Halifax ends fees for businesses with wheelchair ramps

An independent bookstore in Halifax iscelebrating a small victory its owners say will help their shopand otherbusinessessurvive downtown.

Woozles on Birmingham Street has been paying the city an annual fee of about $168 because its wheelchair ramp, installed in 1986, blocks a portion of the public sidewalk.

Now the city has agreed to waive the so-called encroachment fee for Woozles and other residential or commercial properties in the same situation.

An unpleasant surprise

Only one of the shop's three owners, Brian Crocker, was aware his small bookstore was paying the fee. When he died in 2014, his wife, Liz, took a look at the finances and discovered the yearly payment.

"She jokes that the issue only really came into light because he was a nicer person than she was," said Suzy MacLean, the couple's daughter and Woozles manager.

Two years ago, Liz Crocker was listeningto CBC Radio'sMainstreetas Mayor Mike Savage was taking calls from listeners.

She decided to callin andmake acomplaint.

"It was just a whim when Icalled Mainstreet that day to talk to Mayor Savage, and I'm glad Idid," she said.

The mayor promised her he'dlook into it.

Staff suggests eliminating fee

In a report tabled withcouncil late last year, municipal staff urged elected officialsto get rid of the encroachment fee when businesses are charged for building accessibility ramps.

"By charging annual fees, the municipality is not encouraging those who wish to make their commercial or residential property accessible," said the report.

On Jan.10, council voted unanimously towaive the fee.

MacLean acknowledges the fee wasn't much money, but she said every little bit helps independent businesses.

"We feel that our ramp helps the community and helps people get into our shop safely and securely," she said.

"We don't necessarily need to be penalized for that."