LIQUOR LOFTS

Issue: Interior vertical accessibility to both floors of a commercial structure.

Analysis: The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing interior vertical accessibility to both levels of a commercial building which is accessible at grade on both floors. The building is undergoing a $99,500 alteration which includes modifying the existing basement as a bar/lounge with microbrewery and providing commercial liquor sales on the first floor. The scope of alteration work to the basement will add accessible toilet facilities, an accessible entrance and accessible seating and maneuvering in addition to accessible exterior parking. Accessible parking for the liquor store area can be provided by restriping the parking area. Estimates of $35,000-$40,000 to provide elevator service between floors were submitted.

Project Progress:

The project is under design.

Items to be Waived:

Interior vertical accessibility, as required by Section 553.509, Florida Statutes.

553.509 Vertical accessibility. Nothing in Sections 553.501-553.513 or the guidelines shall be construed to relieve the owner of any building, structure or facility governed by those sections from the duty to provide vertical accessibility to all levels above and below the occupiable grade level regardless of whether the guidelines require an elevator to be installed in such building, structure or facility, except for:

(1) Elevator pits, elevator penthouses, mechanical rooms, piping or equipment catwalks and automobile lubrication and maintenance pits and platforms;

(2) Unoccupiable spaces, such as rooms, enclosed spaces and storage spaces that are not designed for human occupancy, for public accommodations or for work areas; and

(3) Occupiable spaces and rooms that are not open to the public and that house no more than five persons, including, but not limited to equipment control rooms and projection booths.

Waiver Criteria: There is no specific guidance for a waiver of this requirement in the code. The Commission’s current rule, authorized in Section 553.512, Florida Statutes, provides criteria for granting waivers and allows consideration of unnecessary or extreme hardship to the applicant if the specific requirements were imposed.