I would like to call the meeting to order on January 2023, 2026 for the historic compliance and technical advisory board.

If we could please have roll call.

Davis Garcia Bergard.

Spiller.

Here.

Fullerton.

Here.

Pollock?

Here.

Vasquez.

Here.

And Suppulvada.

Here.

We have a quorum.

Translation services, please.

Good morning.

Buenos días.

Gracias.

Thank you very much.

At this time.

The compliance of technical advisory board is an advisory board appointed by the city council.

I am Juanita Sapulva, 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 the historic district and landmarks.

In considering whether to recommend approval or disapproval in an application for a 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 approval of a decision by an administrative office can be filed in accordance with the city's Unified Development Code.

If anyone present wishes to speak in favor or in opposition to an item on today's agenda, please sign up on the public comment sheet.

It is not necessary to sign up if you are on if you are the owner of or a 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 for the for opposed to a case will be limited to two minutes each.

Speakers may 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 will be 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 a certificate of appropriateness has been issued by the Office of Historic Preservations.

At this time, please silence your cell phones.

And thank you for being here.

Good morning to all.

Yes, good morning, everyone.

This is our first hearing of the year, and so as such, we are going to have our election of officers.

So at this time I will take a motion just to clarify both the current chair and vice chair are eligible to serve another another year.

So at this time I will take a nomination for the position of chair.

I nominate one eita our current chair.

Okay, we have a motion.

Do we have a second?

Second.

Okay.

Do we have any other nominations?

Okay.

All in favor of the motion say aye.

Aye.

All opposed say nay.

Motion carries.

So uh chairwoman sepulveda.

Um you can uh take motions for vice chair this time.

Thank you very much.

At this time we will take uh motions for vice chair.

I nominate our current vice chair, Jason Vasquez.

Second.

Are there any other nominations?

Are there any other nominations?

At this time, I would like to take a vote for Vice Chair Jason Vasquez.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

All those opposed.

Welcome.

Jason Vasquez is vice chair again.

Thank you.

Okay.

Thank you for your service.

I'll just also note that Commissioner Garcia has joined us virtually, and so she's here as well.

Um now we can take up approval meeting minutes from our last meeting, which was December 19th, 2025.

Madam Chair.

I'm I move to accept the minutes as written.

Do we have a second?

Second.

All those in favor?

Sig by saying aye.

Excuse me.

Roll call boat, please.

Garcia.

Aye.

Regard?

Aye.

Spiller.

Aye.

Fullerton.

Aye.

Paul?

Aye.

Vasquez?

Aye.

And Suppovada.

Aye.

Motion carries.

Motion is carried to accept the minutes as distributed.

Okay.

And then we can look at the screen now.

We have a short agenda today, just to note that items seven, or sorry, um items two, four, and five have been either postponed, withdrawn by the applicant and will not be heard today.

That really just brings us to two items.

Um we have one item consent.

Um that's 122 Potomac.

And so we will play the public comments received by voicemail for this item at this time.

Hello, this is Lulu Francois, Chairwoman of the Dignon Witty Hill Historic Neighborhood Review Committee calling in on case number 122 Potomac HDRC case number 2025-352.

We agree with staff's recommendation and stipulations, but we would like to recommend that the window outlined in blue on the rear elevation drawing to be changed to a one over one window.

Thank you.

Those are all the public comments we have.

Um I'll just note that I don't believe the applicant is in attendance.

Um but the case manager, do you feel like the um the applicant would be agreeable to all of staff stipulations, especially if we were able to um tweak that one regarding the window?

Yeah, so I I think we're good for for action on that item.

Corey.

Um I or Madam Chair, may I speak?

Go ahead.

Corey, uh I wanted to pull that agenda item from the consent agenda.

Absolutely.

Go ahead.

Madam Chair, I'd like to make a mo or to request that item uh is it one uh one twenty-two potomac be removed from the consent agenda for discussion.

Do we have to make a motion?

