Historical and Design Review Commission Meeting - September 3, 2025

The San Antonio Historical and Design Review Commission (HDRC) held a meeting on September 3, 2025, beginning at approximately 3:34 PM. The meeting was conducted in Spanish. Commissioners present: Sabino, Velázquez, Galloway, Mesuca, Ivara, Group, Cervantes, Cohen, Fetzer, and Gibbs. The commission reviewed a consent agenda, heard public comments via voicemail and letters, and deliberated on six individual cases.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the August 20, 2025 meeting.
• Approved consent agenda items 1 through 10 (with items 4 and 6 pulled for discussion) with all staff stipulations. Approved addresses included: 201 Newell, 22 Wix, 3350 West Commerce 101, West Grayson, 102 Thoring Boulevard, 142 Armor, and others.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Case 2025-21 (Item 10): Robin Foster, representing the Monticello Neighborhood Association Architectural Review Committee, supported staff recommendations for a new accessory structure and noted the garage should be re-evaluated for functionality.
• Case 2025-213, 32 Lamar Street (Item 11): Robin Foster, again on behalf of Monticello, supported a continuous concrete walkway and opposed removal of original fish scale siding.
• Case 2025-209, 407 Donaldson Avenue (Item 13): Robin Foster requested an additional stipulation requiring horizontal siding to maintain the Monticello Park character.
• Case 232 La Vaca Street (Item 14): The La Vaca Neighborhood Association voiced support for the design based on staff recommendations.

Discussion Items

• Item 4 (201 Newell, et al.): Applicant Conrad Martínez presented a request for blue tinted reflective glass at a Goodwill site. Commissioners asked about glare impact on drivers and neighbors. The applicant stated the glass matches an adjacent building. Approved with all staff stipulations. Vote: unanimous.
• Item 6 (125 Suite Street): Pulled by Commissioner Sabino for clarification on previously completed work (balustrades and columns). Applicant Chris Coker participated virtually. Staff explained the review was for tax certification only, not work approval. Commissioner Sabino noted the balustrade style was unusual but consistent with existing conditions. Approved with staff stipulations. Vote: 8-1 (Sabino dissented).
• Item 11 (32 Lamar Street): Applicant not present. Request for a flagstone pedestrian walkway and tax certification for historic designation. Staff recommended approval of tax certification but required a continuous concrete walkway and restoration of original fish scale siding. Voicemail from Guild François (neighborhood review committee) opposed the flagstone walkway. Commissioner Mesuka noted the walkway appeared unsafe. Motion to deny item 1 (walkway as proposed) and approve item 2 (tax certification) with stipulations: replace with continuous concrete and restore fish scale siding. Motion passed unanimously.
• Item 12 (2018 San Pedro Avenue): Applicant Faustino Mancha proposed adding a second arch and a front tower to a former restaurant. Staff recommended denial because the alterations would change the mid-century character of the building. Commissioners noted the proposed changes conflicted with the existing period architecture and removed original elements. Applicant indicated openness to working with the commission. Motion to approve staff recommendation (denial) passed unanimously.
• Item 13 (407 Donaldson Avenue): Applicant Paul Hunter requested a detached garage. Staff recommended approval with stipulations including double garage doors, horizontal siding, wood garage door matching the wall, and staff review. Commissioner Group asked about horizontal vs. vertical siding; applicant preferred horizontal for cost and historical era. Motion to approve with staff stipulations and an additional stipulation of horizontal siding passed unanimously.
• Item 14 (232 La Vaca Street): Applicant Clint Bellou (virtual) sought conceptual approval for a porte-cochere and attached garage. Staff recommended approval with stipulations on height, stucco finish, metal roof, and zoning variance. Applicant agreed, noting the structure height is now one foot lower than the front house. Commissioner Sabino commented the height should be further reduced to not be more prominent than the historical structure. Motion to approve conceptual design with staff stipulations passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items approved.
• Item 4: Approved with staff stipulations. Unanimous.
• Item 6: Approved with staff stipulations. Vote: 8-1 (Commissioner Sabino voted no).
• Item 11: Denied item 1 (pedestrian walkway as proposed); approved item 2 (tax certification) with stipulations requiring continuous walkway and restoration of fish scale siding. Unanimous.
• Item 12: Approved staff recommendation to deny the application for facade alterations. Unanimous.
• Item 13: Approved with staff stipulations and additional stipulation of horizontal siding. Unanimous.
• Item 14: Approved conceptual design with staff stipulations. Unanimous.
• Next steps: Applicants must obtain required permits, comply with stipulations, and work with OHP staff for final certifications. The commission announced a new Preservation Academy educational series on September 20, 2025.