San Antonio Building Standards Board Meeting - January 22, 2026
San Antonio Building Standards Board Meeting - January 22, 2026
The Building Standards Board of San Antonio, Texas, met on January 22, 2026, at 9:14 AM, chaired by Kayla Miranda. The meeting covered the election of a vice chair, approval of minutes, staff reports on emergency demolitions, and hearings on five properties recommended for demolition. Key decisions included a 60-day repair order with an automatic demolition clause for 150 Allendale Drive, demolition orders for 215 Ruhlman Avenue and 2707 Morales Street, a mixed reset and demolition order for 1906 Texas Avenue, and a conditional 60-day sale window for 1902 Farwell Drive.
Consent Calendar
- Selection of Vice Chair: Joel Solis was elected vice chair by acclamation.
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from December 11, 2025, were approved as presented.
- Emergency Demolitions: Staff reported three emergency demolitions: 247 Benita Street (demolished Dec 6, 2025, due to fire on Dec 2), 2106 East Crockett Street (demolished Dec 12, 2025, due to fire on Dec 8), and 1115 Denver Boulevard (demolished Dec 22, 2025, due to fire on Dec 16). No further board action was required.
Discussion Items
150 Allendale Drive (First Hearing)
- Staff Presentation: Dangerous Premises Officer Jaime Hassel presented the case. The property, owned by LA Solutions Ventures LLC (acquired November 2024), had been abated twice ($2,800 total) and was within 1,000 feet of John F. Kennedy High School. No scope of work or financial proof was provided. Photos showed smoke damage, missing siding, vagrant activity, and structural decay.
- SAPD Testimony: Officer Alexandria Odako described years of complaints, drug arrests, homeless encampments, and lack of cooperation from the owner.
- Owner Representative: Lionel Alvarado (actual owner) and contractor Rafael Torres proposed to repair the property, starting in February 2026, with a 60-day timeline once work began. They had a list of repairs but no permits yet.
- Motion: Fred Anderson moved that the property is feasible to repair, with a 60-day order to repair, secure the property, cut utilities except necessary, and report to the code officer every 15 days. Yvonne Addison added a friendly amendment for automatic demolition if not repaired in 60 days. The motion passed 5-0.
215 Ruhlman Avenue (First Hearing)
- Staff Presentation: Dangerous Premises Officer Cynthia Santana presented. The property, owned by Rosendo and Guadalupe Maldonado (since 1920), was occupied and unsafe. Violations included missing skirting, unlevel foundation, unpermitted additions, egress hazards, hoarding, and fire risks. A notice to vacate was issued but not followed. No scope or financial proof was provided.
- NHSD Testimony: Lydia Ramiro from NHSD said they provided resources but the owners were behind on taxes and had refused a two-bedroom apartment due to size and lack of handicap access.
- Owner Testimony: Rosendo Maldonado (via interpreter) argued he had started repairs in good faith (paid contractor with Jeep, bought materials) but was told to stop by the code officer. He claimed items were wrongfully taken during city abatement. His wife, Guadalupe Maldonado, is on dialysis and uses a wheelchair; she pleaded for a chance to repair.
- Public Comments: Rose Hill (Government Hill Neighborhood Association) asked for 90 days to help coordinate repairs. Neighbor Robert McAtee (HVAC technician) advocated for demolition, citing long-term deterioration and safety concerns. Daughter Guadalupe Maldonado requested time to work with the association.
- Motion: Joel Solis moved that the property is not feasible to repair and ordered demolition within 30 days, vacate, cut utilities, and secure. The motion passed 5-0.
1906 Texas Avenue (First Hearing)
- Staff Presentation: Dangerous Premises Officer Brian Garza presented. The property, owned by the estate of Josephine Galvan and Eva Marie Gutierrez, had structural issues including foundation sinking, roof damage, missing siding, and fire damage. Two accessory structures on grade were in severe disrepair. One permit for foundation repair existed. The main structure had been cleaned/secured twice ($1,844 total) and utilities were disconnected.
- Owner Testimony: Eva Gutierrez said foundation work was completed and she had applied for assistance from Casa Verde and Blueprint. She provided a list of agencies but had no firm timeline for repairs.