We just will not have a motion or action on consent, and we'll just proceed with um the review of item number one.

Okay.

But seeing that we don't have the uh the applicant present.

Did you have questions for the applicant specifically?

Or they think it's we still have discussion on it?

There so there was gonna be I had questions for the applicant and for I guess for you too.

So should we delay it or that's up to you all.

Um it is an option uh to postpone to the the next available hearing, which would be the one in February.

Um there are a number of request items, and so if the question is specific to one item and there's less concern about others, then maybe it could be a partial approval and only one item returned so that he's able to proceed with work.

But you know, I'm not trying to advocate for him, I'm just kind of giving your options.

Yeah.

I I just had questions about um how we enforce the C of A because it appears the home has been vacant for quite some time.

And it looks like in really bad shape.

Um and then I let's see.

Yeah, no, that was my concern about it being beyond uh repair.

But it looks like they have extensive um plans for it.

Can you tell me a little more about that or Glance?

So work has begun to a degree.

What's coming to you today um is a violation case.

Um and so yeah, drawings were submitted by the applicant to comply with those violations.

Any other details about timeline or anything and then also addressing the neighborhood's concern about uh the window, what was it?

The window being changed to a one over one?

Sure.

So no um news on the timeline for execution.

Um, in in many cases this could move into a compliance agreement, um, and then further action can be taken from there.

Um in regards to the window on the rear facade, that's an existing window.

Um so you know, we won't force the applicant to make it a one over one because it's already existing.

Okay.

And the and just for clarification.

Oh, pardon me, madam chair, meant go ahead, ma'am.

Thank you.

Just for clarification, the uh one over one window that was recommended by the neighborhood.

Um that's a request, but it was not a violation or request from the applicant.

That was just from the neighborhood association, is that correct?

Okay.

Are there any other discussions?

And this kindly.

Um just concerned about it.

It looks like it's badly deteriorated, but um if they're looking to bring it into compliance, then that would be your way of enforcement and staying on top of it.

Well, I'm my understanding is this is a new owner.

And so my understanding is this is a new owner, so um, I think he's acquired the property in order to do the rehabilitation.

Is there any I didn't get a chance to look in BCAD, but do you know when the owner took this over?

I mean, we've had our conversations with him have started just in the past couple of months, and so um I think that's generally the timeline.

Okay.

Okay, thank you.

Any other discussions?

Go ahead, sir.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Just out of curiosity, I'm looking at the piers underneath it.

Was this house relocated or just elevated?

And was that recent?

Uh we have no indication that it was um ever relocated.

Um there has been work done in the past with the previous owner.

Uh so maybe what you're seeing is reflective of that.

Um yeah, here on the addition, obviously this is part of the violation, um, which is why it's here for you today.

So I'm gonna address the are there any any comments from online.

Okay.

As far as I'm concerned, I think the the staff is actually handling very well and let that stand where it is, so that way they can move forward and be able to assist with the new applicant and just continue moving forward.

It'll still be monitored, but at the I think at this point there shouldn't be any other any other motions or anything pertaining to this, and let it just continue.

No, madam chair, I'm I'm fine with moving forward and uh I just needed the reassurance and then just a little bit of detail.

Thank you for the opportunity.

Thank you so much, Caitlin.

Okay.

I'll make a motion uh to approve with staff stipulations.

Do I have a second?

I second uh we have a uh motion and a second.

Go ahead, roll call vote.

Uh actually, Madam Chair, can I ask a clarification uh from Jason?

Uh uh Commissioner Vasquez.

Uh you're accepting the staff recommendations as written, right?

You're not doing anything with the window one-on-one, you're not doing anything with the neighborhood association.

No, I believe uh staff addressed that and it was not in any kind of uh violation or right.

Um it was already existing.

So unless the applicant came to us looking to modify that particular opening, that's when we would um you know ensure that a window is installed that meets the standard specifications.

But there has been no change requested for that particular window.

