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.