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Resident urges Fanwood to address SoHo building’s ADA and fire‑lane issues during public comment
Summary
A Fanwood resident presented photos and measurements alleging the SoHo building's parking and clearance do not match approved plans, saying the fire lane and ADA van clearance fall short and columns intrude into parking spaces; the mayor said the borough will raise the concerns with building management and police.
During the reorganization meeting’s public‑comment period, resident Carrie Morris of 405 South Avenue presented photos alleging multiple code and accessibility problems at the SoHo building (a new hot‑yoga/therapy tenant was cited). Morris said she measured the building’s fire lane and found it to be 199 inches wide — substantially narrower than the 23‑foot lane shown on original plans — and asserted that large support columns now appear in the garage in locations that obstruct parking and encroach on an ADA van space.
Morris also told the council the vertical clearance marked on the building is 7 feet 4 inches (88 inches) while federal ADA guidance cited in her remarks requires 98 inches of vertical clearance for van‑accessible parking. "That's not even close in my book," she said, and argued the layout creates safety and access problems for residents with disabilities.
The mayor asked Morris whether she had shared her concerns with public safety; Morris said she had emailed Chief John Piccola. Mayor Colleen Maher said the borough would take the resident’s concerns to the building’s management company and would follow up with the appropriate staff and the police chief.
The resident also raised operational concerns about delivery and loading activity in the marked ADA access area and said there appeared to be insufficient recycling provision at the site. The mayor recorded the complaint on the public record and indicated staff would pursue the management company and relevant enforcement steps.
