Commission approves custom steel doors for downtown restaurant with color condition

The Wimberley Planning & Zoning Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for new storefront doors at 13904 Ranch Road 12, Suite 2, after members and the applicant negotiated finish and color conditions to reduce visual contrast with the historic district.

Staff planner Nathan (Nathan, speaker 3) told the commission that because the property sits inside the historic district, replacement of doors and windows requires a certificate of appropriateness. Applicant Michael (speaker 5) said he must replace the existing, damaged doors and proposed custom four-foot pivot steel doors with clear glass and large mahogany handles: “I have to replace the doors anyway because they're really beat up,” Michael said, adding that the chosen design "goes back to the original frame of the building back when it was a, an auto body shop back in the forties." Michael said the handles and finish would mirror nearby examples already used in town.

Commission members raised concerns about the amount and finish of exposed steel, calling the proposal “too modern” for some surrounding facades. Several members noted that other downtown businesses have steel doors and that steel as a material has historical use, but they questioned whether the proposed finish and color would cause the doors to stand out from adjacent storefronts. Commissioners asked about glass area, door scale and the prominence of the wooden handle.

After discussion, commissioners and the applicant agreed on two acceptable approaches to reduce contrast: allow the steel to patina naturally (oxidize) so it blends with existing planters and adjacent features, or require the painted frame and door color to match the existing window/trim color. Michael confirmed he was willing to let the steel age to a patina or paint the door to match the window trim and said the handles would be mahogany. Chair (speaker 1) summarized the board's consensus and opened a motion.

Committee member (speaker 2) moved to approve item 5.1 with the caveat that the finish be patina/oxidized natural metal (or matching painted color); the motion was seconded by the chair. The chair announced the motion passed by voice vote. The commission did not attach additional conditions beyond the color/finish guidance, and staff was asked to ensure the certificate's language reflects the accepted finish requirement.

The applicant indicated timing constraints for fabrication and asked not to delay his opening beyond a month; commissioners said staff (Nathan) would finalize the specific certificate language. The certificate approval allows the applicant to proceed with the approved door style subject to the agreed finish condition.