Director's report: permitting reforms take effect in August; legacy-business grants preserved in budget

Office of Small Business staff gave a brief director's report July 28 with two principal updates for small-business stakeholders:

Permitting reforms: Commissioners heard that a suite of permitting-reform measures signed by the mayor will largely take effect Aug. 16. The changes are intended to speed and simplify common approvals for small businesses, including sidewalk seating, sidewalk merchandise displays and nonstructural storefront signage. Under the reforms, certain sidewalk and storefront registrations will no longer require certificates of insurance or a fee-based site-plan submittal; signage that is nonstructural and on building facades or windows will no longer trigger building permits. Staff said the reforms keep existing public-safety rules in place, such as maintaining an accessible path on sidewalks and meeting visual-diverter requirements for people with visual impairments.

Budget and program status: The director's report said proposed staffing reductions in the mayor's draft budget were restored through the budget committee, leaving the office's positions intact for now. Legacy-business program funding was adjusted in the budget but the office identified unspent funds from prior years that will be used to avoid reductions in the program's business-stabilization grant offerings in the coming year.

The director acknowledged legal constraints on some mitigation measures for commercial tenants, noting that several protections small-business advocates request at the local level may be limited by state law. Staff reiterated that the Office of Small Business regularly provides relocation and technical assistance and will continue to refine supports tied to rezonings and development projects.