[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6054082,"mediaKeyId","3339971-50c2cd3527332ac4aff42a7cf2ddb370","parentId",3339971,"title","Architectural Access Board dismisses townhouse parking complaint; Concord commission to seek signage and follow up on Valley Sports complaint","audioSeconds",663,"startMs",2905410,"endMs",3568700,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3339971-50c2cd3527332ac4aff42a7cf2ddb370&start=2905&end=3568","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3339971-50c2cd3527332ac4aff42a7cf2ddb370/thumbnail_2905410.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6054082/Massachusetts/Architectural-Access-Board-dismisses-townhouse-parking-complaint-Concord-commission-to-seek-signage-and-follow-up-on-Valley-Sports-complaint","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6054082-43f4bbff357720f67714c1162c4de41f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156619&Signature=YW1lbDhodOBhrcNmEVQbyENoJDNQd3xDHK89BZ0-x71VcWYXiXpIYKnlbehlLVUKuQ-xbqHHS~sNF4waFj3T-gBXPeVCeamC6G6~yZyzCVLDHowoaVEhIiwJXBsBawUlKjSK5fUH6Z8Ub23ITVI2FzFfIZ5GNKe7igcmHYc~oG2uALEsFad2LZLSydLWWXmDkzOdSAYzLOCacQXnRIR-haTF9igStjqRtu61W0yAU~l3nu3XweU2oLXS9B0jt1i8LqtjPrYob~4QtuwQZOuY4YFzwr1wR9BLQjFbKm~3InwvMiDusVJElr6yIE7TPy1sFDp~Y1TnY2UnjfU89ZTa9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Concord, MA","date","2025-04-30T15:50:07Z","article","The Concord Commission on Disability heard that the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (AAB) dismissed a complaint asking that one parking space by a townhouse be designated as handicap accessible because the AAB said it lacked jurisdiction: the off-street area has fewer than the 15-space threshold the AAB cited.

Jean (Chair, Commission on Disability) read the AAB finding aloud: the AAB “said that they have jurisdiction over, quote, off street parking if the number of parking spaces in any such area is 15 spaces or more, end quote,” and because the private parking area has only two or three spaces, the AAB dismissed the complaint.

Commission members and participants discussed alternative options. Building-code and site-constraint concerns were raised: the building inspector’s assessment (reported to the commission) said the existing spot is too narrow and on the wrong side of the driveway to provide legally required wheelchair access and the necessary adjacent access apron, meaning it cannot meet the technical specifications for a federally compliant accessible parking stall. Several commissioners said the practical need remains, especially for people using walkers or with limited mobility.

Commissioners discussed informal approaches used elsewhere in town, such as churches posting temporary or paper signs reading “please reserve this space for people who need to be close to the building” on Sundays or for events. The commission agreed to pursue a town-level approach rather than seek code relief from the AAB: staff (Jess/Jessica) will follow up with town departments to request consideration of signage or other accommodations that would reserve the space for people who need close access without designating a formally noncompliant accessible stall. The commission also agreed to include the issue on a future agenda so members can monitor progress.

Separately, the commission reviewed a complaint about Valley Sports, where photographs suggest the business lacks the number of accessible spaces required by code (the business should have six accessible spaces but appears to have two). The commission recorded that Valley Sports must respond to the complaint, either by adding accessible stalls or seeking a variance. The commission said it will monitor the outcome and may offer assistance or receive a variance request in the future.

The commission did not take a formal vote on a town-request motion but directed staff to follow up and return with status at the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Concord: Disability Commission April 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Architectural Access Board dismissed a complaint seeking a designated handicap parking space at a townhouse because the AAB said the private lot has fewer than the 15-space threshold that triggers AAB jurisdiction.","taxTitle","Town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",68746,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6054085,"Thoreau Elementary plans inclusive playground; school seeks commission review before construction",549,1957620,2507090,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3339971-50c2cd3527332ac4aff42a7cf2ddb370&start=1957&end=2507","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3339971-50c2cd3527332ac4aff42a7cf2ddb370/thumbnail_1957620.jpg","/articles/6054085/Massachusetts/Thoreau-Elementary-plans-inclusive-playground-school-seeks-commission-review-before-construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6054085-5a523449d662ddf089728e0928d3a7d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156619&Signature=V25z9W~3c~DZ7ix87upu85G9iiTQt-LuiI7Xt3NlVetIyrTSU8bC7~vDD~yqZYc0O9v3lYuBkQijPJYxwbcelNs0MzvR9iFmB8S-GdHkZQWE5MsUB8RNgPSu5G8wYPQslwhU6DkA3jKFLZ~u1JinOgbSjucq1wIbo62P68PyvG2K7rVHWS0Ys~y~CUdddW3r~u6WNIlgUX8r94XKhAhrpUfU~TIDXfX4fcUPuXAD1VjhDyyQ-lM4ijvZc9TerDtCKw1TzX1zynU3bm2bURVDUKxr8NqID7EdySXR7RkuIHkpyamYixh63r2HB9tSvonAxC6-3QMBorM54T-VqG6MIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Thoreau Elementary School officials told the Concord Commission on Disability they plan to build an inclusive playground this summer and will share final designs with the commission before construction.

