Appeal 33517

Appeal Summary

Status: DECISION RENDERED ON RECONSIDERATION OF 32289 FROM (5/15/24)

Appeal ID: 33517

Submission Date: 10/9/24 3:27 PM

Hearing Date: 10/16/24

Case #: B-002

Appeal Type: Building

Project Type: commercial

Building/Business Name: The Joyce

Appeal Involves: Alteration of an existing structure

Proposed use: Existing Single-Room Occupancy (SRO), Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)

Project Address: 322 SW 11th Ave

Appellant Name: Allison Mueller

LUR or Permit Application #: Permit 21-045689-CO

Stories: 4 Occupancy: R-2, B, S, S-2 Construction Type: III-B

Fire Sprinklers: Yes - NFPA-13 throughout

Plans Examiner/Inspector: Steve Freeh

Plan Submitted Option: pdf   [File 1]   [File 2]

Payment Option: electronic

Appeal Information Sheet

Appeal item 1

Code Section

2022 Oregon Structural Specialty Code Section 1010.1.7 Door Arrangement

Requires

1010.1.7 Door Arrangement
Space between two doors in a series shall be 48 inches minimum plus the width of a door swinging into space. Doors in a series shall swing either in the same direction or away from the space between doors.

Code Modification or Alternate Requested

The alternate requested is to allow for a reduction in space between the two doors in a series to provide a safe / secure alcove that is within the building footprint and minimizes impact to the ROW.

Proposed Design

An out-swinging security gate is proposed at the southeast exit passageway along SW Harvey Milk Street. The proposed design addresses building and occupant security concerns. The gate is to be constructed out of tube steel posts welded onto plates that will be set in the ground. The gate will have expanded metal mesh applied on the inside of the gate to allow for visibility as occupants exit the building while providing reach-through protection.

"RECONSIDERATION TEXT"
The owner seeks to install the gate at the southeast exit passageway alcove to secure this space from unauthorized access. The existing depth of the alcove reduces the space requirement between two doors. The gate will not have hardware on the secure (right-of-way) side and will have panic hardware on the egress side. The gate will be closed, but allow for egress at all times. The gate location is as tight to the ROW as existing conditions allow for the maximum distance between the existing door and the new gate.

An alternative accessible route will be created to allow egress through door 120B. The proposed low-voltage door hardware for door 120B will allow the door to open automatically in case of fire alarm activation or loss of power in the building. This proposed door function will allow building occupants to egress in the case of the conditions noted above.

Refer to included attachments Exhibit A and Exhibit B for the plan layout and proposed gate design.

Reason for alternative

The security gates are proposed to improve the safety of the space by closing off the alcoves to the public, while keeping visibility on the sidewalk. The existing conditions at the SE exit alcove will not allow for a landing without extending onto the sidewalk.

The proposed design will provide increased personal safety and security for staff. The proposed gate will have no impact on the existing conditions. The proposed panic hardware will provide a higher level of occupant safety and ease of occupant egress and accessibility.

The alternate route will provide a higher level of accessible egress while providing increased security at the SE exit alcove.

Appeal Decision

"Reduction in clearance space between door and gate: Granted as proposed.
Note: Encroachment of the gate swing over the ROW must be approved by PBOT prior to building permit issuance."

"The Administrative Appeal Board finds that the information submitted by the appellant demonstrates that the approved modifications or alternate methods are consistent with the intent of the code; do not lessen health, safety, accessibility, life, fire safety or structural requirements; and that special conditions unique to this project make strict application of those code sections impractical.

Pursuant to City Code Chapter 24.10, you may appeal this decision to the Building Code Board of Appeal within 90 calendar days of the date this decision is published. For information on the appeals process, how to file a reconsideration, and appealing to the Building Code Board of Appeal, go to https://www.portland.gov/ppd/file-appeal/appeal-process or email PPDAppeals@portlandoregon.gov.
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