Item # 11 - Update on Architectural Review Board (ARB)

1. CITY OF ALAMO HEIGHTS
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE DEPARTMENT
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Buddy Kuhn, City Manager
SUBJECT: Staff report on potential changes to the Architectural Review Board (ARB)
ordinance from City Council direction on January 9, 2023
DATE: February 27, 2023
SUMMARY
Staff report on potential changes to the Architectural Review Board (ARB) ordinance from City
Council direction on January 9, 2023.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Architectural Review Board is a 7-member advisory board that provides City Council
recommendations on proposed construction and demolitions projects in the City. Applicants
seeking to construct new structures or significant additions, add signs, or demolish or partially
demolish structures are required to present their project to ARB prior to final consideration by City
Council. City Code creates ARB and delegates its responsibilities via Chapter 2 – Administration,
Chapter 5 – Buildings & Building Regulations, and Chapter 15 – Sign Regulations.
At the January 9, 2023 City Council meeting, Council directed staff to review the applicable ARB
ordinances and offer potential changes to the ARB purpose, structure and procedures. ARB
operates under constraints approved by the Texas Legislature that limit the City’s ability to
promote or limit building products or materials allowed by international building codes and
establish standards for design, aesthetics, or materials.
In light of these constraints, Council requested an ordinance review of ARB and for staff to work
on potential changes to current code pertaining to demolition of structures and more oversight of
new structures.
______________________
Buddy Kuhn
City Manager