Forney HOZ ARB has a lively meeting about windows

During its regular Mar. 20, 2017 meeting, the Forney HOZ Architecture Review Board met and:

• Held a Public Hearing -
  
  • Approved a request for a certificate of approval, in accordance with the Historic Overlay Zone district regulations, for 18 window replacements for 108 E. Brooks Street.
       Mr. Patroski briefed the board on the sizes and locations of the windows; staff recommends approval.
       Ms. Salinas, resident at property, asked where she could find the boundaries of the Historic Overlay; Mr. Morgan said she could contact the city secretary, but it is down Bois D'arc to College, to Center to Main and back to Bois D'arc. She also said the company that installed the windows tried to contact the city. There was discussion about permits vs. the criteria this board considers, which is appearance. Ms. Salinas then stated her windows conform to the style of the previous windows, at which point the board became aware the windows have already been replaced.
       The board informally agreed they see no problem with the new windows.
       Mr. Mitchell then spoke, asking what the purpose of this meeting was, asking why they were on this lady when other nearby homes were having windows replaced - why are they picking on her? There was more discussion about permits vs. Historic Overlay. Mr. Morgan said they only have one code enforcement officer and one building official. There was lively discussion about city employees and un-permitted construction. Mr. Mitchell then said people couldn't trim trees without permission - Mr. Morgan said that is incorrect. Someone in the audience said you can't cut a tree down without permission - Mr. Morgan said yes, council wanted to preserve as much as possible, that would be determined on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Mitchell asked if have to pay for a permit to do construction - Mr. Morgan said there is no fee for a permit or to come before this board. A lady in the audience asked what the procedure was - Mr. Morgan went through the process. Another gentleman in the audience said they should have talked to her before the windows went in, and with great ebullience exclaimed you can't even tell any difference in the damn windows. Then there was discussion about how the board and/or city became aware of the need for this approval. Mr. Mitchell ended by saying he was just curious, and asked again why we are all here.

• Adjourned at 1844.