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Commission approves $10,000 preservation grant and COA for Cibolo Creek Brewing after debate over historic windows
Summary
Boerne's Historic Landmark Commission approved a $10,000 historic-preservation grant and certificate of appropriateness for exterior improvements at Cibolo Creek Brewing, 448 South Main, covering a replacement front door, eight replacement windows and exterior painting. Debate focused on rare triple-sash historic windows and whether replacements would preserve visual character.
The Boerne Historic Landmark Commission voted Dec. 2 to award Cibolo Creek Brewing Company a $10,000 historic-preservation grant and to issue a certificate of appropriateness for exterior improvements at 448 South Main.
Staff described the project as a high-contributing rehabilitation with an eligible project total of $50,448.41. The scope presented included front-door work ($8,560.41), eight replacement windows ($27,963), and exterior repainting (materials and labor estimated at roughly $13,800). Staff told the commission the project scored 30 points in the grant prescreening and was eligible for the maximum reimbursement of $10,000 under the city program.
The most contested issue was the plan to replace four visible historic triple-sash windows with fixed, double-pane windows that would replicate the visual appearance but would not retain internal sash weights. One commissioner warned, "I would hate to see this history...to give you a grama where we're paying you to get rid of history," urging consideration of preserving or refurbishing the rare windows. The applicant and staff said rehabilitation to modern efficiency standards would be costly or infeasible and that the proposed windows would be visually similar. Applicant Travis Robertson said the new units would "look the exact same" visually even though they would not retain the original hidden weights.
Staff clarified that painting like-for-like does not require a COA but is an eligible grant expense and that the board could approve a COA without awarding the grant; however, if the grant is awarded, the COA must be granted as well. Commissioner Mines moved to approve the COA and the $10,000 grant requested; the motion passed and staff confirmed funding was available in the current fiscal year.
The commission approved the COA and awarded the $10,000 grant; staff will proceed with the grant paperwork and the applicant may move forward with the approved exterior work.