Okay, thank you.

I just wanted to make sure what the motion was.

Did you want to amend the No?

No.

Okay.

I don't.

Okay.

Well, go ahead and move forward with the roll call vote, please.

Garcia.

Aye.

Regard?

Aye.

Spiller.

Aye.

Bullerton.

Aye.

Pollock?

Aye.

Vasquez?

Aye.

And Sapova.

Aye.

Motion carries.

Thank you.

Can we go ahead and move to our next item?

I believe it's Roswey.

Thank you, ma'am.

Yes, item number three on the compliance and technical advisory board agenda, case number 2025-342, 204 East Rosewood Avenue.

The applicant is requesting a certificate of appropriateness for approval to paint the exterior of the three existing masonry buildings located on the property.

Staff does not recommend approval to paint the exterior of the three masonry buildings on the property.

And we do have applicant Ernie Brindle here with us.

Um he has also submitted us a supplemental presentation that you actually won't see in your late folders, but I will present um once he approaches the daisy.

Hi, uh good morning, Commissioner.

Eddie Bruhelen.

Um yeah, I'm representing uh Roof Sharks, the company who is in charge of uh this project over here.

Uh the main intention of the project is not to change the character of the of the of the building at all or like the all the layout on the on the neighborhood, like the appeal that it's uh currently ongoing over there.

So here's uh how it looks uh as of now.

Uh that's uh the current condition of the of the building.

Uh in general, we we we found uh the building in in in in perfect shape.

Just uh a couple fixes here and there.

Uh but when we came to look at the uh at the brick, the masonry that is currently there, uh we started noticing a lot of damage, as you can see over here on on this uh pictures.

I was expecting them to be a little bit uh bigger, but uh hope that you can uh get a hint of what's going on over here.

So um we've been trying to find uh suppliers, vendors for for this uh this brick, and uh it's uh been quite a challenge.

So that's why uh we decided to uh promote this motion and and and we'll uh check check with you all if uh we would be able to uh you know do this uh improvement.

Uh not only uh it's once again it's not only uh aesthetical, uh I mean goes beyond that.

It's more to preserve the the current structure of the of the building and the nature of the of the current uh masonry that it's uh uh right now as uh on the building.

Um we're planning yeah, we can move to the next one.

Thank you so much.

Um we we did some uh research and we found that uh there are materials, there are uh paint options uh in the market that uh won't damage the the nature of the of the current masonry.

Uh these uh this paint uh and this is one of the vendors that we found there are uh two or more uh there in the market.

And uh this this kind of paint is more like uh mineral based, so it won't damage or it'll it'll let the brick uh breathe uh not absorb any moisture and it it's removable.

So uh I mean we we can go back to the to the original uh color at any at any point if we use uh any any of these uh uh uh mineral paint uh minimum mineral-based paints.

So um we can move to the to the next one.

Thank you.

Um we actually checked also on the Montevista historical historical code of uh uh for for paints, uh whatever the pallets that are allowed within the historical district.

And uh considering that we cannot uh or we wouldn't like to touch the the overall the the the building, like 100% of the of the masonry, we we decided to just uh you know uh propose to paint only the top of of the building, which is the the yellow masonry that we're struggling to find.

Um when when when we did this uh comparison, we found that uh going from the current uh mix of colors to the proposed ones, um it kind of matches with what is currently uh gone going all over the street.

So uh there are several properties that are using this kind of uh mixes.

Uh we're still on the previous one.

Uh the the black with the red brick, uh white accents and black.

So it's uh it kind of blends perfectly.

And since these properties on the corner uh gives like a first approach to to the street.

So we consider that being going black would be kind of neutral and uh also uh in in in case of future uh cracks or uh uh damage that we notice on the brick would be more uh it'll kind of fade it out like it'll be easy to um it won't be that noticeable.

I would I would I would think that that would be the best way to explain to it.

Um yeah, we can go to the last one.

