New rule, old law: Enforcement set to begin for legislation over certain roll-down gates
By July 1, businesses with solid roll-down gates are required to replace them with gates that are at least 70% transparent.
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A new rule is going into effect for an old law in New York City.
By July 1, businesses with solid roll-down gates are required to replace them with gates that are at least 70% transparent.
The law has been on the books since 2009, with the idea of phasing out older gates in the last 17 years.
“This is a new gate,” said Roberto Beltre, of Sunset Park. “Nobody ever said a word. We heard about this law maybe a month ago?”
Beltre owns Sunset Stoop, a bar and music venue on 5th Avenue.
He told News 12 that he’s concerned about people looking into his business when it’s closed, and new gates could cost thousands of dollars.
“[It’s a] huge financial burden onto me at a time when things are hard right now for businesses,” said Beltre.
But Beltre is not alone.
David Estrada, executive director of the Sunset Park BID, said that of the 600 businesses along their stretch of 5th Avenue - only 40 are currently in compliance.
Estrada said the law is not a bad idea, but it should be changed.
“Grandfather existing roll doors and make a law that says, ‘When you replace your roll door, in the natural course of doing, then make sure that it’s compliant,’” said Estrada.
The Department of Buildings [DOB] is responsible for enforcing the law. The agency told News 12 that they have been doing outreach to business owners across the city.
A DOB spokesperson said, come July 1, enforcement will rely entirely on 311 complaints - and that “building inspectors will not be sent out to proactively look for non-compliant security grilles.”
“I don’t blame [the] DOB,” said Estrada. “It is a law. All roads lead to the city council. They need to pass a moratorium, back up, rewrite the law in a thoughtful way, and then progress to what we want to see on storefronts.”
The DOB says that it cannot change the law – only the City Council has that authority.
“If changes are proposed, we would be ready to collaborate with them, and we stand ready to implement any potential changes to the law that they approve,” a DOB spokesperson wrote.
Councilmember Althea Stevens, who represents District 16 in the Bronx, says she agrees with changing the law.
“At a time when we should be supporting our small business community, enforcing this outdated mandate risks doing the opposite,” she wrote.
She says she and her fellow council members will soon “introduce legislation that will provide immediate relief” and will “grandfather in existing small businesses.”
