Hammond renews Nice and Easy gas-station exemption, contingent on ADA access and camera repairs

Hammond officials on Feb. 12 renewed an exemption for Nice and Easy, a gas station at 4508 Calumet Avenue, but made approval contingent on correcting an ADA access issue and repairing or adjusting two security cameras.

Ron Novak presented recent photos and the board discussed outstanding compliance items from an October 2023 findings-and-orders action that had allowed the last exemption. Novak and other staff said one sidewalk section east of the exit door lacks a ramp, preventing accessible access, and police flagged one camera that was not functional and another that had been aimed at a ladder rather than the exterior perimeter. "The sidewalk ... doesn't have a ramp," Novak said; Captain Godi reported cameras were adjusted and staff contacted the vendor to address remaining issues.

Board members agreed to renew the exemption but made it contingent on the ADA access and camera corrections being completed. Speaker 1 said the exemption would remain conditional until the ADA issue and camera updates are resolved. The board approved the contingent renewal by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will follow up with the owner and Novak to document corrections before the next renewal cycle.