NEWS

Galion windows draw city interest

Zach Tuggle
Reporter

GALION - The replacement of three windows in downtown Galion has drawn a lot of attention during the last two months. City officials say the repair work likely broke existing city code.

Ann Heimlich, owner of Grandma Ann's Attic, purchased the building at 107 Harding Way E. in early April. She said she had no idea then that the three windows facing downtown were in bad shape because she never entered the third floor during her tour of the facility.

Later in the spring when a window pane from a neighboring building blew out and damaged a car below, Heimlich decided it was time she inspect her own windows to ensure they were safe. She was concerned with what she discovered when she walked into her building's third story for the first time.

A sign in the lower window of Grandma Ann's Attic in Galion displays a few issues owner Ann Heimlich alleges she has against the city.

"There was just a little bit of glue holding the windows in their frames," Heimlich said. "It was just waiting for a big wind to come and knock them out and hurt somebody."

Heimlich said she notified officials of her plans to replace the windows, and was eventually told about the city's Design Review Board. Galion Mayor Tom O'Leary said that board is tasked with maintaining a consistent design of buildings in the downtown area.

"If I got somebody to cover the wood with vinyl, then it would keep it historical," Heimlich said.

The only problem was that Heimlich already spent $1,800 to purchase new, vinyl windows.

"Plus I paid my contractor $548 to get them in," Heimlich added. "We had all three out and one of the new windows installed and the building inspector stopped work."

Three new vinyl windows were installed at 107 Harding Way in Galion, and city officials have indicated the replacement breaks city code.

Heimlich said she was told that her windows needed to have at least a wooden core to maintain the historical integrity of the city's downtown. She said the inspector told her the all vinyl windows went against existing city zoning.

O'Leary said the Design Review Board was created specifically for instances such as these.

"It keeps somebody from putting in poor quality windows or doors, which protects property values," O'Leary said. "The proponents of it think it has worked really well. The counter argument is that property owners should be able to do what they want."

O'Leary said the standards followed by that board were put into place more than 20 years ago.

"Some people say we need to get rid of it altogether. I don't know if that's true, but we should expedite a review of it," O'Leary said.

O'Leary said Heimlich did have the right to appeal the decision of the Design Review Board in the Crawford County Common Pleas Court, but that she chose not to exercise that right.

The first reading of an ordinance which might give Heimlich and other downtown business owners a voice on the Design Review Board regarding all future matters was held during last week's meeting of city council.

By Saturday, O'Leary noticed that the windows were completely installed.

No official meeting has been set regarding the issue, but Heimlich said she expects the city will contact her this week to set a time to discuss the matter further.

ztuggle@gannett.com

419-563-9225

Twitter: @zachtuggle