Forney P&Z Commission Reviews Historic Overlay District Ordinance

Denise Bell
Post Managing Editor

July 2, 2009

Tuesday evening Forney’s Planning and Zoning Commission met to discuss a Historic Overlay District ordinance that will “encompass all properties both commercial and noncommercial” within Forney’s downtown area.

City of Forney Community Development Director Noah Simmons presented P&Z Commissioners with a 30 page draft of the ordinance that is designed to create “regulations that consist of architectural guidelines and controls.”

The ordinance would require “a certificate of appropriateness regarding exterior repairs, modifications and new construction” for any construction, on any property, located within the Historic Overlay District.

The ordinance, which is still in the “work shop stage”, would also establish a “demolition permit process for the demolition of significant or historic structures” as well as, create “an advisory body to review certain applications within the Historic Overlay Zone.”

Debating the extensive ordinance at length, P&Z Commission Chair Robert Dobbs encouraged the three citizens in attendance to offer comments, concerns or questions about the proposed ordinance.

City Councilman Andy Parker, who lives adjacent to Downtown Forney, attended the meeting and voiced several concerns over the “wording” of specific sections of the drafted ordinance.

Downtown homeowner Dana Whitaker also spoke openly stating,“ I just bought my second piece of property in the area so my only concern centers around our infrastructure needs.”

Whitaker further stated “this area has a variety of homes. So it doesn’t offend me at all for you to set standards. I want the area to hold its value. We need to include more of the homes in the area. There are some incredible homes on Trinity Street.”

The P&Z Commission will review the ordinance again in August after requested changes have been made by city staff.