Agreed... but the city could also let them out of the requirement for a 2nd stair. This is only triggered by the change of occupancy, they wouldn't need the 2nd stair if they kept the building as offices.
The building already has a fire escape that could be replaced/refurbished as 2nd means of egress...
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la forme d'une ville change plus vite, hélas! que le coeur d'un mortel...
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