Window controversy comes up again at city council meeting

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GALION — Months after local business owner Ann Heimlich installed new windows in the second floor of her building against the recommendation of the city’s Uptowne Design Review Board, there is still contention.

Heimlich came to the Galion City Council meeting Tuesday evening to voice her concerns about the sale of her building at 107 Harding Way East.

“I am selling my building and Bob Johnson is telling the new owner that she has to install different windows and that is unacceptable,” Heimlich said, holding up a piece of wood and adding that she was told by the Design Review Board that her windows did not meet the historical standards because they did not have a wood core.

“Well, right here is the wood core and I will take some Ulmer’s Glue and attach the wood to the windows,” said Heimlich of the windows that cost $1,000 each to install.

She also complained about assistant prosecutor David Keller after he took two months to file an eviction against a tenant she says was involved in illegal activity on her property.

Heimlich left the meeting after speaking to council and while council members did not respond to her, city law director Thomas Palmer spoke later in the meeting about his respect for Keller.

“He does a great job and has hundreds of cases in Municipal Court,” Palmer said.

In other business, council passed ordinances as emergencies to add funds to the health department salary fund within the department’s budget, to create a new fund for tax increment finance for the new hotel and to pay for a new boom mower for the parks, reservoirs and ditches throughout the city. A then and now certificate to a bill to Columbia Gas was also approved. An ordinance to approve Freese Grant projects and update various parks and recreation rental fees were held to second readings.

Mayor Tom O’Leary said that demolition is beginning at the southwest corner of Portland Way and Harding Way for the new Englefield Oil business and also reminds residents to attend a meeting at 5:30 p.m. on April 5 regarding the upcoming Portland Way North project.

“This summer, the section of Portland Way North from Heise Park Lane to Carter Drive will receive a sewer line replacement and new asphalt. We are planning for one lane of traffic to be maintained throughout the duration of the project and are hoping to complete it while school is not in session,” said O’Leary. “Details about the project and the schedule for traffic maintenance will be discussed at the meeting. We urge people to come to the meeting.”

The next city council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on April 11 at the Galion Municipal Building.

Ann Heimlich of Grandma Ann’s Attic shows one of three windows she purchased for her building on Harding Way East that do not meet the requirements of the city’s design review board to preserve the historical features of the building. Heimlich moved forward with the installation is now in the process of selling the building but the windows are still a point of contention between her and city officials. (Kimberly Gasuras | Galion Inquirer)
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2017/03/web1_windows3201678145233636-1-1-1.jpgAnn Heimlich of Grandma Ann’s Attic shows one of three windows she purchased for her building on Harding Way East that do not meet the requirements of the city’s design review board to preserve the historical features of the building. Heimlich moved forward with the installation is now in the process of selling the building but the windows are still a point of contention between her and city officials. (Kimberly Gasuras | Galion Inquirer)

 

By Kimberly Gasuras

[email protected]

 

 

Reach Gasuras on Twitter: @kimberlygasuras

 

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