The Town Board finds that the incorporation of certain Universal Design features during the planning, construction, extension or alteration of one family residences will afford all persons basic access to residential buildings regardless of age, size or abilities. In furtherance of this goal, the Town Board intends to establish a mechanism by which applications for single family development or redevelopment containing Universal Design features are fast tracked through the approval process to the fullest extent practicable.
All applications for development, redevelopment, modification or alteration of single-family residences shall receive expedited review by the Department of Engineering Services, to the fullest extent practicable, if three or more of the following universal design features are incorporated into the construction:
(A) 
Zero-step Entrance. At least one (1) stepless entrance to the residence which may be located at the front, rear or side of the structure, but does not include any entrance that is located within an attached garage. There shall be less than a one-half (1/2) inch rise at the stepless entrance. A sidewalk or walkway being utilized as the accessible route to the stepless entrance must have a slope no greater than 1:12.
(B) 
Doorways and passageways. All doors on the ground floor of the new construction or addition (including bathrooms, walk-in closets, pocket and sliding doors, and any door intended for human passage) shall have a minimum clearance of thirty-four (34) inches. A thirty-six (36) inch door, hung in the standard manner, provides the thirty-four (34) inch clear opening required by this article.
(C) 
Adaptability features. The existence of at least one (1) room on the ground floor which can be easily converted into a bedroom, except that such conversion is prohibited and no credit for this feature shall be granted for the purpose of this article if the residence already has four (4) bedrooms.
(D) 
Bathroom. Reinforcements or "blocking" between wall studs around the toilet and the bathroom/shower areas to conveniently and safely allow for future installation of grab bars, commencing at a height of thirty-two (32) inches from the floor and extending to a height of at least thirty-eight (38) inches above the floor. Reinforcements may be constructed of plywood or wood blocking.
(1) 
Behind the toilet, a minimum twenty-six-inch-wide reinforced area is required, which safely accommodates a twenty-four-inch grab bar and provides proper backing for flange. Where a toilet is adjoining a side wall, a minimum twenty-six-inch wide reinforced area is required, which safely accommodates a twenty-four (24) inch grab bar and provides proper backing for flange. For a side wall adjoining a toilet, a forty-four (44) inch wide reinforced area is required to safely accommodate a forty-two (42) inch grab bar with proper backing for flange.
(2) 
Along a tub wall, reinforcements shall be at least fifty (50) inches wide which safely accommodates a forty-eight (48) inch grab bar and provides proper backing for flange. Side walls shall have a minimum twenty-six (26) inch wide reinforced area, which safely accommodates a twenty-four (24) inch grab bar and provides proper backing for flange.
(3) 
Inside a shower stall, reinforcements shall be at least twenty-six (26) inches wide on each side adjoining a wall, which safely accommodates a twenty-four (24) inch grab bar and provides proper backing for flange.
(E) 
Convenient facilities. There shall be at least a 1/2 bathroom located on the ground floor, and the fixtures shall be arranged to provide sufficient floor space so as to allow an individual using a wheelchair or other mobility aid to enter and close the door, use the facilities, reopen the door and exit. A sixty-inch turning radius is required to meet the requirements of this article. Maneuvering space may include any knee space or toe space available below bathroom fixtures including the clear space under a wall-hung lavatory.