ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL
July 27, 2011
2:00 P.M.
The meeting was held via webinar on July 27, 2011 beginning at 2:00 P.M. Mmebers present were: Jack Humburg, Barbara Page, Catherine Powell and Bob Gerwe. The following applications for waivers from accessibility requirements were reviewed.
1.
Wareing Enterprises
LLC,
The applicant, represented by Lowell Garrett, requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the 680 square foot second floor of a building undergoing a $35,000 alteration to the first floor. The work includes modifying the existing toilet room to make it accessible, increasing door widths to 32” minimum and installing ramps where floor levels change. If the waiver is granted, the owner plans to spend an additional $25,000 to upgrade the second floor for use as additional commercial space. Estimates of $26,080 and $28,885 were submitted as the cost to install a chair lift to the second floor. Documentation was also provided that the structure is on the Historic Register. The Council urged the owner to provide some form of duplication of services on the accessible first floor when the second floor function is determined.
Recommendation: Grant, based on disproportionate cost.
2.
Kalex Construction
& Development,
The applicant was represented by Jorge Diaz who requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the second floor of an office/warehouse undergoing a $152,000 alteration. According to the applicant, there will be no public access to the second floor, which contains offices and work space occupied by employees only. The first floor is accessible and has accessible toilet facilities, a conference room, warehouse and archive area. Estimates of $32,000 and $52,822 for platform lifts to the second level were submitted.
Recommendation: Grant, based on disproportionate cost.
3.
The Gallery,
Armando Martinez represented the applicant who requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to an art gallery and bar located on the second floor of a commercial building. According to the building official, the tenant moved into the existing space but did no work that would have required a building permit. The owner wants to expand into an adjacent area, increasing the occupant load, thus requiring additional toilet facilities, egress and sprinklers. The project will cost $12,736 and although no estimates were provided, it is highly unlikely that a platform lift could be installed that would not be disproportionate to the cost of construction. An interior lift would also encroach into first floor tenant space and providing one outside would not allow an accessible route and would result in the loss of a parking space.
Recommendation: Grant, based on technical infeasibility.
4.
Ocean Breeze
Hotel,
The applicant was represented by Emilio Garavito and requested a waiver from providing the hotel and an elevator for the second and third stories. Building B has 48 units, of which, six are accessible at the first floor level. Estimates of $92,078, $110,190 and $113,790 were submitted as the cost of installing an elevator to serve the second floor. Although the estimates do not meet the threshold for disproportionate cost, the applicant contends that having more than the required number of accessible rooms makes further accessibility to the second floor unnecessary.
Recommendation: Defer action to allow the applicant time to provide more detailed cost breakdowns of alteration work performed.
5.
Engineering
Building II, 3820 USF
Roy Clark represented the applicant who requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to all rows of seats in an 80 seat lecture hall that is undergoing an alteration. The four required wheelchair seating locations are in the back row with adjacent companion seating. Three of the four companion seats are fixed, while the fourth would allow a moveable chair. The project will cost $890,000, and according to the applicant it would be technically infeasible to ramp all levels or provide individual lifts because of the space constraints imposed by the lecture hall’s existing walls.
Recommendation: Grant, based on technical infeasibility.
6.
The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to all rows of a collapsible bleacher system that is being installed to replace an existing facility. The project will cost $125,000 and the applicant indicated it would be technically infeasible to provide vertical access to all levels in the bleachers. Wheelchair seating and adjacent companion areas are provided along the length of the front row of each of the two bleachers
Recommendation: Grant, based on technical infeasibility.
7.
Science
Classroom Complex, FIU,
The applicant was represented by Gene Kleusner and requested a waiver from
providing vertical accessibility in a new, 142 seat
classroom which is a component of a 136,082 square foot building to be occupied
by the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Public Health and Social Work,
College of Medicine, Engineering and Computing, and
Recommendation: Grant, based on technical infeasibility.
8.
Chi Omega
Sorority House,
Bret Hammond represented the applicant and requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the second floor of a sorority house undergoing a $275,000 alteration to expand the existing kitchen and dining space. The project also includes minimal upgrades to life safety and accessibility requirements, but no work is planned for the second floor living quarters. The scope of work also included installing 2 chair lifts on the first level and reconfiguring a toilet room to make the entire first floor accessible.
Recommendation: Grant, based on access to the second floor being unnecessary.
9.
Amnesia,
The applicant was represented by Anthony Leon and requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to all rows of seats in two designated VIP seating areas. The top level of VIP area #1 may be accessed via lift and by ramp to VIP area #2; there is no level change in VIP area #3. According to the applicant, all bars, dance floors, toilet rooms and VIP seating areas are accessible. No estimates to provide full vertical accessibility were submitted as the applicant contends all services are available, just not on each specific level.
Recommendation: Grant, based on vertical accessibility to all levels being unnecessary.
10. Madewell,
Mike Henry represented the applicant and requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the 422 square foot mezzanine of a mercantile facility undergoing a $250,000 alteration. According to the applicant, the scope of the work included removing an existing noncompliant stair to the mezzanine and replacing it with a compliant one. The applicant stated that all merchandise and services located on the mezzanine are duplicated on the accessible grade level; therefore making access to the area unnecessary. Estimates to install an elevator for $194,120 and $209,000 were submitted. Note: The building official reported that the cost of construction over the past three years was $1,052,130, including the current $253,000 project.
Recommendation: Grant, based on vertical accessibility to the mezzanine being unnecessary.
11. Liquor Lofts,
The applicant was represented by Michael Conn who requested 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.
Recommendation: Grant, based on disproportionate cost.
12. Dimitri’s Artisan Sandwiches, 790 South Atlantic
Avenue, Ormond Beach
Dimitri Bourzakis requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to a new, 3,201 square foot deck estimated to cost $60,000-$79,000. The project is a restaurant with existing outdoor wheelchair seating. According to the applicant, installing equipment to make the deck accessible would exceed the financial viability of the project.
Recommendation: Grant, based on disproportionate cost.