“I want to see appropriate and compliant and aesthetically correct windows, but I want to be very careful about criminalizing half of the city in the process and the effect and cost to the city in a variety of levels,” said Councilman John Drayman.
The three-hour study session was in response to a City Council meeting in July when the topic generated more than two hours of debate.
Some residents argued in favor of leniency to allow for less-expensive replacements, while historic preservationists countered that high standards should be used to maintain the design character of historic neighborhoods.
The crux of the debate centers on two issues: how to regulate the city’s permitting process for window replacements, and how to deal with the significant number of illegal window replacements that have been installed without proper permits.
Opinions on the dais ranged from Councilman Dave Weaver’s opposition to government intrusion to Councilwoman Laura Friedman’s support for weekend enforcement as a way to catch illegal replacements as they occur.
Mayor Frank Quintero was absent.
“I wish we weren’t here discussing this at all,” Weaver said. “It seems the government continues to infringe more and more on private-property rights.”
Under the draft guidelines, the Planning Department’s review process would be enhanced to provide additional guidance on how to replace windows while making sure their design is appropriate for the building.
“We want everybody to understand from the beginning what we will approve and won’t approve,” said Jay Platt, city planner for historic preservation and urban design.
