The Carmel Pine Cone
January 1999

After listening to a Carmel homeowner's appeal to use wood-and-aluminum clad windows in the renovation of her home, the Carmel City Council this week agreed to ask the planning commission to reconsider its recent requirement that all-wood windows be used in new construction.

Voting 3-2, the council decided that the planning commission should also take another look at applicant Ann Solon's request, in light of the fact that Solon's designer had new information about stat-of-the-art clad windows.

Solon told the council she hoped to install the clad windows in an attempt to avoid the continual repairs and costs incurred by her wood windows.

Solon's designer, Marjorie Ingram, told the council that she could understand why silver or white windows were problematic, "but why can't aluminum clad windows be approved if the color doesn't reflect?"

Ingram shoed the council samples of green glad windows manufactured by the Pozzi Company.  "Clad products offer a better life cycle and maintenance," Ingram said.

However, a planning report contended that recent improvements to seals on wood windows have cut down on maintenance costs.  Modern wood windows are available that are resistant to decay and weather, the report said.

Some council members were disturbed that the "standard condition" requiring wood windows had been adopted without a formal review process.

"There was never a vote on this standard condition," said City Councilwoman Sue McCloud.  "It was added by staff with no public debate.  So I have a problem with the process."

Carmel Assistant Planner Chip Rerig said that staff added the standard condition within the last two years at the request of the planning commission. 

Some council members weren't convinced that the aluminum clad windows were a good fit for Carmel.  "Do we want our village to look like plastic?" asked City Councilwoman Barbara Livingston.  "Do we want it to look forever young?  I don't think so.  We want it to show age."

Carmel Mayor Ken White wondered how to maintain fairness if the city changes its policy.

"What are we going to do about all those people who did follow the rules?" White asked.  "Technology has leaped ahead and almost passed us up in a few short years."

The commission has already scheduled a workshop on window materials for 2:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29.