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Commission rejects request to use rear lift instead of front ramp at Sojourn Hotel
Summary
After extended debate, the commission voted against the applicant’s request to preserve the historic front facade by using a rear enclosed vertical wheelchair lift as the primary accessible entrance, citing concerns that a lift is not equivalent to a front ramp and may not be available 24/7 without staff; commissioners urged a front‑ramp solution or additional interior lift access.
The Disabilities Commission debated for more than an hour whether to endorse a variance (25.1) that would allow the Sojourn Hotel to preserve its historic front facade by providing accessibility via a rear enclosed vertical wheelchair lift and a basement‑level accessible entrance rather than building a front ramp.
The applicant argued in the application that requiring a front ramp would produce “excessive cost without substantial benefit to persons with disabilities,” citing the building’s tight footprint, historic façade and that the project already proposes two accessible guest suites. Several commissioners disagreed. One commissioner said a lift is not equivalent to a ramp because it often requires assistance and may not be accessible at all hours: “For a wheelchair lift, you'd have to ask someone to go in the building for you…whereas a ramp, you can just wheel right up yourself and get in the building,” the commissioner said. Commissioners also voiced concern about routing guests to a rear entrance and about accessibility equity.
A motion to approve the applicant’s 25.1 variance (rear lift instead of front ramp) was made and seconded but failed in a roll‑call vote; commissioners recorded 'no' votes and asked staff and the applicant to explore front‑ramp options, interior vertical access to upper floors, and to consider an accessible parking or drop‑off arrangement at the rear as interim mitigation.
