San Antonio Building Standards Board Meeting – February 12, 2026
San Antonio Building Standards Board Meeting – February 12, 2026
The Building Standards Board met on February 12, 2026, at 9:13 AM at 1901 South Alamo Street to consider five properties for demolition or repair. The board approved consent calendar items, heard public testimony, and made decisions on each property. The meeting adjourned at 1:40 PM.
Consent Calendar
- 1314 Fulton Avenue: Staff reported that the structure was demolished as an emergency on February 3, 2026, due to a fire on January 21, 2026. No further board action was required.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Paul Burgess (District 7, civil rights attorney): Speaking in his individual capacity, Burgess strongly criticized the board's actions, arguing that the board lacks judicial authority to declare a property a public nuisance for demolition under Dallas v. Stewart. He also raised concerns about constitutional violations and compared the board's actions to censorship of an artist.
- Rosa Johnston (District 4 resident): Voiced support for Philip Ross, describing the property as a form of art and stating that no safety incidents have occurred. She argued that the board should not interfere with a landowner's rights.
- Written comment from a resident of Sweet Briar Avenue (read into record): Requested demolition of 102 Sweet Briar Avenue, citing ongoing problems with drug addicts and prostitutes and a lack of safety.
- Owner testimonies: Philip Ross (2781 West Jet) argued his property is safe and art, and that the board lacks jurisdiction; Elizabeth Foster (315 Coyol) requested a reset; Lily Rodriguez (1442 East Chavanal) expressed desire to fix but no funds; Elisa Vasquez (1239 Culebra) supported demolition.
Discussion Items
2781 West Jet Road (Main, Accessory 1, Accessory 2)
- Staff presented evidence of severe code violations for all three structures. The owner, Philip Ross, stated the structures are art and not dangerous, but did not provide a scope of work, engineer’s report, or financial proof. The fire department and building inspector testified that the structures were unsafe. After a tied initial motion (3-3), the board split the case.
- Main structure: Demolition ordered within 30 days, with utilities cut and a vacate notice. Vote: 6-0.
- Accessory 2 (utility poles): Demolition ordered within 30 days, with utilities cut. Vote: 6-0.
- Accessory 1 (multi-story tower): Motion to reset passed 5-1, requiring the owner to provide a current stamped engineer’s report and repair plan within 30 days, and to cut utilities.
315 Coyol Street
- Owner Elizabeth Foster stated she recently inherited the property and lacked information. She requested a reset to gather documentation. The board granted a reset for a future hearing. Vote: 6-0.
1442 East Chavanal Road
- Staff recommended demolition of all structures (main, accessory 1, accessory 2). Owner Lily Rodriguez (via interpreter) said she wanted to fix the property but had no financial means. The board ordered demolition of all structures within 30 days, vacate, secure, cut utilities, and clear debris. Vote: 6-0.
1239 Culebra Road
- Owner Elisa Vasquez stated he purchased the property but was not on the deed and supported demolition due to homeless issues. The board ordered demolition of the main and accessory structures within 30 days, secure and clear debris. Vote: 6-0.
102 Sweet Briar Avenue
- Staff recommended repair for the main structure and demolition for the accessory. The owner was not present. A public comment from a neighbor requesting demolition was read. The board ordered demolition of both the main and accessory structures within 30 days, vacate, secure, and cut utilities. Vote: 6-0.
Key Outcomes
- Demolition orders: 2781 West Jet (main and accessory 2), 1442 East Chavanal (all structures), 1239 Culebra (main and accessory), 102 Sweet Briar (main and accessory).
- Reset: 2781 West Jet (accessory 1) – owner must provide engineer’s report and repair plan within 30 days; 315 Coyol Street – reset for future hearing.
- Consent calendar: 1314 Fulton Avenue – emergency demolition noted.
- Administrative: Effective April 1, 2026, voicemail public comments will no longer be accepted; written and in-person comments will continue. The chair reminded attendees to remove hats before entering the meeting room.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. Welcome to the Building Standards Board. My name is Kayla Miranda, and I'm the chair. It is 9 13 a.m. on February 12th, 2026. Can we have a roll call, please? Kayla Miranda. Here. Joel Solis. Present. George Grammes Jr. Present. Dr. Arlinda Lopez Rodriguez? Here. Yvonne Addison. Present. Robert Tapia. Brett Andes. Also present in the meeting from the City of San Antonio are Savita Ray from the City Attorney's Office and from Development Services. Danny Legis, Code Enforcement Administrator. Melissa Ramírez, Deputy Director, Michael Euresti, Development Services Manager. Jenny Ramitas, Code Enforcement Manager, Melissa Garza, Administrative Assistant 2, and myself, Estorties Development Services Specialist 1. Madam Chair, Aquorm is present. The city in San Antonio provides interpretation services. Can we please have that statement in Spanish? Good morning. The service de traduction of Espanol stand disponible durante este reunion. The reunion is panel. Los services de traduction stand disponibles para que ellos que se inscreven para hablar. Gracias. Thank you. As previously stated, a quorum is present. Please silence your cell phone and 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 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 have submitted the required documents prior to this public hearing. Your responsibility as a property owner or lienholder of a dilapidated structure case is to demonstrate the following. Provide the required work documents. 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 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 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 the code enforcement officer.
openpublica.com