Recommendations of the Accessibility Advisory Council to the Florida Building Commission – October 11, 2010

 

A.        The meeting was called to order with five Council members present.

 

B.        The minutes of the August 9, 2010 meeting were reviewed and approved.

 

C.        Review of Applications for Waivers from accessibility Requirements:   

 

The Council recommended approval of the following waiver applications without conditions:

 

Polly Brooks Building, Edward Waters College – The Council unanimously recommended that a waiver be granted from providing vertical accessibility to the second floor of a historic building undergoing alteration and change in use from residential to commercial, based upon the Applicant’s demonstration that provision of vertical accessibility would create an economic hardship as specified in section 553.512(1), Florida Statutes. 

 

Florida International University, HLS II Building – The Council unanimously recommended that a waiver be granted from providing vertical accessibility to all levels of the 145 seat tiered lecture hall that is undergoing alteration, based on the Applicant’s demonstration that provision of vertical accessibility to all levels is technically infeasible and would create an unreasonable hardship.

 

 

The Council recommended approval of the following waiver requests with conditions:

 

Barry University School of Law – The Council unanimously recommended that a waiver be granted from providing vertical accessibility to all levels of a new tiered lecture hall, based on the Applicant’s demonstration that provision of vertical accessibility to all tiers is technically infeasible and would create an unreasonable hardship.  The recommendation is based upon the condition that the design be modified to add an additional four inches behind wheelchair seating locations to permit greater maneuverability.  The revised design has already been submitted.

 

Blanch Ely High School Stadium Bleachers  The Council unanimously recommended that a waiver be granted from providing vertical accessibility to all levels of new bleacher assembly system, based on the Applicant’s demonstration that provision of vertical accessibility to all levels is technically infeasible and would create an unreasonable hardship.  The recommendation is based upon the condition that the design be modified so that each accessible seat has a companion seat, and none of the accessible seats are on the aisle.

 

University of South Florida College of Medicine  The Council unanimously recommended that a waiver be granted from providing vertical accessibility to all levels of two tiered lecture halls and an auditorium that are undergoing alteration, based on the Applicant’s demonstration that provision of vertical accessibility to all levels is technically infeasible and would create an unreasonable hardship.  The recommendation of approval for the auditorium is based upon the condition that the design be modified to add additional space behind the wheelchair seating locations to permit greater maneuverability.  The recommendation for the two lecture halls is without conditions.

 

 

Dismissal recommended:

 

The Bahay Kubo (Philippine Heritage House) – The Council unanimously recommended that the application for waiver be dismissed based on lack of jurisdiction.

 

           

D.        The public was given an opportunity to comment.

 

E.        The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.