San Antonio Building Standards Board Meeting - August 14, 2025
San Antonio Building Standards Board Meeting - August 14, 2025
The Building Standards Board of San Antonio convened on August 14, 2025, at 9:00 AM (approximate start) to address multiple cases of dangerous and dilapidated structures. The board heard four cases, with recommendations ranging from demolition to repair, and took unanimous votes on each. A staff update noted an emergency demolition of an accessory structure at 202 Avenue following a fire.
Consent Calendar
- The board approved the minutes from the July 10, 2025, meeting by unanimous voice vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- 1412 Pasadena: Gregory Zertucci, the property owner, stated he was unaware of most violations and had not received prior notices. San Antonio Police Officer Anthony Pena testified that the property was a hub for criminal activity, with over 30 calls for service since March 2023, including a murder in August 2024. The owner was arrested twice during inspections.
- 601 South Hackberry: Angela Jarman, daughter of the deceased owner and holder of a life estate, testified that she intended to repair the family home. She had no cost estimate or documented financial proof but stated she would fund repairs from personal savings and retirement. She had not pulled permits for previous renovations.
- 329 San Gabriel: Carolina Lara, sister of the owner, requested additional time to transfer title and obtain a demolition permit. She stated the owner (her sister) had no funds for repairs or demolition.
- 1711 East Carson Street: Erica Smith, daughter of the deceased owner, stated she and her sister had no interest in the property and planned to sell the land. She was unaware of the condition before the hearing.
Discussion Items
- 1412 Pasadena: Code Officer Crystal Town presented photos showing extensive interior and exterior damage. The main structure and accessory were occupied despite no permits, with dangerous electrical setups (generator, extension cords). CPS had disconnected power due to inadequate panel. The structures lacked smoke detectors, had blocked egress, and were infested with dogs. Staff recommended demolition.
- 601 South Hackberry: Code Officer Cynthia Santana presented a structure with fire damage from February 7, 2024. The roof decking was smoke-damaged, walls were charred, and the foundation was compromised. The property was unsecured (driveway open) but the house was boarded. Staff recommended repair, noting the structure was otherwise in decent condition. The board reset the case to allow the owner to gather documentation.
- 329 San Gabriel: Code Officer Jaime Haso presented a structure with collapsed roof, missing walls, and foundation sinking into grade. Utilities were disconnected. Staff recommended demolition.
- 1711 East Carson Street: Code Officer Cynthia Santana presented a multi-story structure with severe structural issues: detached walls, collapsing roof, and unsafe balcony. The city deemed it too dangerous for contractors to secure or abate. Sections had fallen into a neighbor's yard. Staff recommended demolition.
Key Outcomes
- 1412 Pasadena: Unanimous vote (5-0) to declare the property a public nuisance and order demolition within 30 days, with vacation, securing, utilities disconnected, and clearance of trash and debris.
- 601 South Hackberry: Unanimous vote to reset the case to a future date, allowing Angela Jarman time to obtain a contractor’s scope of work and proof of financial ability. No demolition ordered.
- 329 San Gabriel: Unanimous motion (5-0) to declare the property a public nuisance and order demolition within 30 days. The board advised Carolina Lara that she could obtain a demolition permit in the interim.
- 1711 East Carson Street: Unanimous motion (5-0) to declare the property a public nuisance and order demolition within 30 days, with utilities cut. The board requested prioritization for contractors due to safety hazards.
- Staff Update: An emergency demolition of an accessory structure at 202 Avenue (Council District 5) occurred on August 6, 2025, following a fire on July 29, 2025. No board action needed.
- Administrative: Judy Kroom announced the reappointment of four board members: Paul Hernandez (District 7, June 12, 2025), Joel Solis (District 10), Dr. Erlinda Lopez Rodriguez (District 4), and Kayla Miranda (District 5) (all August 7, 2025).
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Dwayne Nelson. I'm the chairman of the Building Standards Board for the City of San Antonio. Welcome to that board. 14 August of 2025. Let's have a roll call, please. Duane Nelson. Present. Joel Solis. Present. George Grimms Jr. Present. Dr. Erlinda Lopez Rodriguez. Kayla Miranda. Here. Fred Andes. Also present from the City of San Antonio are Lucinda Orozco from the City Attorney's Office and from Development Services. Jenny Ramirez, Code Enforcement Manager. Judy Kroom, BSB liaison. Estro Ortiz, Development Services Specialist 1. Araceli Apodaca, Administrative Assistant 2. That's me. Chair. Thank you. The City of San Antonio provides translation services for anyone who may need assistance in understanding what's going on. If we could, let's have a translation of that fact. Good morning. Buenos días. Las personas can necessit escuchar esta audiencia in espanhol. Thank you. Thank you so much. A quorum is present. Please silence 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 a 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 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've submitted the required documents prior to this public hearing. Your responsibility as a property owner or lienholder of dilapidated structure case is to demonstrate the following. Number one, provide the required documents. Discuss a detailed scope of work with cost for each item outlined in order to bring the property into compliance to the satisfaction of a code enforcement officer. Number two, submit the required proof of financial ability to pay for proposed work and discuss feasibility of repair dependent upon money 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 work 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 a code enforcement officer.
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