Justin Sparks, principal at Thoreau Elementary, described a master campus plan developed with consultant CHA and community input. He said a $200,000 estate gift launched the project and that community fundraising has brought the project’s total to just under $400,000. The design team and vendor Ultaplay are proposing nature-inspired, universally accessible equipment and a surface that will be approximately 80% rubberized to improve mobility-device access.

“We wanted this to be inclusive,” Justin Sparks said, describing design elements added after feedback from parents, staff and students, including accessible swings, spinner elements with wheelchair access, communication boards and musical elements such as large percussion features. Sparks said the school enrolls about 400 students and operates two specialized special-education programs; the bridge program for students with autism includes about 22 students.

Sparks said the project team has iterated designs repeatedly to improve accessibility and is planning a community-build model with Ultaplay. He told the commission the team hopes to break ground this summer and open the playground in the fall, and that the designer will present final plans to the school committee on April 30 before ordering equipment.

Commission members requested the design team include depictions of children using mobility devices at different stations to show how users in wheelchairs would access equipment. The commission also asked that the team share plans with the commission as soon as drawings are available so volunteer commissioners with sidewalk and public-way expertise can review them. Sparks agreed to provide the commission the “flyover” animation and to return to the commission’s May 8 meeting with completed plans or an update.

There was no formal vote. The commission offered to review final drawings before construction and to attend a planned ribbon-cutting ceremony once the playground opens.","Thoreau Elementary principal presented a community-driven inclusive playground design that has raised nearly $400,000 and aims to rubberize 80% of the surface to improve wheelchair access; the school will share final plans with the Concord Commission on Disability before ordering equipment.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6054090,"Concord disability commission backs modified handrail, will send letter supporting variance",1707,65668,1773460,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3339971-50c2cd3527332ac4aff42a7cf2ddb370&start=65&end=1773","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3339971-50c2cd3527332ac4aff42a7cf2ddb370/thumbnail_65668.jpg","/articles/6054090/Massachusetts/Concord-disability-commission-backs-modified-handrail-will-send-letter-supporting-variance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6054090-6d3064d70219065c91f554d3c5737d4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156619&Signature=KIU7gHhXeGFxdLobZyxueGzyqIEscRK6G9d9zLzbZmO06pPdcUnf8menr2VnEmmuQcGGSSy9YwLmKaiN67jwhl2gTL0TFZ8iiG~-BLjKmOBMRVu9L2-LN3I60KTZ91E6Ys-D7tDB8GIPFqwvg1Kfc~S4a8rRKZ8-MQSe7SdJYWIuEfs0Yx0iWSyAJaj13TZWquxKYOP8Y013p~AZb7HhGusXl-r2zi7cHnk-v9RethrWlNkml8z10bJ29T5ExMaztzama1jlJ2DBStt236mfjH8C0CQPyamzAeQ47YIS-rmdb9MGa7KVEnAkJSJvE9fVc6h-aaF2UICAmVw~alWnvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Concord Commission on Disability voted to support a modified handrail design for the Concord Arts Association building on Lexington Road and agreed to send a letter backing the group’s pending variance application to state access reviewers.

The commission’s backing comes after a presentation by Kristen First, a landscape designer working on the Concord Arts project, who said the project team is seeking a variance through the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB) and that the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) has been asked to weigh in as part of MAAB’s review process.

First told the commission the project replaces an old classroom building with a new classroom and reconfigures an existing ramp and patio to improve accessibility. She said the Historical District Commission (HDC) earlier issued a certificate of appropriateness but preferred a quieter handrail design for the ramp facing Lexington Road. First said the handrail the HDC preferred does not meet MAAB code, and the team has applied for a variance. “The handrail does not meet code,” First said. “We have applied for a variance with the Massachusetts architectural access board as part of that process.”

Commissioners discussed how the site’s public way—where a crushed-stone walkway meets an asphalt driveway—limits what can be made fully accessible at the Lexington Road entrance. Jean (Chair, Commission on Disability) and several commissioners said the town’s public-way surface at that location creates an ongoing barrier and is outside the project team’s control. Commissioner Peter said the side driveway entrance “really does feel like a backdoor” and said he preferred the primary accessible route to be obvious and on the main approach.

Commissioner Jennifer moved that the commission support the modified handrail for the building’s primary pedestrian entrance and that the commission’s letter highlight the design team’s adaptation to site constraints while noting the remaining public-way accessibility issue. The motion was seconded and passed with the commission voting aye. The motion directed staff to prepare a letter of support to the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the MAAB and to commend the project team’s approach.

The project team will continue the MAAB variance process. First agreed to provide the commission with contact information for the project’s contacts at the Historical Commission so commission staff can send the support letter. Commission staff (Jess/Jessica) also agreed to follow up with Public Works to identify town contacts and the status of the crushed-stone walkway that contributes to the access challenge.

The commission’s vote was advisory: the MAAB and MHC retain final authority on the variance and any code relief.

The commission asked the project team to return with any updates and will forward its letter of support to the state reviewers once prepared.","The Concord Commission on Disability voted to support a modified handrail design for the Concord Arts building and agreed to send a letter to the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board as part of a variance application.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6054078,"Town of Concord amenities building remains on warrant; Concord share reported at $1.4 million",129,3867660,3996740,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3339971-50c2cd3527332ac4aff42a7cf2ddb370&start=3867&end=3996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3339971-50c2cd3527332ac4aff42a7cf2ddb370/thumbnail_3867660.jpg","/articles/6054078/Massachusetts/Town-of-Concord-amenities-building-remains-on-warrant-Concord-share-reported-at-14-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6054078-33e9eda41142bd8a3803423fcf3f6664/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156619&Signature=hGQ9TLBoIcjCCVTDKJsc5jJg~~I03JXlQ~0F7vh2757jNX78WRgu0hWzTtnh3HRHdn8nYEMiZt3gttG4I4tvtqZKOFnSBkWQChqFSIKMGLYe~RkgKkCh9ysMIu4BvpvWNkkv~z3IV-DJRrQ~w5pJLwtdOu290K5IZT0r488vknRbXfTfOXZbcXnhwDoVV9nbaZp8jPIdghNcmUXPHPTQqpRzgM94aqmAJlrkgJnzDptoRsftsTiTiRGhcXxNmgs1JqcOH~tykBEzQjfPFvSgZeLxYiwKyEfOJ2WsDstjdwpHccbB3DD8YESc9o9VX8uhkldze0pDtWJEZWdZ-7kQDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff told the Concord Commission on Disability the proposed amenities building for the lower fields and stadium remains on the upcoming town meeting warrant and that the project includes components intended to bring those field areas into ADA compliance.

Jean (Chair, Commission on Disability) relayed an email from Laurie Hunter, superintendent of schools, saying the project design is well underway and that Concord’s share is $1,400,000. The email noted Carlisle’s town meeting will consider a Carlisle share of approximately $450,000 funded through the town’s Community Preservation Committee (CPC) and that if both communities approve the project there will be a Concord ballot vote in July.

The email stated the amenities building is intended to address ADA compliance for activities on the lower fields and stadium and that more details would be posted on the project webpage in the coming weeks. The item will remain on the warrant for the June town meeting and the commission said it will watch for design details and accessibility confirmations as they become available.","The commission was briefed that the amenities building for the lower fields and stadium remains on the town meeting warrant; Concord’s share is $1.4 million, Carlisle’s share about $450,000 through CPC funds, and the project is described as necessary to bring lower fields and stadium activities into ADA compliance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Architectural Access Board dismisses townhouse parking complaint; Concord commission to seek signage and follow up on Valley Sports complaint

Thoreau Elementary plans inclusive playground; school seeks commission review before construction

Concord disability commission backs modified handrail, will send letter supporting variance

Town of Concord amenities building remains on warrant; Concord share reported at $1.4 million