Homeowner’s request to keep four permanent handicap ramps at Bayside house is tabled for redesign

Mahmmod Muhamed, the homeowner at 110 West Krause Place, asked the Village of Bayside Architectural Review Committee to allow four aluminum handicap ramps—one at each entry and exit—to remain as permanent features of his home.

Committee members pressed for details about necessity and durability and raised aesthetic and setback concerns. Village Attorney Chris Jaekels told the committee that reasonable accommodation requests are evaluated on behalf of an identified disabled person and that the ramps should meet applicable architectural standards. "If you are requesting for reasonable accommodation, the request is made on behalf of the disabled person who hasn’t been identified," Jaekels said.

Muhamed said one occupant of the house is currently disabled and later stated he expects more people to move in. "There is one occupant," Muhamed said when asked; later he added, "I am asking for accommodation for eight people." He also said the temporary ramps are removable but that removing some ramps would be unsafe, adding that "one exit ramp would be unsafe."

Village Manager Andy Pederson reminded the committee that ramps are treated as accessory structures under Municipal Code Section 104-4(b), which describes when an accessory structure is considered permanent (thresholds noted in the meeting record include presence longer than 20 days, weight over 75 pounds, or size greater than 40 inches). Pederson said past reviews focus on the necessity of accommodation, durability, materials, number of ramps, and landscaping or screening.

Neighbors who attended voiced concerns about appearance and setbacks. Lori Kindred, whose property abuts the backyard at 110 West Krause Place, said she was concerned about the aesthetic impact and setbacks; Marie Rossetto, a nearby resident, also raised similar aesthetic concerns.

Several committee members urged a narrower, more finished proposal. Committee Member Dan Zitzer called the existing ramps "very industrial like" and suggested fewer ramps and improved materials. Chair John Krampf said the house should be able to obtain necessary accommodation but asked for a plan with fewer ramps and landscaping to improve appearance.

Committee Member Zitzer moved to table the project and asked the applicant to return to the Nov. 18, 2024, Architectural Review Committee with a revised proposal that includes one or two ramps (final number depending on the fire marshal's interpretation of fire-code constraints), materials and color that match the home architecturally, and a landscaping plan; Trustee Ben Minkin seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The committee noted one of the currently installed ramps appears to violate setback requirements and may require further consideration by the Board of Zoning Appeals and Board of Trustees. The tabling provides the applicant time to submit drawings that address aesthetics, code compliance, and the committee’s concerns.