ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL

June 25, 2007

The Council convened at 9:06 a.m. with 3 members present.

Consent Agenda:

Case #1 – Soho Beach House. This case was granted a waiver from the Commission several months ago for this historic building. The applicant has revised the scope of work providing internal stairs to join two levels creating a two story suite. The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing vertical accessibility within this suite. The Council recommended approval based on the historic character and the provisions of F. S. 553.512 as extreme hardship/technical infeasibility. As this is a modification to the original waiver, we recommend staff find a way to tie the two waivers together.

Case #2 – Mercato. The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to all rows of seats in a new $4.5 million theater complex. The Council recommended approval as submitted based on the provisions of F.S. 553.512 as unnecessary.

Case #5 – Sun Plumbing. The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing vertical accessibility the existing raised loading dock area of an existing building undergoing alterations and an addition costing $178,000. Based on the facts presented by the applicant, there will be less than five persons in the raised loading and storage area and will not be open to the public. 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 recommended approval based on the automatic exemption of five or less persons and not open to the public, as well as being an extreme hardship.

Case #7 – Leading Edge Awards. The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the second floor of an existing office/storage facility undergoing a $55,000 alteration. The Council recommended approval based on the provisions of F.S. 553.512 related to 20% disproportionate cost.

Case #8 – ESI Consulting Engineers, Inc. The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the proposed extended second floor area. The Council recommended approval based on the provisions of F.S. 553.512 as an extreme hardship.

Case #10 – Fairwind Hotel. The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to six multi-level units in a 78 room historic hotel undergoing alterations. The Council recommended approval based on the historic character and the provisions of F.S. 553.512 as extreme hardship/technical infeasibility.

The following cases were approved w/conditions.

Case #6 – Melbourne High School Gymnasium. The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to all rows of seats in the bleachers of a new $6.8 million gymnasium. The Council recommended approval based on the provisions of F.S. 553.512 as unreasonable with the condition that they recess the disabled seating locations to keep the wheelchairs from extending into the walkway and that the companion seating will be located on the second level of seating to be at eye level with the wheelchair user. The corrected plans are to be submitted to DCA staff to verify compliance.

Case #9 – Club Boca. The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to a new elevated performing area within an existing club. The Council recommended approval with condition based on the provisions of F.S. 553.512 related to 20% disproportionate cost, The condition is the applicant is to submit to DCA staff the “Review and Recommendation by Local Building Department” to include the cost of construction within the last 3 years. If there has been no work in the last 3 years, then the waiver is recommended approved. If there has been work performed, the applicant must come back to the Council and Commission.

Case #11 – Forest Hill Veterinary Clinic. The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to all rows of seats in a lecture hall of a new $6.75 million veterinary training hospital. The Council recommended approval based on the provisions of F.S. 553512 as unreasonable with the condition that a lift be installed in the lecture hall to provide vertical access to the upper most level and to move the accessible seating locations one space in from the end rows and place the companion seating on the end rows. The corrected plans are to be submitted to DCA staff to verify compliance.

Deffered Cases:

Case #3 – Florida International University . The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to all row of seats in a stadium undergoing a major alteration and addition costing $20 million. The Council recommended deferral for the applicant to provide additional information, to include but not limited to, ramp dimensions, sight lines, door threshold information, signage, and total count of accessible seating (new and existing).

Case #4 – Horizons by Marriot. The applicant is requesting a waiver to remove 2 existing exterior lifts in an existing water park. The Council recommended dismissal of this case due to lack of jurisdiction.