Appeal 33670
Appeal Summary
Status: DECISION RENDERED
Appeal ID: 33670
Submission Date: 1/23/25 12:47 PM
Hearing Date: 1/29/25
Case #: B-004
Appeal Type: Building
Project Type: commercial
Building/Business Name: Portland Christian Center
Appeal Involves: Alteration of an existing structure
Proposed use: Religious Institution
Project Address: 5700 SW Dosch Rd
Appellant Name: Travs Nissen
LUR or Permit Application #: Permit 24-081822-CO
Stories: 2 Occupancy: A-3/B/E Construction Type: III-B
Fire Sprinklers: Yes -
Plans Examiner/Inspector: Guy Altman
Plan Submitted Option: pdf [File 1]
Payment Option: mail
Appeal Information Sheet
Appeal item 1
| Code Section | 1011.5.2 Riser Height and Tread Depth |
|---|---|
| Requires | Stair riser heights shall be 7 inches (178 mm) maximum and 4 inches (102 mm) minimum. |
| Code Modification or Alternate Requested | Allowance of a rebuilt back-of-house mezzanine Stair Riser heights shall be 7 3/8" maximum." |
| Proposed Design | -Alter Mezzanine occupancy to Type B - Office |
| Reason for alternative | Prior to reconstruction, the stair had 9 ¾” treads and inconsistent riser height, shown on A0.99 DEMO PLAN - LEVEL 1. The design team has worked to improve the accessibility of the mezzanine. With the reconstruction of the (e) mezzanine, the new mezzanine structure was set at the higher elevation to remove the barriers and provide accessible access into the adjacent storage areas, shown on A7.08 - STAIRS, WALLS & DOOR. Unfortunately, this necessitates a 7 ?” rebuilt riser with 11” tread. The rebuilt service stair is not publicly accessible, and will be used to access the storage area which houses a seldom-used lighting dimmer rack and roof access door. The mezzanine will be a B occupancy and will have a much reduced occupant load.The stair is not primarily an egress stair but a utility stair. The code plan shows it will serve 4 occupants, and in practice, far fewer. The stair will meet all other requirements including width and handrail configuration. During the troubleshooting process, The team also looked at modifying the handrails, however, that would mean either constricting egress out of the green room, or creating too narrow a walkway at the mezzanine area. See attached sketches for more information. |
Appeal Decision
Allow 7 3/8" risers in the stairway to mezzanine less than 300 sf: Granted as proposed.
"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 the 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.