Kitchen Cabinets and Accessibility

I am in the process of finalizing my plans for a rip & replace of my 11x7 kitchen and the question of accessibility has come up. Our plan is to rip everything out and replace it in the same spot …cabinets, fixtures and appliances. We are working with an Architect and an Expediter and they have mentioned that we will need to be ADA compliant and as such we will need to install an “adaptable... [more]

I am in the process of finalizing my plans for a rip & replace of my 11x7 kitchen and the question of accessibility has come up. Our plan is to rip everything out and replace it in the same spot …cabinets, fixtures and appliances. We are working with an Architect and an Expediter and they have mentioned that we will need to be ADA compliant and as such we will need to install an “adaptable sink cabinet” for front approach for Local Law 58 compliance (we are ok on 48’ shelf/cabinet and 60’ turning radius). I have done a tremendous amount of research on the subject because the last thing I want to do is drive my costs up with additional custom cabinetry that from all appearances would look to lower the value, costs more and most important looks terrible (you can out lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig) I have countered them both on two fronts: First, it does not appear to me that anyone else is requiring adaptable sink cabinets in new or construction or renovations (I have asked the contractors that are bidding on the proposal, everyone I know who has done renovations recently and the folks who have bought new construction and not one of them has ADA Compliant Adaptable Sink Cabinets, they are all standard sink cabinets…Second, if for some reason I can’t fathom I do need to go down this path, I have made the argument that that I have a sufficient clear space to meet the “Kitchen Sinks Parallel Approach“ …” The Guidelines also specify a 30”x48” clear floor space at kitchen sinks. The clear floor space must be parallel to and centered on the kitchen sink. The clear floor space in this parallel and centered orientation allows a person using a wheelchair to make a close side approach, permitting a reach to the faucets, to easily wash dishes or food without excessive twisting in the wheelchair. A sink may also be designed with knee space below, with the 30”x48” floor space oriented for a forward approach.” Note, this renovation is occurring in an a elevator building in NYC and no one in my family is disabled. Has anyone run into this before? What are my options? And what is the best way to legally work through this? Based upon my research I feel my architect/expediter taking an overly literally interpretation of the rules but this is not what I do for a living and it is what I am paying them to do. Feedback and comments appreciated. Thanks! [less]