Appeal 34999
Appeal Summary
Status: Decision Rendered
Appeal ID: 34999
Submission Date: 10/9/25 8:26 AM
Hearing Date: 10/15/25
Case #: B-6
Appeal Type: Building
Project Type: commercial
Building/Business Name: Willow Salon
Appeal Involves: Alteration of an existing structure
Proposed use: Salon, Residence
Project Address: 5130 N Lombard
Appellant Name: Melissa Meiners
LUR or Permit Application #: Preliminary
Stories: 1 Occupancy: B, R-3 Construction Type: VB
Fire Sprinklers: No
Plans Examiner/Inspector: n/a
Plan Submitted Option: pdf [File 1]
Payment Option: electronic
Appeal Information Sheet
Appeal item 1
| Code Section | OSSC 1012.2 |
|---|---|
| Requires | Ramps used as part of a means of egress shall have a running slope not steeper than 1 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal. The slope of other pedestrian ramps shall not be steeper than 1 unit vertical in 8 units horizontal. |
| Code Modification or Alternate Requested | Allow portion of ramp used for means of egress to have a slope of 1:8. |
| Proposed Design | The site consists of a structure built in 1912 that was originally a single-family residence but was converted to a commercial business (hair salon) in 1976. A subsequent building permit in 2018 added a dwelling unit in the basement, with entrance at the rear of the building. The entrance to the commercial business is accessed by two separate stairs; one run from the public sidewalk to the front yard, and the second run of stairs from the yard to the main entrance. The stairs from the public sidewalk to the front yard also provides access to the entrance of the dwelling unit in the basement. A new ramp is proposed from the sidewalk to the front yard with a slope of 1:12, matching up with the landing for the stairs from the sidewalk to the front yard. From the front yard to the main entrance, a ramp is proposed with a slope of 1:8. |
| Reason for alternative | The property owner would like to voluntarily construct an accessible ramp from the public sidewalk to the primary entrance of the business on the main floor, fronting N Lombard. The elevation difference from the sidewalk to the finish floor on the main level is approximately 60.5 inches. To construct a ramp with code-compliant slope of 1:12 would require a total length of 60.5 feet, not including landings. There is not enough horizontal land area to construct ramps (with landings) at 1:12 slope in its entirety, to match up with the yard and existing main entrance. ANSI A117.1 405.2 allows ramps for existing sites to have slopes up to 1:8 if there are space limitations, but the elevation rise is limited to 3 inches. OSSC 1012.2 allows ramps up to 1:8 slope but not if it is a component of the means of egress. While there is an exit door at the rear of the building serving the main floor space, it is expected that the entrance facing N. Lombard will serve as the primary means of egress. The applicant requests that portions of the ramp be allowed to have a slope greater than 1:12, but not to exceed 1:8. This is a voluntary alteration to remove barriers for improved accessibility. Similar appeals have been granted. Reference Appeal ID 13809 & 18503 |
Appeal Decision
Allow ramp of 1:8 at portions of new ramp: Granted as proposed.