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Board upholds alley gate permits but requires final inspections, ADA compliance and corrective work
Summary
After months of dispute over a gate across Collin Place alley, the Board of Appeals denied appeals and upheld minor-encroachment/building permits for gates at 691 Post and 642 Jones but required final inspections, verification of accessibility features and a schedule for any corrective work; the decision followed extensive tenant testimony about safety, access and construction defects.
The Board of Appeals on Dec. 5 heard dueling appeals over an alley gate installed between 691 Post Street and 642 Jones Street (Collin Place). Appellant Courtney Ut asked for revocation or, alternatively, a list of accessibility modifications: move the gate, make the pedestrian door swing both in and out, lower the upper lock, remove a circular padlock hole, add a call box/automatic opener and post fire-exit signage. Ut described medical and mobility needs and said the gate's condition (a missing bottom bar) made it unstable and impeded access and safe egress.
Permit holders and building representatives (Hawthorne Stone and Elizabeth Apartments/management) told the Board the gate dramatically reduced dumping, drug activity and trespass that previously afflicted the alley. Managers said keys had been distributed to residents and that final inspections and DPW minor-encroachment conditions remained to be completed. DBI and DPW staff confirmed the gate and associated pedestrian door needed final inspection and some adjustments: a level landing, accessible hardware, opening-pressure limits and appropriate thresholds must be verified before final sign-off; DPW must review any public-right-of-way adjustments.
Board discussion focused on competing priorities: tenant accessibility and life-safety versus neighborhood crime and property safety. Several commissioners said the city's enforcement agencies must continue monitoring and that the gate cannot be accepted unless it meets accessibility and life-safety codes. The Board voted to deny the appeals and uphold the permits, with the record noting that final DBI/DPW inspections, required accessibility corrections and any necessary plan revisions must be completed before full finalization.
