SOUTH BEACH 18 LLC

Issue: Vertical accessibility to the second floor and entrance to the lobby area.

Analysis: The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the second floor and the main entrance to the lobby. The building is being converted from use as an apartment to a hotel. According to the applicant, it would be technically infeasible to install an elevator to the second floor as well as being cost prohibitive. Construction costs are projected to be $192,000 and estimates of $143,500 and $52,000 were submitted as additional costs to install an elevator. The applicant investigated the possibility to providing a ramp to the lobby from the public sidewalk; however, the structure would encroach on city right of way as well as being inconsistent with the existing structure, distracting from the look, character and style of the building. A separate, accessible ramp is planned o the entrance to the accessible first floor guest room. A new intercom system will be installed to provide communication between any guests and staff located at the front desk. The hotel also provides information about this service on its website through the reservation process.

Project Progress:

The project is in plan review.

Items to be Waived:

Vertical accessibility to the second floor and lobby entrance, as required by Section 553.509, Florida Stautes.

553.509 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.