ARCHITECTURAL ACCESSIBILITY BOARD

State Fire Marshal’s Office

2307 MacArthur Road, New Castle

Telephone: (302) 323-5365

Thursday, April 14, 2011

1:30 P.M.

MINUTES

I.  CALL TO ORDER

The April 14, 2011 meeting of the State of Delaware’s Architectural Accessibility Board was called to order by the acting chairman, Armando Liberti. In addition to Mr. Liberti, the record will show that the following board members participated in the meeting, either by telephone (T) or by their actual presence (P): Neil Himelein (P); Chad Toms (P); Chang Yoon (P); Sumner Spence (P).

Also in attendance: Dan Muterspaw

Susan Spence

Tim Skibicki, Tetra Tech

Steve Hudson, William Penn High School

II.  APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

A motion to approve the minutes of the Board’s previous meeting, held on March 10, 2011, was made and seconded. By a unanimous vote, the minutes were approved as recorded.

III.  DISCUSSION OF AGENDA

The Chief Administrator added five (5) cases to the agenda, as follows:

  1. 11015-RE Seaford Middle School – Elevator
  2. 11026 Polytech High School - Athletic Fields
  3. 11027 Sugar Bowl Pavilion
  4. 11028 William Penn High School – Culinary Arts
  5. 11029 Fire School - Paving

IV.  CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR’S UPDATE

The Chief Administrator reported to the Board on his activities for the month. Theactivities were routine in nature and consisted of normal field inspections, complaint issues, and accessibility inquires.

V.  SUBMISSIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT

At their March 31, 2011 meeting, the Submission Review Committee reviewed nine (9) cases. These cases were forwarded to the full Board for their review. The Board’s comments and actions on these cases, and for the additional five (5) cases submitted by the Chief Administrator, are attached as a part of these minutes.

VI.  OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business to discuss.

VII.  NEW BUSINESS

It was brought to the Boards attention that there have been some recent polling place accessibility complaints, even though no formal requests were made to the AAB regarding investigating these sites. This was in regard to the recent change in the code allowing AAB to investigate, on limited basis, accessibility complaints at election sites. It was discussed, per Mr. Himelein, whether we should follow up on this matter with the Department of Elections. Mr. Toms however felt it would be better if the AAB held off on initiating its own inspections, and let the elections people, in conjunction with the SCPD, determine if we should become involved. For now the AAB will wait until requested to provide technical assistance.

VIII.  SCHEDULE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Architectural Accessibility Board was scheduled for Thursday, May 12, 2011, at 1:30 PM. The location will be the State Fire Marshal’s Office in New Castle.

IX.  ADJOURNMENT

With nothing further to review or discuss, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Dan A. Muterspaw

