The Village Development Review Board last night gave its approval to Brenda Benoit-Blakeman for changes to an apartment contained in her building on Central Street which also houses her First Impressions Hair Salon.
However, after strong concerns expressed by closely abutting neighbors and a site visit by the Village Development Review Board, that group denied Benoit-Blakeman’s request to put in a wheelchair ramp that would have accessed a third entrance to her shop.
The ramp would have gone along an off-street, non-visible-to-the- public portion of her building and followed along a path from the Pleasant Street side of the property. The narrow opening coming from a parking area is shown in the photo. A wheelchair would have fit through the space but it would have been tight.
This morning Benoit-Blakeman did not seem too surprised at the Village DRB’s decision but admitted that, “Yes, I’m disappointed.” She says with renewed concerns by businesses in Woodstock coming into compliance with federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards she had wanted to offer ramp access to her wheelchair-using clients.
However, Benoit-Blakeman, who said she is not interested in changing the historic character of the front of her brick building with a ramp, shrugged as she worked on a client’s hair, “There’s got to be a Plan B. I don’t know what it is, but I’ll try something else.” She said she also has new questions as a result of the process concerning details of business/residence permitting.
For the moment, Benoit-Blakeman says she’ll work with her builder to make changes to the apartment and go from there.
Julia Carlisle
Woodstock Early Bird 
Posted by Bev on August 9, 2012 at 14:42
I think if more people have a family member in a wheelchair, the committee would see that there is a definite need for a ramp!! Our granddaughter loves to get her hair washed & cut at First impressions. There must be a design that the village would accept. Please help them find one!
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Posted by Margaret (Peggy) Kannenstine on August 9, 2012 at 15:27
Perhaps the people on Design review and on Zoning Board would benefit from having a day in a wheelchair to learn the difficulties first hand.
The ADA Regs are meant to be followed as much as is possible without harming the historic nature of buildings. That does not apply in this instance, as the building has already been compromised many years ago.
Was the ramp request declined because of the narrow entrance? Otherwise, I wonder….
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Posted by Margaret (Peggy) Kannenstine on August 9, 2012 at 15:32
My last message may have been unclear as to the ADA requirements. The historic nature of buildings (of which we have many in town) must be considered in the building of any ramps.
The First Impressions building was altered incorrectly some years back, and so I wonder if any rejection on historic grounds would hold up as a reason for denying the permit request.
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Posted by William Boardman on August 9, 2012 at 16:52
How does the Development Review Board get to veto federal law?
Seriously.
What’s the opinion of the village attorney.
Has the Village promised to assume all defense costs
if the feds come after Benoit-Blakeman? ;-)))
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