Historic Landmark Commission approves $5,000 grant for window replacement at 604 S. Main

The Boerne Historic Landmark Commission approved a grant reimbursement of up to $5,000 for proposed window replacements at 604 South Main, a structure listed as highly contributing to the city's historic district.

Staff told commissioners the circa-1910 building — now in commercial use — contains non-original aluminum-encased windows believed to have been installed around 1970 and that the applicant, Samuel McGee, proposes to replace seven windows with energy-efficient white casement windows. Staff recommended approval and noted the application scored 24 points under the grant rubric (10 points for contributing status, 10 points for facade improvements, and 4 points for the project budget range), meeting the 20-point threshold for consideration.

The applicant’s representative, architect Ben Adam, confirmed the applicant seeks to install casement windows (which open outward for egress) and clarified the submitted budget covered materials only, not installation labor. Adam said either proposed style would be appropriate and that the applicant would accept either option should supply or other constraints arise.

A commissioner moved to approve item 2025-084 with the stipulation that the applicant choose either option A (fixed historically appropriate style; estimated $11,946) or option B (2-over-2 style; estimated about $13,000). The commission voted 4-0 to approve the grant reimbursement of up to $5,000. Staff said it will inspect work after completion to confirm it matches one of the two approved options before releasing reimbursement.

No changes to window openings or structural alterations were proposed; staff characterized the work as compatible with the building’s architectural design and the historic district streetscape.