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Needham disabilities commission backs 339 Chestnut Street housing project pending accessibility clarifications
Summary
The Needham Commission on Disabilities voted to support a six-unit redevelopment at 339 Chestnut Street and asked the Zoning Board of Appeals to confirm that first-floor units will be fully accessible and that at least one unit be adaptable for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The Needham Commission on Disabilities voted April 15 to support a comprehensive-permit proposal to demolish a 1904 two-story building at 339 Chestnut Street and replace it with a three-story, six-unit residential building, while requesting firm confirmation that the two first-floor units will be built to accessibility standards and that at least one unit be adaptable for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Commissioners said the project, submitted by Needham Enterprises LLC, would add two affordable units to the downtown and noted the site plan shows parking at grade and no front steps. The commission’s motion asked the Zoning Board of Appeals to require accessible bathrooms, grab bars, and other features be shown on final plans and recommended prewiring or other measures to accommodate residents who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Members said the developer’s application already lists two first-floor units as “accessible and affordable,” but several commissioners asked for the features to be reflected on floor plans. Commission member Felix (commission member) reviewed state accessibility categories and noted the difference between “adaptable” (sometimes called group 1) and fully accessible or group 2 units, and described features—grab bars, five-foot turning radii, roll-in showers or accessible bathtubs, and prewiring for strobe notification—that should be present in accessible units. The commission asked the ZBA to make any such accessibility commitments conditions of the comprehensive permit so the building official could enforce them at inspection.
The motion to support the project was made to be conditional on written confirmation that the first-floor units would be outfitted as accessible units and that at least one unit be adaptable for deaf or hard-of-hearing residents; the commission voted in favor of that motion by roll call.
The commission noted the development would include eight off-street parking spaces, one designated accessible space, and that two of the six units will be designated affordable under the comprehensive-permit submission. Commissioners asked staff to forward specific plan-sheet references and to request that the developer label grab bars and turning radii on the plan set.
The commission’s recommendation is advisory; final authority rests with the Zoning Board of Appeals and the building department, which would enforce any accessibility conditions attached to the comprehensive permit.
The commission asked staff to send a letter to the ZBA stating the commission’s support and listing the clarifications requested.
