FLORIDA BUILDING COMMISSION

ACCESSIBILITIY ADVISORY COUNCIL

January 18, 2012

The Council met via webinar on January 18, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Members present were Jack Humburg, Chairman, Bill Riha, Bob Gerwe and Julie Kates.

The Council reviewed and made recommendations for disposition of waivers for the following projects.

CHJ Ventures LLC, 7120 S. W. 47 Street, Miami: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the second floor of a 2,352 square foot office unit in a warehouse. Work had previously been performed on the unit and the owner has applied for an amnesty permit to bring it into code compliance since the previous work was unpermitted. Estimates of $22,622, $28,373 and $42,754 were submitted as documentation of the cost of making the second floor accessible. The Council recommended deferring a recommendation on the project to allow the applicant to provide the cost of unpermitted construction, and documentation of who did the work and when it occurred.

Alan Waserstein, 1221, 1225, 1225AS Collins Avenue, Miami Beach: Further review of the application was deferred at the request of the applicant.

7144 Byron LLC/Ayuda, 7144 Byron Avenue, Miami Beach: The applicant is requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the second floor of a building that is used to provide counseling and life skills support including CPR and first aid, babysitting, parenting skills tutoring and family counseling. Any service provided can also be performed on the accessible first floor. The scope of the work is $66,567 and estimates of $160,869 and $142,775 were submitted to substantiate that it would be disproportionate to the cost of construction to provide vertical accessibility to the second floor. The Council recommended granting the waiver, based on demonstration of disproportionate cost.

Ransom Everglades School Pool Replacement, 3575 Main Highway, Coconut Grove: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to all rows of seats in a bleacher system for spectators at a 50 meter competition pool. The bleachers seat 444 persons and 9 wheelchair seats and companion seats have been provided immediately in front of the bleachers and one wheelchair seat with companion at the top. The pool aquatic facility is a component of a new $8,410,000 project including a 3 story building with locker rooms, coaches ‘offices, bleachers, mechanical/storage rooms and on grade parking. Since it is new construction, disproportionate cost is not the issue, but instead it is unreasonable to require access to all rows. The Council recommended granting the waiver, provided signage is provided indicating the location of the accessible and companion seats.

A1A Burrito Works, 608 W. Ocean Drive Boulevard, Flagler Beach: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to a new, $60,000 42’ x 18’ deck being added to an existing restaurant. The cost for the project is $60,000 and estimates from $47,620 5to $137,000 were submitted as the cost to add an elevator or protected lift to the site. The restaurant is located adjacent to the ocean and the marine environment makes upkeep and maintenance of mechanical equipment very difficult and costly. The Council recommended deferring further action on the application and request information pertaining to the height of the deck and a description of what other accessible accommodations are provided for disabled patrons.

Loews, 1601 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the roof decks of two small new buildings having footprints of 800 square feet each. The buildings will house a total of eight cabanas, one of which is fully accessible. There will also be sun decks on the roofs of both structures. Sun decks are also available on the accessible grade and the applicant feels this provides an equivalent experience to the elevated decks. The project will cost $1.5 million. By a vote of 3-1, the Council recommended denying the waiver request.

Trinity Catholic School, 2600 S. W. 42^nd Street, Ocala: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the new Press Box being built behind the existing metal bleachers with an estimated cost of $141,292.20 to $143,951.00. Access to the new Press Box will be gained from the aisle stairs of the bleachers. The Press Box will not be used for public seating. An estimate of $104,750.00 for an elevator was submitted to substantiate the applicant’s statement that it would be disproportionate. Based on the size of the facility, the Council recommended denying the request.