Forney Fence Company Redevelops Highway 80 Property

02-27-2013

Denise Bell
Post Managing Editor

Earlier this month, the Forney Planning & Zoning Commission followed by the Forney City Council, approved site plans for the Forney Fence Company to open a new location at 208 E. U S Highway 80.

Developer, Rex Ramsey, requested approval on site plans for the property formerly known as Philbecks Antiques which currently includes ten acres of land and two vacant steel warehouse buildings.

The dilapidated buildings, 20,000 sq. ft and 10,500 sq. ft., are surrounded by a worn parking lot and concrete foundation slab, and Rex Ramsey would like to develop the property in order to relocate his fence business to the property.

According to Ramsey, the fence company would be located within the main 20,000 sq. ft. building and the 10,500 sq. ft. adjacent building will be leased out to other businesses, and reportedly the company would update the current buildings to provide a more aesthetic and modern appeal.

Ramsey stated, “The buildings will be clad in modern architectural steel. We are requesting a variance from the standard masonry requirement for new construction due to an issue with the way the storage buildings were initially constructed. Ron Hobbs, the architect on the project, feels that the proposed materials are the best solution for the reuse of the existing buildings.”

Explaining he said, “The architect feels that the buildings will not allow for the use of masonry along the base of the buildings due to the way they were constructed, and a compromise would be to place stone accents throughout the design of the building. A stone planter will be placed along the front of the building and other architectural elements will also be used to add to the visual appeal of the buildings.”

Landscaping will be added throughout and will buffer the property along the U S Hwy 80 frontage road, and the fence currently located along the frontage road will be removed.

Addressing both the P&Z Commission and the City Council on this issue, City Development Director, Peter Morgan explained, “Staff notes that as shown in the slides, the buildings do no meet the masonry requirement standards set for the in the ordinance for new construction. However, due to the noted reconstruction issues staff finds that the proposed materials will be satisfactory for the specific buildings in question.”

Director Morgan stressed “The redevelopment of the property will be advantageous to the surrounding area, and it will put a property to use that has been vacant for years, and it will bring a business inside the city limits from its current location outside the city limits.”

Without question, all members of the Forney City Council voted to approve the requested site plans for Forney Fence Company.