SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND
SAXTON PIERCE RESTAURANT CORPORATION
D/B/A MAZZIO'S PIZZA, CLINTON, MS.
This matter was initiated by a complaint filed, under Title
III of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") of 1990, 42
U.S.C. §§ 12181-12189, with the United States Attorney's Office
for the Southern District of Mississippi. The complaint alleged
that "Mazzio's Pizza" located at 803 E. Northside Drive, Clinton,
Mississippi, failed to remove architectural barriers, even though
their removal was readily achievable. 42 U.S.C. §
12182(b)(2)(A)(iv) and 28 C.F.R. § 36.304. During the course of
the investigation, the United States Attorney's Office learned
that the operations on Northside Drive were to be closed and that
a Mazzio's Pizza location would open at 301 Cedar Place Shopping
Center, Clinton, Mississippi. Thereafter, the U. S. Attorney's
Office conducted a compliance review of the architectural plans
for the construction of the new facility. Upon completion of its
review, the United States Attorney's Office concluded that the new
facility failed to comply in several respects with Title III of
the ADA and the Department of Justice's implementing regulation,
in the design and construction of this facility. 42 U.S.C. § 12183
and 28 C.F.R. § 36.401.
The parties to this Agreement are the United States of
America and Saxton Pierce Restaurant Corporation, d/b/a Mazzio's
Pizza, Clinton, Mississippi ("Respondent"). The parties stipulate
that this Agreement was entered into to avoid the cost of
litigation and is not an admission of violation and should not be
construed as an admission by Respondent of any ADA violation. All
references below are to the provisions of the ADA Standards for
Accessible Design ("Standards"), 28 C.F.R. Part 36, Appendix A.
Respondent agrees that they have made or will make the
following modifications in the design and/or construction of the
301 Cedar Place facility, to the extent of its lawful obligation:
Parking Spaces:
- Parking spaces were modified to provide the requisite
number of accessible parking spaces with proper dimensions and
signage, including one "van accessible" space in conformance with
the Standards § 4.1.2(5)(a), (b) and 4.6.4. This work shall be
completed no later than December 31, 1999.
- Curb ramps were modified so as not to encroach into the
access aisle of the parking spaces in conformance with the
Standards § 4.6.3.
Restrooms:
- In the men's restroom, the stall door was removed so as
not to encroach on the clear floor space required at the urinal in
conformance with the Standards §§ 4.18.3 and 4.22.2.
- The doors to the men's and women's restrooms have been
modified by removing the closer and installing gravity hinges
which will provide for the required maneuvering space on the pull
side of the door in the vestibule outside the restrooms in
conformance with the Standards § 4.13.6, and FIG. 25.
- The men's and women's restrooms have been modified to
provide for the required minimum clear floor space of seventeen
(17) inches underneath the lavatories in conformance with the
Standards §§ 4.19.2 and 4.19.3, FIGS. 31 and 32.
Preparation and Kitchen Area:
- The door from the kitchen area into the vestibule
outside the restrooms was removed and the opening modified to a
three foot cased opening, thereby providing an accessible entrance
into the area in conformance with the Standards § 4.13, FIG. 25.
- The common use lavatory was relocated in order to
provide the required maneuvering space for a forward approach in
conformance with the Standards § 4.19.3, FIGS. 31 and 32.
Enforcement:
- This Agreement is a public document. A copy of this
document, or any information contained in it, may be made
available to any person. Respondent shall provide a copy of this
Agreement to any person upon request.
- The ADA authorizes the Department of Justice to
investigate alleged violations of Title III. 42 U.S.C. §
12188(b)(1). The Department of Justice is also authorized to
commence a civil action in United States District Court in any
case that involves a pattern or practice of discrimination or that
raises issues of general public importance, and to seek injunctive
relief, monetary damages, and civil penalties. 42 U.S.C. §§
12188(a)(2) and 12188(b). In consideration of the terms of this
Agreement as set forth herein, the Department of Justice agrees to
refrain from undertaking further investigation or from filing
civil suit in this matter.
- The Department of Justice may review compliance with
this Agreement at any time. If the Department of Justice believes
that this Agreement, or any requirement thereof, has been
violated, it may institute a civil action in the federal district
court for the Southern District of Mississippi, or any other
appropriate federal district court, following written notice to
Respondent of the possible violation and a period of ten (10) days
in which Respondent has the opportunity to cure the alleged
violation. The Attorney General is authorized to seek civil
penalties and monetary damages pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
§ 12188(b)(2)(C).
- In the event that Respondent fails to comply in a timely
fashion with any requirement of this agreement without obtaining
sufficient advance written agreement with the Department as to a
temporary modification of the relevant terms of the agreement, all
terms of this agreement shall become enforceable in United States
District Court, and such failure shall be considered a subsequent
violation within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. § 12188(b)(2)(C)(ii).
- If Respondent fails to take any actions described in
this Agreement, without prior written approval of the Department
of Justice, it shall be liable to the Department of Justice for a
civil penalty of no less than $5,000 for each required action not
taken, in addition to any appropriate compensatory damages caused
by the failure to comply.
- Failure by the Department of Justice to enforce this
entire Agreement, or any provision thereof, with respect to any
deadline or any other provision herein, will not be construed as
a waiver of its right to enforce other deadlines and provisions of
this Agreement.
- The effective date of this Agreement is the date of the
last signature below.
- This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between
the parties on the matters raised herein, and no other statement,
promise, or agreement, either written or oral, made by either
party or agents of either party, that is not contained in this
written Agreement, will be enforceable under its provisions.
- This Agreement is limited to the facts set forth herein
and does not purport to remedy any other potential violations of
the ADA or any other Federal law. This Agreement does not affect
Respondent's continuing responsibility to comply with all aspects
of Title III of the ADA.
- Each signer of this document for Respondent represents
that he or she is authorized to bind Respondent to this Agreement.
For Saxton Pierce Restaurant
Corporation, dba Mazzio's Pizza:
By:________________________________ Date:___________
KELLY SAXTON
BRAD PIGOTT
United States Attorney
By:_________________________________ Date:____________
PSHON BARRETT
Assistant United States Attorney
Southern District of Mississippi
188 East Capitol Street
Suite 500
Jackson, Mississippi 39201