# Neighbors complain about wheelchair ramp in front of home. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 20, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682 "2013-08-20T01:32:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Silvorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Silvorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvorange)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/61 "2013-08-20T06:34:52Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > It doesn’t blend with the house at all. It’s an architectural mismatch and probably cost a fortune. they could have installed a lift by the door that looks better and more importantly been much easier to use. Wheeling someone up that ramp is not going to be easy. > > Your idea of nice differs from mine. They probably spent $10,000 on something that lowered the value of the house by the same amount. > > If the neighbors hate it they can get together and donate the stone work to match the house but the damage is done. A ramp will never crap out on you and leave you stuck inside/outside. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/62 "2013-08-20T06:36:55Z")
If I were them - and in fact, as my little brother is confined to a wheelchair, I \*could \*be them - then I’d fight it as a matter of principle. But that’s just me. Look - real estate is a gamble. Just as you don’t have to pay anyone who increases your neighborhood’s property value, you don’t get to sue people who lower it. You win some, you lose some. It’s no excuse to be a jerk. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/63 "2013-08-20T06:37:05Z")
> [@GusNSpot](#): > > I actually like the looks of this one. > > As said up thread, they are usually a lot uglier. > > As to the people in the nearby houses, they are one of the reasons I am a bit out of town. well you’ve obviously never lived in neighborhood with an association. Imagine every mailbox being built to spec with exact measurements, paint and distance to the street. You can’t add a stick of wood without going before a committee. Not my cup of tea but there you go. This case is obviously not one of those neighborhoods so I don’t see where there is any legal leg to stand on. Seems like a waste of time to pursue it. As far as looking good the cement is already discolored in places. Hope they got a guarantee on it. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/64 "2013-08-20T06:44:46Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > If I were them - and in fact, as my little brother is confined to a wheelchair, I \*could \*be them - then I’d fight it as a matter of principle. But that’s just me. > > Look - real estate is a gamble. Just as you don’t have to pay anyone who increases your neighborhood’s property value, you don’t get to sue people who lower it. You win some, you lose some. It’s no excuse to be a jerk. There is legal recourse in some circumstances. Don’t see it in this one and it usually comes from the municipality. This was an approved structural addition. Done and done unless there was speculation that it match the house. when I built my garage I had to conform to the structural guidelines and there is some expectation that it is not an eyesore. That means it gets sided or painted or “something” that doesn’t make it look like a refuge camp after a hurricane. Even then I was able to get some variances on square footage and design. But if I didn’t side it the city would have crawled up my ass to make it look presentable. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/65 "2013-08-20T06:46:57Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Yes, damage done. People bought into a neighborhood with expectations of not having an eyesore erected within… That’s a stupid reason. When you buy into a neighborhood, the only legitimate expectation is that the city will enforce zoning laws. The city has the legal authority to remove eyesores. The city approved the ramp. Case closed. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/66 "2013-08-20T06:57:04Z")
I think the OP’s really issue is municipalities allowing physically challenged people live in the same neighborhoods as regular people like him. I mean, he might have to see them!! And yes, I’ve seen some wheelchair ramps. That one is a quality ramp! I do sort of hope they had cut some grooves into it perpendicular to the direction of travel for better traction if there’s snow or ice. On the other hand, grooves like that might make it more difficult to clear. I suspect people with more experience with concrete ramps know more about it than I do. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/67 "2013-08-20T07:15:15Z")
I’ve said several times that I fully support the need for wheelchair access to homes. It’s both a moral and a legal right for people to enjoy their homes. It’s a shame the neighbors didn’t talk this out before threatening lawsuits or calling the press. A quick trip to home depot for some box hedge would have been a cheap & easy solution. They could end up spending a lot more on dueling lawyers. I got a bad feeling the feud between these two neighbors could drag on for a long time. Battles with neighbors are the pits and best avoided whenever possible. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/68 "2013-08-20T07:18:08Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > I think the OP’s really issue is municipalities allowing physically challenged people live in the same neighborhoods as regular people like him. I mean, he might have to see them!! I think your real issue is you like to sit on a high horse and project your hatred on other people. See how that works? Putting your projections of what other people think aside do you really find it that hard to believe that someone can build an ugly addition to their house? This is a concrete slab tacked on to the front of a house. If they were living in a prison then it would blend in nicely (assuming prisons are concrete slabbed structures with no esthetic design). Yes there are worse ramps out there but there are worse neighborhoods too. This one needs a bit of something to match it up to the house. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/69 "2013-08-20T07:19:10Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’ve said several times that I fully support the need for wheelchair access to homes. It’s both a moral and a legal right for people to enjoy their homes. > > It’s a shame the neighbors didn’t talk this out before threatening lawsuits or calling the press. A quick trip to home depot for some box hedge would have be a cheap solution. They could end up spending a lot more on dueling lawyers. I have zero sympathy for the people complaining, it’s not even that ugly! ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/70 "2013-08-20T07:59:27Z")
