Cohousing-L Mailing List: upstairs for Common House?

[Lynn Nadeau (welcome]

We at RoseWind Cohousing in Port Townsend Washington are working on our 
common house design. There are a number of reasons that second-floor 
space would help us out.

BUT the local city building inspector, with Uniform Building Code in 
hand, says that we are a type A-3 "assembly" building and that any 
"occupiable" upstairs space MUST be handicapped accessible. That 
translates into not only the space for an elevator, but around $20,000 
elevator cost. Which we don't have. 

Question:Who has managed to get upstairs space permitted, that is not 
handicapped accessible?
(Is there anyone from Winslow reading this? I remember a Teen Room over 
the kitchen.)
How was the building classified, per building code, or what exceptions 
applied that allowed that upstairs space? Or is there someone I could 
contact to find out?

We'd be very appreciative if you have info to share. 

Best wishes,         Lynn Nadeau               welcome [at] olympus.net


General RoseWind info- started 9 years ago, PUD with city, 
lot-development model, non-profit corporation with homeowners' 
association. 19 families, room for 6 more (in single-family, or duplex or 
row houses). Eight homes built and occupied. Three homes half finished. A 
straw bale home starts in May. Common House in planning phase-- with 
preliminary plans based on our programming and budget.