City Code/Regulations and possible exceptions for those with disabilities???

[Guest guest]

This may be an " off the wall " question, but you never know who might

have the answer that I need, so here you go...

We are in the process of building a home in a suburb of Dallas. We

purchased a corner lot in a neighborhood, so that we could have a

circular driveway that runs directly in front of our front door.

Easy access for me...especially with two small children.

On the plans, there is a separate driveway to the garage, but it is

on a very steep incline. As it stands right now, I am unable to walk

up and down this area without assistance. We have done as much

grading as possible, but to no avail.

We didn't see this as a problem due to the plans for the circular

drive. However, as we end the project, the city inspectors came to

the property to talk to our builders about the flatwork (drives),

and have said " no " to the circular driveway. Their logic is that it

is dangerous to have a circular drive on two streets that come

together. They think there is some sort of hazard in pulling out of

the drive (forwards), but don't see the steep driveway to the garage

as a hazard...and, we would be backing out!

Anyway...we designed the house to be " disability friendly " for the

most part. I have braces currently, but I am not in a wheelchair.

Since we don't know what the future holds, we did do small things

like the circular drive, putting the kitchen on the front of the

house for ease in loading/unloading groceries, roll-in showers,

large walkways, etc.

I am not into using my CMT/disability as a card to get special

treatment, but I feel like I have a legitimate need here. The city

inspector asked my husband if I was in a wheelchair, which made us

wonder if there were exceptions that the city could make based upon

unique situations.

Any experience with something like this? Any info would be helpful!