Yeah, it actually improves the house. Stupid wooden construction. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/71 "2013-08-20T08:01:29Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > A quick trip to home depot for some box hedge would have been a cheap & easy solution. The cheap and easy solution costs $0 and takes no effort. ---
**Author:** ![ticker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/72 "2013-08-20T08:32:07Z")
I wouldn’t pay a dime less for a house because the one across it had a well constructed ramp like that. I would seriously have to reconsider the value of a house surrounded by douche-bag neighbours who would complain about it. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/73 "2013-08-20T08:40:54Z")
[This](https://www.google.com/search?q=wheel+chair+lifts&client=firefox-a&hs=kJO&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=GSsTUuaHOsOs2QXUq4GAAw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1138&bih=500#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=yZ7AHXiPP35PcM%3A%3BY4TRSvXPxh2AHM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.acessinc.com%252Fimages%252FEModi.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.acessinc.com%252Fwheelchair_lift.htm%3B400%3B319)would have served them much better. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/74 "2013-08-20T08:55:20Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > [This](https://www.google.com/search?q=wheel+chair+lifts&client=firefox-a&hs=kJO&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=GSsTUuaHOsOs2QXUq4GAAw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1138&bih=500#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=yZ7AHXiPP35PcM%3A%3BY4TRSvXPxh2AHM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.acessinc.com%252Fimages%252FEModi.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.acessinc.com%252Fwheelchair_lift.htm%3B400%3B319)would have served them much better. As pointed out above, until it breaks. I also would not hesitate to buy in that neighborhood. It’ just not a factor. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/75 "2013-08-20T10:09:53Z")
What effect do douchbag neighbours have on property values? Can you sue for that? ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/76 "2013-08-20T10:39:07Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > [This](https://www.google.com/search?q=wheel+chair+lifts&client=firefox-a&hs=kJO&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=GSsTUuaHOsOs2QXUq4GAAw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1138&bih=500#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=yZ7AHXiPP35PcM%3A%3BY4TRSvXPxh2AHM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.acessinc.com%252Fimages%252FEModi.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.acessinc.com%252Fwheelchair_lift.htm%3B400%3B319)would have served them much better. You’re saying she’s being disabled wrong? Given that she and her family have been dealing with the problem of how to get a person in a wheelchair up and down stairs pretty frequently for many years, I suspect they are a) pretty well aware of the options for doing so and b) have in fact chosen the option that serves them best. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/77 "2013-08-20T11:59:00Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > If the neighbors hate it they can get together and donate the stone work to match the house but the damage is done. If the neighbors purchase the stone, it would be fitting if the homeowner told them what to do with it. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/78 "2013-08-20T12:05:49Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Yeah, it actually improves the house. Stupid wooden construction. It’s so new-looking that I’m not sure it’s not vinyl. While I wouldn’t say it improves the look of the house, it doesn’t detract from it since it doesn’t have that much farther to fall. While the ramp is ugly it also distracts the eye from the ugly garage, so it’s a wash. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/79 "2013-08-20T12:09:27Z")
I’ll take a necessary, well built, workmanlike ramp on a house across from me over neglected or badly trimmed bushes and ugly hydrangeas any day. I don’t know why I’m still so astounded at the level of self-absorption today… saddens me every time. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682/80 "2013-08-20T12:10:33Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > _ **I think the OP’s really issue is municipalities allowing physically challenged people live in the same neighborhoods as regular people like him. I mean, he might have to see them!!** _ (bolding mine) _ **This!** _ > [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > And yes, I’ve seen some wheelchair ramps. That one is a quality ramp! I do sort of hope they had cut some grooves into it perpendicular to the direction of travel for better traction if there’s snow or ice. On the other hand, grooves like that might make it more difficult to clear. I suspect people with more experience with concrete ramps know more about it than I do. The ADA (Americans with Diabilities Act) has very specific guidelines (specs) on the construction of handicap facilities. (ramp width, degree of slope, surfaces, ie: groove width-spacing-depth, handrail height, spacing between rails, acceptable materials, etc.) If it was built by a qualified contractor and meets ADA specs, then \*\*\*‘how it looks’ \*\*\*isn’t even a consideration. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbors-complain-about-wheelchair-ramp-in-front-of-home/666682.md?page=5)