The Revere Commission on Disabilities spent a substantial portion of its Dec. 9 meeting reviewing a variance request submitted by Perkins Eastman for the new Revere High School that seeks relief from several provisions of 521 CMR, the state building accessibility code.

Ralph DeChico, who presented the package to the commission, said Perkins Eastman requested three to four variances tied to the auditorium and central commons, including relief for a continuous ramp slope where landings would otherwise be required, handrail configuration at ramp aisles, and door clearances complicated by deep exterior wall assemblies required for current energy codes. "I don't see anything out of the ordinary with requesting these, these 4 variances," DeChico said, summarizing the design rationale.

Why it matters: the variances affect how people with mobility impairments will access the auditorium, gym bleachers and restroom entrances. The Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL) reviewed the filing and urged the design team to provide dedicated wheelchair and companion seating in the auditorium and bleachers and to add automatic door openers at single-user restrooms that are constrained by wall depth. DeChico said BCIL’s requests are focused on ensuring usable seating locations and easier restroom access for people using mobility devices.

Commission discussion focused on mitigation: adding dedicated seating, ensuring elevator access to platforms where landings are not feasible, and design changes to handrails. Commissioners noted that 521 CMR does not universally require automatic door openers but does mandate them in certain hinge/latch clearance conditions and where vestibules or other circulation constraints exist. Mario Grimanes emphasized the safety problem for people in power chairs trying to manage heavy doors and urged designers to minimize situations that require a person to hold a door while maneuvering a mobility device.

What happens next: the commission’s role in the transcript was advisory; no formal vote or letter was recorded in the meeting text. The MAAB will evaluate the variance requests and may require additional adjustments or conditions such as designated wheelchair seating or automatic operational door hardware as part of its deliberations.

Authorities and sources mentioned in the meeting included 521 CMR (Massachusetts Architectural Access Board regulations) and a Perkins Eastman variance submission for Revere High School. The Boston Center for Independent Living was named in the transcript as having reviewed the proposal and requested specific accessibility accommodations.