HARBORWALK VILLAGE ZIPLINE ATTRACTION

Issue: Vertical accessibility to two towers in a zipline amusement attraction.

Analysis; The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to one 65 foot tower and one 93 foot tower with both takeoff and landing platforms on each. Patrons will be able to access the zipline feature from the takeoff platform and return to the starting tower from the landing area. The project will cost $1,172,000 and while estimates of $240,000 to $600,000 to construct waterproof shafts and elevator equipment were provided, the primary hardship to the applicant is technical difficulty and concern that safety for individuals with mobility impairments may not be possible. Section 234.3 of the code states, “Amusement rides shall provide at least one wheelchair space complying with 1002.4 or at least one amusement ride seat designed for transfer complying with 1002.5 or at least one transfer device complying with 1002.6. Exceptions: 1. Amusement rides that are controlled or operated by the rider shall not be required to comply with 234.3. 3. Amusement rides that do not provide amusement ride seats shall not be required to comply with 234.3.”

Project Progress:

The project is under design.

Items to be Waived:

Vertical accessibility to two zipline towers, as required by Section 553.tg509, 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.