“We, like many folks, are very supportive of improving the aesthetic value of our buildings,” Higdon said. But “as you see it has become very complicated. It has changed direction a couple of times and it is not what we began with.”
The ordinance, given preliminary approval by the Temple Chamber of Commerce, would have required 80 percent of buildings less than 10,000 square feet be covered with masonry. Larger buildings could have 25 percent of that comprised of brick or stone.
Buildings that expand could also fall under the ordinance. An expansion that is equal to or greater than 15 percent would require masonry on just the expanded area. A building expansion equal to or greater than 30 percent would trigger masonry improvements on the entire building.
The Temple Planning and Zoning Commission took a look at the ordinance Monday night and decided unanimously not to take action. Commissioners said this would allow time for planners to work out disagreements regarding various aspects of the proposed ordinance.
One of the changes to the ordinance that has been met with resistance from the chamber came during the Temple City Council’s Feb. 7 meeting when council members approved the first reading of the ordinance with a split vote. Council members surprised a number of committee members, who supplied input on the ordinance, by making it city wide, rather than restricted to specific corridors.
Committee members includes representatives of Keep Temple Beautiful, Temple Area Builders Association, Temple Economic Development Corp. and the Temple Chamber.
Temple Mayor Bill Jones III voted in favor of the ordinance at the first reading, but said it was wise that the planning and zoning commission voted the way they did.
“They just wanted to meet to work on it and study it,” he said. “We’re still working on it as well and we’ve made some significant movement.”
Jones said he was not disappointed in the turn of events, saying that he anticipated compromise will result in a workable amendment.
“It’s just fine the way it’s coming about,” he said. “I personally want everybody to feel good with what we move forward with on this.”
According to the city manager’s office, there will be a public hearing tonight at the council meeting on the issue but no vote can be taken.