Um we noticed that there's a property that uh uh experience uh an appearance change, even though it's not made out of brick, but uh we we I mean we wanted just to uh submit to you to your consideration this uh this fact that there's uh there has been a change in in uh 115 uh West Rosewood, which is kind of like half a mile a mile away from from the property.

Um so we we just wanted to bring to you all uh all these facts uh to see if you can could consider our request to move forward with this project.

Thank you for your time.

I'm sorry, I can't see my monitor went black.

Is it just the one that's a good thing?

I thought I'd broken something.

Thank you for your presentation.

I'll start to my left, please.

Yeah, madam chair.

Um I have a question for staff.

Has the work of the painting already been done?

Is this a violation case or is this a request?

This is a request.

This is not violation.

Are there any other to my left?

Any any discussion online, please.

Um I have more of a comment than a question.

Can I ask that?

Can I make a comment now?

Go ahead, ma'am.

Um I think that I'm not I'm not very familiar with this type of um paint.

And uh while it sounds really good in terms of some of the problems that are associated with painting masonry, um, I think that um overall for a historic district it is problematic to paint brick, and if your primary reason for wanting to do so is that you're having a hard time finding brick that is yellow to match uh the existing in terms of repairs, then um I think that is probably not a strong enough reason because there is still a downside um to painting brick.

Um also it does change the appearance of the building, in my opinion, even regardless of whether or not uh the color palette is allowed in this historic district.

So um that would be my comment that historically leaving the brick and um doing everything you can to repair, restore, and protect it as it stands now is the way that we want to go.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Just want to follow up on that.

Um I don't so much have a problem with painting it based on the information presented to us, but uh I would rather be a color that would match the original color, closer to the original color.

That that would be my issue.

Thank you very much.

To my right, are there any questions, comments?

Yes, madam chair.

I have some uh questions for the applicant.

Hi there and welcome.

Hi, thank you.

Um how do you not see this as changing the character of the home uh when it's going from one shade of that time what I think the home was built in 45 or 51, one of those two.

Um which is kind of telling of the times.

Uh how do you see it not changing uh the character?

Because we're not doing any uh modifications to the overall um layout of the building.

It's just uh looking for um a pain that would be easier to desimulate the cracks because it's becoming uh uh a little bit older.

So uh we we didn't plan on on you know adjusting like uh dramatically the colors as you can tell uh the the the mix that we are using right now uh lets the like the the the frames hold uh the accents of the windows can still be perceived the way they are.

Um and uh when it comes to the top, just uh uh I mean we we we wanted to respect the the the base, which is uh the the part that you can perceive from the from the very first side when you go into in into the street.

Sure.

Um I would argue that it does uh change the character when you're going from one color to a stark and dark color.

Um and then you're also taking away the detail of the I'm not sure if it's a different yes, the brick on the side of that center window.

Is that uh plancy?

No, no, no, that that won't be that will be modified.

Yeah, it's just uh what are the stuff?

I don't know what the technical term would be.

They kind of look like coins to me, but I I don't know what this is.

Right.

The contrasting brick color.

The contrasting brick colors.

So that character that's part of uh character defining um feature of the home.

Yeah, we apologize.

We uh I mean we presented this uh using AI technology and it didn't respect that framing on on the center window, but it won't be affected.

We would uh keep the the red brick as it is.

And then uh um tell me a little bit more about this paint.

You said it would preserve the home, uh because typically as the commissioner online mentioned uh painting does is not good for for masonry.

Yeah, I I actually uh picked the like the text that comes with the from from the bender.

And uh what what they highlight basically is the breathability.

Uh these paints are also highly uh breathable with uh excellent moisture vapor transmission.

Um Romabio uh it's one of the brands that uh we were considering for for this and uh have a permeability rating of uh 70 plus, which is above way above average.

Um and that's essential for the health of the of all the uh bricks uh structures.

There's the first thing, uh durability.

Um they are extremely long lasting, uh resisting chipping, peeling.

