FLORIDA BUILDING COMMISSION
ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL
October 7, 2013
Chairman Jack Humburg called the meeting to order at 2:06 P.M. on October 7, 2013. Members present were Jack Humburg, Bill Riha and Linda Parnell. In the absence of a quorum, individual recommendations for disposition of waiver applications were received.
Review of Applications for Waivers from Accessibility Code Requirements:
Alamo Hotel, 4121 Indian Creek, Miami Beach: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility between the levels of the first floor lobby and the required interior dimensions of an elevator. The project presently has 37 apartments and 3 hotel rooms and is being converted to hotel use only. All accessible guest rooms are located o the second and third floors, which are accessed by an elevator that does not have the required minimum interior dimensions. The structure is located in an historic district and according to the applicant, it would not only be technically infeasible to modify the elevator shaft to comply with the code, but doing so would be disproportionate to the construction cost. The cost of the alteration is $425,000 and installation of two lifts would increase the project cost by $585,603. The applicant was represented telephonically by Michael Reinstein. The completed application was not available for review, so the consensus of Council members was to recommend deferring action until the application can be provided for posting on the website.
Taft Hotel, 1040 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to two hotel rooms in a 30 room historic hotel which was constructed in 1036. The remaining units are all accessible by an elevator to a common hallway; the two in question have two steps leading from the hallway to the guest rooms. According tot eh applicant, Steve Warrick, it would be technically infeasible to renovate the building to eliminate the two steps. Two accessible rooms will be provided as a result of the alteration which complies with the ratio required by code. Rory Greenberg was also present representing the applicant. The following Council members recommended granting the waiver: Jack Humburg, Bill Riha and Linda Parnell.
Volunteer Support Center, 12200Translation Way, Orlando: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to a new $54,000 mezzanine in an office/warehouse facility. The existing building is used for storage of supplies, equipment and associated office support in the first floor office. The new mezzanine will provide an additional open office area supporting the storage function. Estimates of $59,180 and $51,000 were submitted as documentation that installation of a LULA would be disproportionate to the cost of construction. According to the applicant, all activities in the mezzanine office are replicated in the accessible first floor facility. The applicant was represented telephonically by Ken Strong. The following Council members recommended granting the waiver because of disproportionate cost: Jack Humburg, Bill Riha and Linda Parnell.
Christmas, Etc., 1201 Allendale Road, West Palm Beach: The applicant requested a three year time extension to provide vertical accessibility to a 1,100 square foot mezzanine used as additional showroom space in a wholesale/retail sales facility. Construction of the mezzanine was completed in December, 2012, but no C.O. will be issued until vertical accessibility is provided or a waiver for a time extension is granted. Estimates of $18,980 and $21,500 were submitted as the additional costs to install a lift to the area. Bill Laughlin, Jr. and Bill Laughlin, Sr. were present via telephone. The following Council members recommended granting the waiver for a three year time extension: Jack Humburg, Bill Riha and Linda Parnell.
South Beach 18 LLC, 235 18 Street, Miami Beach: The applicant requested 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 tot 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 construction costs to install an elevator. The applicant investigated the possibility of 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 to 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. Ziva Winder was present telephonically representing the applicant. Mr. Riha commented that and intercom system would not serve the needs of those with hearing impairments and recommended that the project architect appear before the C ouncil. The following Council members recommended deferring action on the waiver to allow the applicant tine to research different communication systems: Jack Humburg, Bill Riha and Linda Parnell.
Freshaveli, 20 N. E. 41 Street, #3, Miami: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the second floor of an existing apartment building in which one unit on the second floor is being converted to commercial use as a barber shop. The unit in question has 640 square feet and the overall cost to provide a lift would be $31,500 - $41,697. According to the applicant, Manual Soto, no construction work is being done to effect the conversion. There is also an existing inaccessible toilet room I the unit. The applicant does not intend to modify the toilet room; however, while the Commission may consider the waiver for vertical accessibility if any alteration takes place, modifying the toilet room must be addressed: The applicant also intends to develop a plan to provide all services available to persons with disabilities in an alternative way.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 3:15 P.M.