San Antonio Compliance and Technical Advisory Board (CTAB) Meeting - August 22, 2025
San Antonio Compliance and Technical Advisory Board (CTAB) Meeting - August 22, 2025
The Compliance and Technical Advisory Board (CTAB) met on August 22, 2025, at approximately 9:00 AM, chaired by Juanita Sepulveda. The board addressed five agenda items including a consent calendar and four full hearings concerning certificates of appropriateness for properties within historic districts. The meeting adjourned at 10:31 AM.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1: Approved unanimously (8-0) without discussion. The specific project was not described in the transcript.
Item 2: 1213 East Crockett Street – Roof Replacement
Request: Replace existing composition shingle roof with a standing seam metal roof. The applicant wanted charcoal gray; staff recommended "cityscape" color. Public Comments: None. Discussion: Applicant's representative Tatiana argued the darker color would contrast well with white siding and noted the client's preference. Staff explained the historic design guidelines recommend lighter colors approximating natural galvalume. The Monte Vista Historical Association (via Ryan Reed) supported staff's recommendation. The board questioned why the initial application listed charcoal gray and why the color changed. Decision: Motion to approve staff's recommendation (approval with cityscape color and stipulations) carried unanimously (8-0).
Item 3: 326 West Wasatch Avenue – Painting Exterior Brick
Request: Paint the exterior brick masonry of a 14-unit apartment building (built 1977-78) an off-white color. Public Comments: Ryan Reed (Monte Vista Historical Association) clarified the association supports staff's recommendation against painting, though he personally had no objection in earlier correspondence. Discussion: Applicant David Curry argued the brick is ugly, has graffiti damage, and painting would improve property value and tenant pride. He presented photos of nearby painted brick buildings. Staff cited technical concerns: painting can trap moisture and cause deterioration. Board members questioned whether the building (50 years old) is historic and the long-term maintenance risks. Curry noted his 30 years of construction experience and promised proper upkeep. Decision: Motion to approve staff's recommendation (deny painting) carried unanimously (8-0).
Item 4: 507 East Wasatch Avenue – Stone Wall and Gates
Request: Construct a 3-foot stone wall, 40-inch pedestrian gate, and 40-inch sliding vehicle gate in the front yard. Public Comments: A voicemail from the Conservation Society opposed the wall and gates, citing design guidelines and safety concerns about an existing pond. Ryan Reed (Monte Vista) suggested lowering the stone portion to 1 foot and adding iron pickets for transparency, and pushing the driveway gate back. Discussion: Applicant Nikki Hendricks cited safety for children and dogs, and protection for a pond. She showed examples of fences on the block. Staff recommended approval of the wall and pedestrian gate but not the sliding gate. Board members expressed concerns about the wall's height and the pond's liability. After discussion, a motion was made to postpone to allow the applicant to revise the design. Decision: Motion to postpone to the September 19, 2025 meeting carried unanimously (8-0).
Item 5: 323 Divine Street – Iron Fence Height
Request: Approve a 5-foot-tall black wrought iron fence already installed in the front yard. Public Comments: A voicemail from the La Vaca Neighborhood Association supported staff's recommendation for a 4-foot height. Discussion: Applicant Craig Hutchinson cited safety concerns (burglary, loitering, stray dogs). The contractor explained they continued installation after a stop-work order for safety reasons. Staff noted the historic guidelines specify 4 feet for front yards; the city code allows 5 feet elsewhere but not in historic districts. The fence design and materials were otherwise acceptable. Decision: Motion to approve staff's recommendation (lower fence to 4 feet) carried unanimously (8-0).
Key Outcomes
- Item 1 (Consent): Approved.
- Item 2 (1213 E. Crockett): Approved with staff stipulations (cityscape color).
- Item 3 (326 W. Wasatch): Denied – brick must remain unpainted.
- Item 4 (507 E. Wasatch): Postponed to September 19, 2025, for revised design.
- Item 5 (323 Divine): Approved with condition to reduce fence height to 4 feet.
- All votes passed unanimously (8-0).
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone. I'm calling the meeting to order. August 22nd, 2025. Go ahead and do roll call. Davis. Present. Flores Garcia Regard. Spiller. Present. Setzer. Present. Fullerton Pollock. Here. Vasquez. Present. And Sepulveda. Present. We have a quorum. Translation Services. Gracias. Good morning, everyone. The compliance and technical advisory board is an advisory board appointed by the city council. I am Juanita Sepulvara, Chairwoman, and the Vice Chair is Jason Vasquez. It is the function of the board to advise the city manager and all relevant city departments concerning certain applications for permits for properties in historic districts and landmarks in considering whether to recommend approval or disapproval of an application for certificate of appropriateness. The board shall be guided by the city's unified development code and design guidelines and standards that have been adopted by the city council. An appeal of a decision by an administrative official can be filed in accordance with the city's Unified Development Code. If anyone present wishes to speak in favor or in opposition in any item on today's agenda, please sign up on the public comment sheet. It is not necessary to sign up if you are the owner or representative for a project on the agenda. You will be called on as the case is called. Case representatives will be given no more than 15 minutes to present their case with an additional two minutes to respond to public comments. Speakers for an opposed to a case will be limited to two minutes each. Speakers can also sign up to yield their two minutes to another speaker who has signed up. Anyone who is yielding their time must be present at the time the speaker is called upon. Speakers will be called upon in the order in which they are signed up. Following public testimony, any commissioner may call upon any speaker to respond to further questions. Approval by the board does not take the place of any type of permit. Permits must be obtained for all work. Certificates of appropriateness for work approved by the board will be emailed to you within 10 days. No work of any type is to be started without obtaining the appropriate city permits after certificate of appropriateness has been issued by the Office of Historic Preservation. At this time, please silence your cell phones. Morning, everyone. Madam Chair, I'd like to make a motion to approve the meeting minutes from July 18, 2025. Do we have a second? Second. I'll take a roll call vote. Davis. Aye. Garcia. Aye. Spiller.
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