|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Pleasanton Planning Commission is set Wednesday to review amendments to municipal code regarding universal design in new single, duplex and triplex residential developments and discuss accessibility conditions of approval for multi-family residential developments.
“Accessibility” is defined in the California Building Code as services and facilities designed to allow access, circulation, and full use of the building by persons with disabilities. Universal design is a principle by which products, components and the physical environment are made more usable by as many people as possible at a low cost.
“It is important to recognize accessibility and disability covers a broad range of needs among individuals — for example, not every person with a disability is in a wheelchair, and a roll-in shower is not always the best or even a desirable feature in some units or for some occupants,” city officials said in their report to the commission. “It is important to provide some degree of flexibility and choice and focus on universal design principles that make units more liveable for people of all abilities.”
According to the “Model Universal Design Ordinance” adopted by the state in 2002, accepted recommendations and features for universal design includes: step-free entries, minimum doorway and passageway widths, non-slip flooring, single-handle faucets, pull-out shelves and receptacles with heights that don’t require standing or bending.
Pleasanton staff proposed some of the following additional features that are relatively low-cost and beneficial to improving overall accessibility: accessible routes through the unit, wider opening closets in bedrooms, doorbells installed at 48-inches, and minimum floor or landing width at entry for wheelchair accommodations.
“The intent of this work plan item is to ensure, as new residential developments occur, opportunities are provided for persons of all ages and abilities to access and enjoy housing suitable for their needs,” officials said.
The commission’s open meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday (July 27) via livestream.
In other business
* The commission will consider a request for time extension of the approved vesting tentative subdivision map for a five-residential lot subdivision for four new homes and one existing home on 990 Sycamore Road.
* Commission members will discuss an application for design review approval of the construction of a new, single-story, single-family residence located at 4108 Foothill Road.