ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL

MARCH 17, 2008

The Council convened at 9:04 a.m. with 5 members present.

Consent Agenda:

Case #3 – Boca Raton High School. The Council unanimously recommended approval based on the provisions of F.S. 553.512 as unnecessary.

Case #4 – City of Hialeah Fire Station 6. As the structure was designed using the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS), there is no waiver required. However, in as much as it was requested by the Building Official, the Council recommended approval in favor of the UFAS provisions by a vote of 4 to 1.

Case #5 – The New Hotel. The Council unanimously recommended approval based on the provisions of F.S. 553.512 as unreasonable due to technical infeasibility.

Case # 9 – Midtown Miami North Block Building. This falls in the automatic exemption and does not require a waiver. In as much as the applicant has requested this waiver at the request of the building official, the Council unanimously recommended approval based on the automatic exemption of five or less persons and not open to the public.

The Following Cases were approved with Conditions:

Case #2 – 200 Brickell. The applicant is requesting a waiver to place van accessible parking spaces in an alternate location in the parking structure. The alternate van accessible parking space locations presented on the drawings submitted comply with the technical provisions of the code. In as much as the applicant has requested this waiver at the request of the building official, the Council unanimously recommended approval based on the provisions of unnecessary with conditions. Due to the unique location and application of the van accessible parking spaces, proper signage and training is required to properly direct users and non users.

Case #6 – Florida Legal Services. The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing vertical accessibility between the floors of a two story office building undergoing $147,257 of alterations. Due to terrain, both floors are accessible from the outside and parking areas. The Council unanimously recommended approval based on the provisions of F.S. 553.512 related to 20% disproportionate cost with the condition adequate signage is provided to direct public to the correct parking area and entrances to the facility. The granting of this waiver of the Florida specific requirements dies not relieve them from the provisions of Title II of the ADA.

Case #8 – Nickelodeon Hotel Suites. The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to all rows of seats in a 63 seat theater undergoing a $524,000 alteration. The Council unanimously recommended approval of the waiver based on the provisions of F.S. 553.512 as unnecessary with the following condition. Revised plans must be submitted to DCA staff increasing the walkway/path of travel in front of the accessible seating locations from 18 inches to 36 inches.

Case #10 – Eden Roc Hotel. The applicant is requesting a waiver from slope angles and landing dimensions for ramps in accessible rooms and balconies. The applicant modified the request originally submitted after meeting with the local building official. Based on the presentation, they will comply with providing the accessible ramps or lifts needed. If necessary, the applicant requested a waiver to reduce the Florida specific landing requirement of 72 inches to 60 inches. The Council unanimously recommended approval based on the provisions of F.S. 553.512 as an extreme hardship due to structural restrictions. Also, the applicant can construct in compliance with the provisions of 11-4.1.6 (3), Special technical provisions for alterations to existing buildings and facilities, (a) Ramps.

The Following Case was deferred:

Case #7 – The Ranch Polo Pavilion. The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to all levels of seating in a new open air structure that will contain restrooms and viewing locations for polo matches. The applicant was not in attendance and there was several questions raised by the council that was lacking in the submittal. The Council unanimously recommended this case be deferred to a later meeting for the applicant to provide additional information to include but not be limited to, vertical access to the upper level and balcony, access to all other accessible features, and dispersion of seating based on admission price, line of sight and feature.

Reconsideration of action previously taken:

Case #1 – Chiquita Animal Hospital. This case was heard at the October 2007 Council and Commission meeting. It was approved based on the provisions related to 5 or less persons and not open to the public. In our December meeting, DCA staff advised they heard from the local building official stating that it was their understanding that the floor would be for more persons. The building official’s recommendation form was omitted from the package. Based on these facts the Council recommended a motion to reconsider action previously taken and schedule this case to be reheard at the next Council meeting. This recommendation was affirmed by the Commission In a form of an order.

The applicant and deputy building official were present in yesterday’s Council meeting. After much discussion and at the request of the applicant, the Council unanimously recommended deferring this case for the applicant to provide additional information to justify a hardship related to the waiver request.