MINUTES

 

FLORIDA BUILDING COMMISSION

 

Accessibility Advisory Council

 

            Chairman Jack Humburg called the meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Council to order at 2:00 P.M. on December 2, 2013.  Members present were Jack Humburg, Barb Page, Linda Parnell, Bill Riha and Jim Woolyhand.

 

Review of Waivers from Accessibility Code Requirements

 

  1.  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 on 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 $585,503.  Linda Parnell moved to recommend granting the request, based on disproportionate cost.  Following a second by Barb Page, the vote of the Council was unanimous. 

 

  1.  South Beach 18, 125 18 St., 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 to the second floor as well as being cost prohibitive.  Construction costs are project ted 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 of providing a ramp to the lobby from the public side3ewalk; 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.  Raphael Ortiz represented the applicant and stated they would install a hearing device near the accessible rooms and provide signage and lighting to them.  Barb Page moved to recommend granting the waiver, provided the listening device is installed and that signage and lighting are also provided.  Bill Riha seconded the motion and the vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of it.   

 

  1. Axis, 1437-1439 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach:  The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to a mezzanine above the first floor bar.  The second floor contains a night club which is accessed by an existing elevator.  The building underwent a $13,800 alteration which consisted of cosmetic work to the first floor.  Work done on the second floor was permitted, but the finishes and decorations on the first floor were not included in the permit.  Estimates of $17,900 and $23,654 were submitted to substantiate the applicant’s claim that providing access to the mezzanine would be disproportionate.  Barb Page moved to recommend granting the waiver, based on disproportionate cost.  Bill Riha seconded the motion and the vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of it. 

 

 

  1. One Story Retail Building, 7320 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami:  The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the main entrance located 27” above grade to the 3,205 square foot building.  The structure has zero lot line setbacks on two sides and there is insufficient space on the front to construct a ramp.   The applicant petitioned the Miami Environmental and Historic Protection Board to allow relocation of the entrance to make it accessible, but the request was denied since it would have negatively impacted the historic significance of the building.  According to the applicant it would be possible to lower the entrance door and building an internal ramp, but it would cost an additional $40,000 and impact the existing stemwall.  The proposed work is an estimated $111,500 alteration.  Robert Graboski represented the applicant and stated there will be a ramp to the rear of the building.  He confirmed there is presently no tenant in the space.  Barb Page moved to recommend granting the waiver, based on disproportionate cost.  Following a second by Jim Woolyhand, the vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of it. 

 

 

  1. 2501 Riverside Avenue Renovations, 2501 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville:  The applicant requested a waiver from providing an elevator to a mezzanine in a restaurant/indoor golf facility.  The project was originally designed to accommodate the area via platform lift; however, the mezzanine has an occupant capacity greater than five persons, which the local building department stated a full passenger elevator must be provided.  The mezzanine is not open to the public and is used for refrigerated beverage and food storage, food preparation, liquor storage, general storage, computer server and office management.  The owner purchased a $23,750 platform lift and an elevator would cost an additional $70,000.  Chris Noll was present to represent the applicant.  Bill Riha moved to recommend granting the waiver, based on disproportionate cost.  Linda Parnell seconded it and the vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of it. 

 

 

  1. Emotions AP LLC, 927 Jefferson Avenue, Miami Beach: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to one room on the second floor of a five unit hotel/rooming house.  The four ground level units are on an accessible path of travel and one is being altered to be fully accessible.  According to the applicant, the building is historic, but no documentation was submitted.  The alteration will cost $31,275 and a $41,450 estimate for an installation of a LULA was provided to substantiate the applicant’s assertion of disproportionate cost. Carlos Rodriguez and Belvis Martinez represented the applicant.  Barb Page moved to recommend granting the waiver based on disproportionate cost, with the stipulation that all patrons of the establishment must be served consistently.  Linda Parnell seconded the motion and the vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of it. 

 

 

  1.  Space D, 1471 Capital Circle, Tallahassee:  The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to a 611 square foot mezzanine in a 3,509 square foot tenant space located in a 32,000 square foot multi-tenant metal building.  The project is a $43,800 alteration, including $3,400 for modifying the existing toilet room.  Estimates of $26,000 and $20,203 were submitted to substantiate the applicant’s position that it would be disproportionate to install a platform lift to the mezzanine.  Franklin Ohayama represented the applicant and stated that access to the mezzanine was only for workspace of the employees.  Barb Page moved to recommend granting eh waiver based on disproportionate cost and following a second by Linda Parnell, the vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of the motion. 

 

 

 

  1.  Dewey’s Indoor Golf and Sports Grill, 7720 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando:  The applicant requested a waiver from providing an elevator to a mezzanine in a restaurant/indoor golf facility.  The project was originally designed to accommodate the area via platform lift; however, the mezzanine has an occupant capacity greater than five persons, which the local building department stated a full passenger elevator must be provided.  The mezzanine is not open to the public and is used for refrigerated beverage and food storage, food preparation, liquor storage, general storage, computer server and office management.  The owner purchased a $23,750 platform lift and an elevator would cost an additional $70,000.  Mark Nasrallah represented the applicant.  Bill Riha moved to recommend granting the waiver based on disproportionate cost, provided the lift is installed.  Barb Page seconded the motion and the vote of the Council was unanimous in favor of it. 

 

There was no further business to come before the Council and the meeting adjourned at 3:20 P.M.