Horseshoe Bay will see another member appointed to architectural committee in debate over signs
HORSESHOE BAY — In an effort to give more input on evolving aesthetic issues including how best to display business signs, the Architectural Control Committee will allow a fourth member to join their ranks.
The move announced Oct. 16 during a City Council meeting can be seen as a kind of compromise between the committee, which predates the city’s incorporation in 2005, and the council, which continues to grapple with issues faced by most growing communities.
The committee remains the regulating body that enforces deed restrictions and property aesthetics, prior to review and approval by the council.
The committee’s role has been called into question by, among others, local merchants who want to update rules that would make business signs more visible.
Councilman Jeff Robinson at a past meeting recommended that residents come before the council first to have variance requests heard.
"It improves the perception of the activity of the committee," Robinson said. "I hope whatever resident is appointed will improve this task."
The committee currently includes Sam Tarbet of the Horseshoe Bay Corp., Ron Mitchell of the Horseshoe Bay Resort and Tom Engler of the Horseshoe Bay Property Owners Association.
The committee will appoint the new member.
Under existing guidelines, residents and businesses submit requests to the committee for variances on covenants that pre-date the city restricting size and types of signs and lighting, as well as regulate architectural features including facades, color and building themes.
"We approve what’s brought to us. We have guidelines of size and colors and materials, and there’s a lot of flexibility," Tarbet said. "It’s a backbone that everything builds upon."