Committee approves extension of awning amnesty to existing signs, allows solid security gates for small businesses

The Land Use and Transportation Committee voted 3-0 to recommend an ordinance that extends the city’s awning amnesty to existing unpermitted signs and security gates and removes certain design standards for gates, railings and grillwork on ground-floor street frontages in non-historic buildings.

Katie Tang, director of the Office of Small Business, said the amendment would let businesses that installed gates without permits participate in the amnesty program rather than face enforcement notices that could require costly removal and reinstallation. Tang said about 100 small businesses currently face planning-code violations for security gates installed without permits.

"We've heard from a lot of businesses that...they have faced repeat vandalism, burglaries on multiple occasions, and that the solid nature of the gates is what helps them sleep at night," Tang told the committee.

Planning Department staff said the Planning Commission reviewed the proposal on June 26 and recommended approval. Public commenters representing small-business support organizations and Supervisor Sauter’s office urged support for the change, saying the ability to use solid gates helps businesses facing repeat vandalism and burglaries and reduces enforcement burdens.

Vice Chair Cheyenne Chen moved to send the file (No. 250539) to the full Board with a positive recommendation; the committee approved the motion with Chen, Mahmood and Melgar voting aye.

The ordinance, if adopted by the Board, would amend provisions in the Building and Planning Codes to allow eligible existing unpermitted signs and gates to participate in the amnesty program and to remove certain design standards for non-historic buildings' ground-floor features.