And uh if we saw on the very first picture, uh when there were the four, uh like the you still ready uh starting to fade out to chip to just crack.

So uh that's one of the things that these kind of paints uh help to keep it uh uh kind of together.

So it's it's more technology than the one that was, you know, uh available at at the time when uh the original uh brick collar was uh installed on on the building.

Um so um it comes with a 20-year warranty when applied uh correct.

Okay, great.

Um again I'd say it'd probably be cheaper if you found somebody that does uh brick repair than painting that whole uh up upper portion of the home and then whatever el other details you're gonna paint.

Um there's many vendors throughout San Antonio that do masonry repair and that can restore um those items.

Um and my last question to you was how do you consider this uh not noticeable the painting the changing of the color from the yellow to the blue to the is it black or blue?

Uh it is black.

Yeah.

Black, yeah.

That's uh again a stark contrast to what it was.

And you're introducing this as you mentioned at the corner, the beginning of the street, which uh kind of sets the tone for the historic district as you're turning into onto Rosewood.

Yes.

Yes, that's correct.

How would you consider this not noticeable?

Uh we we did uh like exploration around the the the blocks around the property and we noticed that there's uh several uh there are several buildings with uh using these the same uh mix of of colors.

So that's why we were like uh okay.

I mean, even though the Lalo would have loved to have it in in red or blue, whatever, we were like, you know what, we need to kind of uh blend uh the the best way we can with uh with this and our main idea was to uh as I as I explained before, like uh this this color uh kind of uh doesn't uh hides more any cracks, any and imperfections that uh come up with uh with with time.

That that's pretty much the main reason why we use so using the the same kind of uh color palette that was uh around the like the two or three blocks, you know, around and uh the fact that we were able to to hide those cracks in the future.

Okay.

Yeah, you mentioned uh it hiding the imperfections, the problems that you're having.

Um again, I rebut that with it would exacerbate or maybe even build upon those uh problems that you're already having.

Um and then you're just painting over a problem, and that's just gonna be there and continue to worsen.

So um I'd be inclined to respectfully uh go against your your request.

So thank you for answering the questions.

Absolutely.

Thank you so much.

Madam Chair.

Go ahead.

Um so I just want to thank the applicant for coming.

So many of the cases we see are violation cases and the work is already started and that can be really devastating to the applicant.

So thank you so much for coming forward with the request.

Um I would say that uh I just want to that I agree with my um fellow commissioners Garcia and Vasquez.

I would say that uh I just want to note it that I agree with my um fellow commissioners Garcia and Vasquez um I do see uh painting it um this dark color is is changing a character defining trait of the building but also the issue I have even larger than even that is is uh um painting over the the brick I I I think that in terms of uh our call and our duty on this this um board um in in order to stay within the historic guidelines I I really struggle with that but I do want to genuinely thank you for coming forward before before work was started absolutely thank you yeah you're saving the just a bit in in hassle thank you very much oh so at this time Caitlin I have a couple of questions if you go back to the actual mineral paint please and sir thank you so much for bringing this to our attention I do want to address this I know that under certain criteria and regulations we do not view as painting the paint and I notice also the imperfections as far as the brick and in the stucco and things that nature what are the regulations as far as those I don't know them at the top of my head so I apologize.

I know because we're addressing damages and future kind of you know it worsening and I know a lot of people look at painting to be able to cover the imperfections but my concern would be at this point is not preventing the damage that's already there because I know we have several people who have the skill set to be able to go in and maintenance it and is this the first time it's coming to us I don't remember seeing this before.

