ARCHITECTURAL ACCESSIBILITY BOARD
Colonial Paralyzed Veterans’ Association
28 Peddler’s Row, Peddler’s Village
Newark, Delaware 19702
(302) 368-4898
Thursday, September 13, 2007
1:30 P.M.
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
The September 13, 2007 meeting of the State of Delaware’s Architectural Accessibility Board was called to order by the acting chairman, Ada Stokes. In addition to Mrs. Stokes, the record will show that the following members were also in attendance: Wayne Carter, Nash Childs, Deana Forrest, Armando Liberti, Chad Toms and Chang Yoon. Chief Administrator Dan Muterspaw was also present.
II. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
A motion to approve the minutes of the Board’s previous meeting, held on August 9, 2007, was made and seconded. By a unanimous vote, the minutes were approved as recorded.
III. DISCUSSION OF AGENDA
The Chief Administrator added three (3) cases to the agenda as follows:
1. 07026-RE Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery
2. 07032-RE Townsend Early Childhood Center
3. 07035-RE Court of Chancery (Georgetown)
IV. CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR’S UP-DATE
The Chief Administrator reported to the Board on his activities for the month. The activities were routine in nature and consisted of normal field inspections, complaint issues, and accessibility inquiries. Also highlighted were recent activities and inspections pertaining to the Capitol School District, especially Dover High School.
V. SUBMISSIONS COMMITTEE REPORTS
At their August 30, 2007 meeting, the Submissions Review Committee reviewed three (3) 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 three (3) 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
An active discussion took place pertaining to the AAB’s effectiveness when dealing with architects who continually submit incorrect and flawed plans for review. Mr. Wayne Carter was particularly vocal as he voiced his frustration over not being able to penalize architects who either don’t know the requirements for accessibility, or don’t seem to want to ensure that their final construction/alteration projects are compliant. In reviewing the state code that established the AAB, Mr. Chad Toms felt that there may, in fact, be authority granted to the AAB that might allow the Board to initiate action against anyone not complying with the rules and regulations that govern the Boar’s activities and duties. It was determined that more research needed to be done on the matter of the AAB’s authority. It was agreed that Dan Muterspaw, Chief Administrator, would meet with Mr. Toms to further review this matter and report back to the full Board on what some of their options might be.
VIII. SCHEDULE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Architectural Accessibility Board was scheduled for Thursday, October 11, 2007. The location and time of the meeting will be determined at a later date.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
With nothing further to discuss or review, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Dan A. Muterspaw
Chief Administrator
DAM/tjr E:\AAB\AAB Meetings\200709132007minutes.doc
Attachments
cc: Board Members
Robert Furman, Dir., DFM
SUBMISSION NO. 07006-RE
OWNER Cape Henlopen High School
PR OJECT Cape Henlopen High School
New Construction
ARCH/ENGINEER Buck Simpers Architect + Assoc.
CONTACT PERSON Anthony Vassalotti
PREVIOUS ACTION Not approved - May ’07 and August ‘07
COMMENTS The initial plans and drawings for this new school had numerous design errors. A corrected set of drawings was received, but not all of the errors were addressed and/or corrected. Mr. Vassolotti met with the review committee and agreed to submit another set of drawings with the complete corrections. These corrected drawings were not received and the design is still not totally compliant.
BOARD ACTION Disapproved
SUBMISSION NO. 07026-RE
OWNER Department of State
PR OJECT Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery
Admin. Building Alterations
ARCH/ENGINEER Bernardon Haber Holloway Architects, PC
CONTACT PERSON Will Hurd
Larry Schrock
PREVIOUS ACTION Not approved - June ‘07
COMMENTS The alterations proposed for this project were acceptable, with the exception of the fact that the ADA’s ‘path of travel’ provision was not included in the plans and there were numerous existing barriers that needed to be addressed. This included the parking area, the route from the parking lot to the building, and the toilet rooms serving the primary function area. All of these items were addressed and the new drawings are now correct. The design for this project is now acceptable.
BOARD ACTION Approved
SUBMISSION NO. 07032-RE
OWNER Appoquinimink School District
PR OJECT Townsend Early Childhood Center
New Construction
ARCH/ENGINEER Gilbert Architects
CONTACT PERSON Brian Good
PREVIOUS ACTION Not approved - July ‘07
COMMENTS The drawings for this new school contained numerous flaws, errors and/or omissions. Most of the problems pertained to the lack of sufficient maneuvering space in some of the toilet rooms, but there were additional details needed for the curb ramps and the accessible route to the playground area. The new set of plans and drawings, recently received, addressed the above issues and the design of this project now appears to be correct.
BOARD ACTION Approved
SUBMISSION NO. 07035-RE
OWNER OMB
PROJECT Court of Chancery (Georgetown)
Courtroom # 2 Alterations
ARCH/ENGINEER R. Calvin Clendaniel.
CONTACT PERSON Michael J. Sing
PREVIOUS ACTION Not approved – Aug. ‘07
COMMENTS The disapproval of this project was based on several design errors: problems with the ramp leading to the judge’s bench; additional barrier removal work required per the ADA’s ‘path of travel’ provision; and, a lack of detail for the clerk’s area and witness stand. All of these items were addressed and the drawings are now correct and complete.
BOARD ACTION Approved
SUBMISSION NO. 07036
OWNER OMB
PROJECT DE Federal Credit Union
Interior Lobby Alterations
ARCH/ENGINEER KDA Holdings
CONTACT PERSON Scott Cardwell
PREVIOUS ACTION None
COMMENTS This project is a follow-up to the exterior work now being performed at this facility. The lobby area of the Credit Union, now known as DelOne, will undergo renovations. Accessibility has been included in all areas of the current design, including removing some existing barriers in the toilet room serving this primary function area.
BOARD ACTION Approved
SUBMISSION NO. 07037
OWNER OMB
PR OJECT Sussex Dept. of Elections
Exterior ramp construction
ARCH/ENGINEER Stephen King
CONTACT PERSON Steve Corsi
PREVIOUS ACTION None
COMMENTS The Dept. of Elections will be creating a new accessible entrance to their Sussex County office. An accessible ramp and set of steps will be added to the front entrance. All facets of the design (slope, handrails, landing areas, etc.) comply with the codes and standards. In addition, an accessible curb ramp at the front of the building will also be installed. This, too, complies with the standards.
BOARD ACTION Approved