Committee continues accessibility-code amendment to Feb. 10 for more stakeholder discussion

The Land Use and Transportation Committee continued an ordinance on Jan. 27 that would amend the Building, Administrative and Public Works codes by removing the local requirement that existing buildings with a place of public accommodation have all primary entries and paths of travel accessible to persons with disabilities, or else obtain a city determination of equivalent facilitation, technical infeasibility or unreasonable hardship. The item’s agenda statement also affirmed the Planning Department’s CEQA determination.

Calvin Ho, legislative aide to Board President Mandelmann, said President Mandelmann’s office had held numerous meetings with community stakeholders since the item was last before the committee and requested additional time to work out details. The clerk and staff noted that the item had been continued previously and that staff requested a new continuance to the committee’s Feb. 10 meeting. There was no public comment on the item during the Jan. 27 hearing.

Chair Mirna Melgar moved to continue the ordinance to the Land Use and Transportation Committee’s regular meeting on Feb. 10, 2025; the motion carried with two ayes and Supervisor Cheyenne Chen excused. Committee members and staff indicated the additional time would be used to refine language and address stakeholder concerns raised in meetings with the Board President’s office and community groups.

Because the committee action was a continuance, no amendments or final policy decisions were recorded on Jan. 27. The ordinance will return to committee on the Feb. 10 agenda for further consideration.