San Antonio Building Standards Board Meeting - July 3, 2025

The Building Standards Board of San Antonio, Texas, met on July 3, 2025, at 10:30 AM (with a technical break) to consider six properties for demolition or repair. The board voted unanimously (5-0) on all actions: ordering demolition for four properties and repair for one property, with one property already addressed via emergency demolition. The meeting included staff reports, police testimony, and owner/representative statements.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from the previous meeting: Moved by Anne Wyner, seconded, passed 5-0.
• Staff report (Jenny Ramírez):
  • Liability waiver agreement at 1025 Essex Street (signed June 18, 2025) – no board action needed.
  • Emergency demolition at 4871 Castle Rose (fire May 28, demolished June 6, 2025) – no board action needed.
  • Emergency demolition at 711 West Gerald Avenue (fire June 10, demolished June 16, 2025) – no board action needed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the meeting for any agenda item.

Discussion Items

1. 306 Chipinque (District 5) – Demolition

• Staff (Crystal Town) presented photos showing severe deterioration, lack of utilities (water inactive since May 2022), squatters, and health hazards (feces, urine, garbage). The structure was deemed dangerous and uninhabitable.
• Police officer Patiño testified about drug activity, a firearm found on an arrested individual, and a shooting the night before the inspection. The property is near a school and church.
• The owner was not present. The board moved to declare the property a public nuisance and order demolition within 30 days, including eviction of occupants. Motion passed 5-0.

2. 4147 Sunrise Creek Drive (District 2) – Demolition

• Staff (Cintia Santana) documented extensive roof holes, water damage, rotting wood, mold, and collapsed insulation. No utilities since 2019. The accessory structure was also dilapidated.
• Claudine Espinosa, attorney for the bank (Midfirst/Shore Hopkins), requested more time, stating they were receiving repair quotes. The bank had a mortgage interest but no foreclosure. The board determined insufficient progress and ordered demolition.
• Motion passed 5-0 for demolition within 30 days, including clearing debris.

3. 218 West Jackson Avenue (District 3) – Demolition

• Staff (Sergio Quintanilla) showed damage from fire and years of neglect, with interior exposed to elements, trash, and evidence of squatters.
• Police officer testified about trespassers, illegal activity, and proximity to a high school and elementary school. The owner (Aston James T.S. Off) not present.
• Motion to declare public nuisance and demolish within 30 days passed 5-0.

4. 262 Wingate Avenue (District 5) – Repair

• Staff (Birgan Bledsoe) presented a dilapidated single-story home with graffiti, missing siding, roof damage, and interior hazards. The property had a history of squatters and a fire in the accessory structure.
• Owner Sharon Peters (Sharon Peters Real Estate Inc.) and contractor Mónica Leos attended. Peters explained she bought the property in July 2023, had personal hardships (cancer, family deaths), and had taken steps to secure and clean the property. She presented a work scope and financial ability, estimating repairs in 6 months. Contractor Leos stated repairs could be completed in 90 days.
• The board moved to require repair within 90 days, with progress reports every 30 days to the code compliance officer. Motion passed 5-0.

5. 244 Darthurst Drive – Demolition

• Staff (Officer Osana) showed fire-damaged structure with burned roof, missing siding, and extensive charring. Owner John Douglas Ward was deceased, and no contact could be made.
• Motion to declare public nuisance and demolish within 30 days passed 5-0.

6. 2535 Schley Avenue – Demolition

• Supervisor Elisa Valdez presented for absent officer Ryan Garza. The main structure was previously demolished after a fire; only an accessory shed remained, which was severely rotted, with debris, squatter evidence, and missing walls.
• Owner not present. Motion to demolish within 30 days passed 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Demolition Orders (30 days): 306 Chipinque, 4147 Sunrise Creek Drive, 218 West Jackson Avenue, 244 Darthurst Drive, 2535 Schley Avenue. All passed 5-0.
• Repair Order (90 days): 262 Wingate Avenue, with 30-day progress reports to staff. Passed 5-0.
• Administrative: Three memorandums for City Council approval on August 7, 2025, and assignment of Paul Hernández to a committee (approved June 12).
• Board Request: The board asked staff to clarify when case officers change, to note the point of transfer in records to avoid confusion about prior contacts.