An Act To Allow a Municipality To Grant a Variance for the Construction of a Parking Structure for a Person with a Permanent Disability
Sec. 1. 30-A MRSA §4353, sub-§4-A, as amended by PL 1995, c. 212, §1, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
The board may impose conditions on the variance granted pursuant to this paragraph, including limiting the variance to the duration of the disability or to the time that the person with the disability lives in the dwelling. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "structures necessary for access to or egress from the dwelling" is defined to include railing, wall or roof systems necessary for the safety or effectiveness of the structure.
The person with the permanent disability shall prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the person's disability is permanent.
For purposes of this paragraph, "noncommercial vehicle" means a motor vehicle as defined in Title 29-A, section 101, subsection 42 with a gross vehicle weight of no more than 6,000 pounds, bearing a disability registration plate issued pursuant to Title 29-A, section 521 and owned by the person with the permanent disability.
The board may impose conditions on the variance granted pursuant to this subsection.
For purposes of this subsection, "disability" has the same meaning as a physical or mental disability under Title 5, section 4553-A.
summary
Current law allows a zoning board of appeals to grant a variance to a person with a disability for the construction of equipment or structures necessary for access to or egress from the dwelling.
This bill allows a zoning board, if allowed by the municipal ordinance establishing the zoning board, to grant a variance for the construction of a structure for the storage of a motor vehicle owned by a person with a permanent disability and registered in this State with disability registration plates.