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• Planning Commission Meeting: 6/17/96 Item: 4 ITEM: Consideration of repeal of variance requirement for handicap accessible ramps SUBMITTED BY: Carla Asleson, Administrative Assistant/Planner EXPLANATION/DESCRIPTION: As seen in the previous planning case, the City of Falcon Heights requires that wheelchair ramps obtain a variance to be built in the front yard. This does not appear to be an appropriate way to handle wheelchair ramp requests. Ramps are often constructed on the spur of the moment following an accident or other medical situation. Without the ramp, the resident may not be able to get in or out of the house without assistance. This would constitute a health and safety problem should the resident need to escape the house in the event of an emergency. In other words, the resident has a personal hardship in being able to safely access his or her home. A personal hardship, however, does not justify the granting of a variance, which must be . based upon aproperty-related hardship. Given the need for these types of ramps for health and safety reasons, staff is recommending that the requirement for a front yard variance be dropped. However, because there are some aesthetic considerations at stake, it is recommended that the planner have development review over the design and materials used in the construction of the ramp. This approval would ensure that ramps are appropriately designed without requiring that the property owner prove a hardship associated with the property. The review process would be similar to that used for utility sheds, where the placement and design of the shed must be approved by the planner as being in harmony with the surrounding neighborhood. ATTACHMENT: Proposed changes to Chapter 9-2.05 ACTION REQUESTED: • Discuss proposed changes • By motion, schedule a public hearing to consider the changes at the July 15, 1996 meeting. •