San Antonio Building Standards Board Meeting – August 14, 2025
San Antonio Building Standards Board Meeting – August 14, 2025
The Building Standards Board of the City of San Antonio convened on August 14, 2025, at approximately 10:36 AM, chaired by Dwayne Nelson, with a quorum present (members: Joel Solis, George Grimms Jr., Dr. Erlinda Lopez Rodriguez, Kayla Miranda, Fred Andes). The board heard four cases involving dangerous structures: three with staff recommendations for demolition (1412 Pasadena, 329 South San Gabriel, 1711 East Carson) and one for repair (601 South Hackberry). The board also approved prior minutes, received a staff update on an emergency demolition, and noted reappointments of board members.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes from the July 10, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously by voice vote (all ayes).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Gregory Zertucci (owner of 1412 Pasadena) : Expressed confusion about the violations, stated he was unaware of notices, and said he only received one certified letter in the last two months for a prior tenant. He did not attend the after-action meeting.
- Angela Jarman (life estate holder, 601 South Hackberry) : Testified that the house was built by her grandparents and she intends to repair it. She has a licensed contractor coming on August 16, 2025, to assess and provide a cost estimate for repairs, starting with rafters within 30 days. She plans to pay out-of-pocket and from retirement funds.
- Carolina Lara (sister of owner, 329 South San Gabriel) : Stated that the owner (her sister) is transferring the property to her. She requested a reset to complete the ownership change and then demolish the structure to rebuild.
- Erica Smith (daughter of owner, 1711 East Carson) : Said she lives in Houston, was unaware of the property’s condition, and she and her sister have no interest in keeping the house. Their father died the prior Sunday (around August 10, 2025). They may keep the land but do not want the structure.
Discussion Items
- Staff Update : Code Enforcement Manager Jenny Ramirez reported an emergency demolition at 202 Avenue (Council District 5) on August 6, 2025, due to a fire on July 29, 2025, per Chapter 6-175. No board action required.
- 1412 Pasadena : Dangerous Premise Officer Crystal Town presented photos showing rotted overhang, exposed subfloor, electrical panel disconnected by CPS (generator in use), fire hazards, blocked egress, and 60 cubic yards of debris removed. SAPD Officer Anthony Pena reported over 30 calls for service since March 2023, including a murder (August 2024), shots fired, narcotics possession, and stolen vehicles. Owner was arrested twice (March 25 and July 29, 2025). Board found the structure a public nuisance per Code Section 6-156 (subsections 1,2,8,11,12,15 for main; 1,2,8,11,12,17 for accessory) and not feasible to repair. Motion to demolish within 30 days, vacate, secure, disconnect utilities, and clear debris passed 5-0.
- 601 South Hackberry : Officer Cynthia Santana presented a structure damaged by a fire on February 7, 2024, with charred ceilings, missing siding, and unstable porch. No permits were pulled. Owner Angela Jarman expressed intent to repair. Board opted to reset the case to allow her to provide a detailed scope of work, cost estimate, and proof of financial ability. The motion to reset passed unanimously. The board noted that the case would return at a date determined by staff after owner submits documents.
- 329 South San Gabriel : Officer Jaime Haso showed a collapsed roof, broken foundation beams, exposed grade, and open walls. The structure is within 1,000 feet of the West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center. Owner’s representative requested a reset for ownership transfer, but the board concluded that ordering demolition with a 30-day timeline would allow the family to pull a permit and demolish themselves before city action. Motion to demolish within 30 days passed 5-0.
- 1711 East Carson : Officer Cynthia Santana described extreme deterioration: walls detaching into neighboring yard, roof supported by 2x4s, balcony flooring rotted through, and interior debris. The city deemed it too dangerous for contractors to secure or abate. Board ordered demolition within 30 days and prioritized the property for contractor assignment. Motion passed 5-0.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes : Approved.
- 1412 Pasadena : Demolition ordered within 30 days; property must be vacated, secured (utilities disconnected), and cleared of debris. (Vote: 5-0)
- 601 South Hackberry : Case reset; owner to provide documentation. (Vote: unanimous)
- 329 South San Gabriel : Demolition ordered within 30 days. (Vote: 5-0)
- 1711 East Carson : Demolition ordered within 30 days, with priority for contractor scheduling. (Vote: 5-0)
- Board Reappointments : Four members reappointed – Paul Hernandez (District 7, June 12, 2025), Joel Solis (District 10), Dr. Erlinda Lopez Rodriguez (District 4), and Kayla Miranda (District 5) on August 7, 2025.
- Meeting adjourned at 11:02 AM.
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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