Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights) has come down strongly in opposition to the city’s Local Law 75 of 2009, which would require the vast majority of storeowners to replace solid security gates with ones that are at least 70 percent see-through by July 1, 2026.

The law, a city ordinance passed 17 years ago to deter graffiti, puts an undue burden on local businesspeople, says the Assemblyman, especially given the rate of inflation.

“Small businesspeople, many of whom are already struggling thanks to escalating costs, simply can’t afford to spend thousands of dollars replacing the security gates on their stores,” said Assemblyman Colton. “In an ideal world, the see-through gates would make for more inviting commercial corridors, but now is not the time to increase the financial pressure on our local merchants. The city must repeal this law, which, if it takes effect, could result in the closure of some businesses. We owe it to our merchants, who are the backbones of our communities, to support them, especially when times are tough.”

In place of Local Law 75, Assemblyman Colton supports Intro. 910, which was recently introduced into the City Council as an amendment to Local Law 75. Intro. 910 requires only that businesses replace their solid security gates with ones that offer 70 percent visibility when they otherwise need to replace them, while mandating that the city’s Department of Buildings do outreach on the issue to businesses across the city and report back to the Council six months later.

Under Local Law 75, fines for solid security gates start at $250 per violation, unless the business owner corrects the violation within 90 days and submits the correction to the DOB’s Administrative Enforcement Unit. As it currently stands, buildings classified as being in Occupancy Group B (Business) or Occupancy Group M (Mercantile) are subject to the mandate, though landmark buildings are exempt. Businesses classified in Occupancy Group S (Storage) are also exempt.