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Board urges study of east-side ADA route and smaller front intervention
Summary
Board members repeatedly pressed the applicant to explore an east-side (Lanterra) ground-level accessible entrance or reconfigure interior circulation so a single visible glass entrance serves customers, rather than a large front porch that would require extensive ramping.
Accessibility was a recurring focus of the workshop: board members emphasized that a front porch that creates steps and a high platform could unintentionally relegate people with mobility limitations to a separate rear route and degrade the building's historic reading.
"...so that it comes around and fully meets the sidewalk at a level that allows it to be fully, handicap accessible neutral grade," the applicant said while describing a bluestone extension intended to create near-level access. Several committee members said an east-side entrance at grade should be examined because the Lanterra side is higher and may allow a gentler ramp or direct access without an extensive front platform.
"If there is a way to have the handicap accessible entrance on the east facade somewhere, that is preferable," one committee member said, recommending the applicant study whether a new opening on the east (Lanterra) side can meet ADA dimensions and avoid a bulky front ramp. The applicant acknowledged structural and easement constraints but agreed to explore two alternative designs and run the options by the village engineer and counsel.
The board asked the applicant to return with a clear schematic showing how each option would affect customer flow, historic door treatment and required landings; the meeting closed with the instruction to bring alternatives to the next workshop or monthly meeting.