- Motion: Joel Solis initially moved for a reset on the main structure only. After discussion, a new motion was made: to reset the main structure to the next available date requiring documentation (scope of work, financials, timeline, engineer’s report) and to keep it secured, and to demolish accessory structures 1 and 2 within 30 days (deemed not feasible). The motion passed 5-0.
1902 Farwell Drive (First Hearing)
- Staff Presentation: Dangerous Premises Officer Hassan Alazawi presented. The property, owned by Troy Glenn, had major fire damage (July 2025). Interior gutted, roof charred, walls missing. Abatement cost $2,263. The structure was secured, and no vagrants were present. OHP and VBP concurred no historic or vacant building concerns.
- Owner Testimony: Troy Glenn explained he had spinal surgeries, planned to sell the property, and had a list of 20 potential buyers. He requested 90–120 days to sell and allow a new owner to begin repairs. He had cleared the backyard and removed an RV.
- Public Comment: A letter from Council District 1 read into the record expressed neighbor concerns about the property and son who had been removed.
- Motion: Dwayne Nelson moved that the property is feasible to repair, with a 60-day period to sell the property; if not sold within 60 days, demolition would be ordered; if sold, the new owner would have 60 days after closing to complete repairs or face demolition. The motion passed 4-1 (one dissent).
2707 Morales Street (First Hearing)
- Staff Presentation: Dangerous Premises Officer Gregorian Bledsoe presented. The property, owned by Miguel Angel Tell Yes, had severe fire damage, holes in roof, debris, and an accessory structure with missing roof. No contact was made with the owner. Staff recommended demolition.
- Motion: Joel Solis moved that the property is not feasible to repair and ordered demolition within 30 days. The motion passed unanimously (5-0) by voice vote.
Key Outcomes
- 150 Allendale Drive: 60-day repair order with automatic demolition if not compliant (5-0).
- 215 Ruhlman Avenue: Demolition within 30 days, vacate, cut utilities, secure (5-0).
- 1906 Texas Avenue: Main structure reset to next available hearing with documentation; accessory structures demolished within 30 days (5-0).
- 1902 Farwell Drive: 60 days to sell; if sold, new owner has 60 days to repair; otherwise demolition (4-1).
- 2707 Morales Street: Demolition within 30 days (5-0).
The meeting recessed from 10:04 AM to 10:31 AM for an executive session to consult with legal counsel (no action taken).
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. It is 914 on January 22nd, 2026. Welcome to the Building Standards Board. My name is Kayla Miranda, and I am the chair of this panel. I call this meeting to order. Can we have a roll call? KaylaMiranda? Present. Dr. Arlinda Lopez Rodriguez. Joel Solis. Present. George Grimes Jr. Yvonne Addison? Present. Robert Tapia. Dwayne Nelson. Present. Fred Andis? Present. Also present in the meeting from the City of San Antonio. Our Savita Rye from the City Attorney's Office and from Development Services. Alice Gohardo, Development Services Manager. Melissa Garza, Administrative Assistant 2, and myself, Esther Ortiz Development Services Specialist 1. Chair Aqua is present. The City of San Antonio provides interpretation services. Can we have that statement in Spanish? Chair, if we can um skip the chairman's statement, we are waiting for our Spanish translator. Okay. He's right here. Okay. My name is Jay Rincón. Estoy acá al servicio del public. Gracias. As previously stated, a quorum is present. Please silence your cell phones and any device that may disrupt this meeting. No person shall delay or disrupt the proceedings or disobey the order of the chair. If you wish to speak on a case, you will 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 this 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 submitted the required documents prior to this public hearing. Your responsibility as a property owner or lienholder of a dilapidated structure is to demonstrate the following. Discuss your detailed scope of work with the cost for each item outlined in the order to bring the property into compliance to the satisfaction of the code officer. Submit the required proof of financial ability to pay for proposed work and discuss feasibility of repairs dependent upon monies at hand. 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 the commencement of work. You may obtain all permits from the Department of Development Services located at 1901 South Alamo Street, San Antonio, Texas, 78204.
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