HomeMy WebLinkAboutNarrative
510 Marquette Avenue South, Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN 55402 | 612.375.0336 msrdesign.com
Project Narrative:
The Unbound project will be taking advantage of an existing, modest two-story structure at 722 East 2nd Street,
Meridian, Idaho. Currently the Unbound Library is being run out of a building in Meridian that does not meet the
capacity for their services. This remodel intends to provide the Meridian Library District with adequate space to
provide all the current services while upgrading their programming to meet the needs of the community for now
and for the future.
Below is a narrative to explain our Alternative Compliance request, and the reasons we are designing for a
resolution that does not strictly meet local building codes.
Specific requirements proposed to be modified:
In communication with Stacy Hersh at City of Meridian and Michael Alexander at ACHD, it has been explained
that we are not meeting Title 8 which requires a 5’-0” clear zone at public sidewalks adjacent to the building. The
sidewalk as it currently exists in front of the building along 2nd Street, is roughly 9’-6” wide, however we our plan is
to encroach on that dimension with a new ADA ramp into the building’s main front door. In discussions with both
parties at the City and ACHD, we have expressed the complications with the existing site conditions this building
provides.
Reasons why strict adherence or application of the requirements are not feasible:
The reason we need to encroach on the existing sidewalk is to install a new ADA ramp entry as I mentioned
above. Currently the building’s interior floor slab is raised about 7” above the existing exterior sidewalk. The step
up into the building does not meet ADA requirements for a public building, so it is our intention to provide a safe
and equitable entrance along 2nd Street. The only alternative into the building is the back of house staff door,
which is situated in the drive alley and would be a problematic public entry for a multitude of reasons.
Originally our design was approved by ACHD and the City of Meridian during the permit review phase, but after
construction started, a site inspector realized that our proposed ADA front entry ramp would be landing too close
to the existing sidewalk ramp which is currently abutting the alley to the south of our building. The requirement
that we were not meeting was the need for a 5’0” turning radius at the top of the existing sidewalk ramp so that
one in a wheel chair could reorient themselves at the top of the sidewalk ramp and then turn to circumvent any
front door building entry ramp. To accommodate this requirement, we designed the new front entry ramp to be
flipped 180 degrees on the site, to where people would be entering the ramp from the north corner of the
building. Although this change accommodated the space necessary for the turning radius at the top of the
sidewalk ramp, it did slightly alter how one would be entering the building. With the adjustments for the entry
ramp, we needed to accommodate a 5’0” turning radius at the top landing of the entry ramp entering the
building. Considering all these dimensions, and the depth for the ramp handrail and the concrete curb at the
street, we are limited to a sidewalk passing clearance of 4’0”. After several iterations and discussions with ACHD,
this is the only option that has now been approved by them for compliance.
12/9/2020
City of Meridian: Community Development | Building Services
33 E. Broadway Ave. Meridian, ID
Meridian, ID 83642
Re: Unbound Library | 2019024
2
Proposed alternative meeting the intent and purpose of regulation:
We do recognize the importance of the 5’0” clear right of way for pedestrians and the ADA compliance for
turning radii in public walkways, but in this instance we are also trying to accommodate the same accessible
intent into the building which is being renovated and updated for new public usage. Our goal is to provide a
solution that will accommodate access both around and into the building, with the slightest amount of
encroachment on the surround walkway as necessary.
Supporting documentation:
See the attached drawings; A001, A101, A201, A601
Thomas Haller, Associate
612.375.0336 | tom@msrdesign.com