Commission Backs Six‑Month Extension for Accessible Business Entry Compliance

The Commission voted on Nov. 20 to support a staff proposal to extend deadlines by six months for existing businesses to bring primary entries and paths of travel into compliance with accessibility requirements or to seek a city determination of equivalent facilitation or infeasibility.

Bill Strawn explained the scale of the universe—about 11,000 buildings initially, with roughly 8,000 then in a non‑compliant status—and said recent outreach has improved response rates. Staff emphasized concerns over small commercial tenants, leased spaces and sidewalk slope constraints that can create technical infeasibility. The department noted the Disability Access Fund and other small‑business assistance resources are available to help property owners and tenants.

Commissioners pressed staff for better data to distinguish buildings that are already compliant but have not filed paperwork from those that are genuinely infeasible or require significant capital work. Staff said they are asking Public Works for mapping layers to overlap slope and sidewalk data with the non‑compliant list to prioritize cases and identify candidates for technical infeasibility determinations.

Regina Dickendresi from the Office of Small Business urged coordinated outreach; commissioners said the extension should focus additional outreach resources where assistance is most needed and not give cover to parties who have not filed required paperwork. Following public comment and discussion, Commissioner Lee moved to support a six‑month extension; the motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.