ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL
April 9, 2015
Chairman Jack Humburg called the meeting of the Council to order at 2:00 P.M. on April 9, 2015. Members present wee: Chairman Humburg, Linda Parnell, Jim Woolyhand and Bill Riha.
Review of Applications for Waivers from Accessibility Requirements:
Make Your Mark in Life Learning Center, 1801 27th Street, Vero Beach The applicant requested a waiver from widening doors into three small tutoring spaces, the break room and two office/tutoring rooms. The project is being converted from residential to commercial, so full accessibility is required. The building has 1,961 square feet of conditioned space and has undergone $112,700 work over the previous three years. $27,750 has been spent during execution of the current permit for a concrete parking area, ramp access at two entrances two toilet rooms and widened entry way. The applicant does not wish to incur the additional expense of widening six remaining doorways and the other two toilet rooms. The drinking fountain is located in the inaccessible break room, and the building official recommended it be relocated and if the toilet rooms are not modified, showers should be removed. Bill Riha moved to recommend that the request be denied and following a second by Jim Woolyhand, the vote of the Council was unanimous.
Alpha Omicron Pi, 819 Panhellenic Drive, Gainesville: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the existing second floor of a sorority house undergoing a $988,740 addition. The scope of the project includes the addition of a new chapter room, accessible sleeping rooms and toilet facilities on the main level. According to the applicant, all features provided on the second floor are duplicated on the first. If a shaft and elevator equipment room were added, it would reduce the number of parking spaces available as well as jeopardizing a 41” heritage oak the group is trying to preserve. Bill Riha moved to recommend granting the waiver based on it being unnecessary for access to both levels. Linda Parnell seconded the motion and the vote of the Council was unanimous in favor if it.
Beech Street Bar and Grill, 801 Beech Street, Fernandina Beach: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the second floor of a restaurant that is undergoing a $63,685 addition of a bar using materials consistent with a historic building (e,g, tin ceiling and reclaimed wood). The project is a historic structure and adding an elevator or stair lift would significantly damage either the exterior or interior historic character. The second floor comprises 18 percent of the total floor area available and all services available there are duplicated on the accessible first level. Bill Riha moved to recommend granting the waiver due to its historic character and was seconded by Jim Woolyhand. The vote of the Council was unanimous.
Boys Town of North Florida, 3555 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee: The applicant requested a waiver from providing internal vertical accessibility between the first floor administrative area and half basement below. Because of the site, exterior access is available at both levels of the building. The current project is being done to build out the basement section for additional office space. It is presently being used for storage. An accessible toilet room will also be provided at the basement level. The project will cost $80,000 and $4,975 mechanical upgrades were done during the previous three years. Estimates of $42,600 for a chair lift and $112,500 for an elevator were submitted to substantiate disproportionate cost. Linda Parnell moved to the grant the waiver, based on disproportionate cost. Following a second by Bill Riha, the vote of the Council was unanimous.
CrossFit PSI, 708 Commerce Way, Jupiter: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the second floor of a fitness center undergoing a $25,000 alteration. The first floor contains a CrossFit gym while the second will have additional CrossFit areas, pilates and spin. During the previous three years an additional $12,500 renovation was performed The scope of the current project includes new toilet facilities, break room and storage areas. A $39,947 estimate for an elevator was submitted as well as one for $38,000 for a LULA. Neither estimate includes an elevator shaft or equipment room. Bill Riha moved to defer action and was seconded by Jim Woolyhand. The Council’s vote was unanimous.
DoubleTree Hotel, 107 N. Adams, Tallahassee: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the second floor tenant space in a hotel undergoing a $43,500 alteration. The space is accessed by an exterior concrete stair and is constrained by property lines on two sides, the driving aisle for the parking garage and an electrical equipment room on the fourth side. There is insufficient room to install a lift in the existing stairwell and a $55,000 estimate for an elevator was submitted. The first floor space is being modified as well and although they are two separate occupancies, accessible toilet rooms have been designed for each. Bill Riha moved to recommend granting the request because of technical infeasibility and disproportionate cost. Following a second by Linda Parnell, the vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of the motion.
The Freckled Fin, 101 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to a new, 20’ x 20’ deck on an existing building. Existing stairs are in place to the area, and the applicant is also providing accessible dining at the first, accessible level. No documentation was provided but the applicant states it would cost $30,000 for make the area vertically accessible. The current project cost is $30,000 and during the previous three years, and additional $5,000 was spent on alterations. Bill Riha moved to defer action on the request to obtain additional information, and following a second by Linda Parnell, the vote of the Council was unanimous.
H2O Hotel, 112 Simonton Street, Key West: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to guest rooms on the second floor of a new, 22 unit hotel costing $4.8 million. As required, one unit on the first floor is fully accessible and all others on that level have accessible entrances. According to the applicant, because of the hotel’s location within the Key West historic district, there are height limitations that would prevent an elevator shaft being constructed higher than the proposed roof line. Stairs are the only way to enter the second floor. Bill Riha moved to recommend granting the waiver provided documentation is submitted to substantiate the historic character of the area and modify the design to provide access to the second floor guest area. Linda Parnell seconded the motion and the vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of it.
MU Engineers, 3440 NE 12th Avenue, Oakland Park: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to an existing office building undergoing alterations of $19,140 for framing and build out; $5.800 for plumbing upgrades and additional sheet metal, textures and electrical work. During the three previous years, $46.939 was spent for electrical work, duct work and replacement of exterior windows and doors. $89,400 and $89,270 estimates were submitted as the cost to install an elevator and $61.600 for installation of a platform lift. A letter from a structural engineer was also provided to substantiate that it would be structurally impractical to modify the building so it could sup[port an elevator or lift. Linda Parnell moved to recommend granting the request based on technical infeasibility and disproportionate cost. Bill Riha seconded the motion and the vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of it.
Paul Bradshaw, 222 E. College Avenue, Tallahassee: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the second floor of an existing two story building undergoing a $600,000 alteration and $85,000 replacement of an existing exterior stairwell. There is no internal means of entering the second floor from the first, and the only access to the second level is via outside stairwell. No renovation work is being done on the first floor. The applicant stated that it would be technically infeasible to construct an elevator to serve the area because the building is surrounded by other structures on three sides and a partial utility yard on the fourth. Bill Riha moved and Jim Woolyhand seconded to recommend granting the waiver based on disproportionate cost. The vote of the Council was unanimous.
Sigma Delta Tau, 833 West Jefferson Street, Tallahassee:: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the basement and second floor levels of a three story sorority house undergoing a $300,000 alteration. The scope of the work includes a kitchen expansion, house director addition, interior reconfigurations and front façade improvements. The expansion of the kitchen and director’s suite will increase the size of the first floor 1,122 square feet. No work will be done to the basement or second floor. Estimates of $52,000 and $60,000 for elevator equipment only were submitted; and an addition estimate indicates it would cost an additional $47,000 for construction of the shaft, pit, machine room and fire suppression equipment. Bill Riha moved to recommend granting the request based on disproportionate cost. Linda Parnell seconded the motion and the vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of it.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 P.M.