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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-098-10/15/2002-SUPPORTING THE EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSING WITH FEATURES THAT PROVIDE BASIC ACCE RESOLUTION 2002-098 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS SUPPORTING THE EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSING WITH FEATURES THAT PROVIDE BASIC ACCESS AND FUNCTIONALITY TO ALL OCCUPANTS AND VISITORS WHEREAS, no federal, State of Colorado, or City of Fort Collins regulations or programs presently exist that encourage or require individual single-family houses,multiple-story townhouses, multiple-housing unit buildings containing less than four housing units,and other multiple-housing unit buildings located on properties that contain less than a total of eight housing units, to be constructed with practical features that provide basic access and functionality for people of all ages and widely varying mobility and ambulatory-related abilities; and WHEREAS, many people of all ages and widely varying mobility and ambulatory-related abilities are discouraged from visiting family and friends because of fundamental design barriers that prohibit or make access to and functionality within most housing impractical to many; and WHEREAS,there is a very limited number of residences available for purchase or rent with features that provide basic access and functionality to people of all ages and widely varying mobility and ambulatory-related abilities; and WHEREAS, the proportion of the general population with special mobility needs who continue to remain active is increasing due to medical and technological advances; and WHEREAS, at some point in life, many people incur an extended temporary or permanent condition that results in physical limitations or special needs related to mobility or to performing basic daily life tasks; and WHEREAS, increasingly more people are facing or will face loss of independence and having to leave their homes for institutional or assisted care living facilities, becoming more dependant on social and public services because most homes do not provide basic access and functionality features for people of all ages and widely varying mobility and ambulatory-related abilities; and WHEREAS, the cost of installing basic access and functionality features for people of all ages and widely varying mobility and ambulatory-related abilities during the construction process is significantly lower than the cost of installing those same features after construction; and WHEREAS, the Commission on Disability has several functions as prescribed in Section 2-153 of the City Code, including the following: "To form special committees including non-commission consultants or specialists to address issues affecting the well-being of individuals with disabilities" "To recommend to the city design requirements that ensure accessibility" "To serve as advocates among city departments, private businesses and the community on behalf of individuals with disabilities"; and WHEREAS,the Commission on Disability formed a special committee with representatives of the Commission on Disability, the Home Builders Association of Northern Colorado, private consulting business, and City staff to investigate the concept of a voluntary program designed to encourage construction of housing units that are not otherwise regulated by federal, State of Colorado, or City of Fort Collins regulations with respect to accessibility features, to be built with basic access and functionality for all residents and visitors; and WHEREAS,the Commission's special committee is proposing a program entitled"Practical Housing for All(PHA)",the purpose of which is: (a)to create awareness among designers,builders, and the community at large of the need for providing basic access and functionality features for people of all ages and widely varying mobility and ambulatory-related abilities;and(b)to encourage those fundamental elements being included on the first or main floor of new housing units that are not otherwise regulated by federal, State of Colorado, or City of Fort Collins with respect to accessibility features; and WHEREAS,the City Council believes it is in the interest of all citizens of and visitors to Fort Collins,that the City encourage the construction of more housing with practical functional features that offers residents and visitors alike, regardless of individual mobility and ambulatory abilities, the fundamental freedom to enter and use a home. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That the Council supports the purpose of PHA and efforts to encourage the voluntary inclusion of the minimum basic practical features as described herein which foster independence and enable people of all ages and widely varying mobility and ambulatory-related abilities to function in the residential environment. Accordingly,the Council supports promotional efforts such as homebuilder and buyer awareness outreach, prioritized development review and permit processing consideration,and certification and recognition awards to builders that voluntarily construct PHA-eligible housing, including new housing units that are not otherwise regulated by federal, State of Colorado, or City of Fort Collins with respect to accessibility features. Section 2. For the purposes of this resolution,PHA-eligible housing shall be considered to be housing which incorporates the following minimum basic access and functionality features in the main or first floor: 1. A wheelchair-accessible exterior route,including any ramp in such route not exceeding a slope of 1 in 12, to a ramped or no-step accessible entrance and entry door having a minimum clear opening width of 32 inches. 2. A minimum of standard, 32-inch wide, interior passage doors. 3. A minimum 36-inch wide wheelchair-accessible route maintained throughout the first or main floor except as otherwise provided at doorways. 4. Bathrooms and toilet rooms on the main or first floor constructed according to the following: (a) At least one such room containing no less than a lavatory and a water closet is provided. (b) Built-in structural reinforcement in walls for future installation of assist bars. (c) A minimum clear floor space is provided around the water closet that inscribes a rectangle 56 inches measured perpendicular from the wall behind the water closet by 48 inches measured from a point 18 inches from the center line of the water closet on the side designated for the future installation of the assist bar, with such clear floor space unobstructed by walls or fixtures except for the overlapping area occupied by a lavatory projecting from the wall that is located behind the water closet. (d) A 30-inch by 48-inch clear floor space beyond the arc of the door swing is provided where the access door to such rooms opens inward. 5. Electrical switches,outlets,thermostats,and service panels are located within 15 and 48 inches above the floor. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held this 15th day of October, A.D. 2002. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk