Amherst Sidewalks

[WNYresident]

So what do you think?

While I have absolutely no problem with compliance to the law Americans with Disabilities Act, I do have an issue with the enforcement. I spoke to the young Amherst street inspector, armed with the orange spray paint and clip board, about what he was doing. He said he was told by his boss to go out and cite any sidewalk that was at least ½” under or over the next panel of concrete. I then asked how did he determine the result. He clicked the heel of his shoe between the panels and if his heel caught the edge, if it did ever so slightly – whoosh, the spray paint went down.

Look at the measuring devices we see and use every day. The measuring spoon, the measuring cup, a yardstick, the gas pump and now a new one – the heel of a shoe.

A young inspector, with a heel of a shoe will determine what an half inch is and cite a property owner for perhaps thousands of dollars worth of repairs. Ridiculous.

So who makes up these rules? 1/2 step up/down and the sidewalk needs to be replaced?

[grump]

You can tell we're headed into town board election year when a normally responsible board member like Mark Manna gets his panties in a bunch over sidewalk repairs that he knows need to be made. According to the press there were complaints over the sidewalks. also, I rather doubt that Tom Ketchum woke up one day and decided it would be fun to cite homeowners for sidewalk problems! I suspect he's got other things to do with the 14 jobs that the town has him doing. If the Board doesn't like it they can change the law. Let's see how far they get trying to change ADA!

[WNYresident]

ADA or not, how much money does a community spend for the good of the very few versus the cost to everyone else? Truly how many people in Amherst can not step over a 1/2" step? Don't twist what I said into I don't like the elderly or handicapped. If they were that handicapped to start with how would they even get to that spot to begin with?

[buffy]

i've got a "R" and line on one of my sidewalk blocks. It may be (maybe) 1/2 inch off, I never noticed, it is barely noticeable, except NOW. I can't imagine anyone having a problem walking on my sidewalk. my fix is going to be a do-it-yourself project. my thought is "Kiss my ass.".

[sharky]

what if I don't want a side walk in my yard?
bad enough we have to keep them shoveled, it should be up the town to keep the cement fixed and level

[grump]

ADA or not, how much money does a community spend for the good of the very few versus the cost to everyone else? Truly how many people in Amherst can not step over a 1/2" step? Don't twist what I said into I don't like the elderly or handicapped. If they were that handicapped to start with how would they even get to that spot to begin with?

I agree completely! The nerve of some people trying to navigate through the community like the rest of us. Probably ought to scrap that senior center and all those youth facilities which benefit the few at the cost to the many. And how about those cops that only benefit the victims of crime at a cost to the rest of us. They actually ticket the innocent whose only offenses are speeding or running red lights and other harmless activities.

[buffy]

where, in the ADA, does it say that all sidewalks shall be maintained at a consisitent level with no variance more than 1/2 inch?

[Gandalf]

where, in the ADA, does it say that all sidewalks shall be maintained at a consisitent level with no variance more than 1/2 inch?

Federal law. A variance of greater than 1/2 inch could be hazardous to people with mobility issues. That's why the curbs had to be modified at street corners to accomodate wheelchairs/scooters. If someone is injured on the property that is in violation of the code, the property owner is liable even if the injured is not disabled!

[Linda_D]

Federal law. A variance of greater than 1/2 inch could be hazardous to people with mobility issues. That's why the curbs had to be modified at street corners to accomodate wheelchairs/scooters. If someone is injured on the property that is in violation of the code, the property owner is liable even if the injured is not disabled!

It can also be hazardous to anybody who might stub his/her toe on the uneven slab and fall.

[WNYresident]

I agree completely! The nerve of some people trying to navigate through the community like the rest of us. Probably ought to scrap that senior center and all those youth facilities which benefit the few at the cost to the many. And how about those cops that only benefit the victims of crime at a cost to the rest of us. They actually ticket the innocent whose only offenses are speeding or running red lights and other harmless activities.

Be mature. We are talking a sidewalk with ~ 1/2" step variance. My grandfather was over 90 in a wheelchair and a 1/2" was nothing. He was able to escape out of his apartment with his wheel over 2 door jams and the plastic 1" thick welcome carpet all the time.

With your attitude why don't we mandate every sidewalk in Erie County have hand rails and rubber padding on either side for safety reasons. The nerve of people not thinking of other people's safety. How about this? We mandate sidewalk monitors every 25 feet to catch someone might fall. We'll create jobs!!! The nerve of not having someone there to catch an elderly person before they crack their hip. We'll start manufacturing those "I fallen and can't get up necklaces" in the medical corridor in downtown buffalo. We'll help the local media stations with commercials advertising "And you to can have one of these for free" Someone else will pay for it if you can't. Ever see those elderly scooter commercials?

Federal law. A variance of greater than 1/2 inch could be hazardous to people with mobility issues. That's why the curbs had to be modified at street corners to accomodate wheelchairs/scooters. If someone is injured on the property that is in violation of the code, the property owner is liable even if the injured is not disabled!

But so can a piece of hail the size of a golf ball. "Boink" and party is over. What about a lightning bolt? "ZAP" party is over. What if a gorilla escapes from the Zoo? Then what? My 90 year old grandfather wouldn't last 2 seconds against a pissed off gorilla. I know what we should do. We make tunnels in stead of sidewalks. And give everyone those electric scooters with a dedicated driver.

Happy now?

[granpabob]

so why not just put a pry bar or breaker bar under the slab and raise it. bounce the slab a few times and enough dust and dirt should far under it to look good for awhile

[WNYresident]

Oh the common sense solution

Thank you Grampabob

[buffy]

Federal law. A variance of greater than 1/2 inch could be hazardous to people with mobility issues. That's why the curbs had to be modified at street corners to accomodate wheelchairs/scooters. If someone is injured on the property that is in violation of the code, the property owner is liable even if the injured is not disabled!

Please provide the ADA Federal citation for the 1/2 inch sidewalk rule. Thank you

[WNYresident]

Let me see what I can find




http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/...lks/chap4b.htm

Table 4-2.4: Additional Recommendations for Sidewalks

Source	Maximum Allowable Running Grade without Handrails	Maximum Grade with Handrails and Level Landings		Maximum Allowable Running Cross-Slope	Minimum Clearance Width	Maximum Allowable Vertical Change in Level	Minimum Allowable Vertical Clearance(Overhead)
	%	%	m	%	m	mm	m
Accessibility for Elderly and Handicapped Peds. (Earnhart and Simon, 1987)	5.0	8.33	9.1	2.0	0.915	6 ¹	2.030
ANSI A117.1-1980 (ANSI, 1980)	5.0	8.33	9.1	2.0	0.915	6 ¹	2.030
ANSI A117.1-1992(Council of American Building Officials,1992)	5.0	8.33	9.1	2.1	0.915	6 ¹	2.030
Dgn. and Safety of Ped. Facilities (ITE Tech. Council Comm. SA-5, 1998)	8.0	8.0	9.1	2.1	0.915	n/a	n/a

¹1 Changes in level between 6 mm (.25 in) and 13 mm (.5 in) are permitted if beveled with a maximum slope of 50 percent.
Table 4-3.1: Federal Accessibility Guidelines for Curb Ramps (CR)

[Gandalf]

Be mature. We are talking a sidewalk with ~ 1/2" step variance. My grandfather was over 90 in a wheelchair and a 1/2" was nothing. He was able to escape out of his apartment with his wheel over 2 door jams and the plastic 1" thick welcome carpet all the time.

With your attitude why don't we mandate every sidewalk in Erie County have hand rails and rubber padding on either side for safety reasons. The nerve of people not thinking of other people's safety. How about this? We mandate sidewalk monitors every 25 feet to catch someone might fall. We'll create jobs!!! The nerve of not having someone there to catch an elderly person before they crack their hip. We'll start manufacturing those "I fallen and can't get up necklaces" in the medical corridor in downtown buffalo. We'll help the local media stations with commercials advertising "And you to can have one of these for free" Someone else will pay for it if you can't. Ever see those elderly scooter commercials?



But so can a piece of hail the size of a golf ball. "Boink" and party is over. What about a lightning bolt? "ZAP" party is over. What if a gorilla escapes from the Zoo? Then what? My 90 year old grandfather wouldn't last 2 seconds against a pissed off gorilla. I know what we should do. We make tunnels in stead of sidewalks. And give everyone those electric scooters with a dedicated driver.

Happy now?

"BE MATURE"!! Maybe you can take your own advice! Look pal, I didn't make the law, nor is it my responsibility to enforce it! But it's there and it's my responsibility to abide by it. You seem to have the sensitivity of a bull.