Appeal 34823

PFC 503.2.4

The inside turning radius and outside turning radius shall be not less than 25 ft and 45 ft respectively, measured from the same center point.

Request to modify this code measure to allow for the alternate fire apparatus approach design in the attached Fire site plan.

ORIGINAL APPEAL TEXT:
We propose to make the following plan changes:

1 Increase the Access road approach width to 26 ft (PBOT has been conferred with regarding this request)
2 Although turning radius cannot be met, we propose to keep the access road at 20' wide with NO PARKING signs posted.
3 Provide 13D Automatic Sprinklers in units 4-10.
4 Provide fire resistive siding (fiber cement board) and roofing (composition shingles) for all units.
5 Eliminate unit #11.
6 Provide Fire Apparatus Access Road rated asphalt for entire length of access road, not just to within 150' of farthest unit as previously proposed.

RECONSIDERATION TEXT:

The new proposed design includes:

1. Site plan has been 'flipped' to place Fire Access Road on the South side, to take advantage of the no parking area in front of the approach just to the south of the property line.
2. 38 ft fire apparatus approach opening (26 ft wide approach with extended 6 ft wings on each side (see attached email from Matthew Machado with PBOT stating he has no concerns with moving forward with a Driveway Design Exception for this design).
3. Mountable curbs added to North and South entrance (see design detail on Fire site plan)
4. Number of units reduced from 11 units to 8 units.
5. NFPA 13D Automatic Fire Sprinkler System provided for units 2-8.
6. All units to have fire resistive siding and roofing.
7. Distance between units increased from 6 ft to 10 ft.
8. 'NO PARKING - FIRE LANE' signs posted along fire access road.

ORIGINAL APPEAL TEXT

The required turning radius is not achievable due to the width of 101st ave. We ask the appeals board to consider the fact that the pre-existing street width is non-conforming, which makes the required turning radius impossible to achieve with the required parking areas on both sides of the street.
Adding the extra width to the approach entrance (to 26 ft total) will make the access easier.
Along with the other changes (providing 20' wide access road the entire length, providing automatic sprinklers, mandating fire resistive siding and roofing, eliminating the farthest unit, and providing fire apparatus access road rated asphalt the entire length of the access road), the accessibility, life safety, and fire protection are vastly improved.

RECONSIDERATION TEXT

The required turning radius is not achievable due to the width of 101st ave, but with this latest design, which has concept approval by PBOT, we are able to meet the required turning radius from the South, while also providing for an extra large approach opening for Fire Apparatus coming from the North. The wide, 38 ft opening, is accompanied by MOUNTABLE CURBS on both the North and South sides of the entrance to increase the available turning area even further. Plus we have expanded the 13D Fire Sprinklers to all units except unit 1 which is closest to the street.