 

USGBC is hosting the online comment form on their website. To submit your comments, visit the LEED Rating System Drafts page. After a simple sign-in, members of the public can comment on specific prerequisites and credits. The Core Committee will be reviewing all comments submitted—the more targeted and concise the recommendation, the better.

• CNU's LEED-ND initiative page
• USGBC's LEED Rating System Drafts

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