Thanks all.
The gravel is all path. The area in the photo below the wall is parking. There will be a 9' wide No Parking area in front of the steps. Then the path goes straight beyond the top of the steps.
According to the architect this is treated as private residential from a code perspective.
The steps are needed as they are the main route for people parking and walking. There is an 18" grade change from the parking area to the path so three 6" steps. The run looks longer than the 10" shown on the plan. I'm hoping to go by there tonight to verify.
Wheelchairs have a separate route. Bicycles and bakfiets have to go this route.