HomeMy WebLinkAbout0060 PEARL STREET i
TA G.L Hyannis Main Street Waterfront
Historic District Commission
21 9' APP 2 4 3: 4 Growth Management Department
i65¢ ♦0
200 Main Street
Hyannis, Massachusetts 02601
PHONE: 508--862-4665 FAX: 508-862-4725
Mr. Tom Perry
Building Commissioner
Town of Barnstable
200 Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Hi Tom;
Wow, were the wires crossed'on this communication! You obviously were given a very condensed version of
the events of the last HHDC meeting regarding the property at 6P_ear1:S and the proposed revisions to the
South Street entrance.
In no way was your interpretation of 521 CMR challenged by the Commission or this member. I am very
sorry you were upset by the information passed to you. It was too obviously incomplete to the point of being
false.
The Commission was presented with a design that suggested a grade change of approximately 24"within the
length of the building facade of about 30'. Given the rise proposed and the pitch required to obtain that rise,a
ramp of 1/12 was required. As I had been to the site and discussed the options with the contractor, I was
surprised to see on the drawings presented, a proposed rise of more than twice the known grade differential
and no continuity with the Guyer Barn site work as had been discussed on site. (To verify my initial
impression of the grade elevation and the first floor level difference,I visited the site to measure the step
after the meeting and found an I I"difference.)
As a part of the ruling by the Commission,the proposed landscaping work was approved and the ramp
h options possible with you. Those possible options
design approval deferred until I had a chance to discuss the op p y p p
mentioned are:
• A short ramp of wood or other material with railings towards Guyer Barn with a step towards South
Street with a railing; or,
• A longer approach with a pitch of less than 1/20 pitch to avoid railings, with a step towards South
Street with a railing; or,
~• A shallow pitch walk to both the South Street walk and the Guyer Barn and the edge treatment
possible to permit this shallower approach without railings including grading and planting to
eliminate the grade differential.
• And if,your interpretation of the Code 521 CMR and/or the ADAAG requirements will permit these
Variations.
For example: Is an approach walk design of 4' net width less than 1/20 pitch with an edge curbing of 2"
height on both sides and perpendicular edge grading of less than 6"below the top of curbing sloped to
average grade at less than 1/20 pitch(to conduct water away from the building and sidewalk approaches)
suitable?Is the re-use of the brick steps as edging and sidewalk repair acceptable?Is the surface of the ramp
at less than 1/20 required to be impervious and continuous as a sidewalk?
This study of the possibilities of shallow approach,grade differential,edge treatment and surface condition
and the Code interpretation(s)that may have been made by the review board regarding these choices is also
important as it may effect a possible design for the Old Selectmen's Building handicapped access from the
side parking lot to the front entrance and the site work required there.
What do you think of these possibilities?
Again,I apologize for the lack of communication between us to get this issue resolved. I was to blame for
not following up with this design issue immediately.
I hope this communication has explained the circumstances.
Cordially,
George Jes op
Committee Chair