§ 2-18 Barrier-Free Access.
RCNY § 2-18
(a)Introduction.
(1)Historic structures can and should be made accessible.
(2)Accessible routes should coincide with or be located in the same general area of regular circulation paths, and the primary entrance should be accessible wherever possible.
(3)Proposed alterations to make a building or space accessible must comply with applicable statutes and codes, including the American National Standard (ANSI), the New York City Building Code, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design.
(4)Applications for barrier-free access should take into consideration changes to interior spaces that may reduce grade changes at the entrance which will lessen the level of impact of, or eliminate the need for, exterior changes.
(5)Where there is more than one acceptable approach for making a building or space accessible, LPC Staff will approve the proposal that will allow barrier-free access with the least impact on significant architectural features of the building and neighboring buildings if the work is occurring in a historic district.
(6)Where proposed alterations to make a building accessible will have a major impact on significant architectural features, LPC Staff may ask an applicant to seek a waiver. Accessibility waivers may be granted by the Department of Buildings after consulting with the Mayor's Office of People with Disabilities. If no waiver is granted the application shall be reviewed by the full Commission at a Certificate of Appropriateness public hearing.
(7)Proposed work that does not conform to these rules, such as a wheelchair platform lift on an Individual Landmark, will be reviewed by the full Commission at a Certificate of Appropriateness public hearing.
(b)At-Grade Entrances. LPC Staff may issue a permit for a proposal to lower an existing entrance at a building in a historic district or a building in a scenic landmark that is not an individual landmark to provide an accessible at-grade entrance if the work meets all of the following relevant criteria: (1) The work required to bring the entrance to grade, including the removal of the existing steps, landings, ramps, or other elevated elements at the entrance point, will not result in damage to or the removal of significant architectural features of the building, except as noted below; (2) Except as note below in clause (4), the proposal involves dropping or raising the entrance no more than eighteen (18) inches at a prominent primary entrance and no more than thirty (30) inches at other entrances to the building; (3) Historic materials and features removed in connection with the work will be re-used where possible; (4) If the treads contain cast iron vault lights, only one tread can be removed to create the at-grade entrance and the tread is installed flush at the entry to recall the presence of the vault lights; (5) A sidewalk may be modified, including sloping a sidewalk to make an entrance accessible, provided the work meets the requirements of 63 RCNY § 2-19; (6) A new door for the modified entrance shall have proportions that recall the historic door, which may require the addition of a transom to the door opening; and (7) The proposed work will allow for barrier-free access for the building in the least obtrusive manner possible.
(c)Door and Door Surround Changes. LPC Staff may issue an approval for proposals to alter doors and door surrounds for buildings in historic districts and scenic landmarks that are not individual landmarks to meet accessibility requirements, such as clearance, if the work meets all of the following relevant criteria: (1) If the existing door is original or historic: (i) The proposed work will retain the historic fabric at the entrance, such as sidelights, door(s), transoms, framing or door surround detailing; and (ii) Historic doors and vestibule entrances may be altered with respect to door swing, changing hardware and hinges, and the installation of automatic opener hardware provided the door configuration and details are maintained.
(d)Actuators for Automatic Doors. LPC Staff may issue an approval for proposals to install an actuator device if the work meets all of the following relevant criteria: (1) Door actuators installed on building facades.
(i)The push plate or actuator will be as small as feasible and located in the least obtrusive place possible; (ii) The actuator will not be installed through decorative features or cast iron; (iii) The actuator will be installed on flat unornamented masonry, brick, or metal, or at non-historic storefront infill, at a door return or side of a plain masonry pier, and will be attached through mortar joints or seams to minimize damage to historic fabric. Such proposed installation will to the greatest extent feasible not result in exposed conduit; and (iv) The installation will not call undue attention to itself or otherwise detract from significant architectural features of the building or adjacent buildings.
(e)Handrails and Areaway Alterations.
(f)Ramps. LPC Staff may issue an approval for certain ramps as specified below. For purposes of this subdivision, a "ramp" includes the associated landing(s) and any steps integrated into the ramp.
(g)Lifts. LPC Staff may issue an approval for a wheelchair platform lift or a chair lift on a rail on a building in a historic district or scenic landmark, other than an individual landmark, if the proposed work meets all of the following relevant criteria: (1) Wheelchair platform lifts.
(iv)The proposed work will not detract from the special architectural and historic character of the building, streetscape or scenic landmark.
(h)Replacement or Modification of Existing Commission-Approved or Grandfathered Ramps and Lifts. If an applicant can demonstrate that it is not feasible to replace or modify an existing ramp to meet the requirements of this section, LPC Staff may issue an approval to modify or replace an existing Commission-approved or grandfathered ramp or lift to meet current accessibility codes if the work meets all of the following relevant criteria: (1) The replacement ramp will match or be smaller and/or shorter than the existing ramp in terms of footprint and overall rise, or is altered to the minimum degree necessary for compliance; (2) The replacement ramp will be constructed using materials that either match the materials and handrail design of the existing ramp or match the adjacent facade material and/or railing, or utilitarian materials with a neutral finish. A change in handrail design to the minimum number of vertical elements required by code is permitted; (3) The platform lift and guiderails will be installed in the same locations using existing penetrations in the building facade or other elements. Some additional penetrations may be approved if required to meet code.
