MINUTES

ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL

ACCESSIBILITY TE CHNICAL AD ISORY COMMITTEE

February 10, 2014

2:00 P.M.

 

Council members present were:  Jack Humburg, Chairman, Barb Page, Bill Riha and Linda Parnell

TAC members present were:  Jeffery Gross, Chairman, Bemmie Eustace, Jack Humburg, Barb Page, Linda Parnell, Brad Schiffer, Frederick Schilling and Beth Mayer.

 

            FBC Executive Director, Jim Richmond announced the joint TAC/Council meeting was being held to first review the proposed new online waiver application.  Following that review, the TAC would adjourn and the Council would review and make recommendations for the disposition of waiver applications.

 

            Review of Agenda:  TAC Chairman Jeff Gross asked if there was a motion to approve the agenda.  Brad Schiffer moved to approve the agenda and following a second by Linda Parnell, the vote of the TAC was unanimous.  Council Chairman Jack Humburg stated a motion was needed by the Council to also approve the agenda. Barb Page moved to approve the agenda and was seconded by Bill Riha.  The vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of the motion.   

 

            Review of Minutes:  Chairman Gross asked if there was a motion to approve or modify the minutes of the TAC meeting held August 1, 2013.  Bemmie Eustace moved to approve the minutes as written and following a second by Brad Schiffer, the vote of the TAC was unanimous.  Chairman Humburg requested a motion to approve or modify the Council minutes of December 2, 2013.  Bill Riha moved to approve the minutes as written and was seconded by Linda Parnell.  The vote of the Council was unanimous. 

 

            Presentation Regarding Integration of the Waiver Process With the Building Code Information System.  William Marshall, web developer with Information Systems of Florida presented the waiver application that will be posted on the BCIS site once it has been approved by the Commission and adopted via rulemaking.  The process includes step by step procedures for waiver applicants to upload information and submit required fees.,  The process is automated and instructs applicants if portions of the application are missing or deficient.  Once accepted by the system, applicants will automatically be notified of the status of their applications.  Additional information may be submitted, as needed, during the entire waiver process.  Both the TAC and Council ’members concurred that the process is clear, user friendly and should facilitate the Commission’s review.  The procedure will be presented for Commission action at the February 21, 2014 meeting.

 

            The TAC adjourned at 3:20 P.M. 

 

            Review of Application for Waivers from Accessibility Requirements. 

 

KLKS, LLC, 7175 S. W. 47 Street, Miami:  The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the 2,100 square foot second floor of a 12,900 square foot interior design office. When the applicant purchased the property, he found the previous owner had illegally renovated the second floor in violation of applicable permitting law.  The applicant submitted plans to correct the violation which required the addition of an egress stairway from the second floor.  The project will cost $29,430 and $64,930 and $71,500 estimates were submitted as documentation of the cost to install an elevator.  According to the applicant, there are no facilities or services offered on the second floor that are not available on the accessible first level.   Barb Page moved to recommend granting the waiver, based on disproportionate cost.  Following a second by Bill Riha, the vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of it. 

 

South Beach Hotel, 236 21st Street, Miami  Beach: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility from the lobby of a hotel to guest rooms accessed by steps on the first floor level.  The project is undergoing a $250,000 alteration and work done over the preceding three years brings its scope to $293,667.   There is a passenger elevator from the lobby to accessible rooms located on the second floor. According to the applicant it would cost $78,581 for two chair lifts or $68,513 for two ramps to access the first floor.  Matthew Amster represented the applicant and the project owner, Sean Vardi was also present.  Bill Riha moved to recommend granting the waiver based on disproportionate cost,, and that the applicant provide documentation of the historic nature of the building.  Linda Parnell seconded the motion and the vote of the Council was unanimous

 

Delta Investment Group, 107 S.  W. 7th Street, Gainesville:  The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the 747 square foot second floor of a 1,646 square foot office building undergoing a $264,000 alteration.  According to the applicant it would cost an additional $48,000 to provide vertical access to the second floor.  The alteration will incorporate new lever hardware, signage, grab bars and accessible drinking fountains in the second floor office to make the area more accessible.  The first floor will be fully accessible and persons with disabilities may be served on that level.   Howard McClain and John Fleming were present representing the applicant, and stated that although no tenant has been identified, the building will be available for office use when the alteration is completed.  Barb Page moved to recommend granting the waiver based on disproportionate cost.  Linda Parnell seconded the motion and the vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of it.

 

Haddon Hall Hotel and the Campton Apartments, 1500 Collins Avenue and 1455 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach:  Monica Entin, Karen Reed and Larry Mango represented the applicant, who requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the first floor guest rooms of the Haddon Hall Hotel.  An elevator will provide access to the hotel’s second and third floors, although it is existing and does not comply with interior size requirements.  The alteration will include accessibility features with strobes, grab bars, audible/visual alarms, handrails and foot lighting.  The Campton building consists of two wings which are connecte4d by a one story structure housing the lobby.  The owner proposes adding accessible toilet facilities and a gymnasium on the north side of the Campton property.  Both hotels are considered historic and documentation confirming their status was submitted.  The overall project, including alterations to the existing buildings and the new cabana will cost $11,691,750.  The property is connected by a number of changes in levels and the owner plans to install a series of ramps to unify the project and make it more accessible throughout.  The owner, Mr. Mango, stated that signage will be provided to direct disabled patrons to the accessible paths of travel throughout the complex.  Bill Riha moved to recommend granting the waiver, based on technical infeasibility and was seconded by Barb Page.  The vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of the motion.

 

Fred Schweitz, 995 South Highway 27/441, Ocala:  Chairman Jack Humburg not4ed that no electronic version of the application was available.  Barb Page moved to defer review until the next meeting and was seconded by Linda Parnell.  April Hammonds, Commission Counsel, reported the applicant had been notified that the application was unavailable and that a second notice will be sent prior to the next meeting.

 

Gould Business Center, 587 West Eau Gallie Boulevard, Melbourne:  The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the 1,780 square foot second floor of a two building project that was originally built in 1920 as a boarding house.  According to the applicant, the only feasible way to make the second floor accessible would be to construct an exterior structure to house the elevator.  Any other method would damage the historic significance of the building.,  A $131,000 estimate for constructing the elevator tower was submitted.  The permit valuation for the project is $129.900.  Steve Gould represented the applicant.  Barb Page moved to recommend granting the waiver based on technical infeasibility and disproportionate cost.  Bill Riha seconded the motion and the vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of it.

 

Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, 537, West Jefferson Street, Tallahassee:  The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the upper two floors of a sorority house undergoing a $350,000 alteration.  The project is a 1,700 addition to the ground floor and no work is being done to other areas of the building.  The project consists of the addition as well as construction of a new accessible parking space and access aisle; accessible entry door; two accessible toilet rooms; accessible drinking fountains and an interior ramp.  Estimates of $52,000, $62,000 and $69,800 were submitted as the costs to install an elevator.  Shane Moniz represented the applicant and agreed to submit a cost breakdown of the cost of accessibility features included in the project as well as a determination of the ownership of the property.  Barb Page moved to defer further consideration of the application until the additional information is provided.  Bill Riha seconded the motion and the vote of the council was unanimous. 

 

            There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 P.M.