Web posted
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
City may open the windows
Ordinance against boarded windows on agenda tonight
Check out the ordinance in our Data Center
By JAMES JORDAN
Traveler Editor
news@arkcity.net
After hearing some compliants from building owners, city commissioners may back off their window ordinance to some degree.
The ordinance would require windows either be covered with transparent material or be filled in. The aim is to rid the city of the many boarded up windows around town.
Commissioners may pass part of it at their 7 p.m. meeting today, but after their work session meeting Monday, it was not clear what direction they would take.
Jim Sybrant, who owns one of the larger buildings in the downtown area, at the corner of Washington and Summit, said he was not opposed to the intent of the ordinance, but said it would put an undue hardship on him to have to replace all of the windows there.
He questioned the wording of the ordinance, such as whether buildings that had covered windows with siding would have to cut open new windows.
His building has 68 windows, and he estimated it would cost $400 each to fix them. He said the tin covering them was acceptable 40 years ago when it was installed. He added that he would like to fix the building up and said he has some plans in the works.
Local attorney Bert Wilson also questioned the wording of the ordinance.
Commissioners liked the idea of requiring glass windows to be replaced with glass from this point forward, but said they understood the problems that would be created if all of the old ones now covered had to be replaced.
Former Commissioner Bob Mathews said he thought the city was going in the right direction.
"To say it can't be done is malarky. Something needs to be done," he said.
Commissioner Joel Hockenbury said the priority is to replace windows when they are broken. He noted that the downtown section is only a small part of the whole city, an the ordinance applies to all of the city.
Commissoner Patrick McDonald wanted to stay the course and give everyone a year to get into compliance, as the ordinance currently states.
"If we give them a year they will find a way. If we don't start it never will happen," he said.
McDonald added that there are programs and grants available and many ways to get help financing such repairs.
Commissioner Scott Margolius said a building such as the one Sybrant owns is such a fixture in Arkansas City that it has become a public building in essence.
"Everyone sees it. It is not someone's right to just sit on it," he said.
Commissioner Mel Kuhn said he wants the city to do something in this area . He said he would like to talk to more people and try to work with business and building owners to get them into compliance.
City Attorney Tamara Niles suggested changing the wording so that a person who has built a wall that has covered windows will not have to cut out new windows.
Commissioner Hockenbury said he and the Commission are still undecided as to exactly what they will do.
They plan to discuss the issue more tonight, and to take some public input on the matter.
Mayor Dotty Smith was not at the meeting because she is on vacation.
March 18, 2008 commission meeting agenda-Page 1of 2
In other matters commissioners are expected to:
* Consider renewal of city insurance coverage for property, liability, vehicles and equipment.
* Consider resolution authorizing an agreement for KLINK overlay project on West Madison Avenue.
* Receive a presentation regarding proposed scope of work to complete proposed commission goals.
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