By Kim Siebert MacPhail
A major hurdle has been cleared that opens the way for the exterior work on the Blake Block, in the center of town, to be completed.
DPW Director Rich Warrington and attorney for the project Pam Brown of Brown & Brown, PC, both confirm that variances have been received from Massachusetts Architectural Access Board that resolve slope and grading issues in front of the building, facing Great Road and the Town Common.
About the landscaping plan, Brown said, “[It] allows for a 5-10 foot wide walkway in front of the building, coupled with a 4 foot wide grass strip that will include street trees and park benches. At the Great Road curb a 3-foot wide concrete walk will allow those parking on the street to step onto a walk connected to the sidewalk in front on the building by two sets of steps.” One set of steps has two stairs; the other set has only one.
Brown also explained that the handicap parking spaces and accessibility routes to the building will be through the rear of the building. Elevator service to the condominiums on the second floor provides access beyond the ground level.
Loading ...
What is unique about this construction that creates the requirement for stairs between the street level and the sidewalk ? This situation did not exist on this site in the past, nor can I think of any other site in town with this same requirement.
Code requires a cross-slope on the sidewalk of not greater than 2%. This is the slope of the walk between the building and the curb (as opposed to the walk running in the path of travel). 2% could not be achieved and the DPW director was not agreeable to a simply presenting a wide sidewalk walk coupled with a grass strip between the walk and the curb.