BAHAY KUBO (PHILIPPINE HERITAGE HOUSE)

Issue: Providing an accessible ramp to the entrance of the structure.

Analysis: The applicant is requesting a waiver from constructing a ramp to provide access to the entrance of a structure being built as a model to depict typical indigenous of houses in the Philippines. According to the applicant, the interior of the building will not be occupied and is only intended to focus on displaying exterior features. The structure is new and will cost $75,000; an additional $10,000 would be required to construct a ramp. Note: Exterior steps are shown on the plans that would permit persons without disabilities to enter the building.

Project Progress:

The project is under construction.

Items to be Waived:

Vertical accessibility to the entrance, 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.