Concord disability commission backs modified handrail, will send letter supporting variance

The Concord Commission on Disability voted to support a modified handrail design for the Concord Arts Association building on Lexington Road and agreed to send a letter backing the group’s pending variance application to state access reviewers.

The commission’s backing comes after a presentation by Kristen First, a landscape designer working on the Concord Arts project, who said the project team is seeking a variance through the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB) and that the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) has been asked to weigh in as part of MAAB’s review process.

First told the commission the project replaces an old classroom building with a new classroom and reconfigures an existing ramp and patio to improve accessibility. She said the Historical District Commission (HDC) earlier issued a certificate of appropriateness but preferred a quieter handrail design for the ramp facing Lexington Road. First said the handrail the HDC preferred does not meet MAAB code, and the team has applied for a variance. “The handrail does not meet code,” First said. “We have applied for a variance with the Massachusetts architectural access board as part of that process.”

Commissioners discussed how the site’s public way—where a crushed-stone walkway meets an asphalt driveway—limits what can be made fully accessible at the Lexington Road entrance. Jean (Chair, Commission on Disability) and several commissioners said the town’s public-way surface at that location creates an ongoing barrier and is outside the project team’s control. Commissioner Peter said the side driveway entrance “really does feel like a backdoor” and said he preferred the primary accessible route to be obvious and on the main approach.

Commissioner Jennifer moved that the commission support the modified handrail for the building’s primary pedestrian entrance and that the commission’s letter highlight the design team’s adaptation to site constraints while noting the remaining public-way accessibility issue. The motion was seconded and passed with the commission voting aye. The motion directed staff to prepare a letter of support to the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the MAAB and to commend the project team’s approach.

The project team will continue the MAAB variance process. First agreed to provide the commission with contact information for the project’s contacts at the Historical Commission so commission staff can send the support letter. Commission staff (Jess/Jessica) also agreed to follow up with Public Works to identify town contacts and the status of the crushed-stone walkway that contributes to the access challenge.

The commission’s vote was advisory: the MAAB and MHC retain final authority on the variance and any code relief.

The commission asked the project team to return with any updates and will forward its letter of support to the state reviewers once prepared.