Chief Administrator, AAB

DAM/mas

SUBMISSION NUMBER / 10062
OWNER / Delaware State Housing Authority
PROJECT / Bayard Plaza
New Construction
Residential Dwelling Units
DESIGNED BY / William Byler Architect, Inc.
CONTACT PERSON / William Byler
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / This will be a 55,000 sq. foot mixed use facility to be located in downtown Dover. The lower floor will be retail space and is not part of this project (at this time). The upper floors will be residential dwelling units. Some of these units have been designed to be accessible. However, all of these units must comply with the Fair Housing Act’s requirements for adaptability. Also, other problems were observed and include, but may not be limited to, the following:
1.  Curb ramp detail doesn’t match the drawing, and is not completely adequate.
2.  Toilet room #105 is not compliant.
3.  Detail for the ramp (see drawing sheet C-7) doesn’t detail top handrail extensions.
4.  A cut sheet should be provided for the elevator cab to be able to determine accessibility for call signals, mounting heights, etc.
5.  A statement should be provided confirming that all covered dwelling units comply with the requirements of the Fair Housing Act.
BOARD ACTION / Disapproved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 10064-RE
OWNER / Appoquinimink School District
PROJECT / ASD Odessa Campus
New Elementary School
DESIGNED BY / ABHA/BSA+A
CONTACT PERSON / Scott Lester
PREVIOUS ACTION / Not Approved – March ‘11
COMMENTS / The AAB’s disapproval was based on several items that required correcting (parking signs, plan dimensions and some insufficient maneuvering spaces). These items were addressed. The cut sheet and/or information on the future playground and equipment that the Board requested cannot be provided at this time because the vendor/manufacturer has yet to be determined.
BOARD ACTION / Approve, contingent on ensuring that the future playground (including the equipment to be installed) is compliant with the requirements of the ADA.
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11002-RE
OWNER / Delaware State Housing Authority
PROJECT / B’Nai B’Rith House Apartments
Alterations/Renovations
DESIGNED BY / Architectural Alliance
CONTACT PERSON / Sal Bwint
PREVIOUS ACTION / Not Approved – February & March ‘11
COMMENTS / The appropriate maneuvering spaces have been achieved in the two public toilet rooms that were initially designed incorrectly. The project now appears to be acceptable.
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11003-RE
OWNER / Department of Corrections
PROJECT / Howard Young Prison
Accessibility Upgrades
DESIGNED BY / Tetra Tech, Inc.
CONTACT PERSON / Chuck Dobbs
PREVIOUS ACTION / Not Approved – February ‘11
COMMENTS / The problem with the lack of maneuvering space at the transfer showers was resolved by changing the fixtures to roll-in showers. The desk aprons in the cell rooms were raised to the appropriate heights. This design now appears to be correct.
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11015-RE
OWNER / Seaford School District
PROJECT / Seaford Middle School
Roof Replacement/Elevator Replacement
DESIGNED BY / Studio/JAED
CONTACT PERSON / Andy Moore
PREVIOUS ACTION / Not Approved – March ‘11
COMMENTS / The only item that caused this project’s disapproval was that fact that there was no detail regarding the new elevator. The cab’s interior (mounting heights, controls, call signals, etc.) could not be determined. This information has now been submitted and compliance for the elevator appears to be acceptable.
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11017-RE
OWNER / Office of Management and Budget
PROJECT / Kent County Courthouse
Parking Lot Addition
DESIGNED BY / Becker Morgan Group
CONTACT PERSON / Jonathan Street
Mark DeVore
PREVIOUS ACTION / Not Approved – March ‘11
COMMENTS / All of the problems initially pointed out during the March review have been addressed. This design now appears to be acceptable.
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11018-RE
OWNER / Delaware State Housing Authority
PROJECT / Hampton Circle Apartments
New Construction
DESIGNED BY / Moonlight Architecture, Inc.
CONTACT PERSON / Robert Rollins
PREVIOUS ACTION / Not Approved – March ‘11
COMMENTS / The initial design flaws (toilet room spaces, kitchen sink & counter top work cabinets) were corrected. The design now appears to be correct. In addition, the statement regarding compliance with the requirements of the Fair Housing Act was received.
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11023
OWNER / Caesar Rodney School District
PROJECT / Allen Frear Elementary School
Renovations and Addition
DESIGNED BY / BSA + A
CONTACT PERSON / Tony Vassalotti
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / The project consists of a small addition being constructed as well as various interior renovations to existing spaces. The drawings show where accessibility has been included within the design. However, there were some areas where design corrections are needed. They include, but may not be limited to, the following:
1.  In Girl’s Toilet Room #115, one of the toilet stalls is required to be ambulatory.
2.  Numerous toilet room doors (i.e. TRs nos. 166.2 or 167.2) don’t have the required maneuvering space when entering the TRs.
3.  Detail for the elevator cab didn’t appear to be provided with the plan.
BOARD ACTION / Disapproved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11024
OWNER / DNREC/Parks & Recreation
PROJECT / Deerfield Golf/Tennis Club
Parking Lot Expansion
DESIGNED BY / Apex Engineering
CONTACT PERSON / Stephen Davies
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / The tennis court area of this facility is being eliminated to be able to expand the existing parking facility. The design for the new (and existing) lot is compliant with all relevant requirements for accessible parking.
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11025
OWNER / DelDOT
PROJECT / Air Distribution System Upgrade
Administration Building
DESIGNED BY / Delaware Engineering & Design Corp.
CONTACT PERSON / John R. Farina
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / This project will be solely for the construction of the under-floor air distribution system and will not affect the actual usability or accessibility of any of the interior spaces.
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11026
OWNER / Polytech School District
PROJECT / Polytech High School
Athletic Field Paths &
Concession Stand/Toilet Rooms
DESIGNED BY / ABHA
CONTACT PERSON / Carl Krienan
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / This project attempts to upgrade the accessible routes to some of the athletic fields (practice fields are not included in this project) and construct a new concession stand and toilet room facility, to be used during athletic events. The design appears to have taken accessibility into account.
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11027
OWNER / DelDOT
PROJECT / Friends of Wilmington
Sugar Bowl Pavilion
DESIGNED BY / FOWP
CONTACT PERSON / Mike Porro
John Kurth
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / The Friends of Wilmington Parks organization has received State of Delaware street funding to assist with their project of restoring an old pavilion (a band stand) in one of Wilmington’s public parks (Brandywine Park, near the Washington Street Bridge). Much of the work has been completed and what has been done appears to be accessible. Additional work includes ramp and step railings, new grading for a walkway to the pavilion and possible seating out on the park lawn. Accessibility will be included within the remaining portions of this design.
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11028
OWNER / Colonial School District
PROJECT / William Penn High School
Culinary Arts Program Alterations
DESIGNED BY / Tetra Tech, Inc.
CONTACT PERSON / Tim Skibicki
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / Space is being altered in this existing high school to provide an area for the school’s Culinary Arts program. A kitchen, café area and general classroom will be proved for both commercial and residential settings. Also, for convenience, a single user toilet room will be constructed in this special arts section. This plan appears to be acceptable
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11029
OWNER / Department of Public Safety
PROJECT / Fire School Administration Building
Paving and Striping
DESIGNED BY / Duffield Associates, Inc.
CONTACT PERSON / Joe Jakubowski
Elrita Annett
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / The project is for repaving and restriping the existing Fire School and adjacent Administration Building parking lots. There are several separate lots and each will be required to have its own accessible parking. The number of accessible spaces for each lot doesn’t appear to be sufficient. Also, there was no detail on the drawings indicating space width, width of access aisles, or mounting heights of signs. One accessible route from an access aisle is partially blocked by a parking space. One accessible space doesn’t appear to have an adjacent access aisle.
BOARD ACTION / Disapproved