David Correa, Framingham's new Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, introduced himself to the Disability Commission on Jan. 7 and outlined short-term priorities including following up on Architectural Access Board (AAB) complaints and coordinating with DPW and Verizon on obstructing telephone poles.

Correa said he'd already begun checking AAB case files and expects to report back at the commission's next meeting on several open matters. "I'm gonna be reaching out to see what I can do to get some kind of response for the next disability meeting," Correa said of a CSX rail-crossing sidewalk concern and a telephone-pole complaint at 265 Temple St. He said the former AAB compliance officer had left and AAB staff were still catching up on outstanding files.

Architect and restaurant operator present for 413 Worcester Road: commissioners then heard a variance application for 413 Worcester Road (a restaurant property). Architect Benny Barham and tenant/operator Luis Fernandez described exterior-envelope repairs, interior accessibility upgrades and two variances they were requesting: (1) relief for vertical access to the second-floor dining area and (2) relief for an atypically shaped accessible stall in the men's restroom.

Project background and code triggers: Barham said the building's work exceeds 30% of the structure's assessed value and other cost thresholds, which triggers full compliance obligations under 521 CMR (the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board regulations). He said the first-floor entrance and most first-floor seating will be accessible and that interior toilet rooms are being renovated to provide required clearances. "There is no change of use," Barham said, but added that structural and site constraints make a code-compliant elevator or lift difficult without an addition or other costly structural work.

Commission concerns and motion: commissioners pressed for more concrete cost estimates on adding vertical access and for an exterior site check. Several members said the men's restroom configuration appeared to meet dimensional clearances despite its non-rectangular shape. After discussion the commission voted to prepare a letter to the AAB that: (a) does not oppose the proposed men's restroom layout so long as the AAB agrees the configuration meets 521 CMR clearances; and (b) states the commission will support relief for vertical access only after reviewing a written cost-versus-benefit analysis; the commission left the choice of a temporary versus permanent variance to the AAB.

AAB updates: Correa and commissioners also noted an AAB fine hearing for 271 Worcester Road (a parking lot and signage compliance matter) set for March 10 (AAB notice) and discussed using commission letters to press Verizon, MassDOT or private property owners to move obstructions that block curb ramps and accessible sidewalks. Correa said he will visit sites and coordinate with DPW and the Architectural Access Board.

Ending: The commission asked Correa to compile site inspections and case updates for the next meeting, and it recorded its conditional letter to the AAB regarding 413 Worcester Road for submission before the AAB hearing schedule.