We've not seen this request before no if if you're speaking in terms of what the guidelines say they're pretty explicit in that masonry is not to be painted and then at this point we would go into maintenance versus and I don't want to call this beautification right because ultimately it is a historical and we're looking to maintain it not change the exterior and in addressing this paint um is that something we're already going to start addressing because if they're bringing mineral paint things is so I will say this is a real product we have approved it in other instances um and it has been approved in some cases even on very historic structures by the state and so there is precedent um it's not going to have the quite the same uh physical impact as like a latex base paint because of the breathability that the applicant mentioned um so yeah that's usually our primary um concern when we're talking about painting masonry that's why the guidelines say that another issue again is just sort of the change in appearance um this house was you know whoever built it chose these two bricks and that's kind of part of the history like it or not um and so that's just something else to consider so let's go back to the to the brick so we can take a look at that image that he brought us and we've gone out to to to view it right no we have not no and then the the colors that are accepted in that in that district in that historic district um we have no say or purview over color selection yeah the document that was shown was um produced by the Monte Vista Historical Association more than a dozen years ago um it's not adopted or endorsed by the city about it as sort of a recommended paint palette that some people kind of looked at and agreed upon um so it's not really guidance to be considered today um but um I just want to give you that background Sir can you enunciate your name one more time Eddie Bruhelan is it okay if I call you Eddie because I don't I don't I don't like messing up people's names have you worked with the Monte Vista community as thus far or is it this just addressing it at this point?

We reached out to them and they recommended to just come straight to to the CD.

All right so at this point my concern would be the maintenance of the building the exterior and that I've heard it several times about the painting we do have the strict compliance about it.

You know Eddie looking at it if it was in any other district it would make sense but being that we're looking at the two bricks and it would definitely change the the the change of it that would be my concern ultimately maintaining it.

I would just also like to point out that part of the physical appearance of this building, uh, and any time you use brick, is the kind of contrast or the um the difference between the color of the mortar and the color of the brick.

And and looking at this while others were talking about it.

That's also something I think that would change if this uh brick on the top were to be painted over because then there is no distinguishing between the yellow brick and the mortar bands.

And um I think that is part of what gives this building its architectural um characteristic.

So that would be I think another reason why why painting the brick would not be a good thing.

Thank you, Commissioner Garcia.

I had a comment from to my left.

Go ahead, sir.

Uh thank you, Madam Chair.

Could we go back to the uh two slides previous?

Uh the the manufacturers uh I'm I guess I'm a little confused by the information the manufacturer is providing because on one hand it it it does talk about uh ease of removability, and yet on the other, when we look further down at the bottom, it emphasizes penetrates absorbent uh masonry, fuses for permanent adhesion, um, and uh extremely resistant to freeze thaw, uh will never blister or peel from moisture.

So I it it it seems like there are some uh contradictory elements in there that uh I think I'd I'd feel more comfortable if I'd need to know more about it and maybe some long-term studies on this particular uh paint method in order to understand in particular how it might hold up here.

Um I'm sure that uh German engineering is is fantastic, especially for paint in and cold climates.

Um I'm curious how it it handles uh South Texas weather.

Um plus as the guidelines have stated and as we've mentioned before, um our default position is just not to paint masonry because there are these kinds of surprises that can happen down the road, and um they can be really painful and expensive to to go back and address later, so better to do no harm up front when possible okay.

Go any other further discussion online at this time.

I will entertain a motion, please.

Madam Chair.

I'd like to make a motion uh to uh approve with staff recommendations.

I have a motion.

Do I have a second?

Oh second, second motion.

Okay, just to clarify this would be a denial of the request.

That is correct.

I'll take a roll call vote, please.

Garcia Aye.

Regard?

Aye.

Spiller.

Aye.

Fullerton.

Aye.

Paul?

Aye.

Vasquez.

Aye.

And Sapulvada.

Aye.

Motion carries.

Thank you.

Eddie, if you'll please go back to the to our to their office and work with them and see if we can come up with another solution, please.

And thank you so much for your time.

Are there any updates from the staff?

We have no other business.

Okay.

At this time, I'll call for motion to uh adjourn.

I make a motionly adjourn the meeting.

Motion second.

Yeah.

Well, we just need to just adjourn.

Thank you.

Nope.

Adjourned as of 938.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, everyone.