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Landmark Commission to ask staff to draft change to window guidance for new construction
Summary
Commissioners discussed allowing two-over-two or simulated divided-light windows in new construction and asked staff to prepare policy language or standards changes to return as an action item at a future meeting.
The Galveston Landmark Commission on May 19 discussed whether to modify its interpretation of window guidance for new construction and instructed staff to draft language for a future action item.
Commissioner Bourgeois introduced the item, saying homeowners frequently request "to put 2 over 2 windows in," and questioned the long-standing practice that new construction should use one-over-one windows so it is readily identifiable as new. Bourgeois said modern manufactured windows are commonly two-over-two and that other Texas cities the commission reviewed prefer windows that match the character of district buildings.
Katharine, a city staff member, responded that the current design standards do not explicitly say "one-over-one" for new construction; rather, staff interprets the preservation principle that new work should be recognizably new. She outlined options for the commission: adopt a policy statement (as the commission previously did for its consent agenda) to document a change in interpretation, or request a formal amendment to the design standards. Katharine told the commission staff could draft proposed language and return it as an action item.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about whether replacement and full-window changes come to the commission or are handled by staff; staff said the commission sees all new construction and full replacements that change design or material. Commissioners also discussed impact-resistant window requirements for new construction in the city; staff said that true divided-light windows commonly cannot meet impact-resistance standards and that simulated divided lights may be the realistic option for compliance.
No formal vote was taken on a standards change. Chairperson Click said he did not hear opposition and the commission directed staff to prepare language and place the matter on a future agenda; staff estimated it could take another meeting or two before final language is returned.
The discussion was recorded as a commission direction to staff, not a final amendment to the design standards.
