San Antonio Building Standards Board Meeting – July 3, 2025
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San Antonio Building Standards Board Meeting – July 3, 2025
The San Antonio Building Standards Board (BSB) held a public hearing on July 3, 2025, to consider six dilapidated and dangerous properties. The board voted unanimously on all cases, ordering demolition for five properties and repair for one. The meeting included staff reports, police testimony, and appearances by property owners and representatives.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: The board approved the minutes of the previous meeting by a vote of 5-0.
- Hold Harmless Agreement: The owner of 1025 Essex (Council District 2) voluntarily agreed to allow city demolition. Signed June 18, 2025. No board action required.
- Emergency Demolitions:
- 4871 Castle Rose (District 2) – demolished June 6, 2025, after a fire on May 28, 2025.
- 711 West Gerald (District 3) – demolished June 16, 2025. Both pursuant to Chapter 6-175; no further board action needed.
Public Comments & Testimony
No public comments were submitted for any agenda item.
Discussion Items
1. 306 Chapinke Drive (District 3) – First hearing. Staff presented photos of severe dilapidation: rotted porch, human feces containers, no water/electricity, and active squatting. SAPD Officer Pena testified about drug activity, weapons, and gunfire complaints. The board found the property a public nuisance under City Code Section 6-156 (subsections 1,2,8,11,12,15,17,18) and not feasible to repair. Motion passed 5-0 to demolish within 30 days and vacate the property.
2. 4147 Sunrise Creek Drive (District 1? Not specified) – First hearing. Staff documented collapsed roof, water damage, and rapid deterioration. A lienholder, Mid First Bank (represented by attorney Claudine Espinosa), requested time to obtain repair bids. The board found the property a public nuisance under Section 6-156 (main structure subsections 1,2,5,7,8,11,12,15,17,18; accessory structures separately cited). Motion passed 5-0 to demolish within 30 days, cut all utilities, and secure the property.
3. 218 West Dixon Avenue (District 3) – First hearing. Staff reported fire damage, trash, and vagrant activity. SAPD Officer testified about ongoing squatting and drug calls, noting proximity to schools. The board found the main and accessory structures a public nuisance under Section 6-156. Motion passed 5-0 to demolish within 30 days and vacate the property.
4. 262 Wingate Avenue (District 5) – First hearing. Staff recommended repair. The owner, Sharon Peters (Sharon Peters Real Estate Inc.), testified about personal hardships (father’s death, mother’s illness) and steps taken: securing the property, pulling re-roof and repair permits, hiring contractor Monica Leos. The board noted that the property had been under a stop-work order but permits were inadvertently issued due to a system glitch. The owner provided a scope of work and proof of funds. Motion passed 5-0 to require repair within 90 days, with staff status reports every 30 days. All permits must be obtained before work begins.
5. 244 Dalehurst Drive (District 1? Not specified) – First hearing. Staff documented fire damage, holes in roof, and significant charring. The owner, John Douglas Ward, is deceased; no contact with estate. The board found the main and accessory structures not feasible to repair under Section 6-156 (subsections 1,2,4,5,7,8,11,12,15,17,18). Motion passed 5-0 to demolish within 30 days, vacate, and secure the property.
6. 2535 Schlei Avenue (District 2? Not specified) – First hearing. Staff presented an accessory shed in deteriorated condition; the main structure had already been demolished after a fire in June 2024. The shed had broken windows, rotten wood, and vagrant activity. The board found it a public nuisance under Section 6-156. Motion passed 5-0 to demolish within 30 days.
Key Outcomes
- Demolition orders for 306 Chapinke, 4147 Sunrise Creek, 218 West Dixon, 244 Dalehurst, and 2535 Schlei – all within 30 days, with vacate/secure requirements where applicable.
- Repair order for 262 Wingate – 90 days with 30-day progress reports to staff.
- All votes were 5-0.
- Administrative note: The board requested that code enforcement officers clearly indicate when they have taken over a case from a predecessor to avoid confusion. Staff acknowledged and will work to improve clarity.
- Reappointments: Three board members (Joel Solis, Dr. Linda Lopez Rodriguez, Kayla Miranda) are scheduled for city council approval on August 7, 2025. Paul Hernandez was reappointed on June 12, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
I'm the chair of the board and um we will now call to order go ahead with roll call Robert Tapia Ann Weiner Present Paul Hernandez Present Doris Ole Robert Benke Rollett Shrekenghost Fred Andes Present Dwayne Nelson present also present in the meeting from the city of San Antonio or Eric Burns and Lucinda Roscoe from the City Attorney's Office and from Development Services Amin Thomas Deputy Director. Jenny Ramirez, Code Enforcement Manager, and myself, Judy Creum, BSB liaison. Chair Accorum is present. I'm the chair of the board on Fred Andes and Well, at this time, my vice chair read the uh chairman's statement. A quorum is present. Please sign your cell phone or any device that may disrupt this public hearing. No person shall delay or disrupt the proceedings or disobey the order of the chair. If you wish to speak on the case, you'll be allowed three minutes. However, an owner or owner's representative will have unlimited time. Please keep all information relevant to the property in question and the code violation. As advised prior to this public hearing, the city will provide translation services for anyone needing assistance. It is our understanding that you have made such arrangements as advised in your notice of hearing. Our expectation is that you submitted the required documents prior to this public hearing. Your responsibility as a property owner or lienholder of a dilapidated structure is to demonstrate the following. Number one, provide the required documents, discuss your detailed scope of work with a cost for each item outlined in order to bring the property into compliance to the satisfaction of a code officer. Number two, submit the required proof of financial ability to pay for the proposed work and discuss the feasibility of repairs depending upon the monies at hand. And number three, request the amount of time needed to complete the work. All abatements ordered by the board shall be enforced. All word proposed must be done within code regulations with required permits prior to commencement of work. You may obtain all permits from the Department of Development Services located at 1901 South Alamo Street, San Antonio, Texas, 78204. If in doubt as to the process during this time, please contact the code enforcement officer. Any owner or lienholder dissatisfied with the order of this board shall file an appeal in civil district court within 30 days after the date the order is mailed. If you have any questions regarding the orders, please contact the code enforcement officer or development service staff member by phone at 210-207-5422. Note that it is unlawful for any person present to solicit or pedal services regarding any property under consideration by this board during the course of this public hearing as per city code section 16-236. Thank you. At this time we'll have a Spanish translator. Good morning, everyone. Muchas gracias. Public comments. No public comments at this time. At this time the board will entertain a motion to approve minutes. This is Ann Weiner. I second it. Motion is accept minutes is drafted. Second has been made. Any comments? Roll call. Anne Weiner. Here. Or yes. Yes. Approval of the minutes. Yes. Yes, I approve the minute. Thank you. Paul Hernandez. Aye. Roll at Shrekenghost. Aye. Fred Andes.
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