FLORIDA BUILDING COMMISSION

ACCESSIBILITLY ADVISORY COUNCIL

March 29, 2011

Webinar – 9:00 A.M.

The Council net via webinar and since no quorum was present the recommendations represent individual opinions rather than the result of formal action.

Review of Applications for Waivers from Accessibility Code Requirements.

Approval.

Miami Art Museum, 1075 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami: The applicant request a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to all rows of seats in a new, 249 seat auditorium which is part of a $77,170,000 museum complex composed of a four story contemporary art museum, gallery space, education space, administration and parking. The auditorium, as designed, has five accessible seating locations with companion seats located at the front and rear of the facility. According to the applicant, a constructing a series of ramps to make all levels accessible would increase the footprint by fifty percent. The applicant responded to concerns previously raised by the Council as follows: (1) The multipurpose room #201 will be used during normal museum operating hours for lectures, seminars, films and performances. The lower portion of the space will be used for informal gatherings such as visitor orientation for tour groups. (2) There will not be a permanent stage in multipurpose room #201. (3) Wheelchair seating locations labeled “alternate” will only be provided when the seating capacity is will be used for normal functions during operating hours and will be available for after hours events such as corporate benefits. (5) In multipurpose room #201 films will projected on the wall surface rather than a screen. (6) The floor plans have been revised to increase the seating spaces required by Chapter 11, FBC.

Pestana Hotel, 1817, 1831, 1835, 1837 and 1839 James Avenue. Miami Beach: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to all levels in three separate buildings being renovated to result in a single hotel project. The Commission previously granted the waiver, provided all required accessible guest rooms are on an accessible level. The applicant further requested that they be allowed to remove an existing bridge between buildings one and two, which provides access to only three guest rooms without accessible features.

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Eden Roc Hotel, 4525 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the elevated spa plunge pools in an 18,000 square foot space facility undergoing a $1.5 million alteration. Because of Health Department regulations and the existing structural constraints, the whirlpool must be elevated four feet above the adjacent floor area. The applicant proposes to install a lift to achieve access to the facility. The Council members recommended approving the request, provided the building department submit a statement that it would be technically infeasible to make the whirlpool area accessible;.

Approve with Conditions:

Stardust, 910 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach: The applicant requested a waiver from providing the interior dimensions of an elevator cab in compliance with the code. The project is an existing building that is being converted from apartments to a hotel. The elevator is existing and its hoistway is constrained by structural bearing walls that would make it technically infeasible to enlarge to comply with the current code. A wheelchair user may approach, enter and exit the elevator, but there is insufficient space to turn around once inside. The Council members recommended approving the waiver, provided a statement is received from the local building department affirming that it is technically infeasible to increase the size of the elevator shaft.

Florida Atlantic University Athletic Stadium – Seating, Boca Raton. The applicant requested a waiver fro providing vertical accessibility to all rows of seats in a new, $52,000,000 football stadium with a seating capacity of 28,706. Wheelchair seating has been located at the bottom and middle locations of the stadium as well as the VIP sections and pressbox. The Council members recommended granting the waiver, provided the applicant submits a breakdown indicating the total number of wheelchair seating locations with required companion seats. According to the applicant the number indicated on the application was incorrect, but the required locations are provided in the plans.

Florida Institute of Technology Aquatic Center, Melbourne: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to the upper two rows of portable bleachers. The project is a new, $2,000,000 swimming and diving facility with a recreational pool, locker rooms, toilets, lifeguard office and pool deck. The bleachers are erected when competitive swimming and diving events take place, and according to the applicant, are designed to permit wheelchair users to assimilate into the seating located at the pool deck level. The Council members recommended approving the waiver, provided companion seating must also be incorporated into the overall seating design.

Dismissed:

Nail Bar, 1486 and 1488 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee: The applicant requested a waiver from providing vertical accessibility between two levels of a nail salon undergoing an $8,000 alteration. The original business is located in a single bay of a strip shopping mall and is expanding to include the bay next door, which has a 16 inch difference in floor level. Each bay is 19 feet wide, and it would, therefore, be impossible to construct a ramp with the required 72 inches of end clearance in the available space. . Estimates of $5,000-12,000 were submitted for installation of a lift between the two levels. To expedite receiving a certificate of occupancy, the owner chose to construct a switchback ramp between the two levels of the building. The Council members recommended dismissing the request since no waiver is required as it now complies with the code.

Caritas Alegre Adult Day Care, 2407 NW7 Street, Miami: The applicant requested a waiver from providing an accessible main entrance to a facility comprised of four bays totaling 3,820 square feet. One, 1,000 square foot bay is being converted to an adult day care center and the applicant indicates it would cost $34,762 to install a ramp system to the entrance. The existing sidewalk at the front of the building is not accessible and there is an existing utility pole that would obstruct an accessible route. There is also insufficient room to construct a single run 18 foot ramp. The scope of the alteration is $11,762 without consideration of the ramp. According to the applicant there are no walk in clients; appointments are scheduled in advance and van service picks up clients and delivers them to the rear of the facility, which has an accessible entrance. The Council members recommended dismissing the application without prejudice since the code allows an alternate entrance in an existing building when it is technically infeasible to modify the main one. They further recommended that signage be installed to direct persons to the location of the accessible entrance.

Florida Atlantic University Athletic Stadium, Parking, Boca Raton: The applicant requested a waiver from providing all required accessible parking spaces to be on the “closest and safest” route adjacent to the new football stadium. No new parking is being constructed since the university plans to use existing facilities to accommodate heavier traffic and parking needs on game days. 325 accessible parking spaces are dispersed among the various parking lots, 9 of which are in the lot closest to the stadium that also accommodates the team store and ticket booths. Accessible shuttles are planned for the other remote lots as well as a system of valet parking with direct access to the elevators. The Council members recommended dismissing the application since there is no jurisdiction to consider a waiver.